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Miniatures Adventure => Old West => Topic started by: Goshawk on 09 October 2014, 01:05:27 PM

Title: Pulp Alley for Old West
Post by: Goshawk on 09 October 2014, 01:05:27 PM: Hi All,

Was thinking of changing up the rules set I use for my Old West minis and wanted to get some recommendations. I've been using Gutshot, and while it's okay, it just doesn't do it for me - mainly due to the scenario balance problems. I'm looking for something simple, fun, and convention-friendly with a modicum of balance built into the "team" building. I recently heard about Pulp Alley via the Meeples & Miniatures Podcast and it sounded as if it could be a good match. Anyone familiar enough with it to offer an opinion on its "Old West" compatibility?

Many thanks!

(Cross Posted in the "Pulp" forum as well.)
Title: Re: Pulp Alley for Old West
Post by: Elk101 on 09 October 2014, 05:05:23 PM: Pulp Alley would work just fine for Old West.

There's also Fistful of Lead which is worth looking at.
Title: Re: Pulp Alley for Old West
Post by: Earther on 09 October 2014, 05:35:22 PM: I really fancy the new Fistful of Lead, but Northstar are doing Chris Peer's Law of the Gun, which sounds like fun: LINK (http://www.northstarfigures.com/prod.php?prod=6533)

Preview article here: LINK (http://nstarmagazine.com/law_of_the_gun_1_1.htm)

And to answer your original question, I think Pulp Alley will cover just about anything, especially scenario driven games.
Title: Re: Pulp Alley for Old West
Post by: sespe on 10 October 2014, 01:27:09 AM: I have been using Flying Lead (Ganesha Games Songs of... engine) for multi-player games and it worked well. They I bought the super-cheap Fistful of Lead rules.

I see no need to wait for the 'new' rules to come out. These rules are great for quick action in a big group! Everybody is involved, bookkeeping is minimal to non-existent, it plays very fast.

These are my new go-to rules for old west. I can't say enough good things about them!
Title: Re: Pulp Alley for Old West
Post by: General on 10 October 2014, 02:24:30 AM: Six Gun Sound from Two Hour Wargames is fun

http://www.twohourwargames.com/sixgunsound.html (http://www.twohourwargames.com/sixgunsound.html)
Title: Re: Pulp Alley for Old West
Post by: Irishrover13 on 10 October 2014, 11:50:12 PM: Pulp Alley would be great. Another one I would put forward is In Her Majesties Name. Right time period and easy to make your own leagues. It does have a Mystic/Weird science aspect but you can easily ignore that.
Title: Re: Pulp Alley for Old West
Post by: Goshawk on 13 October 2014, 07:46:37 PM: Awesome and thanks for the recommendations! I love rules sets so I'm sure to check them all out at some point. Pulp Alley, PDF $9.99, is a steal so this time out it'll get the call.

Thanks again!
Title: Re: Pulp Alley for Old West
Post by: Jan on 13 October 2014, 07:58:41 PM: What bugs me on Pulp Alley is, that you do not have weapons or stats for weapons.
If you see a guy with a shotgun and a guy with a pistol it implys ... nothing. You have to ask your "opponent" which of them is more dangerous. Maybe they are both the same.

Fistful of Lead with own upgrades rules!
Title: Re: Pulp Alley for Old West
Post by: Wolf Girl on 13 October 2014, 08:47:50 PM: Quote from: Jan on 13 October 2014, 07:58:41 PM
What bugs me on Pulp Alley is, that you do not have weapons or stats for weapons.
If you see a guy with a shotgun and a guy with a pistol it implys ... nothing. You have to ask your "opponent" which of them is more dangerous. Maybe they are both the same.

Fistful of Lead with own upgrades rules!

Yes, Pulp Alley gets away from the idea that characters are just walking-weapons. "That's a shotgun-guy" is pretty limiting and unrealistic when you really think about it. Personally, I can guarantee you that I'm far more dangerous with a .38 revolver than a shotgun.

There are weapons in Pulp Alley and they are part of the character profile/abilities. If you're guy is effective with a shotgun, then you can pick Short Blast, Blast or even Burst Fire ability. If you want your guy to be good with a rifle, then take Eagle-eye and so on. So when you create a character you take their weapons into account.

In general, I've found that the way a miniature looks usually matches their Pulp Alley profile quite well.
Title: Re: Pulp Alley for Old West
Post by: Goshawk on 14 October 2014, 07:12:41 AM: @Wolf Girl - I'm normally a "crunchy player" - type of rifle, how many bullets left, etc. (Aces & Eights RPG type minis :)) Buuuuut, PA will definitely be a better fit for the general gaming con Where I'm hosting a game. The story/adventure elements are awesome and easy to implement, plus it's up to me to make the "characters" fit the minis I have at hand. Just from reading the AARs and such about the game -- the great stories -- really have me pumped to play it. It'll be a big hit.

Now, where did I stash those old Call of Cthulhu minis...?
Title: Re: Pulp Alley for Old West
Post by: Irishrover13 on 23 October 2014, 01:58:14 AM: How did you game go/ how is the game planing doing?
Title: Re: Pulp Alley for Old West
Post by: Goshawk on 23 October 2014, 08:33:57 PM: Coming up soon...about three weeks or so. It'll be a good-sized game with four players, four "leagues." So far, I made a character card (concept and inspiration shamelessly lifted from a user here) and have started the board layout. I think it'll be a lot of fun.

[/img](http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz321/Robertbhawkins/SamplePulpAlleyOldWestThemedCharacterCards_zps5fcaf2fc.jpg) (http://s840.photobucket.com/user/Robertbhawkins/media/SamplePulpAlleyOldWestThemedCharacterCards_zps5fcaf2fc.jpg.html)[/img]

Quote from: Irishrover13 on 23 October 2014, 01:58:14 AM
How did you game go/ how is the game planing doing?
Title: Re: Pulp Alley for Old West
Post by: Treebeard on 24 October 2014, 08:21:30 AM: Characters card looks great
Title: Re: Pulp Alley for Old West
Post by: Goshawk on 25 October 2014, 04:22:16 AM: Thanks, Treebeard! They're a work in progress, but I'm pretty happy with them.

Quote from: Treebeard on 24 October 2014, 08:21:30 AM
Characters card looks great
Title: Re: Pulp Alley for Old West
Post by: obsidian3d on 27 October 2014, 05:51:43 PM: I'm not sure if they're still available for free download, but Blackwater Gulch rules are pretty good. I've played a half dozen games and enjoyed it quite a lot. You can use pre-made gangs or create your own, and the weapons list is pretty solid without being ridiculously detailed. I made up two squads of five from scratch, for my EM4 western pre-paints in about an hour.

http://obsidian3d.blogspot.ca/2012/09/wild-west-wanderings.html
Title: Re: Pulp Alley for Old West
Post by: Goshawk on 29 October 2014, 04:29:23 AM: Ah, yes...forgot about that one! I'll see if I can find my copy. Thanks for the reminder!

Quote from: obsidian3d on 27 October 2014, 05:51:43 PM
I'm not sure if they're still available for free download, but Blackwater Gulch rules are pretty good. I've played a half dozen games and enjoyed it quite a lot. You can use pre-made gangs or create your own, and the weapons list is pretty solid without being ridiculously detailed. I made up two squads of five from scratch, for my EM4 western pre-paints in about an hour.

http://obsidian3d.blogspot.ca/2012/09/wild-west-wanderings.html
Title: Re: Pulp Alley for Old West
Post by: Alcide Nikopol on 31 October 2014, 03:22:17 PM: Fine work on your Pulp Alley league cards. That's an idea worth stealing.
Our group has played most of the games mentioned in this thread and we decided to use Pulp Alley for our Old West campaign. Brilliant game mechanics, surprisingly tactical, granular in all the right places, really cannot say enough good things about it.
Title: Re: Pulp Alley for Old West
Post by: Elbows on 01 November 2014, 10:50:28 AM: Goshawk, where in NC are you? I'm down in SC.

You can peruse the rules for Shoot N' Skedaddle for free:

https://www.thegamecrafter.com/games/shoot-n-skedaddle-boxed-version-

In the "Downloads" part of the page. While I'm taking off for a few months, I'd be happy to run some games for ya if you're in Charlotte or Raleigh some time.
Title: Re: Pulp Alley for Old West
Post by: Goshawk on 01 November 2014, 06:38:09 PM: Elbows, I'm in Mooresville (on the north side of Charlotte) and would love to play SNS. As I recall, Shoot N' Skedaddle was at Siege of Augusta, but I had a conflict and didn't make it into the game. Was that you? It was a great looking setup. Thanks for the link to the rules!

In what part of South Cackalacky are you?

Quote from: Elbows on 01 November 2014, 10:50:28 AM
Goshawk, where in NC are you? I'm down in SC.

You can peruse the rules for Shoot N' Skedaddle for free:

https://www.thegamecrafter.com/games/shoot-n-skedaddle-boxed-version-

In the "Downloads" part of the page. While I'm taking off for a few months, I'd be happy to run some games for ya if you're in Charlotte or Raleigh some time.
Title: Re: Pulp Alley for Old West
Post by: Elbows on 02 November 2014, 12:52:34 AM: Ah, I know Mooresville (went to UNCC). Yeah I was running it at Siege of Augusta (had a buddy run a game as well). I'm actually potentially moving to Rock Hill after these next 10 weeks, so if I do, I'll hit you up and we can get together and game. I'm currently down around Charleston.

Oh, and please don't wait 10 weeks for me to run SnS before you decide on other rules...get as many as you can! lol
Title: Re: Pulp Alley for Old West
Post by: Jan on 06 November 2014, 11:30:22 AM: Quote
Yes, Pulp Alley gets away from the idea that characters are just walking-weapons. "That's a shotgun-guy" is pretty limiting and unrealistic when you really think about it. Personally, I can guarantee you that I'm far more dangerous with a .38 revolver than a shotgun.

There are weapons in Pulp Alley and they are part of the character profile/abilities. If you're guy is effective with a shotgun, then you can pick Short Blast, Blast or even Burst Fire ability. If you want your guy to be good with a rifle, then take Eagle-eye and so on. So when you create a character you take their weapons into account.

Ok, in Fistful of Lead you can say, that the characters are „just walking-weapons“ but this system is designed to be very easy. Let everyone choose an additional ability and you have a first characterisation. The common thing ist, that miniatures and weapons are two different things with two profiles. I (just me) like this more.

In MY OPINION a weapon can be used more or less effective influenced by the skill of the being carrying it. BUT this will not make the shotgun a long range weapon or a pistol to a rocket launcher (does not change characteristics of a weapon type). So if you are more dangerous with a revolver than a long rifle, i guarantee you, that you will change your opinion when you have to hit a target realy far away (more than 24“ ^^). I think my point is clear.

So now you have pulp alley. A system with many possibilities for characterisation. I like it very much.
But if you want to take in account the different weapons the guys on the table are wearing you have to use the abilities to do that and no ability-slots are left to illustrate the charasteristics of the model itself (see Allys and Follower). Or look at a guy without weapon (Ally, Follower). You „HAVE“ to give him the Brawl/Animal Ability. Sure you could give him something else and say „He ist throwing knives/stones/bits of snot now, but …

This is just my opinion and one of the reasons PA is not my favorite system fort he settings i play. It is much worse in a setting like 40k FOR ME, cause there i want to illustrate different types of armor AND weapons AND equipment/characteristics.

But hey, you CAN play all of them. It is just a question of taste. Of course you could increase the abilities for each characterclass or something like that.
Title: Re: Pulp Alley for Old West
Post by: Harry Faversham on 06 November 2014, 05:20:59 PM: 'Fistful of Lead' for me every time, no dicking about, fill yore hands and go for it...
never had a game yet that didn't make me feel like a Cowboy!

:-*
Title: Re: Pulp Alley for Old West
Post by: Goshawk on 13 November 2014, 03:22:19 PM: Pulp Alley was a great success themed for the "Old West." I hosted one session at the MACE con in Charlotte, NC last weekend and another session last night for a local gaming group. None of the players had played or heard of Pulp Alley, but impressions were very good. Wheels were spinning during the games as to how the system could be easily adapted to virtually any setting. Great fun was had by all in each game.

The setup was four rival "gangs" (Leagues just doesn't sound right for the Old West) vying for the standard five plot points distributed across town. The major plot point was secured in the first game (giving the player the win), but was unclaimed in the second game which resulted in a three-way tie (one faction was left empty-handed).

Some pics from the games:

The setup:
(http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz321/Robertbhawkins/2014-11-08143955_zps33dd54ed.jpg)

Sarah Toombs sneakin'.
(http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz321/Robertbhawkins/2014-11-12225023_zps4aefdc39.jpg)

After Old Elroy dropped the plot point, other interested parties showed up. Remarkably...neither was able to do diddly-squat to his nemesis...and neither could get their hands on the plot point.
(http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz321/Robertbhawkins/2014-11-08182500_zpsec529eee.jpg)

The Witch keeps an eye on the street.
(http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz321/Robertbhawkins/2014-11-08164604_zps26202061.jpg)

Showdown on the gallows. Sarah Toombs went down, but shortly thereafter her compatriot, Tess Duvall, fanned down bandit Joaquin Murrieta. No plot point for you!
(http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz321/Robertbhawkins/2014-11-12225719_zpsb544f536.jpg)

Character cards:
(http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz321/Robertbhawkins/WichitaWitch_zps997ce0f0.jpg)
(http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz321/Robertbhawkins/CovenGang_zps18ade3cf.jpg)
Title: Re: Pulp Alley for Old West
Post by: Alcide Nikopol on 14 November 2014, 09:42:21 PM: Wonderful photos. Nice use of the Whitewash City buildings. I want some cards like those for our Pulp Alley games.
Title: Re: Pulp Alley for Old West
Post by: d phipps on 16 November 2014, 12:10:08 PM: Quote from: Goshawk on 13 November 2014, 03:22:19 PM
Pulp Alley was a great success themed for the "Old West." I hosted one session at the MACE con in Charlotte, NC last weekend and another session last night for a local gaming group. None of the players had played or heard of Pulp Alley, but impressions were very good. Wheels were spinning during the games as to how the system could be easily adapted to virtually any setting. Great fun was had by all in each game.

Great looking game! I'm glad y'all had fun. THANKS for sharing your pics. :D

Years ago, when we first started playtesting some of the basic mechanics for Pulp Alley, we used my Old West cowboys and outlaws figures. In fact, the first AAR we ever posted online was a cattle rustlin' scenario. ;)

HAVE FUN