Breaking down Slammer's unit attributes.

As part of our project to reboot Star Force I am looking at adapting Slammer to the new setting. It would seem useful to look at Slammer to see how it works now and which bits will be useful in the new game.

Breaking down Slammer's unit attributes.

As written when you create a unit in Slammer you have a few choices which determine how the unit is played.

Picking a Unit's Troop Quality defines their Activation, To Hit Numbers and Close Combat Factors. 

Choosing their Armour determines the unit's Movement and Defence factors. This can lead to units looking rather samey.

If we can set the unit's individual attributes that gives us a bit more range for fine tuning.

Activation

Activation represents the unit's training, morale, initiative and willingness to fight. In Slammer basic, it is derived from the unit's 'Troop Quality'.

Normal range of 0-6 (for humans) reduced by attrition and modified by circumstance. If we separate Activation from Troop Quality it let's us field units with a high aggression or initiative without making them super soldiers too. It may also let us field a more defensive minded unit that is less inclined to rush into action.
As an option it may also be useful to let a unit recover Activation during a game.

Motivation (this needs a better term)

Troop Motivation should be a special case dependant on scenario or force rational. The following may be used in addition to the troop Quality Rating.

Motivation is an optional attribute that can affect the way a unit is played. 

There is a roleplaying element here intended to personalise a unit. Slammer has the following optional Motivation factors, others will be added.

Elite

Elite Troops believe that they are the best at what they do, (often with good cause). They try harder and will often do much better than would be expected of normal soldiers. Elite units are often innovative in their approach to warfare and may have unusual (and deadly) skills. 
When rolling for Activation for Elite, add the appropriate modifiers then move up one band to the next higher Activation level. 
Elite motivation may be combined with any troop quality rating, though Untrained Elite are fairly unlikely. 
The Shooting and Close Assault modifiers for Elite are cumulative with the team's quality rating.

Fanatic

Fanatics have a reckless disregard for personal safety in the service of The One True Cause. Fanatics may have lower levels of ability as they tend not to live long enough to learn from their mistakes. Also experience tends to erode fanaticism fairly quickly. They may be very single-minded in their pursuit of an objective.  
When activating Fanatics, they must take the most aggressive option available. 
The Activation modifier for Fanatics is used instead of the troop quality rating.

Warriors

Warriors are in it for the fight. Whatever the strategic objective might be, Warriors will try to match themselves against the enemy troops. Warriors will tend to close with the enemy and may have higher close combat factors. They may prefer close range or melee weapons. Alien races are frequently played as Warriors. The movie Predator is a good example. 
When activating a Warrior team, the team will usually prefer an option that moves them closer to an enemy unit. 
The Movement and Close Assault modifiers for Warriors are cumulative with the team's quality rating.

Reluctant / Unwilling

These teams may have found themselves involved in a fight they consider none of their business, they may have been in one fight too many or lost too many friends and comrades, or they may be constrained by higher authority e.g. as Peace Keepers. They have little interest in the rights or wrongs of the situation. Their main goal is to stay alive and get the heck outta here! If fired on or pressed they will defend themselves and their comrades, but will not go out looking for trouble. 
When rolling for Activation for Reluctant, add the appropriate modifiers then move down one band to the next lower Activation level.

Steady

Long service career Soldiers. This represents strength in defence and a tendency to hold formation even when everything is going to heck around you, it also means Steady troops are less likely to get carried away with enthusiasm and go chasing off after the enemy. 

When rolling for Activation for Steady, after adding dice and modifiers shift the Activation Level up or down one level towards 7 Advance.

Movement Distance

An infantry element's basic move distance is dependent on the equipment carried or armour worn by the figures in the unit. This may be reduced in difficult terrain, or if a figure attempts a particular action such as running, opening a door, taking cover or entering or leaving a vehicle. 
Movement adjustments due to troop quality are handled by the Action Table. Better quality troops will tend to make advance or close moves more often than poorer troops.

At first sight movement distances may seem overlong, but bear in mind that unless the unit has a high Activation level they will be making half-moves most of the time.

Armour	Move	Notes
None	10"	Civilians and figures in normal clothing. *
Light	8"	Ballistic cloth, flak jacket & helmet; Military and Police uniform.
Heavy	6"	Battle Suit; Ablative plate & helmet; Heavy Infantry Armour; Hostile Environment Suits.
Armoured	8"	Power assisted heavy armour.
Aliens	12"	Bugs, Predators, Animals, etc.
Monsters	8"	Alien beasties of unusual size or strength.
Warriors	+2"	Troops specialising in close assault.

To Hit numbers:

    Ranged Combat

In order to cause a hit on the target the firer has to score their To-Hit number or more on two die six. 

Firer To-Hit numbers were tied to troop quality so:

Firer To-Hit numbers
Untrained	9
Green Troops	8
Trained Troops	7
Veteran Troops	6

We can change base to-Hit numbers to suit individual units depending on how capable they are with ranged weapons.
 
    Close Combat

Pair up the attackers and defenders so that each figure faces at least one opponent. For each figure involved in the close assault roll one die and add the Close Combat Factor for their weapon type. Add the Close Combat Modifiers from Table 5.

Close Combat is an opposed roll. The base factor is derived from the unit's main weapon modified by the unit's quality and tactical factors such as wounded, surprised or outnumbered, etc. If we take off the tactical factors we can give each unit or critter a single Close Combat factor.

Defence:

    Target signature
In base Slammer a unit's target signature is derived from their quality, size and tactical factors. The result is a modifier to the firer's to hit score.
We can give each unit a base target factor then apply tactical modifiers.

If we go with opposed rolls then the attacker and defender both roll dice, add their firer or target factor, apply modifiers and compare scores.

    Armour 


Each weapon type has a damage rating listed on the weapons table as a die and modifier. When a hit is scored on a figure, the firer rolls the dice and adds the modifier listed on the weapons table. The defender rolls one die and add the modifiers listed on Table 4 for the weapon type at the target figures Armour rating.

Determining the effects of ranged combat uses opposed rolls. Each armour type has separate defence factors for Energy or Ballistic Weapons. There are also modifiers for a unit's quality or 'toughness'. This can be given as a dice plus a defence factor vs B or E.

Weapons and Equipment:

Slammer was written as a skirmish game with individual figures armed with a variety of weapons. Factors were given for each weapon in the following format:

Direct Fire Weapons:	Type	Damage Rating	Close (<4")	Effect  Range	Notes;
Heavy Machine-gun	BAH	1D+ 2	+0	36"	Tripod or vehicle mounted, heavy calibre belt fed, etc
Light Machine-gun /SAW	BA	1D+1	+1	24"	Rifle calibre, bipod, box, drum or belt fed.
Assault Rifle	B	1D	+2	20"	Semi-automatic.
Sub-machine-gun	BA	1D-1	+3	12"	Pistol calibre, Automatic
Sniper Rifle	B	1D+1	+1	28"	Accurised heavy calibre.

Weapon Types;	E - Energy weapons, B - Ballistic weapons, X - Explosive Effect, A - Autofire weapons, H - Heavy weapons.

Reconstructing Star Force 300

Star Force 300 is a set of rules for SF micro-tank games. It was originally published by Tabletop Games in 1980. It was written by Bob Connor and intended for use with QT Models Star Force 300 1/300th scale SF models.

Recently I acquired a few SF300 models to add to my collection. I contacted Dave Hoyles who sculpted the original models and now runs Museum Miniatures. We discussed producing a new range of SF miniatures in 1/200th scale, along with a set of rules to use them with. Dave gets to sculpt and produce the figure, I get to work on the rules. 

For a start, I don't believe that the original rules are upto current game standards. They do have some good features that I want to retain but the mechanisms seem confusing or often contradictory. Also whilst they were play tested, that understanding of how the game worked does not come across well in the writing. There seem to be quite a few necessary assumptions missing from the rules. For example, there is remarkably little information about the Ramorians. QT Models models show them as crocodilian, but there is no mention of their physique, appearance or culture in the rules. The game goes into considerable detail on the armour and equipment for the two main forces but gives no information on setting up or starting a game.  

Some background. This is the introduction to the original rules.

STAR FORCE 300

ARMOURED COMBAT In the 21st Century *

The Ramorian Empire was conquered by the Earth Federation in the year 2099. The war was short but one of the bloodiest on record, mainly due to the inability of the Ramorians to combat the Federation's armoured units. After only three months campaigning the Ramorian forces were totally defeated and driven from all of their planets except for the most outer asteroids and the planet Compran.

For the next sixty years, and with the aid of the Cossack like people of Compran, the remains of the Ramorian army have been actively engaged in guerrilla warfare while their leaders have been rebuilding the shattered army. This time, however, the lessons of armoured warfare have been learnt and each Ramorian Legion is built around its two heavy tank companies each being equipped with the new and powerful Solar Lance weapon system, a military development of the thermal lance used in their own mines.

Most of the Ramorian Empire comprises dry arid planets but planets that are amongst the most mineral rich in the Universe. The deposits lie far below the surface of the planets and the mines are only obvious by their terminal and ore shipment Building. The mines have been fully automated by the Federation, and the Ramorian plan is to destroy them all in the belief that without the ore the federation would leave them alone. The destruction is to be achieved by reprogramming the mines nuclear power plant computers such that they will cause the plant to detonate and thus render the mines and their vast underground areas of tunnels and processing plants unusable for the next two hundred years.

All is now ready; the ore ships have been fully converted to assault transports and escorted by the Scarab space fighters of the Narcom mercenaries, the first legions are setting out on their mission of reconquest and vengeance.

These rules are designed to give a large scale surface battle, of Brigade size, on the various planets. The forces of both sides are similar in composition being built around armoured formations which in turn are supported by infantry and other weapon systems. As the Ramorian commander (Legion Superior) your orders are to destroy the mines allocated to your Legion and also to inflict the maximum damage on the Federation forces. As the Federation commander (Brigade Captain) your orders are to destroy the Ramorian forces and protect the mines. This will invariably mean an encounter battle once the target mines have been identified.

<pedantry> * Whilst the game's subtitle describes it as Armoured Warfare in the 21st Century, the intro sets the main game 60 years into the 22nd century.</pedantry>  

There is plenty of room here for scenarios beyond the Ramorian Counterstrike. You have the first contact, invasion and conquest and then sixty years of Human colonial settlement and Ramorian resistance. Even in 1/300th scale creating two brigade sized opposing forces is going to take time and money. Playing with smaller forces gives you chance to learn the game and have some fun whilst you build up your armies.

Slammer - Activation Table explained

As part of the Star Force project I proposed creating an edition of Slammer using the Solar Federation / Ramorian Empire setting. This would include unit and equipment stats for troops and vehicles tied to proposed figure range. To help get my head around it all I printed off a copy of Slammer. Somehow a paper
copy seems much more tangible than the digital copies I have been playing with for years. Skimming through the paper rules I noticed something missing. I have been following the rules design discussion on Delta Vector and I wanted to check how Slammer treats troops reaction and opportunity fire.

I have always played the Activation Table so a higher Activation unit can make an early interrupt and take their turn before a lower Activation unit if necessary. I have always assumed this was written into the rules, but I could not find it.

I had to go back through the Yahoo Group message archive to 1999 before I found it written down in response to a player's query about the turn sequence.

I have attached the relevant passage below and emphasised the key bits.

When we first tried Slammer the turn sequence was reversed so higher activation troops moved first. This really didn't work. The best units became instant opportunity targets for every unit on the board and got cut to pieces before they could achieve anything. Lower activation troops have much more limited options, moving them first gets the 'compulsories' out of the way. If they are going to run or fall back, it's worthwhile giving them a head start then keep them running rather than catching them and having to fight. If your high activation unit is afraid they might get away you have the option to opportunity fire and shoot them as they run. If a low unit is firing they may be limited to return fire or panic fire and this is largely ineffective anyway. It's not a race to see who gets off the first shot!

Also a higher activation unit can choose to move at a lower activation level. Units can choose any of the options at their activation level or less, even an option that is nominally unfavourable, e.g. fall back.

I don't think this is stated clearly enough in the rules but it does happen in games I've run that a high activation unit chooses to make its move as an early interrupt, rather like opportunity fire.

 I think this needs repeating and adding to the rules because it's not clear at all. This can make quite a difference to the way troops react to opponents and gives players a bit more to think about rather than just waiting their turn.

The World turned upside down...

We have put our house on the market and are looking for a new home.
Preferably somewhere near the main roads west of Hull.
Among all the work getting our house ready to sell and looking for a new home, it means that most of my projects are put on hold.
I may also have to dispose of some of my toys and books. :(

On the plus side, our new home may have room for a garden railway and or a bigger shed/games room.
Also I have been in discussion with a prominent miniatures producer about reintroducing a beloved fondly remembered range of 1980's sci-fi models... :)

Armies from the Attic part 2 - Hordes of the Things

For a quick and easy fantasy wargame, Hordes of the Things is hard to beat. It's remarkably versatile and has been used for scores of different armies and settings. In the basic game each army adds up to 24 AP (Army Points). If you combine it with DBA you get even more unit types such as Light Cavalry, Pikes and Skirmishers.

Here are some of my instant armies made up from my 15mm figures.

Horde Orcs

A mix of figures from various makers including Tabletop Games, Jacobite, Tin Soldier and Warrior.

Warband General x1 @2 = 2AP;
Black Orc Hordes x4 @1 = 4AP;
Black Orc Bows x2 @2 = 4AP;
Hobgoblin Hordes x4 @1 = 4AP;
Rocktroll Behemoth x1 @4 = 4AP;
Wolf  Rider Cavalry x3 @2 = 6AP.

Hobgoblin Hordes, these are Citadel 25mm Snotlings re-based for 15mm.

Black Orcs

Warband General x1 @2 = 2AP;
Black Orc Spears x4 @2 = 8AP;
Black Orc Bows x2 @2 = 4AP;
Rocktroll Behemoth x1 @4 = 4AP;
Wolf  Rider Cavalry x3 @2 = 6AP.

The Rocktroll. This is a resin model that came as part of a set of elementals.

Steppe Goblins

Chariot General (Knight) x1 @2 = 2AP;
Wolf Chariots (Knights) x2 @2 = 4AP;
Wolf Riders Cavalry x6 @2 = 12AP;
Great Goblin Spears x2 @2 = 4AP;
Great Goblin warband x1 @2 = 2AP;

Goblin Wolf Chariots from Tin Soldier.

Wolf Riders. Mixed and matched from various sources.

Ratmen

I bought this little army ready painted and based. I think that they are Pendrakken 10mm figures.

They work mix nicely as 15mm.

Joolius Cheezer Hero (or Magician) General x1 @4 = 4AP;

Ratona Stick (Spears) x2 @2 = 4AP;

Ratus Ratus Warriors (Warband) x6 @2 = 12AP;

Mad Bombers (Shooters) x2 @2 = 4AP; or

Mad Bombers (Artillery) x1 @3 = 3AP; +

Rats Ass-Assassins (Lurkers) x1 @1 = 1AP.

Joolius Cheezer, Ratman Hero (or Magician) with his backing band, spears and mad bombers.

Orthodox Dwarves

This is a traditional Dwarven army of massed hand weapons, hammers, axes. I think that thee are Peter Pig figures, They were bought ready painted and based.

The Low King Hero General x1 @4 = 4AP;
Dwarf Warriors (Blades) x8 @2 = 16AP;
Crossbows (Shooters) x2 @2 = 4AP;

The Low King and bearded loons in chain mail undies.

New Reformed Dwarves

Much the same figures as above but a very different army.

Iron Master (Blades General) x1 @2 = 2AP;
Dwarf Warriors (Blades) x4 @2 = 8AP;
Dwarf Spears x2 @2 = 4AP;
Dwarf Crossbows (Shooters) x2 @2 = 4AP;
Engineer (Cleric) x1 @3 = 3AP;
War Engine (Artillery) x1 @3 = 3AP;

Eastern Empire

These are my Fantasy Byzantines, A heavy Cavalry biased army.

Knight General x1 @2 = 2AP;
Iron Dragons Cataphracts (Knights) x2 @2 = 4AP;
Red Griffons Heavy Cavalry (Riders) x3 @2 = 6AP;
Petcheneg Light Cavalry (Riders) x2 @2 = 4AP;
Empire Levy (Shooters) x4 @2 = 8AP;

Armies from the attic - Fantasy Rules!

Years ago when I last played tabletop wargames, one of my favourite systems was Chipco's Fantasy Rules. This is a very versatile rules set that allow players to create and customise their own armies from a range of different units and characters. I have three armies that got regular games, the Honest Orcs even got a couple of away matches and did pretty well in competition.
I got them out of the attic and set them up at the games club for a photo session. They seem to have survived fairly well but the bases could do with some refurbishment.

Here are the infamous Honest Orcs assembled en-masse.

Orc General with Taunt and Army Standard;
1x Wizard L2 in Heavy Chariot
6x Black Orc Spears with Bowfire;
4x Hobgoblin hand weapons;
2x Elite Ogre (Strong but Stupid) hand weapons;
6x Goblin Wolf-riders Light Cavalry;
2x Traps, deploy to impede movement;


Wizard Prang in his Heavy Chariot of DOOM;

Two traps: These were both made by Tom Pope.

Great Grey Green Greasy Limpopo Lizardman army.
This is a mob heavy army. FR! allows armies to mass some units into larger juggernauts. These move and fight as a single formation.
The Lizardmen have two 2x3 mob Juggernauts as their core formation giving them a very solid centre.

Lizard general with Army Standard;
Lizardman Hero;
Lizard Wizard Shaman (Druid L2);
Two 2x3 Mob Juggernauts;
4x Skirmishers (attached to the Juggernauts);
6x Lizardmen Handweapons;
2x Dinosaur Riders (Small Monsters);
4x Lizardmen Heavy Cavalry;

Mob Juggernauts + attached bows and characters:

The Eastern Empire.

This army has a heavy cavalry bias backed up by strong infantry, artillery and shooters.

General with army Standard;
Cleric with Holy Hand Grenade (one use only);
4x Iron Dragons Heavy Cataphract Lancers (Knights);
3x Red Griffons  Heavy Cavalry;
3x Petcheneg Light Cavalry;
4x Varangian Dwarves, Hand Weapons Heavy armour;
4x Skirmishers;
1x Heavy Artillery;


The Varangian Dwarven Guard + their mighty bolt lobber:

Light Cavalry and Skirmishers:

These figures are all based on 40mm frontage so I can use them for Hordes of the Things too.

Slammer SMLE - Troop Quality

Troop Quality

Each element requires a troop quality rating that represents the general level of training and experience of the figures in the unit. In a section level game you may want to give each figure its own rating, to represent the figures individual fighting ability. The entire team should still have a troop quality rating for Activation purposes. This should represent the majority or average level of the figures in the team. (Elite round up; Others round down.)

For a platoon level game, all the figures in a team should have the same rating.

Leaders, Heroes or other significant individuals should always be given an individual quality rating. These may be different from the other figures in their team.

Suggested Troop quality ratings and typical examples are as follows:

Non-combatants

Very few wars take place in a vacuum, anywhere worth fighting over has people living there already. Mostly they will try to avoid the fighting, but sometimes the war comes to them. They may try to avoid your troops or come to you for help or need protecting. Unarmed civilians can be dangerous in numbers if they are provoked to outright hostility. 

e.g. Ordinary folks, refugees, angry citizens, civilian contractors, rioters, innocent-bystanders, camp-followers, prisoners/hostages/victims, charitable aid, disaster relief, medics or nursing staff, etc.

Non combatants may also include journalists or political observers embedded with active troops.

Untrained

Figures with no formal military training and little or no combat experience. Armed civilians are usually rated as untrained. Untrained may also include Insurgents, irregulars and or tribal units. These may have some familiarity with their weapons but have little experience of being shot at by capable opponents.

Guerrillas, Partisans, Insurgents, tribal irregulars, volunteers, resistance fighters, criminals/ terrorists, etc.

Green

Figures that have completed a programme of basic military training but have little or no front-line combat experience; May include troops from second-line or supporting services, or new reinforcements in a frontline unit.

Reservists, Militia; Garrison troops, New recruits; Irregulars; Corporate Security; Civilian Police*;

Gangsters; Terrorists.

[* while Police might be treated as Green in a military situation, they may be Elite motivation.]

Trained

Fully-trained competent troops and regular soldiers;

Trained is assumed to be the default level for teams in SMLE , they gain no additional modifiers or incur any penalty. Most regular Military types would be rated as trained.

Veteran

Combat experienced well trained professional soldiers, Long service soldiers who have served a tour of duty in a combat zone. In most armies the Veterans will tend to be section or platoon leaders whilst the majority of the unit are trained or green.

Generally poorer troops should be organised into larger teams; e.g. Green = 4 - 6 figures.

Better quality troops i.e. Veteran and Elite may form smaller teams of 2 - 4 figures.

This is intended to simulate the higher level of initiative and self confidence in better quality troops.

Note, if a team has a support weapon e.g. LMG, Mortar, etc. that counts as one figure.

For Example:

A typical trained infantry team would be 3 to 5 figures.

A special forces section of 4-6 figures might have 2-3  veteran teams of 2-3 figures each.

A partisan group of 10-12 figures would have 2 green teams of 4-6 figures.

An non-combatant group of rioters or refugees could be treated as a single mob of up to 12 figures.

Our example British Infantry Section could be played as two Trained teams, The section corporal with 4-6 riflemen and the lance corporal with two men running the Bren gun.

In a set scenario the Troop Quality should be determined before the game starts, or may be randomly determined at the start of a game.

For example;

The British Infantry section mentioned previously rolls 1D6 for each element as follows:

1,2	Green	New recruits & casualty replacements
2,3,4,5	Trained	Troops who have been in the unit long enough to know their way around
6	Veteran	Experienced troopers who have been through a few hard fights

In addition one roll should be made for the section leader with a +1 dice modifier.

Gathering my armies

Scrabbling around in the attic last night, I found my 15mm Fantasy armies (there was a minor panic when I couldn't find the lizardmen). Also a Ratman army I'd forgotten about including their heroic general 'Joolius Cheezer'. I have the figures for at least three Fantasy Rules! 1000pt armies and loads of Hordes of the Things HoTT armies. 
They need some reorganising and some of the bases would benefit from a bit of flock. 
There were also my 6mm Orc armies for HoTT and most of my SF mico-tank armies. The OGRE MKIII is still MIA, (should I be worried ?)
And my WW2 micro tanks 
and my spaceships 
and my 15mm SF Lizardmen, Aliens and Stormtroopers.Now I need players...

Slammer vs Bolt Action ?

At my local Games club last week, I was watching a game of Bolt Action,  28mm WW2 skirmish(?). Russians and Germans fighting through a village on a crossroad. 

Lots of pretty toys and very nice terrain. It seemed to play quickly with a minimal reference sheet and a bucket load of funny dice. The apparently random initiative and lack of overwatch or reaction to enemy movement seemed very strange to me. Also the shooting ranges seemed very short for the figure scale. I got the impression that a MG couldn't shoot from one end of a cottage to the other!


It's got me hankering to re-try Slammer S.M.L.E. I don't know if I can persuade my club comrades to try my rules but I suspect it would give them a very different game. 
With that in mind I have started reappraising SMLE and may have an updated version or work in progress up here soon.

http://chrisnicolegames.blogspot.co.uk/p/smle-skirmish-rules-for-ww2-and-c20.html

I took Grandson Logan (12 yo) to the club last Tuesday evening.
We played Dragon Fight,
He won.
:o)



Now he wants to try WH40K...

Where did I go wrong ?!!

:o(

Dragon fight - Third play test

I ran another solo play-test for Dragon Fight 2.

This time I played the Large Green vs the Night Fox. Both 30 pt designs, but the Big Green looks like more Dragon for your points. Night Fox's smaller Body Dice meant he got to use Agile manoeuvres. Big Green had to stick with more stately Soaring and Banking.
As it was Night Fox's Breath was pretty ineffective compared to Strike. I really need to look at the Flaming Breath rules...

Changes this time,

• I rolled a single Wings dice at the beginning of each Round for Precedence and Movement Points. 
• I used gaining or losing Speed when Climbing or Diving to modify start of round Wings roll's. 
• I made Tight Turns [60'-90'] an Agile Manoeuvre.

Night Fox got lucky on the starting Height Band rolling a double 2 for HB = 8 (2 +6)
Big Green rolled a 3 and a 1 for HB = 3

Big Green.    Started at position 6, Height Band  = 3
Body:  D10  +1
Wings: D8  +1
Strike:  D8  +1
Defence:     +1
Breath:   -

Night Fox.       Started at position 1, Height Band  = 8
Body:   D6  +1
Wings:  D8  +1
Strike:  D6  +1
Defence:    +1
Breath:  D6

Night Fox's Height advantage gave him Precedence for the first two rounds whilst Big Green soared for more height. As Green had to climb he was losing Speed each round which effected his initial Wings rolls. Even so for the first four Rounds, Big Green got more MP and as he was using a D10 template he moved much further than Night Fox's D6 template. Both Dragons circled gaining height.

On Round 3 Green won Precedence. Fox went on the offensive performing a Wingover to dive into Breath range of the larger Dragon. Fox rolled a 1 for Breath +1 for Speed gain, which Green shrugged off with a Body roll of 9. Green was now at HB 7 whilst Fox was back down to HB 8.

On Round 4 Green won Precedence again. Fox swooped in for a Strike rolling a 4 which Green shrugged off again with Defence of 1 and a Body roll of 5. This time Green made four Turns to bring him into Striking range of Fox. Green's Strike roll of 4 less 1 defence  was just beaten by Fox's Body roll of 4.

On Round 5 Night Fox won precedence again. As it was getting near going home time, Green curved off to head back for his lair. Fox chased after and struck rolling a 6+1 for 7 damage. Green Countered rolling 3+1 for 4 damage. Both dragon's Defence took one off the damage, Fox rolled a 3 for body equalling the damage. Green rolled a 3 meaning a major wound, then a location roll of 1 for a head wound. Fox wins by a knockout!

Interesting game as the two dragons appeared mis matched at first. Big Green came over as rather lazy relying on his greater size to intimidate, while Night Fox showed a real aggressive streak. 

Flaming Breath has been totally ineffective in all the play tests so far. I may have to go back to the machine gun rules from Fokker Fodder.

Dragon Fight - Little model dragons

Spotted in Boyes, Whitfriargate whilst I was looking for a teapot.

I have seen packs of three Dragons Domain figures in the Works too, but they are cheaper at Boyes.
They seem to have a good range of different sized dragons, but they are mainly in standing poses.

How to Train your Dragon figures. The individual packs look rather deformed but still cute.
The real bargain is ...

A Bucket of Dragons!! (for £9.99) I am so tempted.
The Dragons are all small figures (about thumb sized) but they are posed flying.
There are also larger figures of Hiccup and the other Vikings from HTTYD. for some strange reason, these are much bigger than the dragons.

Dragon Fight - Play Test 2

Dragon Fight 2

Second Play Test 12th May 2015

I had another solo play-test of Dragon Fight. Flying my Red and Green example dragons over 9 rounds.

The new manoeuvres seem to work well but combat was pretty inconclusive.

There was plenty of conflict as both Dragons got chances to hit each other and they both took damage but only Red took a Wound, reducing his Breath Weapon to D4.

As they were both rolling D6+1 for Strike and had D6+2 or D8 body and +2 Defence each, they managed to shake off most of the damage.

I played the Evade roll as all or nothing. If an Evade attempt fails (rolls less than Strike) then the defending flier takes all the Strike roll as damage. It is not reduced by the Evade roll.

I need other players to create dragons for testing.

Thirty points may be too limited, forty points should give you plenty to play with.

I was rolling Wings twice at the start of each round, once for Precedence and once for Movement Points.

Red the less agile flier won Precedence on five out of nine rounds but consistently had less Movement Points in each Round.

It might be more sensible to use one roll for both, or that might be too much of a double whammy for fliers with smaller Wings dice ?

There were a couple of occasions when one or other Dragon got into a Tail position.

In these cases it made game sense for the dragon in front to move first despite Precedence.

The Wings roll for shaking off a Tail became redundant as both Fliers managed to manoeuvre out of the Tailing situation.

I took photos of the game in progress.

Green:

Body:     D6          +2           Green uses a D6 / 6" move template.

Wings:   D10        +1

Strike:    D6          +1

Defence:              +2

Breath:  -             

Red:

Body:     D8                         Red uses a d8 / 8" move template.

Wings:   D6         

Strike:    D6          +1

Defence:              +2

Breath:  D6         

Rolling for Start positions and Height Band.

Green started at 1 HB 6

Red started at 2 HB 6

Round 1

Green:   Precedence = 8  MP = 15               HB = 6

Red:       Precedence = 7  MP = 7   HB = 6

Precedence (P) = Height Band + Wings dice +/- Speed

Movement Points (MP) = Wings Dice + 4

Red:       Soar; Straight;                   Gain 1 HB, lose 1 Speed

Green:   Soar x2; Bank; Straight;   Gain 2 HB, lose 2 Speed 

Both Fliers started at Height Band 6 then spent the first couple of rounds climbing to HB 8. Both dragons stayed at HB 8 for the rest of the game.

Note: Straights and Soars can include a turn of up to 30' so both Dragons were curving round to meet.

If there were more fliers would there be more incentive to change altitude during the game ?

Round 2

Green:   P = 8      MP = 9   HB = 8

Red:       P = 7      MP = 8   HB = 7

Both fliers rolled low on Precedence and the Speed penalty reduced it further

Green wins Precedence Red moves first.

Red:       Soar; Straight x2               Gain 1 HB, lose 1 Speed

Green:   Straight x3, Strike!, Straight

Green Strike = 5-2 Defence = 3 damage, Red Body roll = 2 resulting in the only Wound of the game. Red's Breath reduced to D4.

Red Counters = 3-2 Defence = 1 damage, green Body Roll = 6 no wound.

Round 3

Green:   P = 10    MP = 9   HB = 8

Red:       P = 10*  MP = 6   HB = 8

*Red wins Precedence as he has a smaller Wings dice. Green moves first.

Green:   Bank x3

Red:       Bank x2

Both fliers pulled round towards each other but did not engage.

Round 4

Green:   P = 12    MP = 14               HB = 8

Red:       P = 12*  MP = 9   HB = 8

*Red wins Precedence as he has a smaller Wings dice. Green moves first.

Green:   Straight x6

Red:       Bank x3 Strike!

Green made 6x 30' turns, trying to make some distance between them.

Red made 3x 60' turns, Red catches Green and Strikes, Green Evades.

Red Strike = 4

Green Evade (Wings) = 11 Red misses.

Round 5

Green:   P = 13    MP = 12               HB = 8

Red:       P = 10    MP = 6   HB = 8

Green wins Precedence, Red moves first

Red:       Straight x3 

Green:   Bank x4

Red turns away after striking, Green Evades.

Red Strike = 7

Green Evades (Wings) = 3

Red strikes Green for 7-2 damage, Green Body roll = 6 no wound.

Round 6

Green:   P = 11    MP = 7

Red:       P= 14     MP = 5

Red wins Precedence except Green has a Tail, Red has to move first.

Red:       Bank, Straight

Green:   Straight x3

Green Strikes Red for 5, Red Counters for 3.

Green Strike = 5-2 Defence = 3 damage, Red Body roll = 6 no wound.

Red Counters (Strike) = 3-2 Defence = 1 damage, green Body Roll = 5 no wound.

Round 7

Green:   P = 11    MP = 7

Red:       P = 12    MP = 10

Red wins Precedence, Green moves first

Green:   Bank, Straight x2

Red:       Tight turn (90') x2, Straight

Green Banks away, Red pursues and Breathes.

Red Breath = 3

Green Evade = 6 Missed!

Round 8

Green:   P = 12    MP = 11

Red:       P = 11    MP = 5

Green wins Precedence, Red moves first. Red attempts to Tail Green but is shaken off.

Red:       Bank, Straight

Green:   Straight x5

Turn 9

Green:   P = 17    MP = 13

Red:       P = 10    MP = 8

Green wins Precedence, Red moves first.

Red:       Straight x4

Green:   Straight x6

Time to go home, both Fliers head for their lairs.