Clash of Rhylfes (3x games of a new system)

With my initial Quar force painted up I was ready to play my first game of Clash of Rhyfles by Zombiesmith Miniatures. Stew came down this Sunday with his nicely painted and extensive Quar collection, and I'd set up a couple 2'x2' tables in preparation for his arrival (altho thankfully Stew had brought a few "Quarish" scenic items to Quar them up a bit better). 

Obligatory "Yay we actually gamed for the first time in over two years or something" pic. I missed that guy, he's great company and a solid chap in general. (I really need to do something about those awful extra chins...)

Having somehow the whole of Sunday to myself is a rarity and so I took full advantage and we managed to cram in 3 full games, which was excellent. The Clash of Rhyfles system was extremely fun and I really liked how although there was a definite "turn" system, each player had stuff to do or to react with so one wasn't just waiting around. The lack of surety as to how many activations one gets (3-5 based on a card draw) each turn was also a flippin brill and really made choices in-game both tough, but also ensured one really had to plan out each turn carefully in case their opponent revealed fewer than one might have been expecting. This rules set seemed nicely balanced for the skirmish size it was designed for and I could easily see it used for all sorts of squad-based muskets thru modern genres if the Quar aesthetic wasn't your thing.

Enough Waffling - on to some pics. Forgive the quality, the lighting in my game-space is average at best. I played my recently painted Fidwog in each game. 

Game One -Vs. Stew's Toulmore (200 or so points a side.)

This was my first game of Clash of Rhyflers so I was learning it all like a newborn babe being handed their first boob. We played two small lists of basic rhyflers, a yawdryl and my LMG guy. I was so caught up, I forgot to start taking snaps until almost the last turn. Boo.

In this pic, my brave Yawdryl (Sergeant) hunkers down behind one of the objectives we were both fighting over as Toulmorese troops shift about shooting at him from inside the ruins ahead.

Over at the other objective my Miner and a Gaefyn secure things there while two more Gaefyn are caught out in the open trying to assist, the one with tokens next to him and the yellow "whirlies" over his head is "Gobsmacked" & "Down" and needs to Recover.

Toulmorese bodies are littering the field of battle. It's not looking good for these Crusader Fanatics. 

Bottom left in this pic, my han-Gaefyn (Corporal) has just taken out one of the last of the enemy with a well-placed long ranged burst with his squad support LMG. Thankfully though, cos the rest of his buds in this pic all needed to use the Recover activation to get rid of their "Gobsmacked" & "Down" markers had there been another turn!

In the end, if you hadn't already guessed I won this learning game rather handily. I picked up the basics of the rules pretty quickly and we quickly moved on to game two.

Game Two - Vs. Stew's Crusaders. (My 365 vs Stew's 300-ish points)

Stew brought out his Crusaders for game two. (Those are the generic not-Communist faction that multiple nations have joined in the setting.) They have lots more options for list building. I numbered and lettered the different models and their placings in the below first image, but sheesh - if I am having a hard time reading that crap I can only imagine how you lot are so ignore the labeling and just know, green boxes denote Stew's troop placements, Red show mine. The scenario had my slightly larger Fidwog force being ordered to assault the Crusader encampment at the north of the first pic and take two objectives to win. 

Stew's guys at the top of the pic - basic Rhyflers, a couple Ryshi high powered Rhyflers, a Yawdryl and an AT Torpedo team. Mine was the same list as the first game but with an added Caertyn (Lieutenant), Marksquar (Sniper) and Fynrydhad (Tiny tractor). The river was treated as a "One move action to enter, another needed to move out". 

Stew's setup. That wattle fencing was way better at providing cover against firearms than one would have guessed!

Stew quickly became annoyed as my Marksquar set up early on in the game and began popping off long range shots primarily at his AT Torpedo team about 2 or 3 turns in a row.

My Tractor rumbled up and started peppering Stew's line. These early turns didn't look good for the Crusader defenders at all.

With infantry support creeping up in support, my tractor had a turn of multiple insane rolls and lots of Quar Rhyflers fell to aggressive fire.

Then some other Quar picked up the Crusader AT Torpedo.... and well, down went three of those infantry and a lucky Ryshi rhyfle shot took out the tractor. My right flank wasn't looking good all of a sudden.

Over on the other flank it was a slog getting across the river. But slowly my brave boys managed to make a bridgehead. Poor young Caerten tho took a shot trying to vault the fencing.

Another lucky long range shot finally takes out my Marksquar. He earned his mothcakes this day though.

Endgame. Lots of Quar littering in and around the Crusader encampment and others are stunned and otherwise useless. My last ditch effort to rush the objectives came up short and Stew got a good win. This game was even more fun than the first.

Game Three - Vs. Stew's Crusaders (Around 365 points each)

After a brief interlude for vivers, we managed to get one last game in before we called it quits on the day, a Meeting Engagement where we each scored points for getting the most troops over the halfway mark or something. 

The set up for this game had a LOT of cover. Each field where the trees are seen were treated as all "Light cover" as were the fences and the swampy looking not-cd's-at-all-honest made movement slow. My boys again were heading north.

Stew started off strong this game, causing a trio of my troops to do down and even taking one out. He also knocked off a point of hull from my little tractor too. 

The going's rough and casualties are starting to mount up on both sides. I have some of my troops a smidge over the half-way point.

Stew has a cunning plan? Or just a cheeky grin. Those glasses are not ours.

Getting toward the end of the game. It's been a right back-and-forth affair and we both have suffered a lot of casualties. 

Unimpressed at having not won or just downright tired after a long day of gaming, my guest poses in a very manly fashion. We called this one a draw. 

There, a very pleasant day of gaming with a good friend and I got to hop fully onto the "Quar Train". Colour me hooked!

Now I'm trying to decide whether to save to buy my own Crusader force or just wait for the rumoured to be released later this year new Starter Set which is supposed to be featuring new plastic kits for a couple new Quar nations in their unending war?

We'll see. 

(O and at many of your requests, I did enquire as to whether Stew will return to blogging!? He responded - "Maybe".)

Hope all are well and safe out there,

- Dai

3rd Awr-Range Wardens (Quar Fidwogs - Part 3)

Found time to paint? Check

Completed the Quar team for Sunday's game? Check

Even have enough terrain to host the game in a pretty manner? Check

Add a little beer (Cider for Stew) and decent foodage? Check

Game on chaps. Game. On. 

The final models for my initial (Cos of course there's plenty more of these cute little buggers in the unpainted mountain for later moments at the paint-station.) planned collection are painted. I can sleep a happy man.

From left to right: Miner, Marksquar sniper, is-Caerten, Gaefyn, and at the back a Fynrydhad Squad Support Tractor.

First up is the last Gaefyn (Basic Trooper) I needed. Gaefyn Haefquar is from a backwoods Termite Farm near Shibak in the North East of Fidwog. An uninteresting bumpkin of a Quar, he shoot's "goofy", wielding his trusty standard Sprygyt Mk3 “Sketych” rifle left-handed - Most unorthodox and un-Quarlike. His fellow Gaefyn also complain he carries a stench of stale termite droppings with him that never seems to entirely leave his pelt regardless of how often they try to force him to bathe. 

Next we have the first Specialist in this crew, Polli, a gold miner by trade. The deep Fidwog mines ringing the Awr-Range peaks are home to the nation of Fidwog's most lucrative Gold veins and during the wars with the Crusader nation of neighbouring Tok, the miners who worked these mines had to fight hard to keep the invading Crusader presence from taking control of such valuable assets. Miners in Fidwog are considered veteran troops, skilled and able to dive into the most terrible trench fights fearlessly to drive out even the most stubborn opponents. Polli brings a lot of toughness to the unit, though tends to stay apart from the rest of the 3rd' who he secretly feels he has little in common with.

Is-Caerten Nahr is the platoon's young commissioned officer (Lieutenant equivalent). Nahr was the youngest kit of a rare 7-kit litter. He comes from a wealthy family, though being 7th in line meant there was little his parents could offer him for his future aside from a sensible suggestion to join the Fidwoggian military. They at least were able to secure him an officer's rank, though being from a very minor family, his posting was anything but comfortable which he quickly found out once he arrived at the high elevation of the 3rd Awr-Range garrison. Still, Nahr has taken his posting seriously, perhaps a little too seriously and constantly carries with him all maps and official orders he has received in his satchel so that he will "never find himself unprepared". (This model is actually a 3D printed "Courier", but I liked the pose so much I felt he belonged with my boys.)

Prior to signing up with the 3rd', Marksquar Vang was a hunter by trade, spending long days out in the rugged, most remote areas of the harsh mountains of Western Fidwog, using his dead-eye skills with his is-Haem Long Rhyfle to good effect stalking the elusive Alpine Huvi. His long distance shooting expertise is very much appreciated by the rest of the 'Wardens, as are the fresh tasty Alpine Huvi kills he manages to bring back from his hunting expeditions. (This model has a couple 3D printed parts, namely his head and backpack. I wanted him to stand out from the other troops more than just the standard long rifle these snipers are outfitted with.)

Last of this Quar update is Tractor Crewmember Cammot, driver of the unit's Fynrydhad Squad Support Tractor. Cammot is a cheery Quar, friend to just about any other Quar in the unit aside from Fask, who he detests with a pen chance. Cammot and Fask have come to blows on many an occasion during downtimes, often started by disagreements during off-duty card games and fueled by strong liquor. Fask though, has yet to best the Tractor Driver in a fist fight, or at playing cards for that matter.

Having a few spare items from all the WW2 kits I've collected over the years meant I could add some items of interest to this little thing like the ammo cans on the side-board thing and small pack I glued to the rear of the turret.

Am intending to get another post up to preview how the game day went so stay tuned. 

*Bonus pics of a pair of captured Italian CV-33 tankettes for my Bolt Action Greeks. Super quick to paint up and these 3D prints are a bit smaller than my existing one, but once based they'll mix in fine I think for game purposes.

Goodness these things are dinky!

Not the best prints. Each had an exhaust that was mis-printed, but I went with them anyhow as they were pretty cheap and the mis-print isn't that noticeable I feel.

Here's the updated Paint Chart for my Greeks:

(On another note - Can you believe, I've already put up more posts in less than half of 2026 than I did in the entirety of 2024 & 2025 combined?)

Stay well and safe out there all,

- Dai

3rd Awr-Range Wardens (Quar Fidwogs - Part 2)

With Stew's impending game-day visit fast approaching (May 24th), I declared to the good wife that I would be sequestering myself in a secluded spot and getting stuck in to paint some more Quar so I'd be that much closer to being prepared for my introduction to the Clash of Rhyfles rules set this upcoming Sunday. 

Any regular reader of this blog might recall I am no fan of batch painting. At all. But (!), I sat my grumpy backside down and I managed to bash out 5 more Quar for my 3rd Awr-Range Wardens project. So here presented for your delectation, is the han-Gaefyn (like a squad Corporal.) and 4 Gaefyn (Regular Rhyfler troopers.) for my little force of these colourful anteater people. 

I also recently picked up a cheap lightbox off Amazon to try and get better pics of my minis. Let me know if you think these pics are an improvement.

It wasn't until I published this post that I realised that I hadn't painted the lenses on the orange fellah that I'd so carefully added with Greenstuff... (I know, barely seeable here, but I know they are!) Back to the painting table he will go.

Because of the nature of the Clash of Rhyfles rules being such a low model-count, it gives players the opportunity to personalize and name one's team members. I do like to dive a little deeper into my games so for the sake of recording details: 

This is han-Gaefyn Toofys, wielding his Bensa F6 Light Machinegun. Toofys is known as being cool as a Quarcumber in the face of the enemy. He does seem to have a problem keeping his head down in a scrap though, so mayhap in a future engagement his "coolness" might cause him to come a cropper? 

Gaefyn Craeb is a relatively new addition to the 3rd ' Wardens. Being a lowlander, he's had a hard time adjusting to the extreme elevations of the posting.

Gaefyn Fask likes to act as though he's in charge, often attempting to give orders to the other Gaefyn, but when Yawdryl Geraynt got wind of this he shut Fask down quicksmart and gave him latrine duty. Fask has been plotting against the Yawdryl for months now but seems to never quite "follow through", clearly all bark, but no bite. 

Gaefyn Werr has been with the 3rd ' Wardens for only one season. He volunteers for nightly patrol duty seemingly every day. The other Gaefyn think he's rather strange. 

Gaefyn Waelgi is the eldest Quar currently serving in the unit and takes new recruits under his wing eagerly. He's seen too many brave Fidwog enlistee's fall to rookie mistakes in the fight against the Crusaders. As can be seen, Waelgi eschews regulation protective headgear. Yawdryl Geraynt has given up trying to convince the elder Quar otherwise.

Here's a snapshot of all the painted Quar so far including the previously previewed Yawdryl Geraynt from my last post. 

Not a bad looking lot I think. These 6 can be a playable force for a learning game, but there's still some more to come so I can fill out and play a full 300 point force (Standard game size)!

Here's a preview of the remaining figs I hope to get painted in time for May24th. 

I am blessed enough to be having an extra long, 5-day-weekend for this coming Memorial Day weekend starting Thursday, so I am dearly hoping real life (And my wife) will allow me time enough to get all of this finished. Keep fingers crossed for me!

As always, hope all are well and safe out there,

- Dai

3rd Awr-Range Wardens (Quar Fidwogs - Part 1)

 And just like that, the classic "Dai Butterfly Attention Span" kicks in and leads my hobby off in a totally different and unexpected direction. 

The estimable (Don't tell him I described him so.) Stew, author of the most excellent and entertaining "Terrible Loss of Lead and Wealth" blog (Currently on a blog-hiatus for sanity reasons) somehow managed to convince me to dip my toe into the very well fleshed out, whimsical and somewhat grim setting of Zombiesmith's skirmish wargame, Clash of Rhyfles. Other than the general Aesthetics of the game's setting, I was also drawn in by the fact that one needs only 8-12 miniatures each side to play. With time to game in general at such a premium these days, skirmish gaming rules supreme - at least for now. 

Stew's very kind donation of the Fidwog Infantry plastic box kit got me started. Wargames Atlantic manufactures all the plastic Quar options for this game and I have to say I'm very impressed with the quality of their kits that have lots of fun options to personalise your Rhyflers (Name for basic infantry) and also that there are few to no obvious mold lines to contend with! The creator of the game also makes lots of 3D print files on his MyMiniFactory page to offer even more options for conversions and also special characters to flesh out your collection.

For those unaware, Quar are colourful anteater people who are stuck in a perpetual conflict across many nations with a technology level set somewhere between WW1 and the Inter-War period if real-life parallels are to be made. The Fidwog in the Quar setting are shorter cousins to the rest of the Quar (about 10% shorter than the average Quar, so think, Quar-not-dwarves) from the far-off east of their continent called Alwyd. The Fidwog are doughty folk known for their plentiful mines and fierce military who make the best use of makeshift hardware to get the job done.

This pic shows the standard squad makeup of a Fidwog unit. A Yawdryl (Squad Leader or Sergeant - The fellow in center with the green-stuffed pipe.), 4x Gaefyns (Regular troopers - Far left and the 3 to the right of the Yawdryl), a han-Gaefyn (a Corporal level) with a Squad Support Bensa LMG (To the immediate left of the tank) and closing out the squad is a Fyrnrydhad "Squad Tractor" armed with a MMG. 

Official art of the Squad make-up. Reminds me of the style of art I'd scrawl all over my school books and desks as a kid. (And be berated for my graffitiing thereafter)

Highlight of this post (At least I think it's the highlight.) is the first painted member of this squad, the Yawdryl, Geraynt. I tried to sculpt a tiny crude smoking pipe so he'd stand out more and perhaps make him seem more of a veteran or older presence to enhance his image as the squad leader. 

Yawdryl Geraynt is armed with the standard Rifle utilized by the Fidwog forces, the Sketych. 

This rear view shows his pack with bedroll and hanging from the underneath, a barrel from a Crusader Bogen gun that the Fidwog are known to contain water or spirits within.

I'm still considering if I can source a tiny bit of teddy bear stuffing or some such to create a smoke effect to better help the pipe stick out, but otherwise I'm pretty happy with how this little creature turned out. The basing is done to match the background I've come up for my homebrewed regiment, a unit assigned to the highest mountain range along a contested border, the *3rd Awr-Range Wardens. So appropriately rocky-looking and a little spruce on vegetation with some very simple snow effects merely sponged on. Let me know if you think it works? In-game, the Fidwog are kinda the BEF of the setting and their 1st Army is the main subject when mentioned and shown in the fluff texts, seen in their standard uniforms of long red overcoats with blue piping. The 3 ARW were only just shipped out to the front in their standard home uniforms of red with yellow piping. They are proud of this differentiation as they feel it illustrates their (assumed) elite status amongst the FOD forces as only the toughest Quar are deployed to man the high passes of the Awr Range.

*More on the 3rd Awr-Range Wardens in a later post.

Stew is due to come by for a visit on the 24th of this month, so I'm aiming to get more of these boys painted up in time, we'll see. As always, hobby moments are sadly not abundant right now what with family events taking over my precious spare time, but we'll see if things go to plan.

Hope all are well out there,

- Dai

LVT-4 Buffalo #1 - Scheldt Campaign 1944

 Today's offering is a nice piece of kit for my WW2 Late War Bolt Action Canadians, an LVT-4 Buffalo armoured transport. Nice plastic model produced by Rubicon Models that went together pretty well aside from some ambiguous instructions regarding the rear mooring ties (I should have done some research online for images prior to glueing... But an emergency snip and re-glue saved the day.

Paint recipe was my typical Commonwealth NW Europe armour - Vallejo Russian Uniform green, GW Agrax Earthshade wash all over, then base green again, with lightened green for highlights. I still need to finish the tracks with more weathering, but I think as is, it's good enough right now to drop on the tabletop. (It also needs a quick spray of flatcote, but I'll do that after I finish the tracks.)

Markings were a bit tricky to research and photo evidence online seemed a bit all over the place, so I just went with what seemed closest to a "generic" markings system, using what decals I actually owned to drive my choices LOL! (It's supposed to represent a transport for the Canadian 2nd Division. Supposed...)

With a pair of .50cal MG's on sponsons and a hull-mounted .30cal, this thing can provide some great supporting firepower for it's debussing passengers.

Now I look at it in this pic, that Canadian unit marking needs to be gone over with blue as it looks black from here...

These things are huge vehicles! Nice juicy targets for German AT guns... 

No markings on the rear cos I ran out of decals. I guess the troops can attribute that to the ramp being lowered and maybe they scraped off altogether?

This pic was supposed to show the painstaking weathering I attempted on the inside of the transport, but the glare from my desk lamp seems to have ruined that effort. Boo... Also, that Allied Star is wonky, I know - it just wouldn't set "right" and my patience ran out in the end. 

I have a second LVT to paint up along with a Universal Carrier and some Canadian Royal Engineers in the queue, but those are for a future time. Next up - who knows? Maybe some Greeks, maybe some anthro critters, maybe some anime style stuff? 

Hope all are well and safe out there,

- Dai