Strange Aeons: Second Edition...

[Mason]

An index would be nice too 

CP (Character Points) and EP (Equipment Points)/BP (Build Points) both work for me.

These would bemy main points, too.
Introducing the game to a new player, it is always explaining the BP/BP thing that causes some consternation.

And an index HAS to go in there.
The two games that I play the most (SA and Mordheim) both lack that feature, which can be infuriating at times.

I also think that the Fear thing can work heavily against the Lurker player at times, with the object victim running away, leaving the charger to be gunned down in the following turn.
Maybe a small tweak there...


As for the AI thing for Solo play: I have an idea for that that I think will work and be simple to use and not always predictable.
It was developed for the movement of Zombies in Solo play, but with various tables should work for all Lurker types.
I will send you a PM over the weekend about this, Uncle Mike, for your perusal.

[blacksmith]

Possibiliy of solo gaming.
Pdf version.

[Mason]

Possibiliy of solo gaming.

Will get that solo system idea over to you soon, Uncle Mike.
Not had time to get it all down in a clear format. Pics of my scribbles would not be good.
I am pretty sure that you will like the idea, easily workable.

[Snugger]

I'm also very interested in a pdf-option. Since that is the one and only reason I have not bought the game yet.

[Za Zjurman]

I'm also very interested in a pdf-option.

+1 (it might also get you more European gamers/buyers)

[Pseudopod]

I got excited when I found this post. A 2nd edition would be great.

I have a few ideas about the game so thought I'd throw in.

1) I agree with the BP/BP confusion, it'd be good to rename them something along the lines of Recruitment and Equipment points.

2) A 2d6 Insanity Table. I like the insanity in Strange Aeons and would like to see more insanity, since more insanity leads to more hilarity! Attacking oneself? Temporarily losing statistics? Worsening the resolve of your fellow man? Temporarily forgetting skills? There's a lot that could be tried. It might serve to reduce the frequency that Frenzy comes up too which may be a good thing.

3) More opportunities for trophies and clearer description of the re-equipment phase. The re-equipment phase was the single most confusing area of the rules for us when we got into playing the game and I think it'd be a good idea to flesh it out in 2nd edition. Would it be possible to win BP in scenarios? This would represent resources recovered from cultists or the increased funding of the Threshold due to the heightened seriousness of the threat they face. For example you might gain 3 equipment points after a scenario that may be spent to re-equip the list.

4) Threshold HQ. It'd be good for customisation to have some persistent bonuses/ limitations dependent on facilities that are available to the Threshold. I guess it's all getting a bit Necromunda at this point but I thought it'd be good for the flavor of the game to flesh out the organisation aspect of the Threshold agency and add a little extra detail to the post-game phases.

I have other ideas too but need to ponder them a little longer!

[Oldben1]

I agree when it comes to solo gaming.  The PDF is a good idea too, especially since I have access to a fancy printer at work!

[Irishrover13]

I agree when it comes to solo gaming.  The PDF is a good idea too, especially since I have access to a fancy printer at work!

The Morbid adventure PDF contains solo play rules.

Cheers,

Irish

[Cherno]

I also would like to see more insanity. It's not fun as Lurker to charge with a fishman only to have to victom "fail" his morale test half of the time and just move back out of range  

Regarding A.I. for solo or coop play, I might have posted this here elsewhere but I'll just add it again. One of the best A.I. mechanics is the one from the Gears of War boardgame. Each enemy type has one or more cards, those cards will control his behavior. They are drawn randomly from the assembled deck. On a card, you would typically have a text that ask wether one of two circumstances is true (for example, if the enemy sees at least one investigator, or none). Depending on this, the enemy acts. Maybe he would just move towards the nearest investigator with or without taking cover, or he might heal himself a little, or he might charge, make a ranged attack, move towards the nearest command figure, and so on. It is quick and gives good results with the need for endless charts. Different enemy types can get a different behaviors (or even a range of related behaviors), such as a Snakeman mage staying back and hurling spells most of the time, and a Werewolf flanking and staying hidden until it it in charging range, and a zombie always moving forward.





Edit: And yes, the BP/BP thing has to go

[black hat miniatures]

+1 (it might also get you more European gamers/buyers)

You do know that we sell SA in Europe?

Mike

www.blackhat.co.uk

[Sheerluck Holmes]

The Morbid adventure PDF contains solo play rules.

Cheers,

Irish

It is more along the lines of a paragraph saying you can play the game solo as opposed to an actual set of rules explaining how to do so.

[Oldben1]

Hey Sheerluck, I have been looking a lot at your solo rules for my own games.  I'm thinking about shrinking the board size as well.  I also need to figure out a lurker A.I. system that I like too.  Something with dice I guess.

[Sheerluck Holmes]

Hey Sheerluck, I have been looking a lot at your solo rules for my own games.  I'm thinking about shrinking the board size as well.  I also need to figure out a lurker A.I. system that I like too.  Something with dice I guess.

G'day Oldben - I have replied to your PM in regards to the solo system, and happy to share ideas.

[Van-Helsing]

As a "Noob" to strange Aeons (but not new to Wargaming) I would say more Mythos Creature Profiles (you've got Nightgaunts, Ghouls, and even a Godling in there - where are my Mi-Go dangnabbit LoL), rules for Lurkers to improve between games, solid Solo Play rules.

[Ballardian]

Perhaps a slight tweak to the double-barreled shotgun, currently a bit of a no-brainer inclusion. Two fire modes; "give 'em both barrels" (using the current two shots & requiring an action to reload) and a single shot (with the standard shotgun profile).