Terrain Workshop: Table Coverings

As I've mentioned in a previous post, I'm always looking for new table coverings.  Because one of the easiest ways to help people get in a better mindset for gaming is to put some sort of covering over the surface you're using to play to change it from a table to "something else".  Along with helping to make a more suitable surface to play on, this can also help change people's perceptions of what's happening.  This is akin to turning off the lights when telling a scary story.

So let's look at some of the table coverings I purchased recently.

Cloth, $19.49, Jo-Ann's Fabrics.  I'm not sure what I'm going to use this for yet.

Cloth, $13.98, Fabric Place Basement.  This will be the

new table covering for my Dinosaur Planet setting.

Paper, $1.00, Dollar Tree.  This is a poster I picked up at Dollar Tree but

it seems they don't have them on the website.  This is a little more

abstract than I was hoping for but I'll figure out how to use it eventually.

Baseplates $22.00, Dollar Tree.  Or you could, yaknow, go a little overboard

and buy a bunch of baseplates to make the start of a "City" table-setting.

So I hope this helps people think about new ways

to decorate their tables and highlight their terrain.

Battle Report: Oasis 5

My gaming group met up again in February for another session of the most awesome game in the world.  I pushed a little bit to have a Battle as I had a strategy in mind and I wanted to make sure people would have more Frames than I did so I could have a good chance at Defender.

Me (4 Frames & 15 Systems) = (7 Points per Asset) * (5 assets) = 35 points  (Antaeus Squad)

   Purple Watchtower -- 2B/1Gd8/2Y/2W + SSR.

   Blue Watchtower -- 2B/1Gd8/2Y/2W + SSR.

   Yellow Watchtower -- 2B/1Gd8/2Y/2W + SSR.

   Pink Medium Artillerist -- 2Ra+d8/1B/2W.

PJ Nicht (5 Frames & 19 Systems) = (4 Points per Asset) * (6 assets) = 24 points. (mecha)

   Black Soldier -- 2Rd/1B/1G/1Y/2W.

   Magenta Armored Assault -- 2Rd/2B/1G/2W + SSR.

   Purple Fast Brawler -- 2Rh+d8/1B/1G+d8/2W.

   Cyan Fast Brawler -- 2Rh+d8/1B/1G+d8/2W.

   Blue Blade Spotter -- 2Rh/1Gd8/2Y/2W + SSR (x2).

Chuck (5 Frames & 18 Systems) = (4 Points per Asset) * (6 assets) = 24 points.  (Old School Squad)

   Orange Recon by Fire -- 2Ra+d8/2Y/2W.

   Purple Brawler -- 2Rh+d8/2B/1Gd8/2W + SSR.

   Green  -- 2Rd+d8/1G/1Y/2W.

   White Light Soldier -- 2Rd/1G/1Y/2W + SSR.

   Brown Light Soldier -- 2Rd/1G/1Y/2W + SSR.

Occam's Spork (5 Frames & 18 Systems) = (4 Points per Asset) * (6 assets) = 24 points.
   Red Recon by Fire -- 2Ra+d8/2Y/2W.
   Green Recon by Fire -- 2Ra+d8/2Y/2W.
   White Brawler -- 2Rh+d8/2B/1Gd8/2W.

   Orange Brawler -- 2Rh+d8/2B/1Gd8/2W.

   Blue Shield Maiden -- 2B/1Gd8/2W + SSR (x3).

Nikko (5 Frames & 20 Systems) = (3 Points per Asset) * (6 assets) = 18 points.  (mecha)

   Green Warrior -- 2Rh/1B/1G+d8/1Y/2W +SSR.

   Orange Warrior -- 2Rh/1B/1G+d8/1Y/2W +SSR.

   Red Warrior -- 2Rh/1B/1G+d8/1Y/2W +SSR.

   Yellow Recon by Fire -- 2Ra+d8/2Y/2W.

   Blue Anvil -- 2Rd+d8/1B/1Y/2W.

This is what the table looked like at the start of the game.

Events of Turn 1 (DDC @ 11): My Blue and Yellow frames retreat inwards to form the Sniping Turtle Formation.  PJ Nicht's Cyan frame stabs Occam's Spork's Red frame for 1 then steps to the side for a better angle for future attacks.  Occam's Spork's Red frame hits Chuck's White frame for 1, and Chuck's Brown frame -- which was acting as Cover -- for 2.  Chuck's Brown frame then moves out from behind a Moai and hits my Purple frame for 1 with a SSR.  Chuck's Purple frame moves towards my formation and hits my Purple frame for 1 with a SSR.  Chuck's Orange frame hits my Purple frame for 1.  Occam's Spork's Orange frame captures my Station.  Nikko's Yellow frame hits my Blue frame for 2.  Nikko's Green frame charges forward and shocks Chuck's White frame for 4, destroying it.  Chuck's Green frame runs forward and hits PJ Nicht's Magenta frame for 2.  My Pink Frame destroys the stand of trees in front of Occam's Spork's Green frame with 1 damage and hits the Frame itself for 2, which then does the Station Dance.

Me: 28 points.

Occam's Spork: 28 points.

PJ Nicht: 24 points.

Chuck: 20 points.

Nikko: 18 points.

Events of Turn 2 (DDC @ 7): My Purple frame breaks formation and captures Nikko's station.  PJ Nicht's Magenta frame hits Chuck's Green frame for 4, Station Dance.  Chuck's Green frame hits PJ Nicht's Magenta frame for 1, and in retaliation the Magenta frame captures Chuck's Station.  Occam's Spork's Green frame hits PJ Nicht's Cyan frame for 1.  PJ Nicht's Cyan frame stabs Occam's Spork's Red frame for 1, again.  Chuck's Orange frame hits PJ Nicht's Black frame for 1 then moves from behind the tower to behind the small building, closer to Occam Spork's Station.  Chuck's Purple frame moves back to his Station and clubs PJ Nicht's Blue frame for 2, Station Dance.  Nikko's Blue frame hits my Purple frame for 2, Station Dance.  Nikko's Red frame moves into melee range and shocks Occam's Spork's Green frame for 2.  Nikko's Yellow frame hits Occam's Spork's Green frame for 3, Station Dance.  Nikko's Red frame captures Occam's Spork's Station.  Nikko's Green frame hits my Purple frame for 1, destroying it.  My Pink frame hits Nikko's Yellow frame for 2.

PJ Nicht: 28 points.

Occam's Spork: 24 points.

Me: 21 points.

Nikko: 18 points.

Chuck: 16 points.

Events of Turn 3 (DDC @ 3): PJ Nicht's Cyan frame stabs Occam's Spork's Red frame for 2, one more time.  Nikko's Blue frame hits Occam's Spork's White frame for 1.  Nikko's Green frame shocks Occam's Spork's White frame for 5, destroying it.  Nikko's Orange frame reclaims his Station.  Nikko's Yellow frame hits my Yellow frame for 1.  Chuck's Orange frame moves beside Occam's Spork's Station and hits a Moai for 4, destroying it, and PJ Nicht's Blue frame for 4, destroying it as well.  My Pink frame retreats behind the Moai and hits Nikko's Orange frame for 2, Station Dance.  Chuck's Brown frame hits my Yellow for 1 then moves up beside it.  PJ Nicht's Black frame hits Chuck's Green frame for 4, destroying it.  The Doomsday Clock is ticked to zero.

Me: 21 points.

Nikko: 21 points.

PJ Nicht: 20 points.

Occam's Spork: 20 points.

Chuck: 16 points.

Here are several during and aftermath pictures.

Turn 2.4

Start 6

Turn 2.3

Turn 2.5

Turn 3.5

Turn 3.6

Turn 3.7

Turn 3.8

Turn 3.9

Thoughts & Observations:

• This was a Battle.
• I wanted to try the Sniping Turtle Formation and managed to implement it during this game.
• I made a mistake during set up and left space behind my Perimeter that Occam's Spork took advantage of.
• My SSRs did no damage at all.
• My Pink frame inflicted all the damage for my squad, seven points in total over three turns.
• Not sure if it was the fact that we had five people, were playing a battle, or had a newer player but this game took us six hours to play.
• The last turn was incredibly tense and it was a one point game right until the last activation.
• We forgot to move the convoy on the last turn but we just to tired to care.

Terrain Workshop: Fake Grass

I saw this a few weeks ago while I was waiting in line at my local (non-chain) pet store.  I gave it a

quick check and it seemed like it might be viable as a table covering for MFZ: Rapid Attack.  The company that makes it is called "Exo Terra".  I bought the 19.5" x 9.75" (10 gallon) version but it come in other sizes.  I think that two of the 40 gallon versions will fit nicely on my kitchen table.

 Here's a look at it right out of the box.  It'll

 need to spend some time flattened out

 under some weights to be ready for use.

Here's the back. 

 Size Comparison?  Here's my usual size

 comparison pieces standing on the mat.

It can shed a bit. 

I'll have to wait a while before I can order the larger size

mats from the store where I bought this but that just gives

me time to experiment.  This might make for a good table

covering for the Henge or maybe something new.

Terrain & Scenery 20

 I'm feeling a little worn out, so here's some pretty pictures to look at.

Field Hospital 01 by Shrimplor.  How did I miss this?  This would be a

great addition to anyone's table.   Purpose built for MFZ: Rapid Attack!

New Agricultural Vehicles by František Hajdekr.  As always, excellent work.

Basic Ruination by Mika Metsätähti.  Also purpose built for MFZ: Rapid Attack!

Refuel and Reload by Micah Bauer.  A really neat scene.

Tracks & Tents by Joe Murphy.  Joe just continues to knock it out

of the park.  I'm not sure why he has me blocked on Flickr though.

Review: TST1600 Klikbot

I'm always looking for different ways to build squads for Mobile Frame Zero: Rapid Attack.  So when I came across this item at Five Below I figured I'd give it a look.  Apparently there are multiple series of these.

Box.  I paid $5.00 for this at 5Below.

Instructions & Backdrop

Parts.  We have the Main Body, Sucker Forearms, Hand-less

Forearms, Weapons Sprue, and Disassembly Tool.

Build 1.  This features the Hand Forearms with the "Clubs".

Build 2.  This one features the Hand-less Forearms with the Pistol and the Crossbow.  I will say that disassembly is simple but I don't feel like it's easy.

Size Comparison.

The Questions:
Is it below, at, or above $10 per Frame? Below. (+5)
Is it a good size to use in a game? Maybe. It's twice as tall as a Chub. (0)
How many parts does it have to represent systems? Two. (0)
Does it have enough parts you can remove to represent White Dice damage? Yes. (+5)
Score: +10 (A-).  While it has a better score than the last Gundam Converge review, I don't feel like it is a better model to use.  The selection of Attachments included with this model is limited and the price is the only thing that's saving the score.

Review: 30455 Batmobile Polybag

I found out about this due to Shades Corvid.  So I made a trip to Walmart last night and found this set in the Lego aisle.

Bag.  MSRP is $4.97, for a $0.07 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Parts.  Wedge Plate w/Cutout, Mudguards, Plates, Cheese Slopes, Tiles, Axle

Plates, Large Jumpers, Round Jumpers, Rounded Plates, Ingots, Transparent

Cheese Slopes, Tile w/Studs on Ends, Brackets, Tires, Flame Pieces, Studless

Slopes, Clip Plates, Rims, Transparent Plates, and Minifig Posing Stands.

Build. IO Frigate.

The Questions:

Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?  Below.  (+5)  (The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.)
If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?  Yes.  (+5)

Score: +20 (A+).  As with other car sets, this is a good starter for Intercept Orbit.

Review: 30495 Star Wars AT-ST Polybag

I wasn't planning on doing a review post this week but I picked up a few things at Walmart the other night and stumbled across this set in the Lego aisle.

Bag.  MSRP is $4.97, for a $0.06 Price per Piece.

Instructions.

Parts. Plates, Minifig Hose Nozzles, Tiles, Wedge Plates, Tiles w/Studs, Bar
Clips, Round Jumpers, Turntable Base, Turntable Top, Plates w/Door Rail,
Cheese Graters, Double Jumpers, Panels, Hinge Plates, Lampholders,
Cheese Slopes, Bar Studs, 1x2x1.6 Bricks w/Suds on 1 Side, 1x2x1.6
Bricks w/Suds on 3 Sides, Bar Tile, Brick w/Studs on Side, and Slope.

Build 1.  Frame and Station.

I had a little time, and I thought I could

do better, so I went for a second build.

Build 2.  Two Frames and Station.

The Questions:

Can you build something -- a frame, station, or starship -- right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?  Below.  (+5)  (The Golden Ratio is $0.10 per part.)
If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?  Yes.  (+5)
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?  Yes.  (+5)

Score: +20 (A+).  A lot of Bley, but this is a good set.