Blog Comments

Lays-gun. I've always pronounced it like "lass" or "laz," but i've been hearing people pronounce it with the long "a."

First off, I really love these posts Ed. Second off I can't agree with you more about some of the drawbacks with the new terrain system. While it does have its drawbacks, however, I must say I do prefer it to the old system or the way 40k is currently done. Before getting into that though I will go back to the negatives, and more importantly how I've been dealing with them.

The first problem I see, and that you point out, is the randomness. I feel like a full d6 variance is just too much. One thing I have been messing around with in my head is a way to include this randomness but in a more statistically consistent way. Right now my favorite method (and this may seem odd) is to do 2d3+3 rather than a single d6. This maintains the minimum number of 5 pieces while dropping the max to 9 pieces. Another thing it does is put a heavier probability on a number like 7 over lets say 9. This is compared to the current system where you have just as likely a chance to get 10 pieces as you do 5 or 8. I find this to be a nice solution because it still allows for the absurdly terrain heavy games that challenge the way you think, but they don't come along as often.

The second big problem is the lack of definition in terrain size. I have seen forests that block LOS to a third of the table and I have seen forests that look something like one of gork or mork's toenail clippings (when they are felt forests of course). I wish there was an easy way to solve this, but honestly I see this as more of a good thing in the end. If I roll 9 or 10 pieces of terrain I am naturally going to pick smaller pieces of terrain (a mausoleum for the haunted mansion), but if I roll a 5 I take it as a good excuse to pull out slightly more grand looking terrain (A converted building for the haunted mansion). These two problems seem to have a way of balancing each other out. What really does bug me however is how some stuff is defined and some isn't. There are no guidelines about how large a forest should be, but obstacles are always 3 6" segments (which they fail to explain if they need to be placed touching each other or not).

The last problem that I have with it is the sheer insanity of the random system at times. You seem to allude to this briefly but don't really confront it when you mention the sheer number of special rules to keep track of. What really gets me is that you could technically have a game where there is a settlement of order right next to a settlement of chaos and in between them of course you have a blood forest and a river of light. Not to mention the elven waystone, charnel pit, dwarven pub, shrine to sigmar, haunted mansion, and wizard's tower. in theory not only is this possible, but it is also completely acceptable in the current rules. My problem is it makes no g-d sense. Another example of this, pulled from a real game, is a game in which we rolled up 10 pieces of terrain. Of those 10 pieces there were 2 rivers and 4 sets of obstacles. This not only makes getting across the table at any reasonable speed a challenge, but it also completely shuts down certain units like knights while giving a huge advantage to anything that flies or ignores terrain. I understand that this is part of working around terrain, but when it gets to that level of excessiveness it just gets discouraging. So for this reason I not only condone, but encourage, people to reroll dice results that seem excessive or nonsensical. The point of terrain is to facilitate a fun unique battle not to shut down certain armies or make you scratch your head and wonder why the hell there is a blessed bulwark surrounding a charnel pit.

Now onto the good things. The first and foremost thing I have to say about the new system is that I have never had two games that felt similar terrain wise. This keeps the experience fresh and new while also keeping me on my toes as a general. Not only are we away from the boring two forests a hill and a building set up, but we are now experiencing battlefields unique to the game system. To fight over a sigmarite shrine or to garrison a dwarven brew pub brings a whole new level of excitement and adventure to the game.

Building off of this, not only is there now a greater variety of terrain, but with the in game effects it makes terrain more interesting. This has been a great boon to my drive to create good looking proper terrain. I want to have a terrain set that can handle nearly every battlefield. An example of this is that I bought the Garden of Moor set specifically because there is now such a thing as a ghost fence rather than there being only simple obstacles.

Anyway I've been going on for way to long so I'll wrap it up. Thanks for the thoughtful insight Ed, and I look forward to seeing if anyone else has any thoughts.

I agree. I have only played 3 games at haven but when i did play people only got what looked cool. It was not the way I pictured the game. But its not just at haven alot of videos I watch online are boring with no terrain or very little. I am making some of my own terrain along with trying to paint my imperial fists bc I would like to have more of a challenge. People make the game seem boring and non-realistic. Maybe its just me and my overreactive imagination

I feel much the same way Ed. I will be addressing 40k as it is the game I am focusing on the most as of now. It seems as if terrain has become an afterthought. Not only does the typical game completely lose sight of anything other than 4+ cover saves, but the amount of terrain used is severely lacking as well. It seems as if the typical game consists of 2-4 ruins a hill or two and maybe, if you are lucky, some foliage or small walls. Whenever I see a game set up like this it makes me feel sad. 40k is not a game that is meant to be played on wide open fields. Even the rule book suggests that "As a general rule [...] the more terrain, the better the gaming experience". To me this is one of the leading causes for my least favorite parts of the hobby, stagnant meta game, and stagnant gaming experiences. More terrain, and more diversified terrain for that matter, makes for more interesting games and allows for balance to be created amongst the armies. Perhaps power armor armies wouldn't be so popular if they couldn't just stand and shoot across the board or if they had to deal with dangerous terrain which ignores armor. Having to make decisions and such based around terrain makes each game as unique and thought provoking as the terrain you put on the table as well. Don't get me wrong, I'm not expecting a game like 40k to be deeply strategic or balanced, but terrain can help. So I am all for the use of more terrain and more diversified terrain. In my eyes it does nothing but make the game better.

And this is why the True Eldar will rule the galaxy.

Sounds like a Corsican to me...

My Dearest Prince Theodor,

I pray this letter finds you well, although I wish I was writing to you with better tidings. Word from the north has reached my lands that there is peasant uprising in your lands. I am most apologetic for this insolent annoyance, and offer you whatever you need to crush these ungrateful sods. If the rumors I hear are true this Marcus has marshaled quite a considerable force, including many of your former men at arms and bow levies. I’ve also heard rumors of a large wooden structure - possibly a trebuchet – traveling with his “army”, which would not be surprising considering their cowardly actions thus far.

At this very moment my trusted standard bearer, Sir Aiden the Brave, is marshaling his own House’s knights and levying men at arms and bowman - he simply awaits my word to ride to your aide. Also with Sir Aiden is Lady Corinne, a Damsel of the Lady; though she is still young, my own eyes have seen her gift-she is truly touched by our Goddess. While Sir Aiden rides I will continue to organize our growing forces and prepare to lead the Army myself. More men are rallying here in Carcassonne ever day - Houses Havelock and Theudis of my lands have pledged knights and their retainers, and Lord Malagant of Parravon has promised a number of his Pegasus Knights. Levies are being called up, and the Le Cite Watch is also being mobilized. Once our armies are arrayed Prince we will ride together and crush this rabble.

Until then you must remain steadfast against those who have betrayed you and know that those who do not honor their vows to their lords have no special place in the heart of the Lady, and will receive their justice in this life and the next. Your kingdom has always been a trusted ally and friend of Carcassonne, and we rise to this chance to ride to war with you once more.

Very Respectfully,

Huebald

Duke of Carcassonne

Thanks, guys!

I have to admit, an actual Bretonnian army to rebel against would be a lot of fun!

This is awesome Ed..you may have inspired me to build a REAL Bretonnian army to crush this rebellion for the escalation

Great stuff Ed, really great.

They are shaping up nicely Ed!i'am really diggin that color scheme you have picked.Great paint job keep up the good work man!

Look great my friend. I too hope to make my British Roayl Marines stand out. Thanks for the inspiration and the motivation.

Excellent start to your Privateer Crew, Ed!
Really looking forward to seeing it fully developed and painted.

I'm hoping to follow suit here soon as well with my Royal Dutch Navy crew...

Respectfully,
KEVIN

Very nice Ed. Good stuff as well.