This is a preamble to an after action report. Unusual? Maybe, but sometimes it is fun to get psyched up before a game. My birthday is next week, and I always like to have old friends over for a game of something on the weekend nearest. The original plan for this Saturday was a one-shot Middle Earth roleplaying adventure using The One Ring. However, the time needed to create a good adventure for about 10 players wasn't really there. Sure, I could come up with something on the fly, and I'd be able to have fun, but I don't know that I would be able to meet my expectations. So instead of an evening of rpg-ing, we're going to play Wings of War, and I'm going to put to the test some of the ideas that have been kicking around in my head for a year or more now.
If you've followed any of the AARs I've written, you will see they all tend to have one thing in common - the "Opening Dogfight". I tend to joke about it, sometimes questioning whether it gets a little stale, but it does serve a purpose. It gives everyone a chance to recall the rules. However, I wanted to do something a little different for this. Sure, we are going to start with the "Opening Dogfight", but this time there is something at stake. For Saturday's game the winning side in the dogfight will become the "Attacker" in the missions to follow.
As for missions, I've created (well, am in the middle of creating) a list of seventeen (oops, make that eighteen since I've just thought of another). Each will be printed out on a card, and after the Attackers have selected the squadron's planes, they will choose one at random.
"But," you ask, "what if their choice of planes don't match the mission?!?!"
Well, the mission cards will allow the Attackers some leeway in upgrading. Of course, if they get zealous in their upgrades the result will be that the Defenders get some upgrades too.
"And play balance? What about play balance?!?!"
That's always the tough part, innit. I'm going to test a crazy theory I have, and I'll get back to you on whether it worked, or was a total failure. Suffice to say I've done something that encourages people to take the crappy planes and the oddballs that never get used. It doesn't promote historical match-ups, but then I'm not looking for a system that does. I'm looking for a system that will keep something like a Nieuport 17 alive for just a bit longer than usual.
And... that's all for now. Wish us luck. Hopefully the system will work. If not, at the very least I hope to get a good picture or two to post.
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