Gadzooks it's the Apocalypse live on Kickstarter.

[Cyrus the Great]

These updates are a great idea!

[mkultra99]

Backed... maybe you could speak to it's potential for more than 2 players?

[stevelampon]

Thanks guys, I will cover multi-player games and figure manufacturers/sources sometime in the next few updates.

Update 7. Spell Casting.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/964530327/gadzooks-its-the-apocalypse/posts/2451585

Chaplains, Paladins, White Witches, Diabolists and Necromancers can use spells. Spells are skills that rely on spiritual or magical energy to perform wondrous, magical or divine feats that fall beyond the realms of the natural world.

Spell Test
To cast a spell the player must in most cases make a successful skill test. 1d10 is rolled and a score of 8 or higher is required for success. Added to this score is the character’s skill points. If a 1 is rolled when testing to cast the spell, this will mean that the spell fails (even if the addition of skill points to the die roll raises the score higher).

Spell Recovery
When a spell is cast it is likely that the spell caster’s reserves of magical energy will be depleted. Any spell that needs a spell test to cast means that a spell recovery test will be needed before another spell can be cast. This takes one action; the player rolls one die and must score 5 or lower to pass the test. The die rolled is the die that was used to cause the spell effect. If the die score is 6 or higher the character has not recovered from the spell and will have to spend another action to recover. Other spells cannot be cast until the character has recovered from the previous spell.

These are an example of the spells a Chaplain can cast:  Inspire Faith, Aura of God, Guide Weapon, Healing Hand, Restore Calm, Pure Light, Cleansing Light, Battle Hymn, Bless Weapon, Ward off Evil, Restore Life, Almighty Hand and Prayer.



Clerics can become powerful characters especially against the forces of evil.

[Tibson]

Any chance of a pdf release?  Books are nice and all. But pdfs are just easier.

[henerius]

casting spells and the word fantasy.... 

isn't this the wrong forum I keep asking myself ?

[stevelampon]

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/964530327/gadzooks-its-the-apocalypse/posts/2453206

The rules could probably go in several categories, but it is firmly set in this era. At the moment we are only focussed on the Kickstarter project and getting the rulebook published. If it doesn't succeed we will have to think again and pdf might be the way to go.

Campaign Background
Count Ernst von Mansfeld is raising an army of loyal protestants to retake the Palatinate and restore Frederick V to the Bohemian crown. The King of England is backing the project and the Duke of Buckingham is leading an expeditionary force to swell the numbers in Mansfeld’s army. Although the Duke has little military experience he is certainly the highest ranking officer in the army and is therefore in overall command.

The latest contingent of troops to head for the continent are gathering near Dover and are readying themselves for the Channel crossing. Within a few days, two regiments of infantry are ready to go, but their crossing is delayed. Unfortunately, diplomatic problems with France mean that the French authorities are unwilling to allow the English units to cross their territory and join with Mansfeld’s force.

Update 8. Morale.
Morale represents a soldier’s or follower’s bravery and commitment to the battle that they are involved in. When danger threatens – morale will be tested for. Morale tests only apply to soldiers, followers and other non-character figures. Characters and Evil Creatures will not be affected by morale.

Morale Test

Morale will be tested for when a friendly figure is killed within a distance of 4 inches. To take the test, 1d10 is rolled; a score of 8 or more means that the test has been passed. The score required for success will be reduced by one for each of the following situations:

• Each friendly figure within 4 inches of the testing figure

• Testing figure is in cover.

For example, a figure is testing for morale. It is in cover and has two other friendly figures within 4 inches, a score of five or more would be needed to pass the test.

Morale Result

If the score is 8 or more – the figure will have passed the morale test and is unaffected. If the score is lower, the test has failed and the testing figure will fall back the distance shown on the die. For example, a 4 is scored when testing for morale. The figure needed an 8 or more to pass the test, so the figure moves back 4 inches.

Panic: If a morale test results in a score of 1 the testing figure will Panic! The figure immediately turns round and runs away (two moves). Any other friendly figures in the group that are within 4 inches of the panicking figure and have not taken a morale test this turn will have to take a morale test. In the panicked figure’s next activation the player will have to make another morale test for the figure. If the test fails (scores less than the figure will continue to Panic (two moves to the rear). If the figure passes the morale test it will be Suppressed and cannot be activated that turn. If the panicking figure reaches the player’s own rear table edge it will be removed from play and cannot take part in the rest of the battle.

[stevelampon]

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/964530327/gadzooks-its-the-apocalypse/posts/2456488

Update 9. Objectives, Harbingers and signs. This is a brief description, go to the KS update for more information.

The objective markers are in the rulebook and need to be copied, mounted and cut-up or you can pledge for the reward with the laser-cut mdf counters.

Scattered around each battlefield are a number of Objective Markers. These markers can represent valuable assets of one sort or another and will be highly sought after by the players; others, however, represent deadly dangers. The side that gains the most Objective Markers wins the game.

Placing Objectives: Players should make a random (blind) selection of Objective Markers and place them evenly about the gaming table, face down. The markers should be placed in a way that does not favour one side or the other in terms of distance from starting positions. Players should also position the markers in a variety of locations such as in the open, in buildings, in wooded areas, etc.

Revealing Objective Markers: Players will only discover the nature of a marker when a figure is moved into contact with it. At this point the marker is revealed.

Marker Types: There are different types of objectives but players will only discover what sort they are when a figure moves into contact with it. The five main types are Fixed Rewards, Heavy Rewards, Instant Rewards, Signs and Harbingers.

[Cyrus the Great]

I really hope this project doesn't go the PDF route. I like a book I can hold in my hands. Yes, I'm that old! If hard pressed, go with a publisher on demand option.

[stevelampon]

Update 10. Signs and Harbingers.

Signs point the way to the impending Apocalypse. It might be the gathering of unusually dark clouds or other signs in the sky. It might be a sinister carrion bird giving an ‘evil look’. In a superstitious age, this can be a sign of foreboding and increased menace. When a Sign is revealed players can either ignore it, try and destroy it or ‘capture’ the Sign and thus enhance their evil reputation even further. To destroy the Sign the figure uses an action and the player rolls three dice (of any sort) and tries to score six or more on one of the dice. If this occurs the Sign is destroyed and the character gains an experience point. If the player wants to capture the Sign the player simply declares their intention, takes the Sign marker and places it off-table but somewhere where it can be easily seen (and added to the total of other in-play Signs). The character then gains a Black Mark against their name.

Bad Sign: If three sixes are scored when taking the test to destroy the Sign, the Sign will be destroyed but the character will gain one to six Black Marks.

Harbinger

Harbingers are more tangible evidence of impending doom; they are weird and unnatural precursors to the inevitable horror that awaits. Harbingers are things or events that will have a direct impact on the battle and those participating in it.

Harbingers have various effects on the game depending on which one is found. The severity of these effects will be determined by the number of Signs that have been revealed. The more Signs there are present, the more dangerous the Harbingers become.

More here ...

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/964530327/gadzooks-its-the-apocalypse/posts/2457230

[stevelampon]

Update 11. More on Harbingers.
Thanks to everyone who has supported the project so far, we are 50% of the way there!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/964530327/gadzooks-its-the-apocalypse/posts/2458109

Heavenly Choir: Faint but clear, the sound of angelic voices can be heard drifting down from the heavens, singing encouragement to the forces of good and sowing fear and doubt in the forces of evil. As soon as this marker is revealed all good troops (soldiers or followers serving characters without Black Marks) will gain a +1 bonus to their morale tests. All evil troops (serving heroes with Black Marks) will suffer a -1 penalty to their morale tests. Evil characters will also be affected. Before such a hero is activated, the controlling player rolls 1d6: a score of 1–4 and the character can use no skills that turn, a score of 5 and the character can use one skill that turn, a score of 6 and the character can use any skills. In the turn after the Choir is revealed (at the end of the turn) 1d10 is rolled to see whether the choir continues to sing. If the score is less than the number of Signs revealed so far the Choir will cease and the effects will no longer apply.
The Darkness Beckons: This Harbinger creates an area of darkness around the marker. One randomly selected figure from amongst the side that revealed the marker will at the end of the turn move a distance of 2–12 (2d6) towards the marker. This effect will apply throughout the game (or until the unfortunate figure is killed, at which point the Harbinger is removed) and will apply even if the figure is in close combat (the affected figure will break contact). If the figure moves into contact with the marker the figure will be lost and cannot be recovered after the battle (if a character).

[stevelampon]

Update 12. Terrain Markers.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/964530327/gadzooks-its-the-apocalypse/posts/2459276

Terrain Markers
Some of the randomly placed Objective Markers may be Terrain Markers, they will refer to the physical effects of the terrain or general battlefield conditions rather than being evil portents or signs of doom.

Here is a brief description of each one, go to the KS updates page for a fuller description.

Wind: A strong wind has blown up making the steady firing of weapons difficult. A score of 1 is deducted when testing to hit.

Rain: A heavy rain shower has soaked the combatants and caused problems for all firearms. The powder has become damp and all firing will suffer a -1 penalty to hit (per die rolled).

Smoke: Smoke billows across the battlefield reducing observation range to 20 inches minus 1d6 inches (per Smoke marker).

Rough Ground: The figure that discovers this marker has encountered some difficult ground and will have their next two moves reduced by half.

Dangerous Ground: The figure that discovers this marker has encountered dangerous ground that causes the figure to slip or fall.

Obstacle: When this marker is revealed the figure’s progress has been impeded by an obstacle (fallen tree, large rock, etc.).

Mortar Bomb: A stray mortar bomb crashes down near the marker (roll direction die from the marker).

Cannonade: When this Objective Marker is revealed one to three cannon balls will be hurled across the area.

Volley: When this Objective Marker is revealed a volley of musket shots (one to six shots) are blasted across the area.

Hidden: When this marker is revealed, whatever has been discovered remains hidden. The player must use an action to reveal what is actually there.

Fool’s Gold: It seems that a great treasure has been revealed. The figure will try and remove this marker from the table as if a Heavy Reward.

[stevelampon]

Update 13. Choosing a Character and Character Skills.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/964530327/gadzooks-its-the-apocalypse/posts/2460640

The following updates will look in detail at the different character classes and some of the specific character skills that define each character class.

Chaplains

Chaplains are individuals with strong religious convictions who have chosen to leave their churches and monasteries and go out into the world and tackle evil head-on. Chaplains are more concerned with helping mankind than with rivalry between different religious factions. The following skills are available to this character:

Inspire Faith: The Chaplain who has this skill will improve the morale of nearby friendly figures by allowing them a +1 bonus to their morale tests. This costs the Chaplain no actions to perform and no skill test is required. The area of effect is 2 inches from the Chaplain for every skill point the Chaplain has with this power.

Aura of Good: An aura of goodness seems to surround the Chaplain. Any damage inflicted by evil creatures (Harbingers, etc.) will allow the Chaplain a +1 to their armour save for each skill point. For example, an Imp has attacked a Chaplain with three skill points, +3 will be added to the Chaplain’s armour save. This requires no skill test for this power to work.

Other abilities include:

Guide Weapon: The Chaplain can bestow a bit of divine guidance on a friendly figure’s firearm when this skill is used.

Healing Hand: A Chaplain with this skill can restore lost wounds to injured characters.

Restore Calm: Chaplains can prevent friendly soldiers from panicking.

Pure Light: This skill allows the Chaplain to emit a brilliant holy light.

Cleansing Light: The Chaplain can call down a bolt of holy light from the heavens.

Battle Hymn: The Chaplain can lead the group in a rousing hymn before battle.

Bless Weapon: The Chaplain can confer divine favour on weapons.

Ward off Evil: When this skill is used the Chaplain can block the progress of an evil creature or character.

Restore Life: Any character that fails a Recovery Test and dies can be brought back to life.

Almighty Hand: This skill allows the Chaplain to smite evil opponents.

Prayer: If this skill is successfully used the Chaplain can improve poor die rolls of friendly figures for that turn.

Tomorrow's update will be the Assassin and some of his skills.

[stevelampon]

Assassins are next up.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/964530327/gadzooks-its-the-apocalypse/posts/2461735

[fairoaks024]

I was in for the book, but have upped to include the tokens.

The updates are great, really enjoyed the 'signs, portents' ( hence my upping the pledge)  one but they all look excellent.

[stevelampon]

Thanks Jim?, appreciate the support, I am pleased you like the updates, plenty more to come.

Steve