Wasteland Warriors: Ambush! (Solo Campaign Game 2)

It's been a hot minute since I've done a Wasteland Warriors game (since January in fact), so I decided to get the table set up and run a second game for my (sporadic, I guess) solo campaign. I pulled "Ambush" as the scenario from the book - one gang, spread throughout the ruins, is caught in an ambush and have to pull together a defense quickly. I decided Annette's Gang, the winners of last game, would be the defenders this game; it's a "Survival" game so there's no Renown to be won. Stalker, one of Annette's Regulars, has to sit out this game due to injuries sustained during the previous game. The Ambushers would be a gang of Warmongers - descendants of an attempt to genetically engineer super-soldiers that worked a little too well. They're definitely not Orks.

ANNETTE'S GANG (Crew Trait: Loyal)

 

• Annette (Gang Leader; Human; Veteran, Coolheaded, Killer) armed with a Shotgun
• "Nine-Yards" Nora (Specialist; Human; Ranged Fighter, Strong) armed with a Heavy Machine Gun
• Bandit (Regular; Human; Stealthy) armed with an Assault Rifle
• Croak (Regular; Mutated Animal; Brute; Mutations: Regenerate) armed with a Club

 WARMONGERS (Crew Trait: Bloodthirsty)

• Boss Guzbag (Gang Leader; Mutant (Warmonger); Veteran, Fearless, Cunning; Mutation: Armored Hide) armed with a Blaster Pistol and Chainsword
• Baldy (Specialist; Mutant (Warmonger); Deadeye, Strong; Mutation: Armored Hide) armed with a Heavy Machine Gun
•  Ace (Regular; Mutant (Warmonger); Quick; Mutation: Armored Hide) armed with an SMG with Bayonet
• Cap (Regular; Mutant (Warmonger); Brawler; Mutation: Armored Hide) armed with an SMG with Bayonet

The game began with just Nora and Croak on the table, with Bandit and Annette elsewhere in the ruins; Guzbag's crew began spaced out along one table edge. The table was densely packed with ruined buildings, rock outcroppings and mutated plant growth.

Note the extra Warmonger; I took this photo, reread the scenario and realized gang sizes needed to match. Sorry Davy, you're sidelined.

Bandit arrived on the opposite table edge from the Warmongers at the beginning of Turn 2, and that's when things went wild. I'd forgotten to take the Jokers out of the deck, and Nora activated on one on Turn 2; I decided to roll for a random event and the table got hit by a Radiation Storm; a couple of Warmongers took Shock tokens from the storm, as did Nora, while Bandit took a Wound!

Also on Turn 2, Guzbag shot at Croak using his Blaster Pistol, but missed due to long range, Croak being behind heavy cover, and the Blaster's own incredible kick. Croak responded by charging the big Warmonger, bashing him with his club and putting two Shock tokens on him. Then Baldy, the Warmonger Specialist, charged Croak, swinging his machine gun like a club - and Croak turned around and smashed him in the face, putting a Wound on Baldy! 

 

On Turn 3, Guzbag rallied, shrugged off his Shock tokens, and brutally cut Croak down with his chainsword, sending the mutant lizardman Out of Action. With some encouragement from Guzbag, Baldy also stood up; however, while this was happening, Bandit activated on a Queen of Hearts, which removed his Wound. Moving into range, Bandit used Burst Fire to put a Wound on Guzbag and a second Wound on Baldy. Using Burst Fire put Bandit Out of Ammo, and in Wasteland Warriors, due to scarcity of resources, unless you're specifically carrying extra ammo or activate on a "6" card, you're out for the game. 

 Meanwhile, Annette arrived on the table this turn, maneuvered into position, and shot Warmonger "Cap" in the back with her shotgun, putting a Wound on him. 

 

On Turn 4, Annette ran up and started hammering on "Cap" with the butt of her shotgun, sending him Out of Action. Guzbag and Baldy both staggered to their feet, and Bandit...ACTIVATED ON A "6"! Finding one last bullet in his pocket, he chambered the round and shot Baldy, putting a third Wound on him and thus sending him Out of Action. 

Per the scenario conditions, the game ended when 50% or more of the Ambushing Gang were rendered Out of Action or routed off the table, and Baldy and Cap made 50%. Wounded, Guzbag rounded up his remaining flunky Cap (who also had a Wound on him from getting shot by Nora earlier in the game) and went looking for easier pickings.

It was a quick and brutal game that proved perfect for a weekday night; for campaign purposes, Croak recovered fully and will be ready for the next game.