Month: August 2016 (Page 1 of 2)

Modiphius Star Trek Adventures Will Be a Closed Playtest

August 19, 2016 / Stan Shinn

SteveHanson from Modiphius posted on the Modiphius Star Trek forum:

There will be a play test once we put rules to paper. Right now we’re concerned with what does everyone want. The play test will be conducted like all of our play tests, pdf made available to those in the program. These are not open play tests but only for those who are approved. Each version or two there will be a survey. Source

All of which is to say, I hope we get in on the Star Trek Adventure beta, but it’s a closed playtest, so participation isn’t guaranteed.

Star Trek Adventures Playtest Update: Closed Beta Testing

August 15, 2016 / Stan Shinn

So, looks like the upcoming Star Trek playtest will be closed, not open, so even if you’re signed up, there’s no guarantee you’ll be in the playtest. So I’m keeping my fingers crossed! Supposedly surveys will go out around two weeks after GenCon, and the playtest will start sometime in Sept., with all dates subject to change. Here’s what Modiphius said on their forums:

There will be a play test once we put rules to paper. Right now we’re concerned with what does everyone want. The play test will be conducted like all of our play tests, pdf made available to those in the program. These are not open play tests but only for those who are approved. Each version or two there will be a survey.

Source: http://www.modiphius.com/forum.html#/20160811/question-about-ship-assignments-5272488/

Traveller: Overcoming Combat Armor Near-Invincibility

August 9, 2016 / Stan Shinn

I posted over on the Traveller forums regarding how best to deal with Combat Armor. Feedback was that best attack against Combat Armor is to use Gauss rifles or Heavy ACRs with AP ammo. Gauss rifle is already AP5, and with AP ammo that becomes AP9, heavy ACRs are not quite as good but cheaper.

In our case though, Laser weapons are made for boarding actions, low recoil and not too destructive to the ship. So our best bet on a ship like we were on would be Laser Rifles instead of Laser Carbines.

Gauss Rifle

GenCon 2016 Review

August 8, 2016 / Robert Miklos

Disclaimer; I will only comment on what I experienced.

This convention was jammed packed with people. I wonder how long Indianapolis will be able to hold it. People everywhere. But as always, there are still a lot to experience and wring out of the Convention.

The Dealer’s hall. It was bigger and better than ever. You can really endanger your mortgage payment in there. So much to buy. I especially liked DCC, Troll Lord’s, and Hirst Arts. Dwarven Forge got waaaaay too much of my money.
Baldman games had a good recovery from last year. The DnD experience was very good, and they had the mustering under control. It was a good story line. But still no swag. Not that I am overly fussy, but come on guys. Maybe an advanced copy of the Storm Giant book? Give me a little extra for my $150 please.
Star Wars Edge of Empire continues to be a highlight. But you wonder why FFG doesn’t support it more. I think this system could conquer the earth if given more support. And Emory loves to play the Wookie and tear arms off NPCs. Good Times.
Support for RPGs is at an all time high. From coins, to Syrinscape, to terrain pieces and models, we are in the golden age of RPG support products.
People still bring their babies in strollers. You see this on the weekends, and I guess Midwesterners don’t trust or can’t get babysitters. I’m not sure why you would drag your six-month old to a jam packed convention full of BO and sleepy gamers. Its like a powder keg waiting to go off. “Hey, Cole (Insert stupid millennial name here), stop the baby from swallowing that d20!”
Greyhawk Reborn will be skipped from now on. Evidently there are rules, rules that cannot be broken. Sorry, playing a first level character amongst fourth level characters may feed your ego, but being a sideline character es no Bueno. Take these rules and shove it, I ain’t gaming here no more.
Southwest has a non-stop from Dallas to Indianapolis. 1h 50m. You have no excuses.

Upcoming Games for August

August 8, 2016 / Stan Shinn

Note: I will keep this blog post updated with game and attendance updates.

Saturday Night Games

Saturday, August 13 6:30pm — 50 Fathoms (Jeff’s House)
Saturday, August 27 6:30pm — 50 Fathoms (Stan’s House)

Thursday Night Games

Thursday, August 11 6:30pm — Gaslight Heroes [Yes: Mason, Jeff, Todd; No: Kevin, John]
Thursday, August 18 6:30pm — d100 Legend (Game of Thrones-Style Fantasy) 1-Shot (Stan’s House) — Mason would like to playtest a gritty d100-based Fantasy system called ‘Legend’ which is a variation of Runequest (the d100 system that powers Call of Cthulhu, Stormbringer and others). If we like the system, this system could potentially power a Game of Thrones style gritty fantasy campaign with House Management. We’re kicking the tires on the system to see if we like it; plus it will be a great, fun one-shot! [Yes: Mason, Stan, Robert, Chris, John; No: Kevin; Maybe: Jeff, Todd]
Thursday, August 25 6:30pm — Gaslight Heroes [Yes: Mason, John, Jeff, Todd; Maybe: Kevin]