7th Voyage Question

[Arundel]

I have a quick question regarding 7th Voyage I'm hoping one of you may be able to help me with. When distributing activation tokens at the beginning of the turn, does a player have to give one to each engaged model as well, or do they activate automatically? On the one hand it seems rather strange men in combat can't do anything unless officially activated, but then, if they don't automatically get them, it does raise some added tactical issues. I'd appreciate guidance!

If anyone reading this is familiar with Otherworld skirmish, the answer may be the same in that as well. I think it's by the same design team.

[SgtHulka]

Everyone's probably like me and was hoping someone more expert could answer. But since no one's responded yet, I might as well jump in.

I haven't played 7th Voyage, but I have been playing Otherworld. To my understanding you do not automatically get a token if you're engaged. That's a resource that you have to spend, and you could choose not to spend it on an engaged figure.

I could see an instance where you wouldn't want to spend it. Like, if I had a figure with heavy armor and a shield, but with a really low strength, engaged with something that was invulnerable, I suppose I might choose not to activate, hoping my armor save will keep that figure safe. Or, I might engage something with a giant rat (which iirc is only worth 3 gp) just to stop an important enemy figure from moving, with no plans to spend an activation token on the rat, basically just sacrificing it.

The way I personally interpret the activation tokens is those are the figures that are taking the initiative that turn, screwing up their courage and taking the fight to the enemy. For those engaged who don't get an activation token, they're concentrating entirely on defending themselves and cowering.

[Andym]

No, I'm afraid you don't 'automatically' get an activation token just because you're in combat. The way round it is to try and have your leaders with their 'Leader' skill within 6" of your guys in a fight, then you can use their extra leader activations to help.

[psullie]

both Andy and the Sgt have it correct, activation is not automatic. Originally this represented where the 7TV crew could focus their camera and all the action:engine games have followed suit, Sgt's interpretation is good too - activations are just where the important action is

To echo Andym's comments about Leader & Follower activations, this is a major tactical part of the game - maximising your activations by keeping your faction/cast together

Arundel,
Otherworld is almost the same game as 7th Voyage, the core rules are the same and most of the archetypes, monsters etc could easily make an appearance in either game. There are a few minor changes and Otherworld has a whole new bit to make it particular to 'dungeon bashing'. But I see no reason why your greek heroes can't pop down to Homlet and see what's going on at the nearby temple

[wulfgar22]

Otherworld is almost the same game as 7th Voyage, the core rules are the same and most of the archetypes, monsters etc could easily make an appearance in either game. There are a few minor changes and Otherworld has a whole new bit to make it particular to 'dungeon bashing'. But I see no reason why your greek heroes can't pop down to Homlet and see what's going on at the nearby temple

That's the beauty of it...you can mix Otherworld with the Ancient World or Middle-East Sword & Sandals (7th Voyage), Epic Dark Ages or Medieval Romance (7th Voyage Once and Future) Witches and Gothic Horror (7th Voyage The Witching Hour) and Pirates, Conquistadors and Samurai in the Age of Exploration (7th Voyage Beyond the Seven Seas written by a certain Mr psullie and which I was lucky enough to do a bit of playtesting for!)...the possibilities are endless!

[Arundel]

Thank you all for the replies! I've actually been playing it that way--that an activation has to be spent if engaged figures are to fight--so I'm proud at least I had it right. The problem was, I've played in other games where they DO automatically activate, and started to have insecurities I was doing it wrong. Whew!

Totally agree on how flexible these rules are. I wish I saw them mentioned a little more. I've been seriously tempted by The Otherworld rules but so far have remained strong. I agree, however, with Psullie that there is some real potential in Greek-themed dungeon bashing: you've got minotaurs just for starters, then, with Harryhausen as inspiration, there is Medusa, critters like scorpions and snakes...the possibilities are endless. Then they could nip across to Egypt for some good healthy tomb raiding. I think I may need to start working on this. It could prove  fun to snap out of the Northern European atmosphere of dungeon bashing for a while. Not that there is anything wrong with it, of course, but there can be joy, sometimes, in thinking outside the box.

But then, I could do BOTH. Must stop this...

Thank you again for the input!

[SgtHulka]

...and Samurai in the Age of Exploration (7th Voyage Beyond the Seven Seas written by a certain Mr psullie and which I was lucky enough to do a bit of playtesting for!)...the possibilities are endless!

Oooh...I didn't realize Beyond included Samurai...I thought it was just pirates. Does it also support Wuxia style play?

[wulfgar22]

Oooh...I didn't realize Beyond included Samurai...I thought it was just pirates. Does it also support Wuxia style play?

It's more Shogun...

[psullie]

Oooh...I didn't realize Beyond included Samurai...I thought it was just pirates. Does it also support Wuxia style play?

Hi Sgt
Alas we didn't get around to Chinese mythology with Beyond the Seven Seas as the focus was the age of exploration. It does cover Three Musketeers, Conquistadores and Aztec, Early Shogunate Japan, rules for ships and ship-to-ship actions, gunpowder weapons and yes Pirates.

I've attached a screen shot of the contents for your info

[Arundel]

Ooh, Chinese and Japanese mythology/folklore has real potential! Well done!

[deathjester25]

If I already have otherworld skirmish would beyond the seven seas be of use by itself or would I still need the core 7th voyage rules?  I'm really looking for a way to add some of my mordheim and LAF bruegelburg minis into the game.

[psullie]

As Otherworld and 7th Voyage are so close you could probably get a lot of use out of Bt7S, there may be a few references that wouldn't match up; traits and minor profiles, but on the whole it's compatible.