http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/7.page JForum - http://www.jforum.net
Later, the D6G team cover our X-cam campaign system that can be used for just about any game system.

All that and our usual 'not too horrible' humor, with features such as:

- When Wives Attack
- Rapid Fire
- The Hollywood Minute
- Words from Wales
- Contests
- & More


To check out this episode click here:
http://thed6generation.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=434178


Thread about previous episode:
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/229223.page
]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/569638.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/569638.page GMT
I curious where you will post your X-Cam systems. I found the Uncharted Seas system on Craigs blog. Specifically what I'm looking for are the Warmachine systems and Flames of War systems you have. My group is JUST now looking at Flames of War and I've ordered Open Fire to give us a feel. If we like it this may be a good way to build up some forces.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/571081.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/571081.page GMT
And nice Words From Wales this time. I'll ignore all the female-dogging about England's (lack of) form on the Rugby field - after all its only fair play to let the minor nations in the championship have their moment in the sun. Its not like Wales are ever likelywin a major trophy like the World Cup like England did in '04 or anything... But apart from that minor sporting dissonance, I'm glad Owen has been born again into love for the LotR SBG. It truly is an underrated gem of GW's stable. As a long-time player of the game I have really never understood why players of WFB and 40k have tried in the past to do the game down or done their best to ignore it. Its a really fun system that provides lots of tactical interest and passes an enjoyable couple of hours! Sure it presses different buttons than WFB and 40k do, but that's not a bad thing, just different. I wholeheartedly endorse Owen's commendation of the game. If you've not played it yet, give it a go before it disappears when GW surrender the New Line licence in 2011! Go on, you've got nothing to lose but your virginity... no, wait, that's watching Torchwood... I meant... oh dear..

*cut*


]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/572117.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/572117.page GMT WM/Hordes documents will be up this week. Craig and I are still working on our 40k and Battlelore documents, which will be up when we get some playtesting in.

LoTR Game: I agree that this is a GREAT product. I'm glad Owen is having fun with it.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/572454.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/572454.page GMT The X-Cam rule sets we discussed in Ep 25 are now up on the D6G site:

http://thed6generation.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=435488

We hope you have as much fun with them as we do!

]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/572614.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/572614.page GMT ) and attrition (which you solve by not having it ) and I agree with that. As I reckon it, the major issues to deal with when writing a campaign is 1) who fights whom, 2) how is a player's army affected by previous battles, 3) what are the scenarios like and 4) how do you win the whole thing.

I quite like how your campaign structure deals with 3 and 4 and it looks like it integrates large and small battles in a meaningful way. The three types of scoring and the cost you need to pay to play different levels of battles are an interesting mechanic. You can't lose points, which means that the campaign will move towards a finish and not drag on indefinitely.

What I am surprised about is how you talk about the problems of bottom feeding (linked to #1 above) and yet the Unch Seas X-Cam system seems to actively encourage it. Firstly there is the "anyone can challenge anyone", which lets you challenge the player you think you are most likely to beat. If you have just spent 40 SP to play a Control Mission, you'd want an opponent you are likely to beat or you are just wasting the points. There is a requirement in whom you can challenge, but that doesn't seem very strict.

Secondly, there is no adjustment in the number of points you get to compensate for how well your opponent is doing. Often campaign systems give less points for beating (or playing) an opponent that is doing worse than yourself and/or more points for beating (or playing)one that is doing better. You don't have that and since the points you get are directly linked to your VPs, you will probably gain more VPs in battles against a weaker opponent. I'm a bit hazy about the VP system in Uncharted Seas, so correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe you get points for each enemy ship sunk, relative to its cost.

Furthermore, you can pay extra strategic points to increase the size of the battle, placing more VPs up for grabs. Now, if you challenged the bottom player, you are much more likely to gain more of those extra VPs, which translate to more strategic points. Say you spend 2 SP, giving each player 10 extra fleet points. If that nets you 4 extra VP, you have just earned a net of +2 SP and +2 RP. A weaker opponent might only earn 2 extra VP, giving him only +1 SP and +1 RP. If you are confident of winning, you should plow SP into extra Fleet Points, which seems to be a very safe investment.

If you ARE the bottom player, on the other hand, spending SP in order to have fewer ships to play with and thus denying VPs to your opponent seems rather dull and demoralising, and not exactly profitable for you.


In summary, I quite like your concept, but I'm somewhat skeptical about the details of the scoring as there seems to be an element of low risk / high reward in attacking those much worse off than yourself.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/572750.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/572750.page GMT
Thanks for taking so much time to review the X-cam rules. It seems like your biggest concern is to do with "bottom feeding" and preventing players from going after 'soft targets' for key battles.

It's a valid point, and there is a bit of a nod to this issue at the "Control Point" challenge level. I think you'll find in all our X-cam rules that it costs the attacker 40 strategy points to issue a challenge, but it he/she can only challenge another player with AT LEAST 20 strategic points of their own, or at least a control point.

This at least has the effect of forcing key battles to be against players who have at least played more than a couple games in the X-cam, so they know what their way around the table. (In theory)

Of course, you could always add some more "Global Rules" to help out with your concern. Here's a couple ideas:

---------------
"Giant Killer" - If you beat an opponent who currently has double your Strategic Points or Control Points you score 1.5 times the normal reward for this mission.

"Pick on someone your own size" - If you attack a player with less than half your current SP or CP you only score .75 time the normal reward.
-----------------
You get the idea.

A word of caution: The down side to adding clever rules like this in small gaming groups is that there will be times when a player gets to a certain position and is encouraged to play no-one. In which case he must simply wait until the rest of the campaign catches up.

What I like about the simple mechanics of the X-cam is that you can easily tweak them to match the play style and dynamics of your local group. Got a small group of roughly equal skill? Don't need any of these fancy rules. Got a larger group of veterans and rookies? Perhaps some 'rookie protection' rules would make sense.

]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/572845.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/572845.page GMT
In the Warmachine/Hordes X-cam rules (linked above) I did include "Designer's Notes" that describe some of the thinking that went into several of the rules ideas.

It may be helpful to have a look at that version to get insight into why some of the elements work the way they do.

I believe Craig removed the "Designer Notes" from the Uncharted Seas edition of the document.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/572858.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/572858.page GMT
Balancing it is of course an issue, but the basic X-Cam system has the same reward regardless of risk and the “We’ll fight them, but we’ll fight them on our terms.” mechanic means that if you are in the lead you can comfortably do a [i]low risk -> high reward[/i] game if you wish. And I don't think that makes for a very interesting mechanic.


EDIT: The WM/Hordes document doesn't have this rule, so there is no designer's note for it.

And by the way, the title of the WM/Hordes document is "B5 Campaign ideas". ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/572945.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/572945.page GMT
Russ, I have to disagree with your constant complaints about B&W rules books.

I actually prefer my rule books to be B&W with either color sections (ala GW) or full-page color art (ala the 2nd edition D&D books).

The ubiquitous use of color, especially color spot illustration and page backgrounds, doesn't do much for me. It spreads the focus around the page, and really dilutes the content, IMHO. I prefer to have the rules content in B&W, for clarity's sake, and then the artwork to be focused and impressive rather than spread allover and decorative.

It's a difference of opinion, I know, but you have to admit that GW has made their book presentation a stylized choice which fits their dark and gritty universe.

I'm not saying that Full-color is wrong, but just that it's not the way all games books *should* be printed, but just one option.

Anyhow, thanks again, looking forward to the rest of the show.

*edit* P.S. What was Craig on? Did he slam a triple espresso right before the show? He seemed extra *enthusiastic* this show!]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/573158.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/573158.page GMT
Owen I agree LOTR is the a great game. If you liked LOTR you should try Warhammer historical the old west, very good game built with a similar system. Raef if you want a fun way to play 28mm historicals The Old West, the Alamo expansion is the best way using perry minatures.

]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/574156.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/574156.page GMT
Can't wait for the 40K X-Cam rules as I've got plans for them. ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/574300.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/574300.page GMT
I have a copy of the old west rules here somewhere and will dig them out and give tham a try. Especially love the Alamo (there is a Welsh flag hanging up in the shrine there as one of the Heroes was Welsh) . Thanks for that King Caboose, and Osbad, Im glad you enjoyed the Segment]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/574484.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/574484.page GMT

]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/575426.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/575426.page GMT UK (do they still hold that?) and a few others.
]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/575437.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/575437.page GMT 40K events but I draw the line at going to a con where there is a decent chance I will have to listen to that weird "transforming" sound for a whole weekend... ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/575662.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/575662.page GMT PP's announcements that they are turning their main game more towards Warmachine 40K.

Yet another book to buy if you want to keep up* and this time you also have to buy new cards for all your minis.


* How many is it in total now? Six in as many years?]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/576552.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/576552.page GMT
Well, I had my game of US with my diddy dwarf fleet. And it was AH-SUM!! most definitely!

Ah'll be a havin' me some more o' that there li'l ship action next week and ah can't wait!

Seriously, the game, even as a first intro with both of us poring over the rulebook to work out what to do next was fun. Seeing my opponent's face when I rolled snake-eyes on the critical hit table and we realised that it meant his battleship was getting shredded as well as my cruiser that he blew up was priceless!

Great stuff!]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/576706.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/576706.page GMT D6G since the beginning, and I feel you guys have been getting better and better. I still haven't finished this episode, but when I do... muhahaha

Looking forward to listening to what you have to say about Epic and the introduction of the X-Cam (I am a campaign nuttie myself)]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/577336.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/577336.page GMT
And nice Words From Wales this time. I'll ignore all the female-dogging about England's (lack of) form on the Rugby field - after all its only fair play to let the minor nations in the championship have their moment in the sun. Its not like Wales are ever likelywin a major trophy like the World Cup like England did in '04 or anything... But apart from that minor sporting dissonance, I'm glad Owen has been born again into love for the LotR SBG. It truly is an underrated gem of GW's stable. As a long-time player of the game I have really never understood why players of WFB and 40k have tried in the past to do the game down or done their best to ignore it. Its a really fun system that provides lots of tactical interest and passes an enjoyable couple of hours! Sure it presses different buttons than WFB and 40k do, but that's not a bad thing, just different. I wholeheartedly endorse Owen's commendation of the game. If you've not played it yet, give it a go before it disappears when GW surrender the New Line licence in 2011! Go on, you've got nothing to lose but your virginity... no, wait, that's watching Torchwood... I meant... oh dear..

*cut*

I was disapointed that he didnt stick up for the only Welsh Member teh Hawtness that is Gwen :-)


[/quote]]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/578666.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/578666.page GMT
Secondly, I wasn't on anything, man! That was pure, unadulterated me!!!!

Thirdly, The Uncharted Seas X-Cam was an edited copy of the copy of the Babylon 5 X-Cam that Russ sent me. If there were no Designer's Notes, then they weren't there when I edited it.

Not to pull the curtain back, but hey, Russ, when did you add those notes?

Fourthly, you're not the only one with this curiosity, Avian. I'm eagre to see how Russ in particular justifies how this is NOTHING like GW, and a TOTALLY valid business decision with NO negative ramifications whatsoever and without a single hint of the dripping sarcasm and scathing, pedantic indictment that is never far behind any comment about GW.



]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/579586.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/579586.page GMT Fourthly, you're not the only one with this curiosity, Avian. I'm eagre to see how Russ in particular justifies how this is NOTHING like GW, and a TOTALLY valid business decision with NO negative ramifications whatsoever and without a single hint of the dripping sarcasm and scathing, pedantic indictment that is never far behind any comment about GW.



[/quote]

Russ will kneel at the Shrine of St. Matthew (Wilson), light the candle of Disappointment Banishing, ring the Bell of Tortured Logic and read from the (full color) Book of Fanboyism.

"Hollywood" will inexplicably ask for a pizza, despite having just eaten. No-one will know why.

]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/580147.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/580147.page GMT
"Hollywood" will inexplicably ask for a pizza, despite having just eaten. No-one will know why.

[/quote]

Easy. He's a Tyranid. They're always hungry.

Either that, or a tapeworm ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/580387.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/580387.page GMT
Genestealer cult, member however . . . .hmmmm . . . I mean, he IS a lawyer . . .

Guys, I'm working on the 40K X-Cam, I promise. Thanks to all those who have enquired and offered assistance (and one listener, Jonas, already DID one! He's in the process of playtesting now).

I'm sort of a lone wolf when it comes to projects of this nature, but seriously, thanks for all your offers and inquiries. I'll let you all know when I've got something worth looking at. Right now I have to go look at some flooring to finish the Pub before PaddyCon (you'll have to listen to the Episode 26 Extravaganza for more on PaddyCon), but I'll devote some of my time today to it, I promise!

~Craig

PS-preemtpive defense: Russ' Jedi mind trick explanation about the PP change in direction/republishing both their core rules sets again so quickly will undoubtedly convince me he's right. So now, before he gets to me: It's LIES, ALL LIES!!!!! Soylent Green is PP!!!!!! Soylent Green is PP!!!!!!!!!]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/581228.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/581228.page GMT
]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/582101.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/582101.page GMT http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/582603.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/582603.page GMT 40K X-Cam.

Any word on this Saladin board game? You definitely had my interest.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/582624.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/582624.page GMT
Keep up the great work!]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/582941.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/582941.page GMT
I had never, and have never since, seen that many geeks in one place at the same time.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/583996.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/583996.page GMT
It was somewhat surreal.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/584182.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/584182.page GMT
Don't tell Russ - he'll only blame it on the Welsh!]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/584720.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/584720.page GMT Don't tell Russ - he'll only blame it on the Welsh![/quote]

Well, to be honest, when in doubt...]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/584735.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/584735.page GMT http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/585145.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/585145.page GMT http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/585350.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/585350.page GMT
Clearly Owen has embraced the madness. ]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/585423.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/585423.page GMT
[img]http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2007/01/30/lbritain2main_070124041506397_wideweb__300x456.jpg[/img]

...as imagined by Russ?

It must be true! It's on the BBC!]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/586811.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/586811.page GMT http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/587045.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/587045.page GMT uk/comedy/littlebritain/characters/daffyd.shtml[/url]

]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/587718.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/587718.page GMT http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/587837.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/587837.page GMT http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/588537.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/588537.page GMT LOL]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/588564.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/588564.page GMT FOW yet?

Thanks for sharing!
Chris]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/3269389.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/3269389.page GMT
Thanks![/color]]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/3269468.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/230467/3269468.page GMT