Man Battlestations Forum
Community => DWVA => Topic started by: Ruckdog on January 19, 2014, 01:01:17 am
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So, it has been about a year since the last X-Cam came and went...is there any interest in starting up another one for this year? I would definitely be interested in taking on the book-keeping side of the house, along with the periodic news letters and the like. If we do another, I think it will make sense to adjust the number of points a player needs to get to a final battle, as we now have a better gauge of just how many games players can accomplish within a reasonable time frame.
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So what is this exactly Ruckdog? One big tourney or more of a prolonged campaign?
Stitch
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So what is this exactly Ruckdog? One big tourney or more of a prolonged campaign?
Stitch
Good question Stitch. And actually, this brings up something I hadn't considered; there are folks who are members here now who were not members when we did this last year.
In concept, the "X-Cam" (short for eXpanded Campaign) is a system that is designed to take the one-off friendly games that most groups typically play and then structure them into a larger campaign system. As such, the X-Cam almost plays more like a league or ladder system than a campaign; there is little inherent narrative built into the system, nor is there a map in use. Essentially, you show up at the place you usually play, have a game or two (with a few minor set-up requirements to keep the playing field even), and report the results. You are then awarded points that can be used to play larger missions, or influence the nature of your future matches. However, the health of individual ships are not tracked from game to game, so there is minimal upkeep.
This system was created by Russ and Craig of the D6 Generation podcast, as a response to the issues they have had in the past with trying to keep their gaming group interested in more traditional campaign formats. You can read all about it here:
http://mcnerdiganspub.blogspot.com/2011/05/dystopian-wars-x-cam-rules-and-missions.html
Last time, we used these rules as-is. The biggest issue we encountered, however, was that it took too long to aquire the required Strategy Points to play a Control Mission. As such, the whole thing drug on for too long, and petered out before a proper conclusion was reached. So, that is why I'm proposing we lower the amount of points required for those missions, and also put a more definitive end date in place.
One other thing MadDrB and I have toyed with is using a tournament event and counting the results towards the X-Cam (by making sure the event's scenarios meshed with those required for the X-Cam).
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I like the concept,
I've done campaigns like that before using Battletech. Not sure how much you know about that game but I'll try to explain. In those games we operated our units in a AoR setting and each time we gamed we played 2 scenarios what had a set amount of importance. normally once a week sessions. (I commanded a mercenary unit.) The higher the importance the more resources you walked away with. Mostly Credits and salvage. (Of course in BT salvage could add units back into your command.) Then every week each unit received resources from the faction that the unit was with. Almost like a salary and each unit was able to purchase replacement units.
I understand that you want keep the maintenance and time down to a minimum, but we actually enjoyed being able to maintain a unit thru the whole campaign. It kept us engaged week to week allowing us to grow. each player kept up with their units stuff, we all knew each other so the honor system worked here. One of the better points was playing the same scenarios and the same maps where we could see how others attacked it. Sometimes units were wiped out completely, not being able to keep up with the battle losses thus removing them from the campaign. The campaign would end when a unit controlled/ won the enough scenarios to control the AoR.
Never played DW, but I'm sure a system could be implemented rather quickly to allow for this. The scenarios was always kept simple....Secure this fuel depot or destroy that installation... The quickest one we had was to secure a local valley. the attacker brought medium units but the defender placed a big ol'assault mech at the entrance. Given the style campaign the attacker withdrew in two rounds because he know he'd loose more that he would gain from the win. Strategy at it's finest!
You said the biggest problem was the accumulation of points early on, perhaps a set amount of point be given to each unit/ player after so many games from "HQ"? If that's too cut and paste for everyone a scale of points and a roll of the die to see how much you get. This could give a player an advantage quickly however.
Stitch
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I hear what you are saying, Stitch. TBH, I am intrigued by the thought of "leveling" units over the course of a campaign as well. However, I have some concerns about applying that to DW. The biggest issue is that units die quickly in the game, and there is no easy retreat option. So, just about every thing smaller than a battleship has a better than even chance of being sunk. That tends to make leveling up and maintenance of a fleet more problematic.
One thing that I did think of was instead of having leveling units, there could be leveling fleet commodores. The more battles they play, the more abilities they could acquire.
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I see what you're saying...outside of any house rules there isn't much you could do about that. I didn't realize units went down so quickly. Perhaps the commodores idea would fly or a flagship rule that would allow a single ship that he/she was on, not to "Go Down" per-say but accumulate XP's or skills. Granted this would most likely be Battleships and above. Would be interesting to see a carrier or destroyer as a flagship. This is always the reason I liked gaming with a good group that would look past cannon rules and get creative.
Stitch
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So, any takers? I'm hoping to get the X-Cam started off sometime in late Feb or early March.
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I'm really wanting to get up that way and see y'all in action. No bets that I'll be ready for a game however....
Stitch
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Great! How about we shift that conversation to the meet-up thread, then? Don't worry about "being ready"...I have plenty of ships you can borrow for a demo game ;).
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G'day Ruck. I'm down to join in. Could have 3 others interested as well
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Great! Are you and your group still playing up at E&E?
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Haven't played in the store in a bit. We planned to get over there today, but sadly the guy I was going to play had something come up. May be over there next weekend...
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Good luck! So, if you guys jump into this year's X-cam, where did you plan on playing?
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We normally just play house games, but E&E and the Fame Vault are both on the table
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Pun intended
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This sounds interesting. I am new in the Northern Virginia area (Stafford) and am hungry to play some DW naval games.
I played in the UK and have large FSA, RC, RoF and Italian fleets as well as some Aussies and the merchant set. My fleets are either in the mail or somewhere at sea. But I should have some Frencies next week.
My Main question-- where does happen? I have found the Game Vault store ( Punned Fame Vault?) but what is E&E?
Lastly where do people play DW? I plan to have a space in my house big enough to leave games set-up, but I suspect that will be the exception.
Mike G
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Mike,
First of all, welcome to the forums!
So, as quick run-down, there is no "one" spot where DW games are played. E&E is located in Alexandria, VA, almost all the way to the Capitol Beltway (that's a bit of a haul from Stafford, though there is a group of players up there). The Game Vault has often been used a venue in the past for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that it is fairly centrally located. Then, there is another solid group of players in the Richmond area. I'm all the way out in the Norfolk area. I don't get out to play games much ATM due to my busy work schedule, but when I do I usually play either at home or at a game store called Atlantis Games and Comics.
The beauty of the X-Cam system is that not all of the players need to be co-located to participate. In fact, I kind of anticipate several separate groups will be playing in their local areas, with periodic larger events where folks from different groups can come together.
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And I will be returning stateside on or about 03 March. Maybe I can get the Iron Fist League up in Woodbrdige back into this. We usually play at Flashback Comics near Potomac Mills these days.
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Any thoughts on what would be changing from the last cam?
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Essentially, the only change I would want to make is to tweak the number of points required to get to the more advanced missions, based on the total game counts we saw last time. If you look at it, the structure uses 3 game sizes:
Recon = Small = 400pts
Strategic = Medium = 800pts
Control = Large = 1200pts
Recon missions can be played for free, and grant "recon points."
Players must pay a certain amount of recon points to play Strategic missions, which grant "strategic points."
Likewise, players must pay strategic points to play control missions, which grant control points. the first player to have 3 control points is the winner.
Here's the catch; as originally written by Craig(link here (http://mcnerdiganspub.blogspot.com/2011/05/dystopian-wars-x-cam-rules-and-missions.html)), you need 25 Strategic points to play one control mission. You can only earn a max of 13 Strategy points in a Strategic game (which assumes you table your opponent...more likely you are looking at about 7 or 8 strategy points). So, you are looking at a MINIMUM of 6 800 point games to just get a CHANCE of winning 3 control points. Based on what we saw last year, that is just too many games. My solution to this is to tweak the costs for the various missions, while leaving the rewards the same:
5 Recon Points are Required to play a Strategic Mission
8 Strategy Points are Required to Play a Control Mission
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Oops didn't see this until now. Thanks!
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So I will be joining X-Cam. This Sunday at E&E.
Brandon what is the start time?
I have question on the Ambush Scenario--
I assume that the attacker moves a squadron onto the board, then the defender gets an activation and so on.
The alternative is the attacker does all his activations first. That makes "ambush" sense.
So one way you get a 25% penalty for one free shot and a choice of where to attack.
The other way --ouch!
Either seems whacky. so convince me otherwise.
How has this worked out in games?
The Convoy scenario- wow 50% Coming on piecemeal The attackers don't get swacked? I assume a section gets overwhelmed. But a reasonable set up mens most of the defense will get in--no?
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So I will be joining X-Cam. This Sunday at E&E.
Brandon what is the start time?
I have question on the Ambush Scenario--
I assume that the attacker moves a squadron onto the board, then the defender gets an activation and so on.
Correct.
Either seems whacky. so convince me otherwise.
How has this worked out in games?
Remember, you will only be playing this mission at 400 points, which means 300 points for the attacker vs. 400 points for the defender. Given the advantages in terrain placement and fleet deployment, this makes the set-up work failry well in my experience. However, I don't think this scenario would scale very well; at 600 points vs. 800 points, for example, I don't think the attacker's advantages would outweigh the 200 point defecit in fleet size. at the 300/400 level, though, you are really only talking about 3-4 small models or 2 medium models, which isn't a huge hurdle to overcome when the scenario allows the attacker to position for a shot at a weaker portion of the defender's force.
I have a battle report for this scenario on the blog:
http://www.manbattlestations.com/blog/2012/11/14/kicking-off-the-x-cam/
I played the defender and won, though I have to admit that was due in no small part to a very lucky critical hit on one of MadDrB's cruisers that caused it to explode and take two of his frigates with it!
The Convoy scenario- wow 50% Coming on piecemeal The attackers don't get swacked? I assume a section gets overwhelmed. But a reasonable set up mens most of the defense will get in--no?
TBH, this scenario didn't come up in last year's X-Cam; it has a fairly low chance of being rolled, and I don't think anyone played it. It will be a challenge for the attacker, that's for sure. If it turns out to be too much of a challenge, I am open to making adjustments to it.
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So I will be joining X-Cam. This Sunday at E&E.
Brandon what is the start time?
We'll be there at 12, when the doors open. We are starting over from scratch on the cam as no one was officially registered. Least that was the consensus. If you want to show up a bit later to avoid the Recon missions that's fine. I'm sure there will be someone with enough points to challenge a Strategic mission.
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12 is great.
Recon missions are fine.
I have been thinking about what take for the different missions.
300 to 400 points makes for some interesting choices.
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I will likely start over in April when my other fleets arrive.
Maybe just some non-campaign games. I have some newish FSA and RC I need to learn how to use.
I haven't played my Italians in over 6 months.
Really just glad to at all.
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My Usual Antarctican Opponent and I are meeting this weekend at our new FLGS in Culpeper to get rolling with the X-Cam.
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Looking to challenge the Italians or the Ottomans this weekend.
Longnine, VADM LokeRose either of you up for a game? Location is up to you.
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My Usual Antarctican Opponent and I are meeting this weekend at our new FLGS in Culpeper to get rolling with the X-Cam.
How'd it go?
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Mars BB Impero at full steam ahead!!! As soon as i can get away from my slave driving corporate masters she will be ready to challenge some one for some strategy points. Still need to put some lead down range on the ottomans and french!
(http://i1325.photobucket.com/albums/u629/tcurtis20/MarsBB_Color_sm_zpsc7fa96f3.jpg) (http://s1325.photobucket.com/user/tcurtis20/media/MarsBB_Color_sm_zpsc7fa96f3.jpg.html)
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My oh my. Battle reports done up to feature photos like this...swoon
Been a wild schedule for me lately, so haven't had a chance to play any games. Our EotBS player will be returning briefly to rain all kinds of burning rocketry down upon us. So very much looking to get at least a game in with him before he gets stationed, but I digress...looking to get back to the campaign soon. Any other players trying to advance the story thus far?
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Played a Strategic scenario- Epic conflict, with Ruckdog. Lost the scenario by not understanding the requirements and not focussing on them. Did pretty well otherwise. In true Ruckdog fashion, his cruiser squadron blew up with a magazine explosion--again. If not for that I would have been in bigger trouble as I goofed my set up, and got in my own way.
I will post the points tonight. If anyone is up for a game this weekend we should shoot for Friday afternoon/evening or Saturday as Sunday is Easter-Family time. Where is optional for me. Anywhere I can reach.
I now have a house and a gaming room. Also all my stuff--rest of RoF, FSA, RC, LoIS, Aussies, Merchants, Eclipse, Black Wolf and assorted air base and military buildings.
I have been play testing my scenarios. They should transfer to Version 2 quite well.
Anyone interested in working them let me know. Now that I have tested them a bit I will post them.
CDR G
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Sounds good! I need to get your sub-forum set up. What would you like it called?
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Last Rites, I will be around this weekend but not the next three after that.
Are still interested in doing that control mission?
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Last Rites, I will be around this weekend but not the next three after that.
Are still interested in doing that control mission?
CDR-G, sorry for the late notice but we will be attempting to get to the GV around 3 today. Most likely 4, but aiming for 3. Our entire squad will be there, ottomans, Italians, French, and the best part our missing EotBS player. If you can make it, it will be a serious show of DW force, with a potential 3 games going on at once. Can discuss X-cam missions once we all arrive.
If any others are in the area, feel free to come by! Again sorry for the late notice, hopefully there are tables available so we don't have to play on the hoods of our cars.
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Plan on my being there.
If there is a problem I will know in an hour or so. I don't expect a problem.
CDR-G
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I will be there, with all me stuff. I will check with GV and get there a bit early to start set up
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GV is consumed by the Flames of War tourney. They have the one table on the retail side.
Options, I can bring a card table and some boards for a second table at GV.
Option two , decamp to my house, where we could easily do two table, (and if it wasn't raining three).
I have large table in a dedicated room and a card table, three 4x6 boards and a three a saw horses set up to houl two of the 4x 6s.
Other options?