tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066824402588828421.post986802737783277323..comments2023-02-28T08:25:29.033-08:00Comments on Epitude Rusk's Wargaming Blog: Question: Terrain Junkie or Terrain Snob?Epitude Ruskhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09261277608419209746noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066824402588828421.post-6923176189565563152016-09-27T08:13:29.093-07:002016-09-27T08:13:29.093-07:00Who was I trying to kid. I can only agree with the...Who was I trying to kid. I can only agree with the evidence. Terrain junkie - guilty as charged.Epitude Ruskhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09261277608419209746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066824402588828421.post-80764670516392305412016-09-26T13:46:55.148-07:002016-09-26T13:46:55.148-07:00Having played Kill Team last week Alex I've fi...Having played Kill Team last week Alex I've finally decided. Junkie. Definitely terrain junkie.Bryan P.https://www.blogger.com/profile/17765060641203655084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066824402588828421.post-44079722951592275622016-09-01T14:30:09.920-07:002016-09-01T14:30:09.920-07:00I think you're right... But in a way it stil...I think you're right... But in a way it still doesn't answer the question.<br /><br />While organised campaigns are cool, they are indeed a lot of work, and I completely understand why we don't see many of them.<br /><br />But other games seem to have many more 'friendly' games. Where people just 'bring what they have', or where someone invents a scenario or where people just set up and play without worrying about victory conditions.<br /><br />I wonder if it's actually because DZC is so balanced? I don't just or particularlly mean between factions, but internally and in the way units interact with the rules.<br /><br />In 40K, to take a well-known example, you can throw in all sorts of random stuff, add units, recycle them, invent new victory conditions, etc. and it doesn't really matter.<br /><br />I've not tried, but my suspicion is that if you did something similar w/ DZC you'd very quickly find one side getting crushed, or that they wouldn't have the units they needed to properly participate in the game, or something like that.<br /><br />I certainly think official support, a campaign pack, etc. would be good - if only to get people over that threshold and thinking about non-competition games.<br /><br />I'm actually more interested in 'friendly game' support than I am in a linked-mission campaign pack. Advice on alternative and lopsided victory conditions, house rules for selecting armies where no buildings are involved, a table you can roll on to generate a backstory to the game with some influence on victory conditions, etc.Angelic Despothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17908669415823243782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066824402588828421.post-54437066665227563952016-09-01T01:31:14.987-07:002016-09-01T01:31:14.987-07:00I think this happens for 2 main reasons. Because t...I think this happens for 2 main reasons. Because there isn't really a campaign mode for the game I think the story side gets put to one side because you are playing for victory points rather than long term campaign mission success.<br /><br />We did the escalation games, but that wasn't a real campaign ( it was still a lot of fun to do) A real campaign (in my mind anyway) involves a map, factions with different but clashing goals, fixed resources with a mechanic to replenish units. Story based missions, mission results effecting the next mission, uneven points battles etc. They are hard work to organise, time consuming, but also rewarding to play for everyone. There has been much call for such a campaign as far as I can tell.<br /><br />the 2nd reason is that tournament play has the advantage it is a know set of rules by everyone, and is a thing that can be practised for. Less work, easier to get a game, helps prepare of up coming tournaments.Amitversehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05128593849395196242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066824402588828421.post-49671166647558676582016-09-01T01:18:06.321-07:002016-09-01T01:18:06.321-07:00All these symptoms seem worryingly familiar...All these symptoms seem worryingly familiar...Phlykhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17254310051538681326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066824402588828421.post-60538559835986470532016-08-31T13:16:03.343-07:002016-08-31T13:16:03.343-07:00Another sign. Members of you family hand you bits ...Another sign. Members of you family hand you bits and pieces of household waste and say, before growing it out, "is this any good for anything?"Epitude Ruskhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09261277608419209746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066824402588828421.post-58101436310496654372016-08-31T11:00:06.029-07:002016-08-31T11:00:06.029-07:00There are other tell tale signs...
Have you found...There are other tell tale signs...<br /><br />Have you found yourself attending model railway shows looking for wargaming terrain bits (confession; I have/do...)<br /><br />Do you have a box of card/plastic rescued from the recycling box for terrain projects (ditto the above for me). <br /><br />Found myself looking at bits in the museum shop at Historic Portsmouth Dockyard today and wondering what could be used!<br /><br />Do we need terrainaholics anonymous?Bryan P.https://www.blogger.com/profile/17765060641203655084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066824402588828421.post-72851493490148684192016-08-31T09:49:40.017-07:002016-08-31T09:49:40.017-07:00Peter. Good to hear from you. You comment has real...Peter. Good to hear from you. You comment has really made me think. It is probably a close run thing for me also, toy soldier spending vs terrain spending. Maybe I am not a wargamer at all. Could it be I am a frustrated terrain modeller pretending to be a wargamer?Epitude Ruskhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09261277608419209746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066824402588828421.post-9400967590948642602016-08-31T07:50:54.545-07:002016-08-31T07:50:54.545-07:00Infinity as a game is practically designed for ter...Infinity as a game is practically designed for terrain snobs! I've very likely spent far more money on things that my toy soldiers can round around, through or over than I have on the models themselves at this point!Phlykhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17254310051538681326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066824402588828421.post-70082240499907391262016-08-30T14:51:57.238-07:002016-08-30T14:51:57.238-07:00Yeah, I don't quite get why this is...
The ga...Yeah, I don't quite get why this is...<br /><br />The game is a huge amount of fun, and my natural instinct is to play 'fair' or tournament type games, even when not at a tournament... but why?<br /><br />The setting has so much opportunity for different kinds of game, and with a bit of effort, I don't see why a new tournament meta couldn't develop based on non-urban battles.<br /><br />I hope this book and these rules (which I confess I haven't got round to reading yet, as I've been focussing on the story) help open things up a bit more.Angelic Despothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17908669415823243782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066824402588828421.post-11981315794754999862016-08-30T14:18:27.872-07:002016-08-30T14:18:27.872-07:00Very true. I think the only non tournament DZ game...Very true. I think the only non tournament DZ games we play are to explain the basic rules to new players. Just been catching up on Ed's post on OB where he talks about the new rules in reconquest. Seems that there are some interesting new options to have a 'fun' game.Epitude Ruskhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09261277608419209746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066824402588828421.post-4530837863014963772016-08-30T13:51:22.527-07:002016-08-30T13:51:22.527-07:00I suppose I have two answers to this. Or there a...I suppose I have two answers to this. Or there are two ways of dealing with it. The first is to just ignore the scatter terrain for gaming purposes. Leave it there just to look cool. I accept that tournament games have different and more stringent criteria to a normal game.<br /><br />But the other option is to not play tournament games and just be aware that the game is going to be more complicated than normal. It seems to me that 'friendly' games of DZC are so rare that as a community we need some practice so that we can come up with an alternative standard practice for what is normal and acceptable for 'fluff' games.<br /><br />Not that there's anythign wrong with tournament games; I just feel that we're missing out on something that DZC can do at least as well, if not significantly better than many other games.Angelic Despothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17908669415823243782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066824402588828421.post-36288056486494279282016-08-30T05:09:33.754-07:002016-08-30T05:09:33.754-07:00I note, and agree with, your comments and I have r...I note, and agree with, your comments and I have referenced them in my reply above to AD. Epitude Ruskhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09261277608419209746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066824402588828421.post-56592817082812427192016-08-30T05:07:03.645-07:002016-08-30T05:07:03.645-07:00Fair point AD. Although, and noting Amitverse'...Fair point AD. Although, and noting Amitverse's comment below adding characterful pieces, such as scatter terrain, can impede a game, especially in the tournament environment. Although, taking this point one step further, when did you last see an initiative roll off before turn one where a player chose table sides? I think it can only have happened for a Resistance player who needs wide access for their Thunderstorm.Epitude Ruskhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09261277608419209746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066824402588828421.post-23188723047670452942016-08-29T23:41:18.704-07:002016-08-29T23:41:18.704-07:00A good wargame table is the best advert for a game...A good wargame table is the best advert for a game. Your terrain and infinity games always look amazing.I also really like does neon signs that they do. DzC does have the tall columns problem sometimes, but I also think the rules make it difficult to have interesting stuff, due to the LZ rules of the game. The Cardiff tournament had scatter terrain out in the form of burnt out cars etc, but was removed from the tables as it meant it was too difficulkt to land the drop ships anywhere.Amitversehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05128593849395196242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066824402588828421.post-61975072797058992342016-08-29T22:31:39.124-07:002016-08-29T22:31:39.124-07:00Too late Alex! Already lacking space in the house...Too late Alex! Already lacking space in the house for more terrain and models. But the kids wouldn't mind sharing a room right?<br /><br />I might be running a Frostgrave intro game down the club so some of my terrain could be making an appearance.Bryan P.https://www.blogger.com/profile/17765060641203655084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066824402588828421.post-82306416915173147272016-08-29T14:10:18.556-07:002016-08-29T14:10:18.556-07:00I agree, but also disagree. You can almost never...I agree, but also disagree. You can almost never have too much terrain but...<br /><br />Good terrain is wasted on Dropzone Commander? No way!<br /><br />My biggest disappointment with the game is that we so rarely see anything much more than the cardboard buildings, which are functional and great for getting you going, but aren't what attracted me to the game.<br /><br />I love the epicness of games on well-modelled boards. It's what the scale of game is really meant for. There's little better in wargaming!<br /><br />I haven't yet made any progress with painting my Scourge, but I'm collecting cool terrain. The end goal has to be to play on some awesome looking terrain, or what's the point?Angelic Despothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17908669415823243782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066824402588828421.post-66334195095286636272016-08-29T12:30:36.742-07:002016-08-29T12:30:36.742-07:00Bryan. A word of caution. Building terrain can get...Bryan. A word of caution. Building terrain can get out of control. Before long you have purchased a seventh different version of a power node, and before you know it, there is no where in the house left to sleep! Epitude Ruskhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09261277608419209746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066824402588828421.post-53895477649734632822016-08-29T11:00:39.114-07:002016-08-29T11:00:39.114-07:00I love terrain! I've found playing Frostgrave ...I love terrain! I've found playing Frostgrave which uses dense tables & specialist terrain in a number of scenarios has really got my terrain building bug on this year.<br /><br />I get what you are saying about DZC. The couple of tables set up at the club comp last month on battle mats and not the grid like street maps really made it look like a different game.Bryan P.https://www.blogger.com/profile/17765060641203655084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066824402588828421.post-986849556648353542016-08-29T09:36:38.815-07:002016-08-29T09:36:38.815-07:00Hello Mr H. Pleasure to hear from you and pleased ...Hello Mr H. Pleasure to hear from you and pleased to be of service.Epitude Ruskhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09261277608419209746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066824402588828421.post-6574693837650545772016-08-29T07:36:27.086-07:002016-08-29T07:36:27.086-07:00You can never have too much terrain! How would the...You can never have too much terrain! How would the rest of us cope?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00983357355301753808noreply@blogger.com