Alpha Strike: A Quick-Playing Tactical Miniatures Game

[William J. Pennington]

In fact, I've had a lot of players become less problematic once using 3d terrain.  And it Quickstrike, the full time DMM removes a lot of the problems of pople plotting out every possible move location--they just move their mech within the radius their mech can move, plop it down, and are happy.

Sure, here are some players out there who seem to demand a lot of review of LOs markins, but those are the type that generally make play in general always a slow mess by arguing rules, demanding to look up every reference question, wanting to recount an opponents movement every time.

Once you get a group thats had enough experience and learned to trust one another, terrain play moves just as quick or quicker for movement and LOS purposes, especially compared to complex paper maps with lots of terrain features and elevation changes.

I run QS with and without hexes.  One advantage of mapsheets is that its easier to reintroduce artillery, but I'm comfortable using my homebrew coordinate system for artillery resolution for full terrain games even with full total Warfare rules.  But freedom from hex facings, just turning and moving as you wish is a joy.

[mbear]

In fact, I've had a lot of players become less problematic once using 3d terrain.  And it Quickstrike, the full time DMM removes a lot of the problems of

*snip*

What does DMM stand for?

[Acolyte]

What does DMM stand for?

I think it means "Defensive Movement Modifier". In quickstrike, you don't count the distance traveled to determine to modifier, it always applies.

   - Shane

[William J. Pennington]

What does DMM stand for?

Defensive Movement Modifier.   An element always has a defensive bonus equal to whatever  the modifier is for the highest movement mode your mech posesses, no matter how far you actually move.

[Weirdo]

But aren't stacking and AE blast radii handled the same?

Physically impossible. If QS/AS has stacking rules similar to TW, then it is possible to put multiple units in the same hex, and a LOT more in Battleforce. This understandably cannot be done in minis play, so that will need to be clarified. Minis play also gives a blast radius for AE attacks, while in Battleforce it's limited to the impact hex. That will need to be clarified.

And wouldn't infantry transport be basically the same?

I assume that in minis play you place disembarked infantry in base contact with the transport? In Total War or Battleforce, they(usually) are placed in the same hex. This will need to be clarified.

I guess I'm confused because the few times I've played QS, I've played it on a hex map just using the single conversion table they give. Hence why I'm confused.

For basic combat, that works just fine. But there are plenty of little things here and there that will need to be covered.

[Charlie Tango]

There are a number of things that do need clarification for hexed play; there are some issues with how terrain is handled where there is a conflict between QS and BF.

[Weirdo]

Exactly. Which is why I'm looking forward to Alpha Strike with all the strength my steely abs can muster. If it truly does let you do everything in hexed play that you can do in minis play, then I will be an extremely happy Zug.

[mbear]

I think it means "Defensive Movement Modifier". In quickstrike, you don't count the distance traveled to determine to modifier, it always applies.

   - Shane

Defensive Movement Modifier.   An element always has a defensive bonus equal to whatever  the modifier is for the highest movement mode your mech posesses, no matter how far you actually move.

My thanks to you both.

[Beazle]

Hexed terrain, baby... ^-^

If the players won't put hexes on my terrain, then I put terrain on my hexed players.

[Bedwyr]

I really like 3d hexed terrain personally. If done right it rivals the look of 40k terrain (and beats a lot of it honestly).

[StCptMara]

I really like 3d hexed terrain personally. If done right it rivals the look of 40k terrain (and beats a lot of it honestly).

Too bad GeoHex went out of business...

[fuzbuckle]

If the players won't put hexes on my terrain, then I put terrain on my hexed players.

Sphinx is it really you, or is this the Blue Raja fork in' around again?

[Beazle]

Sphinx is it really you, or is this the Blue Raja fork in' around again?

uuummm  nomabyes?

[Nerroth]

Some more info on Alpha Strike from today's first BattleChat, which I am lifting straight out of DarkISI's own post on the matter:

Alpha Strike:
[18:20] <Nerroth> Apologies if this is covered by Quick-Strike already, but will Alpha Strike include rules for operating Land Air 'Mechs? With the recently-completed Spectral LAM project in mind, it would be welcome if those new minis (to include the Mk1 LAMs covered in stretch goals) were supported in the upcoming book.)
[18:23] <@Habeas2> Nerroth - Hmmm. Doesn't seem so.
[18:23] <Nerroth> In that case, is that something that could be added in a future expansion or supplemental file?
[18:24] <@Habeas2> Nerroth - Yup.


[18:25] <Nerroth> Speaking of Alpha Strike, how far in scale will the actions it will cover go? For example, will WarShips be supported in the starter book; and if not, could they be added to a future expansion?
[18:29] <@Habeas2> Nerroth - Looks like there's minimal WarShip support. WOuld likely be a later supplement


[18:30] <Nerroth> Will AS include rules for both hex-based and hexless play?
[18:30] <@Habeas2> Nerroth - Yes


[18:34] <Nerroth> Will the first AS book include the rules needed to support the "new" units and technologies (such as Nova CEWS) from the Wars of Reaving or the upcoming TRO3145 PDFs, or would those have to wait for later expansions?
[18:37] <@Habeas2> Nerroth - Later expansions


[18:40] <Nerroth> Has there been any thought put in as to what era the presentation/cover art/etc for AS will be put in? I'm thinking of how StratOps has a Jihad-era cover, and how TW is currently presented as being in the midst of that era.
[18:44] <@Habeas2> Nerroth - Likely Clan Invasion


[18:45] <Nerroth> I see. When it comes to AS expansions, woudl they be pdf-based, or could there be print books which further build upon the game engine?
[18:46] <@Habeas2> Nerroth - The first batch of Alpha Strike supplements are planned for PDF-exclusive release.


[18:48] <Nerroth> In the longer run, will the existence of AS as a product line in its own right have an affect on future TROs or sourcebooks? Will any of those latter books be more likely to include the AS unit cards included within, or would they have to go into the same queue as those currently waiting to go into the MUL?
[18:51] <@Habeas2> Nerroth - Yes


[18:52] <Nerroth> How far along is Alpha Strike in terms of its development process?
[18:56] <@Habeas2> Nerroth - The core rules are done and are undergoing a crash playtest to verify workability. SUpplemental rules and other writing continue as we speak. Art, fortunately, is not that big an issue.


[18:59] <Nerroth> Is there a particular design choice that is making the Clan Invasion the most likely starting point for AS? (Is it as simple as there being unit card pdfs for the 3039 and 3050 TROs, or would there not have been enough room to start in the Jihad or Dark Age at this point?)
[19:00] <@Habeas2> Nerroth - Not enough hard data on Dark Age units was available when production started, and art/miniatures are not yet up to Dark Age needs. Also, the fact is that the electronic properties out there are focused on roughly the Clan era of play, so we felt it would be more recognizable to new-ish players.


[19:02] <Nerroth> That leads me to a semi-related question; is there any particular issue with using the MW:DA/AoD minis/stands with the AS rules, or would those minis have to be re-based before they were compatible?
[19:06] <@Habeas2> Nerroth - Legally speaking, the click-dial base concept is a property of WizKids Games, so we try to stay clear of using Dark Age minis in our present-day artwork.
[19:07] <SpaceCowboy1701> To clarify, though, N-scale miniatures will work with the new AS rules, then?


[19:07] <Nerroth> So, the large-scale adoption of AS to the Dark Age would be dependent on IWM getting more of the 3145 units done up in mini form? (And is there any word from that quarter on that happening in the near future?)
[19:08] <@Habeas2> Nerroth - Not really, since we continue to alow proxy minis. Just don't expect a lot of mini-based art support for the Dark Age before we have enough DA-era figures to show.

[OpacusVenatori]

I recently noted that all the battlemech have a lot of "special abilities" space wasted with "SOA, SRCH, SEAL and ES". I would like to see them reduced to a single "BMech" sa, and then whe referring to it in the rulebook get the full description of SOA, SRCH, SEAL, ES.

[Maingunnery]

So it seems that we will might get several supplemental PDFs:
- Aerospace?
- Alternative Eras?


I would really want to get the combination of Alpha Strike and its Aerospace supplemental.

[Savage Coyote]

Very interesting on the details there... can't wait to see the finished product!  >:D

[Maniac Actual]

Same here. One of the biggest issues in my area is people who see the map-boards and sneer at BattleTech for
being such an "old fashioned, dated game."

Let them sneer.  I find that those types of people are too closed minded to appreciate the awesome simplicity of the Battletech system, and I wouldn't want to play with them anyway.

[Medron Pryde]

I love QuickStrike as it really gets people into the game in another way.

Anything that does is a good thing IMHO.

And honestly, it fights in the same neighborhood as many other games like HeroScape and other similar "miniature" games with abstract stats.

[William J. Pennington]

Let them sneer.  I find that those types of people are too closed minded to appreciate the awesome simplicity of the Battletech system, and I wouldn't want to play with them anyway.

I like to pull them in with fulll 3d games, then let them discover the nice features of map play: portability, storage, quick set up/break down.  Simple experience goes a long way towards changing attitudes.

[Beazle]

I like to pull them in with fulll 3d games, then let them discover the nice features of map play: portability, storage, quick set up/break down.  Simple experience goes a long way towards changing attitudes.

I use a similar tactic, only I use free beer and cookies instead of 3D terrain.

[Nerroth]

It might be worth listing the various data points (publicly) known about Alpha Strike at this point.

• It will be a full-colour supplemental rulebook, in a similar vein as A Time of War Companion (in terms of its relation to the Total Warfare through whatever Interstellar Operations will end up being axis) but as a stand-alone introduction to the Quick-Strike game engine.
• It will have support for both hex-based and hexless play.
• It will most likely be initially presented as a Clan Invasion product.
• The first batch of pdf expansions are in the works.
• Certain unit types, such as LAMs (and whatever "new" toys we may get in 3145), are not covered in the first book, but are options for later expansions.
• There is a somewhat limited WarShip presence in the core book, but they are more likely to show up in force in a later expansion.
• More in-depth support for other eras (such as the Dark Age) might also be fodder for later expansions.
• The core rules are done, and "crash" playtesting is afoot. Work on other written material for the project is in progress.
• It should be released (fingers crossed) before the end of the year.
• In the longer run, the existence of AS as "its own thing" may have an effect on future sourcebooks and TROs, in terms of how the unit cards for new toys might be presented.

Did I miss anything?

[William J. Pennington]

Did I miss anything?

It radiates awesome so powerful you can read in its light from a distance quite far away.

Hmm, my objectivity meter may need adjustment.

[nckestrel]

It radiates awesome so powerful you can read in its light from a distance quite far away.

Hmm, my objectivity meter may need adjustment.

I'm going to pen that on to a sticker and slap it on as a cover blurb when I get a copy :).

[Atlas3060]

Let them sneer.  I find that those types of people are too closed minded to appreciate the awesome simplicity of the Battletech system, and I wouldn't want to play with them anyway.

Or we can utilize every tool within our disposal to corrupt people to our side show folks the awesomeness of the Battletech Universe and keep it going with fresh blood.  ;)

[mbear]

I use a similar tactic, only I use free beer and cookies instead of 3D terrain.

Huh. You give free beer to kids? That would get you arrested around here. ;)

[StCptMara]

Huh. You give free beer to kids? That would get you arrested around here. ;)

I think, in his area, the luring people from their 3D terraint o 2D mapboards, like mine, is mostly going to be not-kids.

[Beazle]

Huh. You give free beer to kids? That would get you arrested around here. ;)

Nope. 

I stick with a 18 and over crowd.

Many of the words that come out of my mouth while playing BT would also get me arrested if spoken in the presence of minors.

Best not to risk it.

 O:-) ;D O0

[nckestrel]

I was running a D&D campaign for teens at the public library, and I loved some of Paizo's adventures (this was pre-Pathfinder).
I was halfway through reading one of the read-aloud text boxes when I realized what I had just read.  I looked around at the players.  Then I looked around the library.
I then scanned over the rest of the box and said "yeah, let's just say its pretty gruesome and move on."

As for Alpha Strike, I've got more work to do...back to it!

[Dies Irae]

I was running a D&D campaign for teens at the public library, and I loved some of Paizo's adventures (this was pre-Pathfinder).
I was halfway through reading one of the read-aloud text boxes when I realized what I had just read.  I looked around at the players.  Then I looked around the library.
I then scanned over the rest of the box and said "yeah, let's just say its pretty gruesome and move on."

Let me guess... Either "Carnival of Tears", "The Demon Within" or "Hook Mountain Massacre".

-----------------------

That said... ALPHA STRIKE!

Might even persuade me to finish painting the pair of Level 2s which have languished in the dark corner of my cupboard.