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Miniatures Adventure => Age of Myths, Gods and Empires => Topic started by: H.M.Stanley on July 11, 2013, 10:56:26 AM

Title: Blood on the Sands [new project]
Post by: H.M.Stanley on July 11, 2013, 10:56:26 AM
Furt kindly agreed to my play-testing BotS. I'll keep all my posts on this thread from now on.

The fellas and i are enthused! 5 of the guys have agreed to help and there is much talk of arenas, biscuit tins [no change there] and figures.

A small modelling project, a few figures, potentially a great set of rules ... what's not to like.

Those of us about to paint/play, salute you Furt/Doc!

James
Title: Re: Blood on the Sands [new project]
Post by: Mister Rab on July 11, 2013, 02:13:19 PM
The rules are good - you've got some fun coming!
Title: Re: Blood on the Sands [new project]
Post by: H.M.Stanley on July 11, 2013, 02:18:01 PM
The rules are good - you've got some fun coming!

To be fair, i haven't read them through yet.

They look good, certainly with the working example from Furt posted yesterday  :)
Title: Re: Blood on the Sands [new project]
Post by: H.M.Stanley on July 12, 2013, 03:51:57 PM
Today ... i have mostly been painting ... Gladiators

ABW Nice John and i are going to have our first game of Blood on the Sands
Title: Re: Blood on the Sands [new project]
Post by: H.M.Stanley on July 12, 2013, 03:56:13 PM
(http://i42.tinypic.com/jsj77n.jpg)
Title: Re: Blood on the Sands [new project]
Post by: H.M.Stanley on July 12, 2013, 03:59:32 PM
(http://i44.tinypic.com/2igmzp4.jpg)

The sand/pva hasn't dried yet and i'm undecided whether to just leave as is (with a thin coat of pva to seal it) or do my usual paint and drybrush
Title: Re: Blood on the Sands [new project]
Post by: Prof.Witchheimer on July 12, 2013, 10:26:07 PM
Nice start, keep it up!
Title: Re: Blood on the Sands [new project]
Post by: Malamute on July 12, 2013, 10:53:04 PM
Looking good. :)

My vote goes for paint and drybrushed on your bases.

I have just finished the first gladiator for my Ludus. And was contemplating what to do with the base. To my mind just leaving the sand as is just doesnt look right. Painting it completes the figure in my opinion.
Title: Re: Blood on the Sands [new project]
Post by: Ray Earle on July 12, 2013, 11:16:01 PM
Great looking gladiators.  :D Agree with Malamute, painting the bases will finish them off nicely.
Title: Re: Blood on the Sands [new project]
Post by: Furt on July 12, 2013, 11:46:43 PM
Today ... i have mostly been painting ... Gladiators

ABW Nice John and i are going to have our first game of Blood on the Sands

The gladiators look great! I'd go for painting the bases too.  :)

Looking forward to seeing an AAR.
Title: Re: Blood on the Sands [new project]
Post by: H.M.Stanley on July 13, 2013, 08:58:36 AM
Thanks fellas. I agree with you ~ painting the bases will finish the figures properly ..

Just finishing reading up.

Furt - Gaming on Thursday with AAR to follow  :)
Title: Re: Blood on the Sands [new project]
Post by: H.M.Stanley on July 15, 2013, 08:31:18 AM
Ok, i read through the rules, cut out the counters (my better half threatened to turn the fan on high at one point just to see my reaction ... to be fair, she was gardening while i was swinging the lead  :D*) and solo-tested my first game ready for Nice John on Thurs.

I used a Myrmillo v Thraex. Myrmillo had a little more Stamina, the Thraex was more Skilful.

Lots of back and forth with first blood to the Thraex (even knocking his opponent's helmet off at one stage) but the Myrmillo's armour told in the end with the Thraex eventually exhausted & surrendering. Huge fun and very atmospheric.

Highlight was the Thraex being backed up against a wall for a couple of minutes, keeping his footing and then coming out swinging!

I kept it simple, no Traits but realized after that i had forgotten to apply the Crowd's Favour

An AAR after the game Thurs with photos

PS i bought a cheap 12" cake-base which will form the base of the arena. Just need to work out how best to apply the Hexes (cloth or paper)

*I'd done my bit earlier and had earned brownie-points/time off for good behaviour
Title: Re: Blood on the Sands [new project]
Post by: GordonKhartoum on July 15, 2013, 08:53:01 AM
ANOTHER new project H.M.S. must be the hot weather getting to you.

For the arena how about cutting the hexes from thick card and glueing them on with a small gap between each hex. Sand over the whole lot leaving small recesses between the hexes?

G.K.
Title: Re: Blood on the Sands [new project]
Post by: H.M.Stanley on July 15, 2013, 09:05:01 AM
ANOTHER new project H.M.S. must be the hot weather getting to you.

For the arena how about cutting the hexes from thick card and glueing them on with a small gap between each hex. Sand over the whole lot leaving small recesses between the hexes?

G.K.

That sounds suspiciously doable old boy. Not interested by any chance?  :D
Title: Re: Blood on the Sands [new project]
Post by: Furt on July 15, 2013, 09:21:05 AM
I used a Myrmillo v Thraex. Myrmillo had a little more Stamina, the Thraex was more Skilful.

Lots of back and forth with first blood to the Thraex (even knocking his opponent's helmet off at one stage) but the Myrmillo's armour told in the end with the Thraex eventually exhausted & surrendering. Huge fun and very atmospheric.

Highlight was the Thraex being backed up against a wall for a couple of minutes, keeping his footing and then coming out swinging!

I kept it simple, no Traits but realized after that i had forgotten to apply the Crowd's Favour

An AAR after the game Thurs with photos

Great news that all went fairly smoothly Stanley. Sounds like you experienced a pretty exciting match regardless.  :)

Looking forward to an AAR with lots of pics. Try the Traits next match (if you roll any) and the Crowd Favour is fairly integral to the surrendering (missio) mechanic.

For the arena how about cutting the hexes from thick card and glueing them on with a small gap between each hex. Sand over the whole lot leaving small recesses between the hexes?

Some folks have been getting mdf hexes cut and using them in a similar fashion. I'd hate to have to line them up "square" though.
Title: Re: Blood on the Sands [new project]
Post by: H.M.Stanley on July 19, 2013, 07:01:49 AM
I have some cunning ideas about arena bases incl photocopying the hexes onto sandpaper ...  ;)

First games last night against Nice John.

AAR to follow but here are a couple of photos...

(http://i43.tinypic.com/29uu4xw.jpg)

Right-O, so, from the lofty heights of one casual read through of the rules & a single practice game i felt well qualified to show Nice John the ropes, so to speak.

We had a flick through the main rules again and the basic mechanics of how fights worked. In essence, we decided just to get on with it ...

NJ being a gentleman of a certain size opted to take the Murmillo while i used the lightly armoured & nimble Thraex

We rolled for attributes with John's luck being in scoring 4s on Strength, Stamina & Speed!! (and Prowess) while i rolled a 4 on Skill (Skill is used to attack/defend so it could be worse). Basic stats are 3s

However John roles an Impaired on Traits and Speed (chosen randomly) is knocked back to a 3

John was successful on Initiative and before we could say "oh look at that behind you ..." he was off, bounding in like a good 'un & hacking/slashing with the Gladius at the Thraex. My Thraex, not liking the look of the Parmula (" a shield you say? Really?) defends himself with the Sica.

No Wounds were caused but the Thraex was pushed back and John having the bit between his teeth (one extra d6 attack to  his attack die pool for Pressing) wades in again, and again pushing my figure back dangerously close to the wall.

John runs out of arena dice so it's my part of turn one ...

The Thraex attacks with the Sica. The Murmillo manages to block all attacks but the Sica still wounds (if both scores are equal then the Sica creeps round the edge of the shield and bites home). A deep (3 x) wound to the Murmillo's armoured right arm. And it Bleeds (goes towards Fatigue in time). The Crowd likes this favouring both fighters.

The Murmillo is pushed back and the Thraex expends a movement die to follow up and launches a Targeted attack. The Murmillo was obviously expecting an attack in a different area as another deep wound is caused to the right arm partially disabling it. The Murmillo stumbles backwards dropping his Gladius. the Crowd goes wild!

[EDIT: i have to say at this stage that rolling high really helps especially if your opponent can't roll Defence for toffee and also i'm using an extra die/Skull against John each attack - John rolled three of these. Ouch!]

Turn 2 - the Thraex gets the Initiative and launches an attack ...

The Thraex sensing blood (actually its everywhere) rushes in and causes another bad wound, this time to the torso ...

The Thraex pauses for breath but no there's no need. The Murmillo is already Exhausted [starting Stamina level plus number of Fatigue/Wounds/Bleeding counter (see score sheet below)] .... and pleads to the crowd for mercy although not forced to at this point as he's not yet Spent (we decided to knock this one on the head and have another bash!). The Mermillo is bleeding nicely, which the crowd are liking and the odds are in his favour. Usually an unmodified 8+ is required (to live) on 2d6, here modified to a 6+ because of the two Favours. He pleads to the crowd ... (there's a Carry On joke in there somewhere)

Alas, the crowd are not satisfied and demand satisfaction. "Give him own Gladius" some wag shouts. And the Thraex does ....

Thraex Viktor!!
Title: Re: Blood on the Sands [new project]
Post by: H.M.Stanley on July 19, 2013, 07:04:01 AM
(http://i41.tinypic.com/2nkp74y.jpg)
Title: Re: Blood on the Sands [new project]
Post by: H.M.Stanley on July 19, 2013, 07:10:11 AM
(http://i39.tinypic.com/2mzh2f6.jpg)

Fun, simple quick games.

Incl the solo test, results so far are

Murmillo beat Thaex

Thraex beat Murmillo

Retiarius beat Secutor [and how!] ...

I'll spell out what was happening in the photos later

Cheers,

James
Title: Re: Blood on the Sands [new project]
Post by: Furt on July 19, 2013, 07:53:56 AM
Great to hear James.  :)

Looking forward to a proper AAR soon.

And yes, Retiarius are a bit dangerous - beware.  ;D
Title: Re: Blood on the Sands [new project]
Post by: Malamute on July 19, 2013, 08:22:22 AM


And yes, Retiarius are a bit dangerous - beware.  ;D

Oh goody, just finished painting one last night  :D

Having our first outing next week. AAR to follow.

Looking good H.M. Stanley :)
Title: Re: Blood on the Sands [new project]
Post by: OSHIROmodels on July 19, 2013, 08:34:18 AM
Sandpaper through a a photocopier  :o :o

Might not be the best idea, try it on one at work first  ;)

As Nick said, ours is next week and I'm really looking forward to it even though my ludus members are rubbish  lol

cheers

James
Title: Re: Blood on the Sands [new project]
Post by: Furt on July 19, 2013, 09:02:46 AM
Sandpaper through a a photocopier  :o :o

Might not be the best idea, try it on one at work first  ;)

lol Also be careful not to drag any of your fallen minis across that - it could be disastrous!!  :o

Looking forward to your much awaited AAR also, Nick and James.
Title: Re: Blood on the Sands [new project]
Post by: H.M.Stanley on July 19, 2013, 01:19:33 PM
AAR updated above chaps.

I was kidding about the sandpaper

I have a confession to make ... i didn't take any more photos as the Retiarus and Secutor were newly bought and unpainted

I could tell you the tale of the fight if you wish?

It involves a largish gentleman reaching for the Trident/Net and has a certain look in his eye ... Meanwhile my character dons heavy armour and a rather uncomfortable helmet with very small eye sockets ...

Title: Re: Blood on the Sands [new project]
Post by: John Grant on July 19, 2013, 03:49:47 PM
Any excuse - just because in this particular bout you were so inebriated you couldn't stand up and had to take it laying down.

I'll leave you to expand upon the situation.

 8)
Title: Re: Blood on the Sands [new project]
Post by: H.M.Stanley on July 19, 2013, 04:09:25 PM
Being tripped up by a Net [on defence] and then lying cowering under a sizeable shield is not, surprisingly, a viable tactic against someone armed with a long three-pronged instrument designed for impaling and a point [pun intended] to prove ... [sniff]

John Retreated from my attacks (viable tactic for Retiarius only - the Crowd don't like it!), tripped me in my own turn with the Net [gnashes teeth] and proceeded to pin-cushion me out of the game. All in turn 1

I did get the thumbs up from the Crowd though for Bleeding profusely [grin]

Tomorrow is another day Net Boy  ;)
Title: Re: Blood on the Sands [new project]
Post by: Elbows on July 19, 2013, 07:27:34 PM
Sounds like an absolute blast...I'd love to see more.
Title: Re: Blood on the Sands [new project]
Post by: John Grant on July 19, 2013, 10:45:03 PM
Net Boy  :o

How dare you. You................ .

I'm too much of a gent to put my thoughts into words!

Just wait.
 >:(    ;)
Title: Re: Blood on the Sands [new project]
Post by: Furt on July 19, 2013, 10:59:07 PM
AAR updated above chaps.

Great going guys - sounds like you nailed the rules and had an exciting couple of fights.  :)

John Retreated from my attacks (viable tactic for Retiarius only - the Crowd don't like it!), tripped me in my own turn with the Net [gnashes teeth] and proceeded to pin-cushion me out of the game. All in turn 1

Sounds like John's superior tactics paid off.  ;) Took you down in a single turn?!?! That's got to be a record - we've never had that happen before.  :o

I hope the Retiarius/Secutor fight "felt" different - it obviously played differently! You two are the first to have playtested that pair outside of my group. A tip: Don't ignore an opportunity to try and break the Retiarius' trident.  ;)

Just wait.
 >:(    ;)

Now there's the spirit, right there. Looking forward to more...
Title: Re: Blood on the Sands [new project]
Post by: John Grant on July 21, 2013, 05:50:33 PM
Well the figures were bought on Thursday they have been cleaned (not a lot to do ), based onto 25mm dia. 'washers' and undercoated. Now I just have the painting to do - why do I always get carried away with the thought of new projects?????  Just get one of them finished first and don't go over the top this time that's my message to me.

Thanks James. ;)
Title: Re: Blood on the Sands [new project]
Post by: Elbows on July 21, 2013, 06:57:06 PM
I just had to unclick a shopping cart...I know the feeling.  I need to sort out what I have, before diving after more...sheesh... lol
Title: Re: Blood on the Sands [new project]
Post by: H.M.Stanley on July 21, 2013, 07:21:40 PM
Well the figures were bought on Thursday they have been cleaned (not a lot to do ), based onto 25mm dia. 'washers' and undercoated. Now I just have the painting to do - why do I always get carried away with the thought of new projects?????  Just get one of them finished first and don't go over the top this time that's my message to me.

Thanks James. ;)

It's just a small project. Small but perfectly formed :)
Title: Re: Blood on the Sands [new project]
Post by: Elbows on July 22, 2013, 12:16:39 AM
So what's the deal with the rules set - will it eventually be for sale, or download?  I'd be fine whipping up some sticker decals for dice for the game....was thinking I'd get a head start if this would end up for sale.

Title: Re: Blood on the Sands [new project]
Post by: H.M.Stanley on July 22, 2013, 08:56:40 AM
So what's the deal with the rules set - will it eventually be for sale, or download?  I'd be fine whipping up some sticker decals for dice for the game....was thinking I'd get a head start if this would end up for sale.



You need to contact Furt chap. It's his baby  :)