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Other Stuff => Workbench => Topic started by: Dr DeAth on October 27, 2013, 11:43:59 AM

Title: Markers and counters
Post by: Dr DeAth on October 27, 2013, 11:43:59 AM
Been making some markers for a forthcoming game.

The laser cut squares are designed to hold small dice which will give a value the marker a value of 1-6. By using different colour dice a greater range of scores can be achieved e.g. white = 1-6, red = 7-12, blue 13-18 etc.

Laser-cut squares glued to coins (these are magnetic to aid storage)

(http://www.consolemonkey.plus.com/wip-shock-marker01.jpg)

Basing mix (I use brown decorators caulk topped with sand) added around the outside of the dice holders, taking care not to get any inside or the dice won't fit.  Then suitable scenic items were added. In this case I've used some medieval weapons and shields from Magister Militium's Shield and Weapons ranges http://www.magistermilitum.com/prodtype.asp?PT_ID=978&strPageHistory=cat (http://www.magistermilitum.com/prodtype.asp?PT_ID=978&strPageHistory=cat) as the markers are for a Robin Hood game.

(http://www.consolemonkey.plus.com/wip-shock-marker02.jpg)

When the basing was dry I sprayed them dark brown and drybrused with my usual basing colours.

(http://www.consolemonkey.plus.com/wip-shock-marker03.jpg)

After finishing the scenic items with shield transfers and paint I added static grass.

(http://www.consolemonkey.plus.com/aorh-marker-group.jpg)

Just need a coat of matt varnish to seal the grass and protect the paintwork

(http://www.consolemonkey.plus.com/aorh-marker-shock4.jpg)(http://www.consolemonkey.plus.com/aorh-marker-shock6.jpg)

Also made a few 'unloaded' and 'out of arrows' markers using the same method but without the dice holders

(http://www.consolemonkey.plus.com/aorh-marker-unloaded.jpg)(http://www.consolemonkey.plus.com/aorh-marker-noarrows.jpg)

Dr D



 
Title: Re: Markers and counters
Post by: Operator5 on October 27, 2013, 01:32:11 PM
Like the idea for holding dice. I may have to do that at some point.

And the final pieces turned out really well.
Title: Re: Markers and counters
Post by: zizi666 on October 27, 2013, 03:24:43 PM
Had the same idea recently.
In time, I'll create my own dead markers for my 15mm WW2 Canadians.
1 body and room for a small D6.
I was thinking of a simple square cut out from a disc, but I like your approach.  8)
Title: Re: Markers and counters
Post by: aggro84 on October 27, 2013, 03:37:18 PM
Those look great!
That's a very cool idea!
 :-*
Title: Re: Markers and counters
Post by: mikedemana on October 27, 2013, 04:04:35 PM
They look great, but you could take it one step further and eliminate the dice. Have what you put on the flocked pieces represent what you're keeping track of. For example, a solid shield is one hit. A shield with two "fields" (two colors) is two, one that is quartered is four, and so on.

It can be applied to other game mechanics, too. I have a friend who plays Two Hour Wargames. The Rep of the figure (usually 3-5) is all-important. He flocked the figures with small stones. Three stones for a Rep 3, four for Rep 4, and so on.

To me, the game aids should add to the look of the table - not detract. That said, those are some very nice markers! If I had to have dice next to figs, I'd want them to look like those...!

Mike Demana
Title: Re: Markers and counters
Post by: Dave C on October 27, 2013, 05:00:38 PM
Love the idea, but I am curious as to where you got your laser cut dice holders from?

Title: Re: Markers and counters
Post by: OSHIROmodels on October 27, 2013, 05:19:27 PM
Have what you put on the flocked pieces represent what you're keeping track of. For example, a solid shield is one hit. A shield with two "fields" (two colors) is two, one that is quartered is four, and so on.

That's what I suggested; but alas, to no avail  ;D

cheers

James
Title: Re: Markers and counters
Post by: fastolfrus on October 27, 2013, 06:34:46 PM
Love the idea, but I am curious as to where you got your laser cut dice holders from?

Don't know where he got them from but I saw some today at Fiasco.
Called dice frames available from Minibits (www.minibits.net), come in 5/7/10/12mm sizes.
Title: Re: Markers and counters
Post by: fastolfrus on October 27, 2013, 06:37:01 PM
Dr D - surprised at you using coins like that.
I had heard that it was bad luck to use the head - hope it doesn't jinx your army.
Title: Re: Markers and counters
Post by: Dr DeAth on October 27, 2013, 08:25:59 PM
They look great, but you could take it one step further and eliminate the dice. Have what you put on the flocked pieces represent what you're keeping track of. For example, a solid shield is one hit. A shield with two "fields" (two colors) is two, one that is quartered is four, and so on.

It can be applied to other game mechanics, too. I have a friend who plays Two Hour Wargames. The Rep of the figure (usually 3-5) is all-important. He flocked the figures with small stones. Three stones for a Rep 3, four for Rep 4, and so on.

To me, the game aids should add to the look of the table - not detract. That said, those are some very nice markers! If I had to have dice next to figs, I'd want them to look like those...!

Mike Demana
That's what I suggested; but alas, to no avail  ;D

cheers

James

When I sat down to work things through, with the intent of using the coloured shields that jimbibbly and I discussed, I went with the dice for the following reasons:


That's not to say that colour coded shields/designs and or stones aren't a good idea, I think they are; just not for marking shock when there's 20+ units on the table  :D



Title: Re: Markers and counters
Post by: YPU on October 27, 2013, 08:32:07 PM
Its been a while but I recal reading somewhere on BGG that having tokens in 1,3,7  (I believe) markings allows you to note values with fewer tokens then say 1,5,10 you might find in some games. Worth thinking about if anybody else is making their own markers.

That interesting note aside, I love the look of these. I have found that having random dice on the board sometimes get snatched up for a quick roll. Having these markers makes it clear the dice has a function AND creates some nice battlefield debris.
Title: Re: Markers and counters
Post by: fastolfrus on October 27, 2013, 10:07:32 PM
I think the dice frames I saw at Fiasco were intended to be fixed to figure bases/movement trays, the suggestion being that you have them as part of the unit base and then they move with the unit rather than trailing along behind.
Title: Re: Markers and counters
Post by: Dr DeAth on October 28, 2013, 05:02:15 AM
Don't know where he got them from but I saw some today at Fiasco.
Called dice frames available from Minibits (www.minibits.net), come in 5/7/10/12mm sizes.

That's the one's I used, the 7mm size.
Title: Re: Markers and counters
Post by: Elk101 on October 28, 2013, 07:28:35 AM
I like the counters; very smart. Those dice frames would be great for our artillery loading rules. Nice find.