Geek Goals for 2017

Play Boardgames!

I love boardgames and I have a big stack of unplayed games.  My goal for 2017 is to play 5 games that I have not played before.

Play Solo!

I always buy boardgames that are solo games or have solo variants with grand plans of playing them. However, entropy often wins and I never pull them out.  My goal for 2017 is to log 10 solo plays of boardgames.  The number of different boardgames doesn't matter as long as I log 10 solo plays by the end of the year.

In addition to that, my goal is to log 5 solo plays for rpgs.  This can be done using Tunnels & Trolls, Mythic, or those solo adventures that rulebooks used to include to teach you the rules of the game.

Play Pathfinder and Other RPGS!

Our group is good about trying new games.  I know that we will play new systems this year.  One thing I would like to do is try Pathfinder again, although this time I would like to start the campaign from first level (my other campaign used converted Hackmaster characters and had some balance issues).  My goal for 2017 is to have a Pathfinder campaign ready as a backup game.  Whenever we can play and nobody has anything ready I will pull out Pathfinder.

Read More Comics!

Just like games, I have a habit of buying tons of comics and then letting them sit neglected in the closet.  I do like comics, and I need to enjoy what I have.  My goal for 2017 is to read an average of 10 comics a month.  I also need to follow some good advice I read and if I am not reading it I probably shouldn't be buying it.

Write More Blog Entries!

I want to increase my blog output.  One technique that I will use is a weekly themed post.  I have seen other blogs do Succubus Sunday, Miniature Monday, etc, and I will incorporate a themed post into this blog.  My idea is Rolling Wednesday, and I will have a dice-themed post every Wednesday. At the very least, I can post a picture of a different die in my collection for every Wednesday in 2017.  My goal for 2017 is to have  dice-themed post every Wednesday.

Anything Else?

I would like to spruce up the appearance of the blog and make it more visually appealing.  This is not my strength so I will have to do some research and/or look for some help.  Also, I need to use the advice my mom gave me, "Things should be used for the purpose they were designed for."  Games are meant to be played, books are meant to be read, and miniatures are meant to be painted.

I look forward to 2017 as a year filled with opportunity.  May you meet all of your goals this year!

M is for Memoir 44 - #atozchallenge

Today's post is about the board game Memoir 44.  Memoir 44 is a wargame that is based on the Command and Colors system.  The game takes place in WWII and the base game focuses on D Day and the following Allied invasion of Europe.  Memoir 44 is in my top ten board games.  One reason why I like it so much is that it uses little plastic army men as pieces.  I loved to play with army men as a kid and using them in the game has a big nostalgia factor for me.

I also like the game system.  In order to move and attack you have to play a card from a hand.  The card you play tells you which units on the board you get to move that turn.  I like this mechanic because it causes you to have tough choices during the game.  Your actions are a finite resource and you must manage them carefully.  I also like how the scenarios of the game start out simple and them increase in complexity.  The first scenario uses only infantry and then the game slowly adds, artillery, tanks, special units, and so on.  The only complaint I have about the game is that it uses special dice which have symbols painted on the sides.  I always prefer my dice faces to be engraved.

Memoir 44 is simple and you can easily play a couple of scenarios in an evening.  It is perfect for introducing casual gamers to historical wargaming or for a beer and pretzels night with a die hard grognard.  I highly recommend it.