From the Village Games Forum, written by Grand Master Mike:
I had a few questions about terrain last night, so I wanted to clarify the situation.
Each player is responsible for 5 terrain areas.
Two of the terrain areas are "public". Three of them are "private".
The public terrains are the ones listed on the campaign signup sheet. There are 12 public areas. Terrain elements can not be shared between public areas.
The private terrains are areas that you make up yourself. Terrain elements can be shared between private areas.
Here is an example:
Mike picks "Shore of the Esil's Ocean" and "The Green Vale" as his public choices. For his private choices, he picks Forest, Boarder Town, and Grasslands.
The public areas are described as follows:
Shore of the Esil's Ocean (Beach)
Min number of terrain pieces: 2
Mandatory: None
Normal: Woods, Broken Rock, Ruins, Tall Bushes, Hut.
Fantastic: StickyWeed
The Green Vale (River Land)
Min number of terrain pieces: 4
Mandatory: None
Normal: Woods, Hills, Thick Vegetation, Bridges
Fantastic: None.
For Esil's Ocean, Mike decides to make 3 items: Woods, Broken Rocks, and Ruins. He also needs to make an area of StickyWeed.
For the Green Vale, Mike decides to make 3 Woods and 2 Hills.
So for the Public terrain, Mike needs to make a total of 4 woods, 1 Broken Rock, 1 Ruins, 2 Hills, and 1 StickyWeed.
For his private areas, Mike decides to set them up as follows:
Forest: 4 Stands of woods, 2 Ruins
Boarder Town: 2 Stands of Woods, 4 buildings
Grasslands: 2 Ruins
So for his Private terrain, Mike needs to make a total of 4 Woods, 4 Buildings and 2 Ruins.
Combing the private and public builds together:
Mike needs to make a total of 8 woods, 1 Broken Rock, 3 Ruins, 2 Hills, 4 Buildings, and 1 StickyWeed.
Mike Z
Showing posts with label Rules. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rules. Show all posts
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
SDG Campaign Rules for Custom Units
From the Village Games forum. Written by our fearless leader, Mike Z.
These are official rules for creating new unit profiles for Songs of Blades and Heroes. They allow players to use any figure in their collection without having to shoehorn it to fit the existing profiles.
However, like any system where math is involved, it is possible to game the system and create a unit that is more powerful that its point cost would indicate.
The campaign is not about creating uber-units to fight other uber-units nor is it about surprising your opponent with your latest creation. Therefore, the following system will be used to introduce new units into the campaign:
Non-Combat Special Ability
What: The player takes an existing profile and adds a non-combat ability such as Diplomat or Brewmaster.
How: The new profile is posted on the message board at least 1 day before it is used. No vote is needed.
Name Change
What: The player takes an existing profile and changes the name
How: The group votes to allow or disallow the new profile based on theme.
Stat Modification
What: The player takes an existing profile and modifies the Quality and Combat scores.
How: The new profile is posted on the message board at least 1 week before it is voted upon. The group votes to allow or disallow the new profile. In addition, any member of the group may request a playtest of the new profile before voting.
New Unit
What: That player takes an existing profile and modifies the special abilities or create a new profile from scratch.
How: The new profile is posted on the message board at least 1 week before it is voted upon. A playtest is required before the group votes. After the playtest, the group votes to accept or reject the profile.
These are official rules for creating new unit profiles for Songs of Blades and Heroes. They allow players to use any figure in their collection without having to shoehorn it to fit the existing profiles.
However, like any system where math is involved, it is possible to game the system and create a unit that is more powerful that its point cost would indicate.
The campaign is not about creating uber-units to fight other uber-units nor is it about surprising your opponent with your latest creation. Therefore, the following system will be used to introduce new units into the campaign:
Non-Combat Special Ability
What: The player takes an existing profile and adds a non-combat ability such as Diplomat or Brewmaster.
How: The new profile is posted on the message board at least 1 day before it is used. No vote is needed.
Name Change
What: The player takes an existing profile and changes the name
How: The group votes to allow or disallow the new profile based on theme.
Stat Modification
What: The player takes an existing profile and modifies the Quality and Combat scores.
How: The new profile is posted on the message board at least 1 week before it is voted upon. The group votes to allow or disallow the new profile. In addition, any member of the group may request a playtest of the new profile before voting.
New Unit
What: That player takes an existing profile and modifies the special abilities or create a new profile from scratch.
How: The new profile is posted on the message board at least 1 week before it is voted upon. A playtest is required before the group votes. After the playtest, the group votes to accept or reject the profile.
The Battlefields
Information on the Battlefields to be used from the Village Games forum. Written by Mike Z.
When a person signs up for the campaign, they will pick 2 to 3 battle fields for which they will be providing the terrain. This is in addition to providing terrain for their own territories.
It is important to note that the public battleground terrain will be shared and thus could be in use at the same time. So if a player signs up to provide terrain for Euzla's Woods and the Whispering Woods, they can not make a single set of trees for both battlegrounds. Each battleground needs its own set of trees.
For a player's own territories, they can double up on the terrain as only one of their territories will be use at any given time.
Here is an expanded terrain description. Included are the minimum number of terrain elements and mandatory elements. Fantastic Terrain does not count toward the minimum.
1 Shore of the Esil's Ocean (Beach)
Min number of terrain pieces: 2
Mandatory: None
Normal: Woods, Broken Rock, Ruins, Tall Bushes, Hut.
Fantastic: StickyWeed
2 The Green Vale (River Land)
Min number of terrain pieces: 4
Mandatory: None
Normal: Woods, Hills, Thick Vegetation, Bridges
Fantastic: None.
3 The Dread Mire (Swamp)
Min number of terrain pieces: 4
Mandatory: 2 Swamps
Normal: Woods, Ruins
Fantastic: Quicksand
4 Euzla's Woods (Forest)
Min number of terrain pieces: 6
Mandatory: 4 Woods
Normal: Woods, Ruins, Hills.
Fantastic: Cursed Ruins
5 Whispering Woods (Forest)
Min number of terrain pieces: 6
Mandatory: 4 Woods
Normal: Woods, Thick Brush, Rivers
Fantastic: Witch Wood
6 Agimore's Sweep (Hill Land)
Min number of terrain pieces: 5
Mandatory: 3 Hill
Normal: Hills, Ruins, Broken Rocks
Fantastic: Bladegrass
7 Tashia's Crossing (Border Town)
Min number of terrain pieces: 9
Mandatory: 7 buildings
Normal: buildings, town square, Fences, Woods
Fantastic:None
8 The Grass Ocean (Open Plain)
Min number of terrain pieces: 2
Mandatory: None
Normal: Wood, Boulders
Fantastic: Bladegrass
9 Tremors Pass (Border Town)
Min number of terrain pieces: 7
Mandatory: 3 Buildings, 2 Woods
Normal: buildings, Fences, Woods, Hills
Fantastic:None
10 Hemore's Plateau (Tundra)
Min number of terrain pieces: 4
Mandatory: None
Normal: Small bushes, lakes, hills, ruins
Fantastic: Frozen Lake.
11 The Barrens (Scrub Land)
Min number of terrain pieces: 2
Mandatory: None
Normal: boulders, hills, ruins
Fantastic: Cursed Ruins
12 Dragonborn Mountains (Mountain)
Min number of terrain pieces: 4
Mandatory: None
Normal: Broken Hills, large boulders, small lake, chasms, road
Fantastic: Teleport fields.
When a person signs up for the campaign, they will pick 2 to 3 battle fields for which they will be providing the terrain. This is in addition to providing terrain for their own territories.
It is important to note that the public battleground terrain will be shared and thus could be in use at the same time. So if a player signs up to provide terrain for Euzla's Woods and the Whispering Woods, they can not make a single set of trees for both battlegrounds. Each battleground needs its own set of trees.
For a player's own territories, they can double up on the terrain as only one of their territories will be use at any given time.
Here is an expanded terrain description. Included are the minimum number of terrain elements and mandatory elements. Fantastic Terrain does not count toward the minimum.
1 Shore of the Esil's Ocean (Beach)
Min number of terrain pieces: 2
Mandatory: None
Normal: Woods, Broken Rock, Ruins, Tall Bushes, Hut.
Fantastic: StickyWeed
2 The Green Vale (River Land)
Min number of terrain pieces: 4
Mandatory: None
Normal: Woods, Hills, Thick Vegetation, Bridges
Fantastic: None.
3 The Dread Mire (Swamp)
Min number of terrain pieces: 4
Mandatory: 2 Swamps
Normal: Woods, Ruins
Fantastic: Quicksand
4 Euzla's Woods (Forest)
Min number of terrain pieces: 6
Mandatory: 4 Woods
Normal: Woods, Ruins, Hills.
Fantastic: Cursed Ruins
5 Whispering Woods (Forest)
Min number of terrain pieces: 6
Mandatory: 4 Woods
Normal: Woods, Thick Brush, Rivers
Fantastic: Witch Wood
6 Agimore's Sweep (Hill Land)
Min number of terrain pieces: 5
Mandatory: 3 Hill
Normal: Hills, Ruins, Broken Rocks
Fantastic: Bladegrass
7 Tashia's Crossing (Border Town)
Min number of terrain pieces: 9
Mandatory: 7 buildings
Normal: buildings, town square, Fences, Woods
Fantastic:None
8 The Grass Ocean (Open Plain)
Min number of terrain pieces: 2
Mandatory: None
Normal: Wood, Boulders
Fantastic: Bladegrass
9 Tremors Pass (Border Town)
Min number of terrain pieces: 7
Mandatory: 3 Buildings, 2 Woods
Normal: buildings, Fences, Woods, Hills
Fantastic:None
10 Hemore's Plateau (Tundra)
Min number of terrain pieces: 4
Mandatory: None
Normal: Small bushes, lakes, hills, ruins
Fantastic: Frozen Lake.
11 The Barrens (Scrub Land)
Min number of terrain pieces: 2
Mandatory: None
Normal: boulders, hills, ruins
Fantastic: Cursed Ruins
12 Dragonborn Mountains (Mountain)
Min number of terrain pieces: 4
Mandatory: None
Normal: Broken Hills, large boulders, small lake, chasms, road
Fantastic: Teleport fields.
Campaign Overview
From the Village Games Forums, written by Mike Z.
What
An eight week fantasy skirmish campaign using the Song of Blades and Heroes rule system. Each player will take the lead of a warband and seek to further its reputation in the world.
When
The campaign will run 8 weeks with a pattern of 2 weeks on, 1 week off for a total of 6 campaign nights. Each campaign night will feature 2 to 3 campaign rounds for a total of 12 to 18 battles.
The first campaign night is scheduled for January 5th, 2010
Signup will occur in Late November/ Early December.
How much?
The entry fee will be $5.
Prizes
Prizes will be determined by the number of participants.
Who
The campaign will be run by Chris and Mike
Rules Books Used
Song of Blades and Heroes
Song of Gold and Darkness
Song of Wind and Water
Song of Deeds and Glory
Free Hack issues 1 and 2.
Each player will be required to own the main rulebook (Song of Blades and Heroes). Each player will be required to own any rulebook that contains special rules that are used in their warband. For example, if a player has a figure with the Were special ability, they will need to own Song of Gold and Darkness.
Players are highly encouraged to purchase their copies of the rules through Village Games for 2 reasons:
1) Each book purchased through Village Games will cause the prize pool to increase!
2) Player who purchase a rulebook through Village Games will have their entry fee waived for the first campaign!
Miniatures
Players may use any individually based figure in the 25mm to 28mm range. Bases can be any size and shape. All figures must be painted with a flocked base. Pre-painted figures may be used.
Players may use any published unit profile, subject to the published warband building rules. Players using the SBH unit construction system must have their units approved before usage.
Approval for custom units requires a majority vote of the players and may require at least one demonstration game played with the unit(s) so that other players understand how the unit works.
Players will also need to provide their own measuring sticks.
Terrain
All games will be played on a 3' by 3' board. Terrain mats will be provided; however, players are encouraged to make their own.
Players will be required to bring additional terrain. Each player will be responsible for all of the terrain in their three home territories. Additionally, players will be responsible for providing terrain for 1 or 2 of the "public" battlegrounds. The terrain for the public battlegrounds is meant to be shared during the campaign.
Plain felt cut-outs will not be acceptable terrain. Terrain building days will be held before the campaign begins.
Misc Notes
SBH is a very cheap game to play. As any 28mm miniature can be used, most folks will already have several warbands worth of miniatures from other games. Even if someone doesn't have any other miniatures, a quick trip to the D&D minis' single rack will net a warband for under $10.
Because it is so cheap to build a warband, we are really pushing the other aspects of miniature gaming: namely painted miniatures and terrain.
Terrain is important as there will be 12-18 battles fought during the campaign. Fighting over the same terrain, time and time again will make things grow very boring. As there are 12 types of terrain, it would be impossible for everyone to provide their own terrain for all 12 settings. This is why the terrain will be shared.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
Mike Z
What
An eight week fantasy skirmish campaign using the Song of Blades and Heroes rule system. Each player will take the lead of a warband and seek to further its reputation in the world.
When
The campaign will run 8 weeks with a pattern of 2 weeks on, 1 week off for a total of 6 campaign nights. Each campaign night will feature 2 to 3 campaign rounds for a total of 12 to 18 battles.
The first campaign night is scheduled for January 5th, 2010
Signup will occur in Late November/ Early December.
How much?
The entry fee will be $5.
Prizes
Prizes will be determined by the number of participants.
Who
The campaign will be run by Chris and Mike
Rules Books Used
Song of Blades and Heroes
Song of Gold and Darkness
Song of Wind and Water
Song of Deeds and Glory
Free Hack issues 1 and 2.
Each player will be required to own the main rulebook (Song of Blades and Heroes). Each player will be required to own any rulebook that contains special rules that are used in their warband. For example, if a player has a figure with the Were special ability, they will need to own Song of Gold and Darkness.
Players are highly encouraged to purchase their copies of the rules through Village Games for 2 reasons:
1) Each book purchased through Village Games will cause the prize pool to increase!
2) Player who purchase a rulebook through Village Games will have their entry fee waived for the first campaign!
Miniatures
Players may use any individually based figure in the 25mm to 28mm range. Bases can be any size and shape. All figures must be painted with a flocked base. Pre-painted figures may be used.
Players may use any published unit profile, subject to the published warband building rules. Players using the SBH unit construction system must have their units approved before usage.
Approval for custom units requires a majority vote of the players and may require at least one demonstration game played with the unit(s) so that other players understand how the unit works.
Players will also need to provide their own measuring sticks.
Terrain
All games will be played on a 3' by 3' board. Terrain mats will be provided; however, players are encouraged to make their own.
Players will be required to bring additional terrain. Each player will be responsible for all of the terrain in their three home territories. Additionally, players will be responsible for providing terrain for 1 or 2 of the "public" battlegrounds. The terrain for the public battlegrounds is meant to be shared during the campaign.
Plain felt cut-outs will not be acceptable terrain. Terrain building days will be held before the campaign begins.
Misc Notes
SBH is a very cheap game to play. As any 28mm miniature can be used, most folks will already have several warbands worth of miniatures from other games. Even if someone doesn't have any other miniatures, a quick trip to the D&D minis' single rack will net a warband for under $10.
Because it is so cheap to build a warband, we are really pushing the other aspects of miniature gaming: namely painted miniatures and terrain.
Terrain is important as there will be 12-18 battles fought during the campaign. Fighting over the same terrain, time and time again will make things grow very boring. As there are 12 types of terrain, it would be impossible for everyone to provide their own terrain for all 12 settings. This is why the terrain will be shared.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
Mike Z
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