Frostgrave - 28mm - Or, a game with no snow in sight!

[toxicpixie]

Interesting you've removed terrain - we're normally looking at piling more on!

[Roy]

Interesting you've removed terrain - we're normally looking at piling more on!

Next game, I'm going to try and get as much terrain finished as I can and see how that plays out. Try and create a nice, maze-like group of alleyways and dead-ends.
It'll be interesting to see if either of us alters our gaming-manner and can tackle the different strategic environment.

[toxicpixie]

From the look of it neither of your warbands are terribly shooty? All of ours are quite shooty in soldiers, and two thirds have wizards with good direct attack spells... (Elemental Ball/Bolt, Bone Dart, Grenade). If you're less worried about the "machine gun Mage and his sniper mates" you can probably get away with less obscuring terrain

We've not found a big imbalance on XP yet, but we've had six consistent players and its evened out ok overall. With just the two of you it could easily unbalance if someone does consistently well. I might keep "treasure XP" but reduce the slaughtered XP so it doesn't become about killing the opposition so much which means no churn over of replacement mooks?

[Womble67]

Really nice looking game

Take care

Andy

[Roy]

Thank you

From the look of it neither of your warbands are terribly shooty? All of ours are quite shooty in soldiers, and two thirds have wizards with good direct attack spells... (Elemental Ball/Bolt, Bone Dart, Grenade). If you're less worried about the "machine gun Mage and his sniper mates" you can probably get away with less obscuring terrain

We've not found a big imbalance on XP yet, but we've had six consistent players and its evened out ok overall. With just the two of you it could easily unbalance if someone does consistently well. I might keep "treasure XP" but reduce the slaughtered XP so it doesn't become about killing the opposition so much which means no churn over of replacement mooks?

To be fair, I've only played the two games, both against the same opponent. So I really need to play more, and against others, before I should judge. Try a few 3+ player games, as well.

Its a good game, and Bodvoc is a great opponent to play and talk with, so I can see me playing more games of Frostgrave.

[toxicpixie]

We've made as few tweaks as possible, really just the turn limit/turn end chance. I try not to fiddle until I've played in depth these days. Too often we've tweaked and fiddled and tweaked to correct and then had to tweak more to compensate and... Ou get the idea

Unless Bodvoc's 10-15 levels up I would t worry too much - your warband will fill up with top class guys pretty quickly even on Grabbing only a couple of treasures a game. And then it's all on the dice. Sorry, tactics But a good direct attack spell for pickin off wounded enemies is a great XP driver if you find/buy a grimoire. I like bone dart as it's easy to cast but still packs a punch!

That say the XP system is something that people talk over regularly so I think tweaking it might well be the way to go if it doesn't feel right for you

[Bodvoc]

Frostgrave is at heart a very simple game, search for treasure, grab treasure and get out of there whilst you are still in one piece. Thus having the experience gained centred around treasure gained makes sense. It would be nice however to be able to develop the other figures in your Warband. My crossbowman for instance is now quite a hero in my eyes but remains just a crossbow man.
I also agree that a few levels difference does not make too great a difference in a game, especially as I am missing my barbarian for the next game. I still think telekenisis is a simple but (over) effective way of getting treasure near your figures making it easier for me to grab.

[Roy]

I still think telekenisis is a simple but (over) effective way of getting treasure near your figures making it easier for me to grab.

Try doing so on this table full of terrain 





















I'm going to out line of sight obscuring terrain on those white bases belonging the 'skywalk', too.

I've no problem with telekinesis or missing out on the treasure - and that's half the problem. I haven't fully grasped the fact that this game isn't like others I've played, and it isn't all about injuring the enemy to advance quickly. Its focused on grave robbing. You're correct that the difference in levels isn't too great a handicap, really, when I think about it.

Bodvoc's crossbowman is a true sniper! and his apprentice loves to show his master up, when he can cast spells and the wizard fails.
My warhounds like to make mad, suicidal charges at the enemy ... and then get splatted 

Oh, apart from finishing off that load of terrain, I'm not building any more.  It wears me out.

[toxicpixie]

Telekinesis came as a nasty surprise to me as well - it often comes up as one of the "is it overpowered" areas. A good use that swiped one from under me was a double wizard then apprentice then grabbed and off! Works even better with a "disposable" zombie as you can then resummon one as it decomposes off table having secured the treasure

Soldier experience - I subscribe to the "improve by buying a better one" - trade the basic crossbowman up to a Marksman. If you want more detail grab a copy of "Sellsword" - there's some interesting scenarios and rules for a Captain who earns a little XP and you can spec up as a shooter or close combat at your desire. Well worth a couple of quid, but not required by any means. Frostgrave is a simple premise and it's all about the Wizards; soldiers are a bit disposable

[Bodvoc]

You have been busy Roy, looks great. Maybe my wizard will find it enchanting!

[toxicpixie]

I like those high level walk-colonade's - very handy! And that gateway piece with the platform. And, and, and

I've found my chaps have generated some personalities as well - my crossbow-captain is a vicious opportunist picking off wounded enemies without mercy. But he knows who is boss - and will cripple a man just so my wizard can dissect him, if desired My quickling and goblin thieves won't fight a man who expects them, but they will run in and job you from behind with glee. And the two knights just say "right up then, one at a time or all together, makes no odds to us" and plonk in front of the whole enemy team, shields up and blades out.