Wargaming continues to take a back seat as pretty much every day I am driving to the house and spend my time painting rooms (not models alas). This gives me plenty of time to think about and ponder the mech rules. However, the downside is that when I do manage to fit in a quick game, I often have new rule changes I want to test, which is slowing down the progress of my mech campaign.
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| A random mech photo made to look cartoonish. |
Rule Changes…
I have tried various activation methods over the past few weeks while developing some simple mech rules and may have now settled on a playing card-based activation system (I hope). In this activation approach, the cards are shuffled, and each mech is assigned a card. Activation begins with the mech holding the highest card and continues in descending order until all mechs have been activated. Mechs that are attacked but have not yet had the chance to activate can take defensive countermeasures to reduce the effectiveness of combat, but must sacrifice their card and be treated as activated. The main drawback of the cards is they do clutter up the tabletop. To address this, I might create numbered counters to draw from a bag or look to purchase some very small playing cards to use instead.
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| A test game using the card activation. |
Another rule change I tried out previously which has returned, is the critical system failure check. This check occurs whenever a mech takes a hit. A D6 is rolled and if less than the total number of hits accumulated, the mech has a critical systems failure and is eliminated. The mechanism adds a greater level of uncertainty to taking hits where a well aimed shot can eliminate a mech.
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| A mech now with 4 hits passes the critical failure test. Requiring a 4 or more for the number of hits a 5 is rolled. |
Painting…
Returning to the topic of painting, I am halfway through painting the house and one of the rooms completed is my wargaming room. A photo of which can be seen below.
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| The wargames room painted and waiting to be filled with shelving units loaded with models and terrain. |
Never mind matey, you’ll soon be settled in and things can return to normal. Nice looking games room you’ve got there.
ReplyDeleteThanks. All being well I hope to have the room setup mid-December.
DeleteYou could try using these: https://wargamingmiscellany.blogspot.com/2013/01/diy-playing-card-tiles.html
ReplyDeleteNice one! Thanks.
DeleteAs always, some nice rules ideas, Peter, and your new wargaming room looks great!
ReplyDeleteFor the cards, you could create a customized pack by taking a photo of each mech then adding a name or whatever, shrink to the appropriate size, print off and laminate?
I like the idea. Maybe print twice so I can track the hits off-table on the second card.
DeleteSome interesting rule changes Peter.
ReplyDeleteCritical hits can be exciting or exasperating, depending on which side you are on I guess.
Your new wargames room looks great. Lots of natural light and room for tables, etc.
I am looking forward to getting the room setup. We are just waiting of the ship to arrive and our container to get through customs.
DeleteFantastic looking space for Wargaming Peter
ReplyDeleteIt’s a good space and will fit a 6x4 board and lots of shelving units.
DeleteNice to be able to get the odd small game in and the new games room looks great:).
ReplyDeleteIt is always enjoyable to fit in a game, however small.
DeleteNice gaming space! Will this be a shared space or yours alone?
ReplyDeleteThe room is just for me. My wife is getting two rooms for her quilting hobby.
DeleteReal life - forever getting in the way of gaming/hobbies. Grrrrrr 😡
ReplyDeleteIn reality, you are making progress and the domestic side of things will hopefully be completed soon. And THEN you can get back to some serious gaming. Your gaming room looks nice. The problems with “plenty of space” is that we tend to work towards filling it with “stuff”.
Cheers,
Geoff
Hi Geoff, I hope to keep the room tidy - famous last words I am sure.
DeleteLovely looking hobby space, and the mech rules look very promising. I love (and have shamelessly copied) the little square strength indicators 👍🏼.
ReplyDeleteNot sure where I saw the square strength indicators, but I also copied them from somewhere else.
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