Chokepoint Scenario

Overview

I've been preparing for the Dunjon of Death genre for MEST, and so I've been trying out new ideas. I've created a scenario that allows me to play-test within a congested environment to see if the corridor terrain of a dungeon for a free-form game could work.  This is something different than Advanced Hero Quest or Descent with its tiles and regulated grid; the flow is different and the tools for game-play are different.

The Last Stand

The scenario I created is known as "The Last Stand" but I refer to it as the "Choke-point" scenario because that's what I'm really testing. It is an assymetric battle between two sides; the Heroes versus the Horde.  The Horde outnumbers the Heroes by 4-to-1.  I have it written up on my Google Drive and I continually adjust it after each play-test session.

You can see this as a living document here;

https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1iURgWaJseCwypaonoyRQhniWHgZxwNKFHRw2Be8efnM/edit?usp=sharing

For those of you that can't see the living document - "living" because I'm always liable to tweak it - take a look at the PNG file here:

The "Choke-point" Scenario. Brutal. Very brutal. Basically it is 3, 4, or 5 Heroes as defenders protecting a central location against a Horde of 4 times their number. So a Small game is 3 versus 12.

Findings

When I can't directly game with Aggro, I'm sending copious notes and we exchange lots of ideas. Then we play-test solo.  Here's my solo notes to give you guys a sense of what the results have been thus far for the "Choke-point" scenario.  The goal of course is to have the scenario be balanced and challenging:

Intro

(To Aggro) This is the mission that I have been play-testing. I think it needs some tweaking, but it is pretty interesting with ... choke-points. I'll continue playing it to refine the scenario. I've been using non-Ranged characters but I'll try mixing it up.

Solo #1

(To Aggro) I finished a 500 BP play-test with 3 Heroes vs 10 Dogs + 2 Average.  Dogs really suck vs. Heroes because they have Bite which includes [Stub]; with the Heroes' Armor, Parry, and Shield that's +4 Modifier dice whenever a Hero is defending; more if using the new Defend option.  Since the corridors are very narrow, even with the Melee Range Tweak, the Dogs really don't get to Outnumber the Heroes that often.  

I've tweaked the mission to make the Heroes defensive position more accessible and to have more of the Horde initially deployed.  

The start of a Small game; 500 BP. 3 Heroes versus a Horde of 12 Dogs. Here I'm using some GW Choas Warhounds.

Solo #2

(To Aggro) I finished the Choke-point scenario play-test #2.  It was a lot closer.  

Started with 12 x Average + Saber vs. 3 x Heroes with Small Shield, Medium Armor, Greatsword.  Lasted until Turn 7 at which point the game ended with the Heroes winning by default. 1 Hero KO'd, 2 Heroes remaining with 1 Wound each.  8 Eliminated Horde. 2 KO'd. 2 left standing. Horde never made it atop the dais but did get past the choke-points a couple of times.

I altered the Choke-point scenario to allow four staircases to the dais.  Maybe this will make it tilt in favor of the Horde. 

I will try another play-test soon.

Solo #3

(To Aggro) I finished the Choke-point scenario play-test #3  It was close but no cigar.  Essentially the same as the last configuration.  At the end of Turn 4 a Horde model was on the dais but could not perform the requisite Fiddle action. The four staircases to the dais helped a lot to balance the game.  The heroes are quite tough.  I played using these new concepts:

Leadership tweak using Solution #2 + Variation. 

I like the Leadership tweak. Makes sense to choose the leader in this manner.  

The Guarded position tweak I need to try again.  I want to streamline it as well from the proposal.

I will play-test again but this time give the Horde some spears.

This is Turn 5 of my fourth play-test of the "Chokepoint" scenario.  The Horde is being smashed yet again.

Solo #4

(To Aggro) Turn 5. Choke-point play-test #4. Horde had one Unlock at the dais but most of them have been KO'd. Just 4 of them remaining, two of which are at the board edges.

Turn 6 had the Heroes get lucky on the dice causing two more KO'd. At that time I called the game in favor of the Heroes.

So the scenario is much more even. Having Spears for the Horde helps a lot.

Summary

I've probably got another two sessions at the 500 BP level and then I'll bump it up to 750 BP and bring in the ranged weapons.

MEST 2.0 Updates

Update! Update! Update!

I'm getting more time to myself again, and so I've been picking up on editing the draft MEST version 2.0 rules. It's been something like 8 months since I started this phase and about 4 months since I've had anytime to regard it in detail.  However, because I'm getting a fresh start I'm able to see a lot more places where I can clarify the rules, reorganize them, or streamline them.

So here's what's been up with the rules:

1. Table of Contents added.
2. Introduction and Overview section added describing what MEST does and why its a cool game system.
3. A "Learning the Game" section has been added to foster a kind of "programmed instruction" feature.  Once the version 2.0 rules get stable, I'll create a subset of this part of the full rules as a Quick Start Rules which will be handy for convention plays as well.
4. I added a simple paragraph on "running and jumping"; I figured I had to do it.  I stopped short of allowing characters to jump and shoot mid-air.  Maybe that will be a trait once I get into the more acrobatic "Spy/Ninja" genres.
5. I really focused on the React rules. A lot.  Clarified, re-organized, added proper exceptions and limitations.  It's getting better and better. 
6. I flip-flopped on the Group Leader and how it may perform Individual Actions.  I didn't allow this before but I think it is necessary, otherwise it won't be compelling nor thematic.
7. Added a section on "Performing Movement" just to make this critical game feature clear. It probably still needs some work.
8. I got Aggro's blessing to add a "Defend" bonus for Close Combat Defenders.  I needed to add limits on it but it works wonderfully.
9. I discovered that Fight X is over-powered and so I added some limits.
10.  I've created a section describing how missions will be presented so that I can easily add more in the future.
11. There are now five "Introductory Missions" and six "Standard Missions". I'm still finalizing the last two which are "Area Control" and "Escape!".  
12. I finally got the nerve to make entries for "Additional Materials" and brought in the Resource Cards and the Tactics Cards rules.  I'm still in progress with updating those cards to the version 2.0 context but its only a matter of time...
13. Glossary of Terms added. This is ported from the version 1.5 rules and I'll need to adjust the descriptions since I'm sure some of the contexts have changed.

The draft version has no illustrations, photos, or diagrams.  The full-color version will but I'm already thinking that I want more than what I have in the current 1.5x document; perhaps double the count so that every critical rule has a good visual demonstration of it. 

Short Fantasy WIP post, June 12th, 2015

Thank you Robert and 24_Cigarettes!

I haven't been able to work on much this week and I have a busy weekend planned. I guess I might as well post a couple quick WIPs then.

A Dreamblade plastic Ogre. Base coat and high-lights with no washes yet.

It's funny, I was just saying "life is too short to paint plastic." the other day.

Fantasy Warriors' Wood Elf. This one is a color test as there are 4 more to do. I think the bow color needs to change as it blends in with the grey flesh tones to much. Other than that I think he is pretty much done.

Here's the color palette inspiration for the Wood Elf from the old Hobbit TV special.

And finally, some sad news. I am pretty sure everyone has heard that the great Christopher Lee has passed on. The world will be a far less cooler place without him. What a great guy.

Some Finished Minis, June 7th, 2015 and what is to come

Thanks Robert and Solo Wargaming on a Budget!
I still haven't tried the tiles out to see if I like the size/configurations.

I had a very productive hobby Saturday and finished a bunch of stuff and got a bunch of minis based.
I tried experimenting with different locations around my house for the best photo results this morning.
For what ever reason, on my dining table, with the blue candle center-piece-thingy gave me the best photo results. Maybe I should just invest in a light box?
:)

Anyways, here is a photo dump.

Fun mini, no idea who made him.

cool min, bad photo, fun to paint.

maybe I will add a banner one of these days.

She was a lot of fun to paint.

Another RAFM. he painted up really fast.

out of focus.

My attempts at a handpainted wolf head shield.

I touched this fellow up so more.

More touch up here to.

Here is the painted Fantasy collection so far, not counting my plastic Skaven and Mordheim stuff.

The grey primered guys were all based yesterday. I already have some ideas for some paint schemes.

More Fantasy WIPs and how NOT to build Dungeon Tiles.

Thanks Gaz! I appreciate the kind words and the feedback. I still haven't bought that desk but I mostly likely will in the next few months.

I had to work all last weekend and the weekend before that I was out of town, so I haven't got a work done.

First off, I present some more WIPs.

I like some better than others. The Demon on the far right is pissing me off at the moment. All green and he was too boring, so I added some red tints. Now there is too much red. Grrrrr!

Dynamic shot washed out by the sunlight.

I started messing about with some non-metallic metals on a couple of these.

And next...
How not to build Dungeon Tiles.

I made these out of cardboard. Each one is 9 inches by 9 inches. I want to make some proper foam ones, but these were just a tester. They assembled quick, easy and cheap.

As you can see, there are some interesting combinations. I should have made a starter Tile and a final "Boss" tile too. The plan was to hand paint some cobble stone after I sprayed them with textured spray paint.

Unfortunately, I decided to cover the cardboard edges with masking tape. This process was pretty time consuming and took longer that cutting out the tiles in the first place. After I sprayed the tiles, the masking tape, shrunk and peeled in places leaving an unsightly mess.

Oh well, They were only meant to be a trial run for fancy foam boards anyways. It still would have been nice if they looked half way decent though. I doubt I will bother painting them now. At least they only cost me half a can of textured spray paint as the tape and cardboard I had laying around the house.

Until next time....

Aggro's Fantasy WIPs May 10 2015

I still can't seem to leave Comments...
Oh well. I wanted to first give a quick "thank you" for all the kind words people have left in the Comments section.
Meanwhile, I have another photo I took this morning to see how things were coming a long with the latest batch on my painting table.
I can now see a few trouble areas that need some touch up.
Man I paint slow and I still hate painting eyes, even with micron pens!

All and all, pretty pleased with how things are coming along.

On another note, I was looking for a cheap secratery desk to use as a painting station to keep things neat and tidy. Anybody out there use this one from iKea? I am not expecting quality by any means, I was just curious how the storage for the paints, brushes, etc worked out.

Finished (more or less) Fantasy Models by Aggro 84

Thanks for all of the kind words left in my last post's Comments section.
I can't seem to reply back in the Comments section for some reason, but then again, it has been a while since I have used this blog.

I haven't varnished sprayed these guys yet, so I might go back and touch up a few things now that I am looking at some of the photos blown up again. All around though, I'm fairly pleased with the results.

These guys look better in person (honest). Some of the flesh tones are washed out here. I am still not happy with the thug in the middle, but I am a little sick of him right now.

I am happy with the evil eye Dwarf and the Gobbo warrior. I can really use more Gobbos! This one was really fun to paint.

More Broo. The one on the left painted up the best I think.

After a vote for red hair and a vote for blonde (thanks 24_Cigarettes), I went with orange hair for the thug playing the horn.

Undead

A grab bag of what was left over during photographing.

I hope you all enjoy.

Aggro 84's Various Fantasy Model WIP's

First post in a looong time.
I finally set up a painting table again and I have been slowly getting back into a painting groove.
I took these WIP shots to look at and check for areas that need touching up.
I figured I might as well share them.

The Goblin (2nd from the left) was the first one I have painted in years.

Some classic Citadel sculpts in this batch

I'm not sure where the Undead Dude on the left came from. Some more of the old school on display here.

These are the least complete of the lot. I am not sure what color to do the thug in the middle's hair. Any thoughts?

Its good to be back painting again. I am hoping to have most of these finished by the end of the weekend.

MEST 2.0 Draft Update

EDIT: 2015-02-11 ~ somehow I deleted the original post and so this

is a paste from feedly.com

Quick post.

I've updated the MEST 2.0 document; I added more friendly verbiage at the front pages detailing a strategy to learn the basic rules.  By doing so, this low-fidelity version of the rules is becoming more like the planned hi-fi version with its preface, intro, and other materials.

I cleaned up the phrasing for the Perform Range Combat section.  Essentially I have made Perform Direct Range Combat and Perform Indirect Range Combat two separate first-class sections. I tried my best to clarify the phrasing for Indirect attacks in regards to the scatter element. I introduced the concept of ROF markers to be the reverse-side of Suppression markers because it makes more sense mechanically and the phrasing becomes much more clear.

I brought in the Rate-of-Fire [ ROF ] and Fire-lane rules into a new section for Advanced Rules because the rules for them as traits was too complicated.

ROF is now a column on the Weapons List representing what had previously been the Rate-of-Fire [ ROF ] trait.  [Jitter] is removed an implicit Disability trait from the ROF rules and is now directly assigned to some weapons that have ROF +2 or higher; notably the Beam Carbine no longer has [Jitter] and neither does a Medium Revolver.

Another addition is that the Armors List now shows a D column to reflect what had been the Deflect trait associated with certain armors and shields.  The same goes with an AR column to represent what had been the Armor Rating trait.  Furthermore, I clarified the sections on resolving Damage tests by calling out how to use the various properties of weapons and armors; for the Accuracy, Deflect, Impact, and Armor Rating properties.

Custom Archetypes and the Magic System also fall under the Advanced Rules now. I added some more guidelines for recording Custom Archetypes.

There's numerous other but smaller fixes to the phrasings of various rules.  For example, any reference to an "interrupt" is now renamed to "Reacts".  And Sorcerers are kind of Spellcaster because I have plans to introduce other sorts of spellcasters in the future.

Anyhow, this latest build contains what I hope is much better readability and clarity.  I'm still puzzling over some smaller details on phrasing, but I think this new version is pretty close to final.

I'll need to run it against Aggro to get feedback on the edits; I think he'll agree it is improved.

MEST 2.0 low-fidelity version [ DRAFT ]

Update

So ...

I've changed jobs yet again and now I work a bit closer to my home.  However, the effort of digging into my new opportunity - including the effort of job seeking in the prior weeks - takes a great toll upon me insofar as my available time and my ability to focus on this hobby.

Nevertheless; I have posted the low-fidelity draft for the MEST 2.0 rules!  This is a Google Drive share location which will remain in place while this blog (and the share point) lives.  The draft has numerous sections highlighted in yellow to show critical additions and portions that have changed since version 1.5.x.

see here for access to the 2.x draft:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bye3wyX639RGZTI0TDhkcHhwV0E/view?usp=sharing

see here for 2.x draft minus the yellow highlighting and the strike-out text:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bye3wyX639RGdzB3UmlreERRZWc/view?usp=sharing

see here for an overview of the revisions within the 2.x draft:
http://matter-energy-space-time.blogspot.com/2014/10/preview-of-mest-20.html

To Do List

I've got way too much to complete and nearly zero time to do it.  What I will do is start creating posts as to why certain sections were changed or added.  Eventually I'll get more time and start providing the remainder of the 2.x elements.  

At that point I'll replace all references to the 1.5.x rules and assets with 2.x stuff.