Void Pirates [Play-test Pics Added 5/26/15]

[fourcolorfigs]

OK, I am polishing up the rules for download to PDF, then I will upload them to a site for you guys. Either later today, or maybe tomorrow night.

We shall see!

Thanks!

[fourcolorfigs]

Ok, I now have links for the play-test rules draft, and for the character cards:

https://app.box.com/s/5a5cw1r28iidk4owvcsjx64fgvpaenlo

https://app.box.com/s/iw3ibhh1nckqxmwboctihfyk0jn8joa2


What I am looking for are folks to play some games and run through some post-battle segments. A mini-campaign, if you will.

I will take what I can get, feedback-wise, however.     I know folks are busy.

The plan as it stands is for a simple, single column layout. No frills. A few neat pieces of art. Alex and Carrie's dynamite cover, of course. And I am thinking of an A4 sized hardcover. Lulu will be the source.

Do folks prefer standard 8.5" x 11"?   This book will not be so large, so it would be awfully thin at that size. That is why I am leaning toward a smaller, black and white hardcover.

Let me know what you all think!

Thanks!

[fourcolorfigs]

Some really good news!  Joe D. has found the time to work with me on layout for VP, so things are now accelerated a bit.

If you have feedback on what you've seen or played so far, let me know ASAP.

Thanks!

Oh, and here's Alex Cook and Carrie Posing's amazing image for the back cover!

[fourcolorfigs]

Latest play-test doc updated!

https://app.box.com/s/5a5cw1r28iidk4owvcsjx64fgvpaenlo

Changes include:

-- Changed the Energy Blast special trait to "Natural Ranged Attack" and removed its Chance Roll to work

-- Added section on Building Beasts and included 3 sample creatures

-- Removed Inspiration from the Hero model type and made it a special trait choice


Thanks for looking!

[James Holloway]

If I can find the time in the next week or two I will try to give it a go! It looks like a lot of fun.

[James Holloway]

OK, so we have just played our first game! It was fast and characterful and a lot of fun. We did have a few questions:

1) The post-battle sequence includes a reference to "henchmen groups." I get that henchmen is another name for troopers, but what is a henchman group?

2) Overwatch of some kind would be handy. Possibly it exists and I just missed it.

3) I found that group creation was kind of a pain in the butt because of the need to flip through different sections to calculate each total. A big table with all the weapons or abilities that modify these totals would be handy. Perhaps it would be too complex, though?

4) I found myself wanting more *stuff* -- grenades in particular, perhaps?

I'll try to give it another go soon and put up the photos in a bit.

[Dr Mathias]

A friend of mine is doing graduate work in technical writing, specifically working on rule sets. Mind if I pass him the info?

[fourcolorfigs]

OK, so we have just played our first game! It was fast and characterful and a lot of fun. We did have a few questions:

1) The post-battle sequence includes a reference to "henchmen groups." I get that henchmen is another name for troopers, but what is a henchman group?

Orphan reference from another GS rules set. I will need to take that out!

2) Overwatch of some kind would be handy. Possibly it exists and I just missed it.

I could re-imagine the old Held Action rules and make this happen.

3) I found that group creation was kind of a pain in the butt because of the need to flip through different sections to calculate each total. A big table with all the weapons or abilities that modify these totals would be handy. Perhaps it would be too complex, though?

Some kind of summary table would be useful. I'll work on it!

4) I found myself wanting more *stuff* -- grenades in particular, perhaps?

Yes, we can steal these from Blasters & Bulkheads and throw them in.   

I'll try to give it another go soon and put up the photos in a bit.

Thanks!

[James Holloway]

One other thing -- there are so many things that can affect your movement rate (e.g. armour, jump packs, being injured) that a space for movement on the character card would be very handy. Again, not a huge point, but it would be convenient!

I have posted a blog post about our game with photos here:

http://gonzohistorygaming.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/void-pirates.html

I don't talk a lot about the system, but I'm going to try to do so in a future post.

[fourcolorfigs]

Awesome report!  And good feedback on the Movement thing. I will try to get that on the sheet. We can make room!

My goal with this iteration was faster play, but still the idea of character and unique quality for models. Did this work in this way for you?

[James Holloway]

Yes, I think so! I did goof up a bit and make one side not quite diverse enough in terms of personality. I think I skimped a bit on character creation. I will do it in more detail before the next go 'round.

[fourcolorfigs]

I updated the play-test PDF this morning.

Mainly, I added a post-battle quest for hero type models, and adjusted the upkeep cost of models with the Massive special trait--they count as two models in terms of upkeep now.

I also added grenades and rules for radius attacks, as per request!

https://app.box.com/s/5a5cw1r28iidk4owvcsjx64fgvpaenlo


Thanks for looking!

[fourcolorfigs]

Also, James, I just remembered to add your name to the play-testers credits.   

So that will appear in the next update! Anybody else who actually plays a game, send me your name and I will add you as well!

[Diakon]

Hey late to this thread but I've just downloaded the playtest version 3 from that last link and will try and get a few games in over next couple of weeks.

[fourcolorfigs]

Hey late to this thread but I've just downloaded the playtest version 3 from that last link and will try and get a few games in over next couple of weeks.

Thanks! We're looking at layout styles now, so we have a bit of time yet. But not too much!

Again, I am thinking this book will look very much like an old-school D&D or Traveller digest sized book. Single column layout, very spare in its design.

I hope to play a game or two this weekend too!