Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Wargaming Wednesday - Line of Sight, American Militia, & Northern Conspiracy

Over on markdecoteaugaming.blogspot.com, he has a "New Way to Determine Line of Sight on the Game Table" here.


Also, on gilesallison.blogspot.com, we get a closer look at his "American Militia" figures here.


Finally, on ajs-wargaming.blogspot.com, he tells of the "Northern Conspiracy September 2015 Game Night" here.


A closer examination of board and miniatures Wargaming.
Please Like, Share, Plus, Tweet, Follow, and Comment!

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Terrain Tuesday - Stronghold Crafter Kev Tutorials

Over on the Stronghold Crafter Kev YouTube channel, he's got tutorials on all sorts of crafted terrain.  First check out the fifteen videos in the "Castle Tower Tutorial" series.



Also, check out the ten "Castle Wall Tutorial" series.



Finally, have a look at the seven video "Castle Courtyard Tutorial" series.



For purposes here, the term Terrain is used broadly
to cover 3D and 2D maps, foam, felt, and such.
Please Like, Share, Plus, Tweet, Follow, and Comment!

Monday, September 28, 2015

Minis & Modeling Monday - Beholders, Papercrafts, & Painting with Sam

Over on Etsy, Phill Besio has some Beholders for sale here.


Also, have a look at Inkjet_Paper_Scissors and bookmark the site to keep track of a lot of nifty papercraft builds here.


Finally, on the Dice Tower YouTube channel, check out "Painting Minis with Sam" Healey for some tips and tricks.  Enjoy!



A look at prepping and painting Miniatures,
crafting buildings and paper Models,
and other non-terrain stuff for the tabletop.
Please Like, Share, Plus, Tweet, Follow, and Comment!

Sunday, September 27, 2015

The Sunday Miscellanea - Play Money

Game Designer Tim Kask was asking on Facebook the other day for some sources for play money, to replace some for a particular game where the original money was not only gone but wasn't particularly good in the first place.  Several suggestions included places where you print your own such as printableplaymoney.net here.


Also, some pre-printed cardstock money known as "The Treasury" here on Amazon.


Finally, a couple of videos from the printplaymoney YouTube channel show how to make your own Power Point templates for customized money.  Enjoy!




Essentially, a clearinghouse for topics on MFWARS.com
not covered elsewhere or wanting a particular focus.
Please Like, Share, Plus, Tweet, Follow, and Comment!

Saturday, September 26, 2015

Systems Saturday - The Resistance (2009)

When Norm came to join us for an afternoon a Friday Culver's, one of the games he brought with him was The Resistance (2009).  I had only played once before at a Gaming Hoopla a couple years ago.  I recalled enjoying it but recalled looking it up online later and finding the number of expansions a daunting.  I don't recall if we used expansions in that game back then but we simply used the base game this time.  We had seven players back then and just five this time around but it seemed to play similarly enough.


The description from Board Game Geek is as follows:
The Empire must fall. Our mission must succeed. By destroying their key bases, we will shatter Imperial strength and liberate our people. Yet spies have infiltrated our ranks, ready for sabotage. We must unmask them. In five nights we reshape destiny or die trying. We are the Resistance!
The Resistance is a party game of social deduction. It is designed for five to ten players, lasts about 30 minutes, and has no player elimination. The Resistance is inspired by Mafia/Werewolf, yet it is unique in its core mechanics, which increase the resources for informed decisions, intensify player interaction, and eliminate player elimination.
Players are either Resistance Operatives or Imperial Spies. For three to five rounds, they must depend on each other to carry out missions against the Empire. At the same time, they must try to deduce the other players’ identities and gain their trust. Each round begins with discussion. When ready, the Leader entrusts sets of Plans to a certain number of players (possibly including himself/herself). Everyone votes on whether or not to approve the assignment. Once an assignment passes, the chosen players secretly decide to Support or Sabotage the mission. Based on the results, the mission succeeds (Resistance win) or fails (Empire win). When a team wins three missions, they have won the game.

Although it was a bit choppy with some new players jumping in and my own memory requiring some prodding, we enjoyed this game again.  Although Love Letter tends to be our quick-pick-up game, round these parts, I think we might need to get this one into the mix a bit more.


A look under the hood of various Games, Rules and Systems.
Please Like, Share, Plus, Tweet, Follow, and Comment!

Friday, September 25, 2015

Tabletopper Friday - Lords of Waterdeep (2012)

Once in a while, it is fun to take a game that has been expanded, and to which you like and use the expansions, and give just the base game a play or two.  That's just what we did last week when teaching Norm the joys of Lords of Waterdeep (2012).  He's an avid D&D player who loves the Forgotten Realms, as well as a regular board gamer, so it was both a surprise that he hasn't played before and not surprising that he liked it.


The description from Board Game Geek is as follows:
Waterdeep, the City of Splendors – the most resplendent jewel in the Forgotten Realms, and a den of political intrigue and shady back-alley dealings. In this game, the players are powerful lords vying for control of this great city. Its treasures and resources are ripe for the taking, and that which cannot be gained through trickery and negotiation must be taken by force!
In Lords of Waterdeep, a strategy board game for 2-5 players, you take on the role of one of the masked Lords of Waterdeep, secret rulers of the city. Through your agents, you recruit adventurers to go on quests on your behalf, earning rewards and increasing your influence over the city. Expand the city by purchasing new buildings that open up new actions on the board, and hinder – or help – the other lords by playing Intrigue cards to enact your carefully laid plans.
During the course of play, you may gain points or resources through completing quests, constructing buildings, playing intrigue cards or having other players utilize the buildings you have constructed. At the end of 8 rounds of play, the player who has accrued the most points wins the game.

Norm definitely played well with Tom and I scores were typical of veteran players in our second time through.  I think the first time through was less about completing quests and more about trying all the options.  Still, even I was impressed just how fun this game remains in its base form with three players.  I think with four players, definitely with five, the expansion would keep the game from feeling too crowded.  I do want to try it with five as a base game again, though, since it must play well enough for us to have enjoyed it that way pre-expansion and I don't recall having any complaints then.

Mostly about card games and board games,
unless they have a decidedly wargamey feel.
Please Like, Share, Plus, Tweet, Follow, and Comment!

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Nostalgia Thursday - Wiz-War (1983)

One of the games we regularly played as the group was straggling in for our D&D games in the 1980s was Wiz-War (1983).  It was fast paced, scratched the fantasy itch, and provided hours of fun in half hour to one hour splashes.  Granted, the game can take twice that long when you are new to it and if you aren't be aggressive but we played the game well, we played for blood, and we played for quick resolutions.  It was as cutthroat as any game I've ever played.


The description from Board Game Geek is as follows:
In this light, beer & pretzels type of game, players are transformed into wizards attempting to collect treasures from a twisted little maze. At the heart of the game is a deck of cards that the players use to cast spells, power-up spells, and augment movement. Each turn, players can move up to three spaces (or more with the use of number cards). However, the goal is to penetrate the other players' sections of the maze, pick up one of their treasures, and bring it back to your home base. The first player to capture two such treasures or kill all the other wizards is the winner.

I currently have a copy of the "Classic" game printed by Chessex in 1997, which is just as good as the original, and I have yet to play the newish Fantasy Flight Games version yet (though I'd like to try it someday).  Admittedly, the older version does allow players to get knocked out of the game which I think they changed in the newer version but the game doesn't last so long as for that to be a big deal, IMO.  I know that modern boardgaming design dictates that being knocked out of a game before it is over isn't "fun" but in shorter games, I think that can be minimally problematic.  I need to introduce my regular crew of gamers to this traditional D&D side game soon, I think.  Maybe tonight!


Focusing on the roots of current tabletop gaming
with an eye toward the last century and before.
Please Like, Share, Plus, Tweet, Follow, and Comment!

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Wargaming Wednesday - eBay Listings, Tommies, & NUTS!

Over on madaxeman.com, he has a very fine way of featuring his eBay Listings for all of his wargaming sales.  See more here and scroll down to find them on the right hand side.


Also, on ajs-wargaming.blogspot.com, AJ has highlighted his "28mm British WWII Tommies" here.


Finally, on fencingfrog.blogspot.com, Adam Carriere has shared a battle report for "Hasty attack 99th Infantry Vs Volksgrenadier (Nuts)" here.


A closer examination of board and miniatures Wargaming.
Please Like, Share, Plus, Tweet, Follow, and Comment!

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Terrain Tuesday - Dragonlock, Underdark, & The Ness of Brodgar

Tom Tullis of Fat Dragon Games has been teasing a new product on Facebook though it has yet to show up on the Fat Dragon Games website.


Also, on Mike Schley's Zenfolio eStore, he now has his Out of the Abyss Underdark map available for sale in electronic format here.


Finally, on orkneyjar.com, you'll get more than a little inspiration from "The Ness of Brodgar excavation site — in three dimensions" here.


For purposes here, the term Terrain is used broadly
to cover 3D and 2D maps, foam, felt, and such.
Please Like, Share, Plus, Tweet, Follow, and Comment!

Monday, September 21, 2015

Minis & Modeling Monday - Red Dragon, 3D-Printing, & Laser-cut Buildings

Over on gravengames.co.uk, they share a "Pathfinder Battles: Gargantuan Red Dragon Review" here.


Also, on tested.com, they discuss "Warhammer at War: How Home 3D Printers Are Disrupting Miniature Gaming" here.


Finally, on the SolventAbuseUk YouTube channel, they have a look at some laser-cut buildings.  Enjoy!



A look at prepping and painting Miniatures,
crafting buildings and paper Models,
and other non-terrain stuff for the tabletop.
Please Like, Share, Plus, Tweet, Follow, and Comment!

Sunday, September 20, 2015

The Sunday Miscellanea - Stone Age (2008)

A game that we break out from time to time is Stone Age (2008).  The same guy in our group usually wins, because he plays it like a fiend on his tablet, but we still find it fun somehow so that is saying something.  Although one among us has the expansion tucked away somewhere, we have yet to include that in the mix.


The description from Board Game Geek is as follows:
The "Stone Age" times were hard indeed. In their roles as hunters, collectors, farmers, and tool makers, our ancestors worked with their legs and backs straining against wooden plows in the stony earth. Of course, progress did not stop with the wooden plow. People always searched for better tools and more productive plants to make their work more effective.
In Stone Age, the players live in this time, just as our ancestors did. They collect wood, break stone and wash their gold from the river. They trade freely, expand their village and so achieve new levels of civilization. With a balance of luck and planning, the players compete for food in this pre-historic time.
Players use up to ten tribe members each in three phases. In the first phase, players place their men in regions of the board that they think will benefit them, including the hunt, the trading center, or the quarry. In the second phase, the starting player activates each of his staffed areas in whatever sequence he chooses, followed in turn by the other players. In the third phase, players must have enough food available to feed their populations, or they face losing resources or points.

I think we'll continue to play this game but maybe next time the expansion needs to be added just to see if we can keep the guy who laps us (most of us get around 150 VP while he gets over a deuce).  He does tend to focus on getting a set, though most of the rest of us do too, but he is also big on the "1-7, any one resource" buildings and doesn't seem to waste much time on tool collecting.


Essentially, a clearinghouse for topics on MFWARS.com
not covered elsewhere or wanting a particular focus.
Please Like, Share, Plus, Tweet, Follow, and Comment!

Saturday, September 19, 2015

Systems Saturday - Aleena, Acronyphobia, & O5R

Over on ultanya.com, the Grand DM discusses character death and some thoughts on "kid gloves" GMing here.  And I love the cover mock up he created.


Also, on tribality.com, writer Shawn Ellsworth gives a very useful article titled "Acronyphobia – Common Tabletop RPG Acronyms, Abbreviations & Terms" here.


Finally, on the Samwise Seven RPG YouTube channel, he discusses "O5R: Dungeons & Dragons 5E Optional & House Rules."  Enjoy.



A look under the hood of various Games, Rules and Systems.
Please Like, Share, Plus, Tweet, Follow, and Comment!

Friday, September 18, 2015

Tabletopper Friday - FFG's L5R, Hnefatafl, & The Shining

Over on fantasyflightgames.com, they shared the news that Fantasy Flight Games has purchased the Legend of the Five Rings intellectual property from Alderac Entertainment Group.  Read more here.


Also, on tafl.cyningstan.com, there is a discussion of how some hnefatafl rules call the center location a throne rather than a castle.  Learn more here.


Finally, on openculture.com, they suggest we "Download & Play The Shining Board Game" here.

Mostly about card games and board games,
unless they have a decidedly wargamey feel.
Please Like, Share, Plus, Tweet, Follow, and Comment!

Thursday, September 17, 2015

Nostalgia Thursday - Gygaxian Armor, Elmore Art, & The Ringbearer

Over on Playing at the World, Jon Peterson looks at "The Legacy of Gygax's Armor" here.


Also, on Art of the Genre, R. Scott Taylor discusses "10 Pieces of Larry Elmore Art that Changed Gaming" here.


Finally, on freewebs.com, on the Tolkien Boardgames section, they expound on The Ringbearer, a miniatures wargame published by Little Soldiers Games in 1975.  Learn more here.


Focusing on the roots of current tabletop gaming
with an eye toward the last century and before.
Please Like, Share, Plus, Tweet, Follow, and Comment!

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Wargaming Wednesday - Vassal, Aide de Camp 2, & Wargamer Aide de Camp

Over on vassalengine.org, you can find "a game engine for building and playing online adaptations of board games and card games. Play live on the Internet or by email. Vassal runs on all platforms, and is free, open-source software."  Learn more here.


Also, on hpssims.com, check out Aide de Camp 2.  It "is the long awaited sequel to the ultimate gamer's tool for converting all those old boxed games into a fully playable computer version intended for Play-by-E-mail (PBEM).  While designed primarily for wargames, ADC2 is flexible enough to handle any game or application where moveable "pieces" are placed on top of some sort of schematic base.  It can handle games as diverse as the complex wargame Grand Europa, to every kid's favorite Chutes and Ladders, or even Scrabble."  Find out more here.


Finally, on wargamer-aide-de-camp.com, and not to be confused with the second of the above online wargaming tools, have a look at Wargamer Aide de Camp, "a unique statistic and status display stand for wargames and games" here or on their Facebook page here.



A closer examination of board and miniatures Wargaming.
Please Like, Share, Plus, Tweet, Follow, and Comment!

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Terrain Tuesday - Blade Runner Props, Maps Etc., & Dungeon Tiles

Over on openculture.com, and although it has been mentioned before here and elsewhere, have a look at the great behind the scenes photos of many cool props from the Blade Runner film here.


Also, on etc.usf.edu, there is a wonderful collection of real world maps including "Denmark and the Duchies of Schleswig and Holstein, 1864" here.


Finally, on the Stronghold Crafter Kev YouTube channel, Kev has been working through a series on "Dungeon Tiles" that is up to nine videos so far.  I've compiled a playlist of the installments so far.  Enjoy!



For purposes here, the term Terrain is used broadly
to cover 3D and 2D maps, foam, felt, and such.
Please Like, Share, Plus, Tweet, Follow, and Comment!

Monday, September 14, 2015

Minis & Modeling Monday - Rugs, Kobolds, & Vampire Transformation

Over on pinterest.com, there's a whole section from Teresa Cerna on "miniature rugs" here.


Also, on belchedfromthedepths.blogspot.com, there's a great pictorial on some "Minifigs Kobolds" here.


Finally, on the Sleepy Hollow-Restored Mike Johns YouTube channel, Mike shows us a simple Vampire Transformation miniature effect.  Enjoy!



A look at prepping and painting Miniatures,
crafting buildings and paper Models,
and other non-terrain stuff for the tabletop.
Please Like, Share, Plus, Tweet, Follow, and Comment!