Battle Report: Road to Nowhere @ PAX Unplugged

Once again, a few people gathered at PAX Unplugged in Philadelphia to wage battle in miniature.  I wasn't sure it was going to happen so when Ed and Fuzzpacho showed up at the Glyphpress booth on Saturday I was happy and a little surprised.  This game was a Skirmish.

Fuzzpacho (4 Frames & 15 Systems) = (7 Points per Asset) * (6 assets) = 42 points.

   Grey Soldier -- 2Rd/1B/1G/1Y/2W +SSR.

   Tan Soldier -- 2Rd/1B/1G/1Y/2W + SSR.

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

   White Armored Spotter -- 1B/1d8/2Y/2W.

Ed (4 Frames & 16 Systems) = (6 Points per Asset) * (6 assets) = 36 points.
   Sniper (Red Anvil) -- 2Rd+d8/1B/1Y/2W.
   Thumper (White Artillerist) -- 2Ra+d8/2B/2W.
   Chopper (Blue Swarmer) -- 2Rh+d8/1B/1Gd8/1Y/2W +SSR(x2).
   Scope (Grey Squad Leader) -- 2Rd/1B/2Y/2W + SSR.

Me (5 Frames & 20 Systems) = (3 Points per Asset) * (7 assets) = 21 points.  (Invictus)
   Purple Soldier -- 2Rd/1B/1G/1Y/2W +SSR.

   Yellow Soldier -- 2Rd/1B/1G/1Y/2W + SSR.

   Brown Soldier -- 2B/1Gd8/2Y/2W + SSR.
   Orange Delegator -- 2Ra/1B/2Y/2W.

   Blue Brawler -- 2Rh+d8/2B/1Gd8/2W.

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

Events of Round 1 (DDC@11):  Fuzzpacho's Tan frame captures Ed's Sand Green Station before the game starts.  Fuzzpacho's Blue frame hits the tree in front of my Purple frame for 1.  My Brown frame hits Fuzzpacho's Tan frame for 2.  (I got distracted and forgot to take pictures at the end of this round.)

Fuzzpacho: 49 Points.

Ed: 30 points.

Me: 21 points.

Events of Round 2 (DDC @ 8): Fuzzpacho's Tan frame hits my Blue frame for 2.  My Blue frame then captures one of Fuzzpacho's Stations.  Ed's Grey frame recaptures his Sand Green Station, then hits the tree in front of my Blue frame for 1, and my Blue frame for 1, Station Dance.  My Yellow frame hits the tree in front of Ed's Grey frame for 1.  Ed's White frame hits my Blue frame for 4, destroying it.  My Purple frame hits Fuzzpacho's Blue frame for 1.  Ed's Blue frame hits the tree in front of Fuzzpacho's Tan frame for 1 with a SSR.  Fuzzpacho's Grey frame hits Ed's Grey frame for 2, and Ed's Blue frame for 2 -- Ed's Grey frame was the Target.  Ed's Red frame hits Fuzzpacho's Grey frame for 1.  My Brown frame hits the tree in front of Ed's Grey frame for 1, destroying it, and Ed's Grey frame for 3.

Ed: 36 points.

Fuzzpacho: 35 Points.

Me: 21 points.

Events of Round 3 (DDC @ 4): My Yellow frame runs across the road and captures Ed's Sand Green Station.  Ed's White frame moves down the road and hits Fuzzpacho's Grey frame for 2.  Fuzzpacho's Tan frame hits Ed's Blue frame for 3.  My Purple frame moves across the road, next to Fuzzpacho's Station, and hits Ed's Blue frame for 2, destroying it.  My Orange frame moves next to my Station and hits Ed's White frame for 1.  Ed's Red frame moves into cover behind a medium size tree and hits Fuzzpacho's Grey frame for 3, destroying it.  My Brown frame moves off the road and towards Fuzzpacho's second Station then hits the tree Fuzzpacho's White frame is in for 1.  The Doomsday Clock is ticked to zero.

Fuzzpacho: 28 Points.

Me: 24 points.

Ed: 18 points.

Here are several aftermath pictures.

Thoughts & Observations:

• This was a Skirmish.
• This was Fuzzpacho's first game.
• We had another case of Accidental Defender.
• I think that's the quietest first round I can recall.
• Although the second round seems to make up for it.
• We had a fair amount of people asking questions about the game.
• If my math is right, this was my 81st game of MFZ: Rapid Attack.
• If you look at the last picture on the lower left and the picture I used for the Flickr page you can see how things moved from start to finish.
• Flickr page.

Battle Report: The Village 6

After a month off due to incompatible schedules, we managed to get together in the last weekend of October for another iteration of MFZ: Rapid Attack.  After sitting out for several years, I put "The Village" on the table for this game -- which was a Battle.

Me (6 Frames & 20 Systems) = (7 Points per Asset) * (8 assets) = 56 points.  (Scorpitaurs)
   Blue Soldier -- 2Rd/1B/1G/1Y/2W.

   Yellow Soldier -- 2Rd/1B/1G/1Y/2W.

   Brown Watchtower -- 2B/1Gd8/2Y/2W.
   Lime Recon by Fire -- 2Ra+d8/2Y/2W.

   Red Missile Monkey -- 2W + SSR (x3).

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

Tom (6 Frames & 24 Systems) = (6 Points per Asset) * (8 assets) = 48 points.

   Grey Armored Swarmer -- 2Rh/2B/1Gd8/1Y/2W + SSR.

   Blue Armored Swarmer -- 2Rh/2B/1Gd8/1Y/2W + SSR.

   Green Armored Swarmer -- 2Rh/2B/1Gd8/1Y/2W + SSR.

   Orange Hammer -- 2Rd/2B/1Y/2W.

   Red Hammer -- 2Rd/2B/1Y/2W.

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

Phungkyjams (7 Frames & 26 Systems) = (3 Points per Asset) * (9 assets) = 27 points.  (Matoran)
   Red Brawler -- 2Rh+d8/2B/1Gd8/2W.
   Dark Red Recon by Fire -- 2Ra+d8/2Y/2W.
   Sand Blue Light Guardian -- 2Rd/2Ra/1B/1Y/2W.
   Blue Static Soldier -- 2Rd/1B/1Y/2W + SSR.
   Green Commando -- 2Rh/1B/1Gd8/2Y/2W + SSR (x2).
   Lime -- 2Rh/1B/1G+d8/2W.
   Black Closer -- 2Rh+d8/2Rd/1B/2W.

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

Events of Round 1 (DDC@11): My Brown frame captures Phungkyjams' first Station before the game starts.  My Red frame hits Phungkyjams' Dark Red frame for 6 with all three SSRs, Station Dance.  My Red frame then skitters West and captures Phungkyjams' second Station.  Phungkyjams' Dark Red frame hits the Red/White house for 4 while trying to hit my Brown frame.  Phungkyjams' Sand Blue frame hits my Red frame for 2, Station Dance.  Phungkyjams' Dark Red frame recaptures his Station.  Phungkyjams' Green frame moves South to the Red/Blue house and hits the Blue/White house for 1, while trying to hit my Yellow frame.  Tom's Orange frame hits my White frame for 2.  In response my White frame skitters West and hammers Phungkyjams' Dark Red frame for 4, destroying it.  Tom's Red frame hits Phungkyjams' Lime frame for 1 which then moves East to another tree.  Tom's Yellow frame hits my Yellow frame from afar for 3 and it jumps off the roof of the Blue/White house.  Tom's Grey frame hits Phungkyjams' Green frame for 2 with a SSR then moves South.  My Lime frame hits the tree in front of Phungkyjams' Lime frame, destroying it.

Me: 63 Points.

Tom: 48 points.

Phungkyjams: 21 points.

Events of Round 2 (DDC @ 9): My Red frame skitters in and captures Phungkyjams' Station.  Tom's Yellow frame hits my Red frame from afar for 2, destroying it.  Phungkyjams' Green frame hits the Grey/Black house for 2 with a SSR trying to hit my Blue frame -- which then jumps down behind the house.  Phungkyjams' Black frame moves South and hits the Grey/Black house for 4.  Phungkyjams' Lime frame runs south and hits my Yellow frame for 4, destroying it.  Tom's Blue frame moves West and captures Phungkyjams' Station that was under my control.  Phungkyjams' Blue frame turns around and hits Tom's Blue frame for 3, Station Dance.  Tom's Green frame hits my White frame for 1.  Tom's Orange frame moves West and hits my White frame for 1, destroying it.  Tom's Red frame moves South and hits Phungkyjams' Lime frame for 4, destroying it.  Tom's Grey frame moves Southeast and captures my Lime Station.

Tom: 54 Points.

Me: 42 points.

Phungkyjams: 15 points.

Events of Round 3 (DDC @ 6): My Lime frame hits Tom's Orange frame for 4.  Phungkyjams' Green frame moves South and captures my Yellow Station.  Phungkyjams' Sand Blue frame turns around and  almost hits Tom's Blue frame for 2 but, Tom's Green frame was acting as Cover with two Defensive Systems.  Phungkyjams' Blue frame hits Tom's Green frame for 2, Station Dance.

Tom: 54 Points.

Me: 35 points.

Phungkyjams: 18 points.

Events of Round 4 (DDC @ 3):  Tom's Yellow frame hits the Black/White house for 1 while trying to hit my Lime frame.  Tom's Grey frame abandons my Lime Station, leaping Southeast over the Red/White house, and saws my Brown frame for 1.  Phungkyjams' Blue frame moves North and hits Tom's Green frame for 1.  Phungkyjams' Sand Blue frame moves North and hits Tom's Green frame for 1.  Phungkyjams' Black frame moves north and hits Toms' Blue frame for 1, Station Dance.  Phungkyjams' Red frame moves East and captures my Lime Station that Tom abandoned.  The Doomsday Clock is ticked to zero.

Tom: 54 Points.

Me: 28 points.

Phungkyjams: 21 points.

Here are several during and aftermath pictures.

Round 1

Round 1

Round 1

Round 2

Round 2

Round 2

Round 4

Round 3

Round 4

Round 4

Round 4

Round 4

Round 4

Round 4

Round 4

Thoughts & Observations:

• This was a Battle.
• This was the first use of what I'm now calling "The Village" table-setting in 8 years.
• Of course it's changed since the last time it was used.
• The trees are a recent creation after a visit to the Pick-A-Brick Wall at my local Lego store.
• I'm still not happy with the houses, even after all these years.
• I actually spent an hour reworking them after the game.
• But the frangibility of the trees balances out the indestructible nature of the houses.
• And discussion after the game was over about moving the houses into the center should make this a more viable battlefield in the future.
• It's going to take a bunch of Bricklink orders to get this where I want it to be though.
• I picked out my squad and my loadouts right before the game started.
• For the second time in eight months I didn't put a new squad on the table.
• I may have missed some combat exchanges in my notes.
• This was a fun and competitive game.
• The smack talk started out pretty feisty but it lessened as the game went on.
• We were damn near silent in the last round, only calling out activations, as we all tried to figure out how to win the game.
• Flickr page.

Battle Report: Cherry Blossom Forest 5

After we had a rousing round of schedule jenga, we managed to get together last weekend for August's edition of MFZ: Rapid Attack.  We playtested a new set of rules that were brainstormed on the Discord recently.  After sitting out for a year, I put the "Cherry Blossom Forest" on the table for this game.

Occam's Spork (5 Frames & 20 Systems) = (7 Points per Asset) * (7 assets) = 49 points.  (Yellow Flag)
   Grey Scouting Bodyguard -- 2Rh/2Rd/1B/1Y/2W.

    Brown Scouting Bodyguard -- 2Rh/2Rd/1B/1Y/2W.

   White Scouting Bodyguard -- 2Rh/2Rd/1B/1Y/2W.
   Orange Recon by Fire -- 2Ra+d8/2Y/2W.

   Blue Moving Wall -- 2B/2G+d8/2W + SSR (x3).

Me (6 Frames & 24 Systems) = (5 Points per Asset) * (8 assets) = 40 points.  (Tesseron)  (Red Flag)

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

   White Soldier -- 2Rd/1B/1G/1Y/2W.

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

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

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

   Tan Recon by Fire -- 2Ra+d8/2Y/2W.

Phungkyjams (7 Frames & 28 Systems) = (3 Points per Asset) * (9 assets) = 27 points.  (Matoran)  (Blue Flag)

   Red Brawler -- 2Rh+d8/2B/1Gd8/2W.
   Dark Red Recon by Fire -- 2Ra+d8/2Y/2W.
   Sand Blue Light Guardian -- 2Rd/2Ra/1B/1Y/2W.
   Blue Soldier -- 2Rd/1B/1G/1Y/2W + SSR.
   Green Commando -- 2Rh/1B/1Gd8/2Y/2W + SSR (x2).
   Lime Warrior -- 2Rh/1B/1G+d8/1Y/2W.
   Black Closer -- 2Rh+d8/2Rd/1B/2W.

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

Events of Round 1 (DDC@11): Occam's Spork's White frame captures Phungkyjams' Flag Station before the game starts.  Occam's Spork's Blue frame picks up his Flag Station and runs South with it.  Phungkyjams' Dark Red frame steps sideways and hits Occam's Spork's Blue frame for 1, Flag Drop Station Dance.  My Brown frame moves South and hits Phungkyjams' Lime frame for 1 and the tree it was using as cover for 2.  Phungkyjams' Blue frame runs Southeast and hits Occam's Spork's Grey frame for 1 and destroys the tree it was using as cover with 3 damage.  Occam's Spork's Grey frame retaliates on Phungkyjams' Blue frame for 2.  Phungkyjams' Green frame hits the tree in front of my Yellow frame for 1 with a SSR.  My Yellow frame then moves West and hits Occam's Spork's Brown frame for 1, Station Dance.  Occam's Spork's Brown frame then hits Phungkyjams' Blue frame for 2.  Phungkyjams' Sand Blue frame steps across the stream and hits Occam's Spork's Orange frame for 3.  Occam's Spork's White frame picks up Phungkyjams' Flag Station and moves South with it.  My Tan frame hits Occam's Spork's White frame for 1, Flag Drop Station Dance.  My Lime frame moves West onto the tan hill and hits Occam's Sporks Blue frame for 3 with a SSR.

Occam's Spork: 56 Points.

Me: 40 points.

Phungkyjams: 24 points.

Events of Round 2 (DDC @ 8): Occam's Spork's Orange frame hits Phungkyjams' Blue frame for 1, which then retreats to another copse of trees.  My Brown frame -- after hitting Phungkyjams' Lime frame for 2 -- moves behind one of the rock pillars.  My Tan frame hits Occam's Spork's Orange frame for 2.  Phungkyjams' Red frame advances onto the path and hits Occam's Spork's Brown frame for 5, Station Dance.  My Yellow frame hits Occam's Spork's Orange frame for 3, destroying it.

Occam's Spork: 49 Points.

Me: 40 points.

Phungkyjams: 24 points.

Events of Round 3 (DDC @ 6): My Lime frame moves forward to engage Occam's Spork's Blue frame, which then retreats to the Southern Torii while hitting my Lime frame for 2.  My Lime frame captures his Flag Station.  

Phungkyjams' Red frame moves Southeast and hits my Lime frame for 3, Station Dance.  Phungkyjams'  Black frame hits my Red frame for 1.  Phungkyjams' Dark Red frame hits my White frame for 2.  Phungkyjams' Blue frame hits my Yellow frame for 2.  My Yellow frame hits Phungkyjams' Black frame for 3.  My Tan frame hits Phungkyjams' Blue frame for 2, destroying it.  My Brown frame hits Phungkyjams' Black frame for 2, destroying it.

Occam's Spork: 42 Points.

Me: 40 points.

Phungkyjams: 21 points.

Events of Round 4 (DDC @ 3):  Occam's Spork's White frame hits my Lime frame for 2, destroying it.  Phungkyjams' Green frame hits Occam's Spork's Brown frame for 3, Flag Drop Station Dance.  My Red frame captures the dropped Flag.  Phungkyjams' Sand Blue frame hits my Brown frame for 4.  My Brown frame hits Phungkyjams' Lime for 2, Station Dance.  My Brown frame captures his Station after running through the stream and under the bridge.  Phungkyjams' Lime frame punches my Brown frame for 5, destroying it.  Phungkyjams' Lime frame then recaptures his Station.  My White frame runs on to the pathway and captures Occam's Spork's Station.  Phungkyjams' Red frame hits my White frame for 3, Station Dance.  Phungkyjams' Red frame captures Occam's Spork's Station.  The Doomsday Clock is ticked to zero.

Me: 35 points.

Phungkyjams: 24 points.

Occam's Spork: 21 Points.

Here are several during and aftermath pictures.

Round 1

Round 1

Round 1

Round 2

Round 1

Round 2

Round 3

Round 3

Round 4

Round 3

Round 4

Round 4

Round 4

Round 4

Round 4

Round 4

Thoughts & Observations:

• This was a Battle.
• We tried out the "Capture the Flag" rules I proposed back in July.
• In the lead up to this game I wasn't sure what I was going to put on the table.
• I knew after the last game Phungkyjams was going to come in heavy and Occam's Spork usually comes in heavy, so I wanted a team that could exploit that without resorting to a roll off.
• Before everyone arrived I was looking at two squads in hopes that I could field seven Frames, six fully loaded and a Missile Monkey to mess around with the PPA calculations.
• Both the squads I was looking at only had six Frames and I couldn't finish a seventh in time.
• Turns out I didn't need to.  :-)
• We all agreed the "Capture the Flag" rules worked but wanted to test them with more players.
• Flickr page.