Recently an episode of the popular PLP Tv programme Surgeon Vous was recreated at the Sad Muppet Society. Using the superb 7tv rules were used and the mission played was Vendetta from the summer special. The casts were as follows:
The Surgeon (Unearthly Traveller)
MDHSAIM
6433465
Alien, Luck(2), Pyschic, Boffin, Infiltrator, Gadgets, Honour Bound, Invumnerable(1), Alien Physiology [45 Ratings]
Brawl 4+
Emily Alake (Plucky Assistant)
MDHSAIM
6323534
Concealment, Luck(1), Plucky, Leader(1), Dodge, Screamer
Brawl 5+, Katana (2 Handed Weapon) 5+ [25 ratings]
Dr Melody Lake (Special Guest Star (Summer Special)) [60 Ratings}
Astronaut Commander with Laser Pistol [29 Ratings]
3 x Astronauts + Laser Pistol [63 Ratings]
Astronaut + Laser Rifle [22 Ratings]
[243 Ratings]
They faced off against those most famous of villains, The Vardeks led by their creator Vardos:
Vardos (Otherworldly Invader)
MDHSAIM
4534354
Alien, Infiltrator, Luck (2), Mechanoid, Energy Blast, Invulnerable(2), Love to Hate, Unearthly Constitution
Brawl 4+
Disintegrator Gun 5+ [76 Ratings]
3 x Vardaks (Inhuman Servitor)
MDHSAIM
4624345
Alien, Concealment, Forcefield 5+, Mechanoid, A Good Offence, Eagle Eyes, Love to Hate
Brawl 4+
Alien Rifle 4+ [58 Ratings each]
[250 Ratings]
A disparity of 7 ratings but for a demo game it was fine. We randomised deployment areas as per the table in the BRB, both sides getting a 12" deployment zone facing each other. Dave took control of Vardos and his forces, Martin took the Surgeon and his brave band of hangers on. It was decided that the vendetta would be between Vardos and The Surgeon. Both sides deployed as follows:
The band oh Humans clumped together on the dune and Vardos' forces spread themselves thinly across the cratered area, making use of the cover to conceal themselves from the heavily armed opponents. The Surgeon then played his 'Travel Montage' event card and the humans moved towards their opponents
The game started with the forces of evil getting the first turn and 2 of the Vardeks opened fire. An astronaut was duly 'ELIMINATE!ed.' Before the heroic cast could respond Vardos used his own event card, 'Self Destruct' upon the heroes, it scattered slightly thus missing all of the astronauts, however both The Surgeon and Dr Melody Lake took a wound. Picking themselves up the heroes moved towards the Vardeks. Unable to see the concealed Vardeks the pistol armed Astronauts and Melody opened fire on Vardos but a combination of terrible accuracy, Invulnerable(2) and Unearthly constitution saved the crazed inventor from harm.
The following turn suprised both the Martin and myself as 2 of the Vardeks backed off, firing ineffectually at the oncoming astronauts. Meanwhile the Surgeons forces closed in on Vardos, thier combined fire still bouncing off of the evil alien.
Finally seizing the initiative the heroic cast started their offensive, Dr Melody Lake let loose a capture bubble which caught the Vardek hiding amongst the crystal trees. The luckless alien killing machine was instantly teleported far from the battle line. She then advanced towards Vardos, photonic spanner raised menacingly, unfortunately for her the crater proved to be too dangerous to charge through The rest of the heroic cast followed behind laser pistols bouncing off of Vardos and one of the Vardeks (who had left the cover of the crater and thus became a viable target). In response Vardos backed up a little and fired his dintegrator gun at The Surgeon. After using luck to make said shot miss (narrow escape!) the Surgeon breathed a sigh of relief
This was to be short lived, a moment later Vardos changed weaponry and an energy blast flew through the air taking out Dr Melody Lake! At this point a Vardek finally achieved something with what had been largely ineffective fire throughout and shot the astronaut commander. The response by the Surgeon and his stalwart companions was swift. They started by using another event card 'Reinforcements' Another Astronaut commander and rifle armed astronaut appeared behind the Vardek lines! [2 Victory points to the Vardek cast as that is the drawback of using said event card]
The astronauts then combined their fire power and the sheer weight of shots was enough to turn a Vardek into nothing more than a heap of molten slag. Following this The Surgeon moved towards Vardos with a cunning gleam in his eye; seconds later he activated the Sonic Stunner he was carrying stunning the evil genius. Unfortunately in the end phase Vardos revcoverd and also passed his Shaken test (thanks to a luck point) The Vadek remained captured
Vardos backed off, once more shooting at The Surgeon with the disintegrator gun ineffectually. The foolhardy ChronoLord followed him, unable to get close enough to hit his nemesis. Emily also charged across, katana held high, the loose rocks on the crater floor proving to be real hindrance as she too was stopped short. Meanwhile the astronauts again combined thier firepower to reduce the only other active Vardek into a pile of wreckage. The end phase came and went, Vardos again using luck to stay in the game. The other Vardek finally released itself from the remnants of the capture bubble (note to self: if captured in a bubble don't try to escape with a sink plunger)
Sensing a victory the astronauts and Emily turned towards Vadros. A blistering lightshow lit up the sky for miles as every laser based weapon was fired at Vardos. When the smoke cleared the alien leader was reduced to his last wound. Feeling suitably miffed Vardos used his miniature toolkit to repair himself (thus recovering a wound and shot Emily with an energy blast, causing a wound to the brave lady. The Surgeon had backed away, out of Vardos' line of sight and range. Out of luck points it was a nervy shaken check for Vardos but he passed and the game continued apace.
Following the damage he had taken the following turn it seemed Vardos was finally angry, he shot Emily with an energy blast and then charged (trundled) into the astronaut leader killing them both. In return 2 of the astronauts aimed and fired their laser pistols at him, to no effect. The end phase came, so did another passed shaken test
At this point, leaderless and too far away from the Surgeon to hear his advice the red mist descended on the astronauts. Ranged attacks didn't seem to work so they started to charge the alien using their pistols
This was only ever going to end in tears and over the next 3 turns they were picked off piecemeal, the only thing that happened of note was Vardos failing his shaken test and the remaining Vardak was removed from the field of play. The other fun bit was the inevitable '1' to hit with a pistol resulting in an astronaut shooting himself in the face.
As the dust settled the Surgeon prepared to enter his S.T.A.R.D.U.S.T (Standard Time And Related Dimensions Universal Spatial Transporter) and Vardos was left to survey the battlefield, quietly fuming the ineffectiveness of the Vardaks
Totting up VPs, Vadros won by 1 point. Close and brutal. Some strange moments. The most bizarre was the Vardaks backing off and leaving Vardos to face the music, however watching the Surgeon come to within a hairs breadth of being disintegrated twice was laso amusing. The vendetta will continue
On a side note I'm pretty happy with the not-dalek, not-davros and not-doctor builds though
August 28, 2007, 01:01:50 PM
