Pulp Alley multiple leagues at once question

[bobrunnicles]

We're going to be playing our first game of Pulp Alley this weekend hopefully, and the enthusiasm in my group is high enough that we are probably going to have to run games with multiple leagues present on the table at once. Any thoughts as to how to best do that? I'm not sure the 'by the book' opposite sides of the table set-up will work with a multiple leagues. Roll a d4 randomly for what table edge to start at maybe? I'm already thinking we will need a larger than 3x3 table; right now we're looking at a 3x4 table with a coastline on one edge so one of the guys can use his MBA riverboat as a terrain piece to start his league from. I guess if all the plot points are fairly placed (with the main one in the table center) rolling randomly for what side to come on could work, right? I'm open to other ideas right now from anyone that has already played PA with 3+players at once - we will have at least three players and very possibly up to 6 (!).

[gweirda]

Others will, I'm sure, pipe in with more experience, but I'll put in my 2 cents'...

Not sure if you've got it to use, but I use a second Fortune deck -having pairs draw from each- so that the good (and bad) cards are more evenly distributed.

I also made two-player teams, so that placing items/plot points within range of one's own figs applied to one's teammate's - this ensured that the action is close and immediate.*  Of course, since only one team can win, a late-game backstab may occur...but that's not the GM's fault!  ; )

*Along those lines: don't make a bigger table (imo) - six turns is short enough.  Make them get stuck in.


PS - For this sort of thing, I use a modified "trail of clues" scenario with red herrings(in two steps): that way, the first team to gain a clue isn't necessarily on the correct path and the other teams have a chance to find the right one - this keeps the action spread around the table until the very end.

[d phipps]

We don't usually use a larger table until we have more than 4 players. Even then, we seldom go over 4'x4'.

Most of the Pulp Alley scenarios are designed with 2 to 4 players in mind. You can easily add more players by using all 4 sides/corners.

I prefer using the "Lost Keys" or "Soerabaja Manhunt" when I have more than 4 players. The deployment rules for these scenarios, easily handle larger groups.

If I have more than 4 players, I also like to add a second Fortune Deck.

Some players like to reduce the size of the leagues is they have more than 4 players -- giving each player about 5 slots (1 Leader, 1 Sidekick, 1 Ally). Personally, I don't do this -- but it is not a bad idea if you have a lot of new players.

In general, I'd encourage you to do whatever you are most comfortable with and HAVE FUN! 

[oabee]

For what it's worth:

I've done two multi-player scenarios at conventions:

1. Here:  http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=84319.0

Four-player, 3x3 feet table. Modified Snatch and Grab: four minor plot points, major plot point in the center of the table. Major plot point cannot be attempted without getting one of the minor plot points. Each league had 4 characters: leader, sidekick, and 2 allies. Each league started within 6 inches of a corner. This game, including teaching the rules, took less than three hours. Players were two veteran adult wargamers, two teen-aged newbies. No problems, an unexpected twist at the end, and great fun had by all!  

2. Just played last Saturday and will post an AAR here soon: Six-player, 4x4 feet table, Hidalgo Fire scenario. Four minor plot points, major plot point in center of table, players deploy one character at a time until all leagues are deployed; characters may not deploy within 6" of an enemy or a plot point; player with the initiative deploys first. Same type of leagues: leader, sidekick, 2 allies. All six players had D&D experience, but none had miniature wargaming experience: two adults and four teen-agers (2 male, 2 female....the winner was one of the ladies!). Started teaching rules at 9:00 am, started play at 9:30, finished at 1:30. Could have finished sooner, but the adult players(!) played very deliberately. As gamemaster, I did my best--in a positive and humorous way--to speed things along, but not always with success. No problems, great fun had by all!   It was a measure of the players' enjoyment that even though the winner had for all intents and purposes been determined early in turn 6, the other players insisted on playing to the very bitter end....there were many grudges and personal vendettas between the various characters to resolve!  

I have all the available Fortune Card decks....in the six-player game I had to reshuffle in turn 5.

gweirda, I contemplated using the red herring cards, but I chickened out and didn't use them! I wish now that I had!

In both scenarios it was every man--and, er, woman--for himself...er, herself...uh, themselves?   Next time I think I'll try something different...each league paired with one other as uneasy allies, who may not fight each other but may play fortune cards and challenges on each other. Can't let them get too cozy.

Also, we used a protocol for the playing of challenges: the first player to the active players left, or clockwise direction, has first choice whether to play a challenge. If he declines, the next player to the left may play a challenge, and so on. And, of course, the players can talk it over--negotiate, threaten, or cajole--before a challenge is played! Got that idea from Dave in some blog or other.....

[Doug ex-em4]

I started a similar topic a while back and there may be something on there of assistance to you:

http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=84595.0

Doug