Source: https://grazdgfx.tumblr.com/post/171535938767 Yesterday, one of my playtesters and I met up to play the Black Telephone scenario (core 23). He has been waiting for the Once Forgotten to hit the table, as he's a huge fan of undead factions in other games. I decided to take up the Fair Ones this time, figuring that they would be more than curious to see what messages came through the phones from the other side - whatever the other side is. This time, we tested out adjusted point totals and played a 150 point game. By the end of it, we agreed that 200 point games might be a bit more interesting (more models, more options), but this game was a fun scrap over a few ringing phones.
By making good scenarios like this for other Infinity players that may not have the time or attention to balance and detail to do so, you are indeed providing a public service, and I thank you, sir.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I would like your opinion on something - should there be official or fan-made blueprints for setting up balanced and effective terrain, or is a simple 'all terrain to be minimum of X inches apart' sort of guideline enough? As I've come to the conclusion that some people have their first experiences of Infinity somewhat spoiled by the game being unforgiving to light terrain setups as anyone who moves out of cover is liable to be ARO'ed by several units at once. Do you think some kind of plans are needed to create the optimal balance of fire-lanes/cover/vertical levels and so on?
Thank you very much!
ReplyDeleteI honestly think that having the right terrain is a result of experimentation. There are a few good "how to set up a board" threads on the Infinity forums, including one started up by my friend Tevesh here (http://www.infinitythegame.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=5547). That said, I think it would be tremendously useful to have a "Newbie Board" blueprint out there somewhere, to be used for demos and first games and whatnot.
As a first step, though, I would look at the table from model level on every side and see if there are firing lanes straight through to the other table edge. That's the single biggest issue with new tables, I find. If there are long lanes, try to keep them few and far between...and almost never between deployment zones. This opens things up for sniper shenanigans, and new players can really be turned off by those.
So, am I right in saying a first-time attempt at terrain would follow two steps:
ReplyDelete1. Have a LOT of LoS-blocking and cover-giving terrain
2. Keep adding till it looks dense
And experimentation from then on?
I'm thinking that a Newbie Board blueprint might be a vital addition were it to be created, as new players already have the difficulty of learning new game mechanics on top of setting up terrain properly (something that's almost as vital and not nearly as obvious).
Anyway. I'd been looking around to see if there were any pre-created battlefield blueprints on the internet and I couldn't find any.
Yes to both 1 and 2, but be careful not to pack terrain too densely. It's a fine line between having lots of places to hide and having free reign to walk up the table without drawing AROs.
ReplyDeleteNew players should focus on mechanics rather than terrain use, and the only real terrain-oriented lesson to be learned is that Cover. Is. Important. Once that's been ingrained in a new player's mind, they can start tinkering around with a higher density of terrain.
I think such a Newbie Board blueprint would be useful to make. I'll see what I can do!
GoldenKaos, people coming from other games have a very different definition of 'a lot of terrain'. Going by that standard, I'd say to just pile it on, and then adjust with more or less as you play games.
ReplyDeleteIf you need numbers to visualize it, most lanes should be less than 16", which is Rifle range. Have a bunch go up to 24" for those longer ranged guns, and only a few further than that for HMGs and Snipers. Some really dense areas are also good for encouraging point blank combat.
The goal is simply to make sure the standard gun, the Rifle, isn't always outranged.