New Demo Kit

For a period of time I was working on putting together a new kit for demonstrating Mobile Frame Zero: Rapid Attack.  While I was happy with the pieces I had already assembled, I wanted something smaller.  I wanted something that would fit in one tacklebox tray and be easily portable, while still having all the pieces I needed to run demo games.  Eight years ago I put together this one but in the long run it's just too bulky.  I changed to a different one in 2017 for PAX Unplugged that was a little "roll on, roll off" luggage bag.  Better, but I still wanted one I could just grab and go.

This is the newest version on the table at PAXU 2022.

Two years ago I had started building new Frames to feature in this demo kit.  The Havok, Helix, and Hermes frames were all built specifically for it.  I wanted something similar to the core MFZ Frames in looks, but without the old IP. Each set has their own design language yet they all share the same concept -- clearly visible, color-coded Systems.

Havok

Hermes

Helix

I also have two Gundam Converge figures as part of the kit for a fourth squad.  Which allows me to present a non-Lego alternative for units while running demo games.

I also made a Station for this kit.

It has a Ruler too.

I swiped the smaller walls from my old kit and made a few larger ones in the same style.  Retiring my Art Walls was a bummer but I needed modular walls that would fit into the kit.

 The small walls are six pieces which is 1 Hit.

Large walls are twelve pieces which is 2 Hits. 

This is what it looks like all packed away.

I hope this helps people who are thinking about putting together their own Demo Kits.

System Notation 2

Almost a year ago I started working on a different systems for notating Systems.  For the most part I liked it but I felt it had a couple of issues.  So I set it aside until recently when I had a moment of inspiration after seeing yet another discussion of Systems versus Dice notation on the Discord.

Here's the newer version.  Updated "codes" are italicized.

1F = one Direct Fire System.
2F = two Direct Fire Systems.
1A = one Artillery System.
2A = two Artillery Systems.
1H = one Melee System.
2H = two Melee Systems.
1D = one Defensive System.
2D = two Defensive Systems.
1M = one Movement System.
2M = two Movement Systems.
1S = one Spotting System.
2S = two Spotting Systems.
1W = one White die.
2W = two White dice.
1R = one Single Shot Rocket.
1Z = one Sprint die.

Written out the notation will look like this: Soldier (1F/1D/1M/1S/2W), Recon by Fire (2A/2S/2W), and Brawler (2H/2B/1Z/2W).

I basically adapted the changes Chromeknight suggested in the comments from the last post along with one other change.  I think this clears up the issues the prior version had and makes it flow better.

Of course, if we expand this to Intercept Orbit we run into issues again.

1? = one Assault System.

2? = two Assault Systems.

1? = one Support System.

2? = two Support Systems.

1P = one Point Defense System.

2P = two Point Defense Systems.

1C = one Catapult System.

2C = two Catapult Systems.

RA = Red Ace.

BA = Blue Ace.

GA = Green Ace.

YA = Yellow Ace.

System Notation

There was some discussion of Split Range Weapons last week and I found myself having difficulty writing out System loadouts in a quick and easy manner.  There's a method that has seen long term use in the community -- and I'll detail that first -- but I didn't feel it met my needs in that conversation at that moment.  So this will be my attempt to come up with a new form of System notation.

First, the method we -- the MFZ community -- have been using for a while.

2Rd = one Direct Fire System.

2Rd+d8 = two Direct Fire Systems.

2Ra = one Artillery System.

2Ra+d8 = two Artillery Systems.

2Rh = one Melee System.

2Rh+d8 = two Melee Systems.

1B = one Defensive System.

2B = two Defensive Systems.

1G = one Movement System.

2G = two Movement Systems.

1Y = one Spotting System.

2Y = two Spotting Systems.

1W = one White die.

2W = two White dice.

1SSR = one Single Shot Rocket.

1Gd8 = one Sprint die.

When writing out this form of natation I list Weapon Systems first -- because that's the first thing you're looking for when attacking and the name of the game is Rapid Attack -- then Defensive systems -- because that's the first thing you look for when being attacked -- then Movement systems, then Spotting Systems -- because that's the last thing you do in a turn.  I generally list Single Shot Rockets after White Dice because they can get lost when including them with the weapons and not all Frames have them.  I list the Sprint Die in with the Movement Systems because that feels like the right way to do it.

So it looks like this in practice: Soldier (2Rd/1B/1G/1Y/2W), Recon by Fire (2Ra+d8/2Y/2W), and Brawler (2Rh+d8/2B/1Gd8/2W).

Okay, now that that's done, let's look at my new method for detailing Systems in a quick manner.

1DF = one Direct Fire System.

2DF = two Direct Fire Systems.

1A = one Artillery System.

2A = two Artillery Systems.

1H = one Melee System.

2H = two Melee Systems.

1D = one Defensive System.

2D = two Defensive Systems.

1M = one Movement System.

2M = two Movement Systems.

1S = one Spotting System.

2S = two Spotting Systems.

1W = one White die.

2W = two White dice.

1SSR = one Single Shot Rocket.

1Sp = one Sprint die.

Once again, I list Weapon Systems first, then Defensive systems, then Movement systems, then Spotting Systems.  Again, I'll list Single Shot Rockets after White Dice.  I'll also list the Sprint Die in with the Movement systems.

Written out it it will look like this: Soldier (1DF/1D/1M/1S/2W), Recon by Fire (2A/2S/2W), and Brawler (2H/2B/1Sp/2W).

I'm not sure how I feel about this at the moment.  I know I don't like the notation I chose for the Sprint Die though.

Getting Started, One More Time

Six years ago I did a post on getting started in Mobile Frame Zero.  We've had a few people asking the same question on multiple platforms recently, so maybe it's time to revisit the issue.  But this time let's look at it in a different manner.  Instead of putting together an individual squad -- since the Demo Game Rules have been discussed recently -- we're going to look at how you get the parts for a Demo Game set-up so you and three other people can play.

1. You'll need a copy of the game.  Those can be found here.  A simpler rules only document can be found here.  There's also the Commander's Handbook.
2. Dice.  You'll need 4d6 Red, 4d8 Red, 4d6 Green, 2d8 Green, (X+1)d6 Blue, and (X+1)d6 Yellow.  X = The number of frames you are using.  This will give you enough dice to cover all your frames and enough to roll dice for at least two at a time.  You'll also need a d12 for the Doomsday Clock.  Hopefully you'll already have these.  There's also an online dice roller program for MFZ.
3. Frames.  We're going to start with eight Titanium Mini Mechs (30591) for $40, giving each player two.  They can be configured in at least three variants so each person should be able to use a different looking design.  Then add two Imperial Shuttles (30388) for $10 for Systems and extra parts.  That gives us a total of $50.
4. Station.  An Olivia's Electric Car (41443) costs $15 for a Station and extra parts, that brings the total to $65.  You should have pieces left over for Terrain too.
5. Ruler.  We're going to build a Ruler from eight of this Make-It Blocks City Construction set.  That will set you back $10 but you'll also have a ton of terrain along with that Ruler.  That brings our total to $75.

So this should hopefully get you -- and three of your friends -- started playing Mobile Frame Zero: Rapid Attack.  It also gives you a starting point to build from if you want to move up to playing full size games.  All the sets I mentioned should be currently available.

Expansion Pack

Last year I started making Starter Kits for Mobile Frame Zero: Rapid Attack.  I'm expanding the options this year.  The picture you see below shows a new pack that will be for sale at Armour Con.

Flickr page.

The Expansion Pack contains one Frame with a "Soldier" loadout like the ones in the Starter Kit.  It also has two Artillery Attachments and an extra Spotting Attachment so you can field a "Recon by Fire" loadout.  It also has two Melee Attachments and an extra Defense Attachment so you could field a "Brawler" loadout too.  As before, all Attachments are color coded to the dice they represent.

Starter Kit

The community talks a lot about starter kits for MFZ: Rapid Attack.  It's one of the few stumbling blocks for entry into the game.  I've finally decided to put my money where my mouth is and I've created one.

Flickr page.

These will be for sale at PAX Unplugged in a month.  As you can see there are five Generic Frames, three Stations, and a Ruler.  The Frames are all Soldier archetypes and have color coded Attachments.

I hope people like them, and I hope people will use them to get started with Mobile Frame Zero: Rapid attack.

Getting Started 2

"How do I start playing Mobile Frame Zero?"  As with many other situations, the answer is, "It depends."

Back in September of 2015 I did another post about this issue.  This is a different take.

Just want a squad for yourself? Find the instructions/parts list for the Frame you want to build, buy those parts off Bricklink/Brickowl/Pick-A-Brick, assemble your squad, find players, play game.

Intent on starting a MFZ gaming group by yourself and providing squads for all the players? Find sets that have the parts you want/need at a price you're happy with, build Frames, build Terrain, stockpile leftover parts, find players, play game, Rinse, Repeat.

Some where in between those points? Pick and choose from both methods.

A specific thing people might want to look at is the Double Set Challenge. In that I combine two small, cheap sets to make a Frame and possibly a Station. I've also been breaking down the costs to make Defender/Attacker/Primary Attacker size squads from those sets. 

Storage? Tackle/tool boxes are good for storing and transporting squads or small collections. Have a larger collection that you want to organize in some fashion? Read this.

Getting Started

I've seen a few "Mobile Frame Zero, getting started" search terms used to find my blog, so it's about time I tackled that topic.

1. You'll need a copy of the game.  Those can be found here.  A simpler rules only document can be found here.
2. {* Keanu Reeves voice*} Dice, lots of dice. {*/Keanu Reeves voice*} You'll need 4d6 Red, 4d8 Red, 4d6 Green, 2d8 Green, (X+1)d6 Blue, and (X+1)d6 Yellow.  X = The number of frames you are using.  This will give you enough dice to cover all your frames and enough to roll dice for at least two at a time.
3. Frames.  For four people; one team of three Frames with less than maximum attachments, one team of three frames with maximum attachments, one team of four frames, and one team of five frames will give you a span of starting points with clear Defender, Primary Attacker, and Secondary Attackers. That's fifteen frames total. Ordering from Mobilefra.me would cost you $150.00 for three sets of five frames. Or you could try and build your own frames from a bunch of Umbaran MHC polybags. It's basically an Ijad frame-in-a-bag. Or you could look at any number of creations people have made for the Single Set Challenge.
   
   There are any number of ways to build a starter squad in this game. Unfortunately I don't know what you have for a budget, what you like, or what you're looking for in a play experience so I can't really suggest more than that.
4. Other people to play against.  That I can't really help you with beyond pointing you to the Game Finder section of the Hangar.

I hope this helps you begin your journey with Mobile Frame Zero.