Understood very well.Originally Posted by Watchdog
Just choose it. I'll simply never choose it for my heroes, for I want to be scared during my missions.
Understood very well.
"We do not stop playing when we get old, but we get old when we stop playing."
It is not that much about YOUR missions, Andrzej, more about the missions played by the other players, using the character you spent time developing and then killing it without you being able to influence it.
Jan, no, it is not the case, if I understand it well. In OtT Campaign the others can not choose MY CP to play against. I do not develop NPCs. So it may be only my mission. Am I right?
"We do not stop playing when we get old, but we get old when we stop playing."
Well, if you do not plan to develop any of your NPC's, then yes, you are right.
I don't care for the AI-pilots. There are replacements for them.
We develop our characters and don't use the characters from other players.
If one of my pilots get killed - it's fate.
Voilŕ le soleil d'Austerlitz!
Just a proposal:
Joaquim could randomly deal out the AI-pilots for each player at the mission briefing.
We can decide wich planes they use.
So there is no more problem if one player shot down Sven von Zirndorf in the same mission - and he's killed, and another player from my squadron shots down Sven von Zirndorf and he survives.
...and I think it's better if Joaquim determines randomly the result of a shot down pilot.
So I'll fly my mission and report the result. (Maybe: Camel pilot Pit Manneken wounded - Pfalz pilot Sven von Zirndorf shot down by explosion)
Jouaquim throw the dices and tell us was happened. (Maybe: Mannecken injured - out of action for the next 2 sorties, Sven von Zirndorf survived injured - out of action for the next 4 sorties)
Voilŕ le soleil d'Austerlitz!
This might be a good idea. But of course, if one of you wants to play against a particular AI pilot, you can send me a PM.
I agree with Sven and his proposals. No problem for me.
"We do not stop playing when we get old, but we get old when we stop playing."
I was expecting to fly against unknown pilots from Jastas that I have in my box, not other peoples NPc's. Do I now need to ascribe names to the planes I just fought with?
Rob.
"Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."
Hmmm, maybe Rob is right, we should have anonymous enemy AI pilots and use our NPC's only for our missions?
I do not mind. Doesn't matter. Let Joaquim decide.
I just want toand have fun.
"We do not stop playing when we get old, but we get old when we stop playing."
This unknown pilot thing is ok. Think we can go both ways, the same time.
If one of the named AI-pilots is killed, we need to create a new one, anyways.
The only thing we have to care about is, that the same "named" pilot does not participate in the same mission of two different players.
I want to fly vs. AI-pilots with names.
If Rob or Jan want to hunt no-name pilots, it's ok.
Voilŕ le soleil d'Austerlitz!
I feel exactly the same way. In my vision, both our squadrons are near, so it is normal that we face each other some times (throught the AI's we've created) but of course we'll face other unknown pilots. So you can choose. The world is vast and this campaign is very free, as it should be.This unknown pilot thing is ok. Think we can go both ways, the same time.
If one of the named AI-pilots is killed, we need to create a new one, anyways.
The only thing we have to care about is, that the same "named" pilot does not participate in the same mission of two different players.
I want to fly vs. AI-pilots with names.
If Rob or Jan want to hunt no-name pilots, it's ok.
I've design it to be creative and open, and that we - physically away from each other - could interact, if not in the game table, at least in a joined creation. That is why I decided that we should create AI pilots for our opponents to use in their solo missions. But if one of us has a plane that it doesn't exist in the adversary squadron and wants to use it, please feel free to do it.
I sent an e-mail to Richard Bradley, the author of the Solo Rules we use as a base for the Over the Trenches campaign here at the Aerodrome, telling him about our campaign and this site and asking about the possibility of getting tables for Q,R,S and bomber decks and about the N deck and the Immelmann's turn which is not used there.
He replied to me:
I uploaded the PDF to the files section here, it is currently awaiting moderator's approval.Hi there!
Thank you so much for your interest in my little system!
I designed the system to do (more or less) what I would do in any given situation. As there is no range or attitude of the enemy plane taken into account it is - I am happy to admit- rather arbitrary!
I have found the fact that solo run aircraft run less well than most players rather an advantage, as most players really want to win!
--though not too easily!
It also allows groups of players to play a slightly larger number of enemy planes that are using the solo rules, whic can be quite challenging and fun (at least based on my friends experience at our club!)
As to the 'N' deck not using the Immelmann turn, I didnt think it needed it! - The SE5a is a very fast and manoeuverable bird, and I felt the Immelmann was contrary to those strengths as it leaves the plane comparatively stationary....well, that was my reason!
I enclose a PDF of the 'N' deck with an Immelmann - and will have it updated to the club website as the Codex version. Got to keep my fellow players happy! - if it bothered you, it probably bothered others too!
The other sets are not ones I have the manoevre cards for, that is why I havent done the solo rules!!
I will see if my friend who collects such things has the missing decks, so I can do them.
Hope this is helpful? - please contact me if you have any more comments or queries.
Happy gaming!
That was amazing, both of you, Jan, and of Richard Bradley, that seems to be an excellent chap. Thanks to both of you.
Jan!
"We do not stop playing when we get old, but we get old when we stop playing."
A few thoughts:
The twoseaters:
Especially for St. Caronne was a twoseater as AI comrade my second choice.
First I wanted to fly with two Camels, but the I realized, that I had 3 enemy planes vs. 2 of my own (one of them AI controlled) with a mission to fullfill. Rob's mission showed this very well. Another point was my randomly choosed enemy twoseater Roland C.II with the big firing angle. That was really hard.
More AI enemy planes:
Fighting a few more AI planes won't be a problem if you control both personal pilots. You can keep your planes in formation and support each other fighting vs. a lone/separated enemy. If I control only one plane, you need something to take influence on the success chances for the scenario. That's why I choosed the B/A AIRCO D.H.4 and not the RAF R.E.8. Two other things that have a big influence on a dogfight vs. an AI pilot is, that you have no influence on the damage deck and the missing altitude rules, that normaly gives you the chance to avoid a direct confrontation.
I like the idea to control only your own pilots and the other AI controlled.
...ad I think it's ok - fighting 1 vs. 1. Fighting one more enemy planes is very challenging. (Rob's/Nightbomber's/Marechallannes's AAR) But it was fun.
I'am afraid, the party is over, when we encounter the AI, that have an advantage of 2 or more planes.
Missions/sides:
Different missions and diferent sides need a different choice of planes. Looking at St. Caronne, two scouts were a good decision for the Central Powers. The Germans had to hunt enemy scouts. Depending on future missions we'll find out, that we have to adjust our choice of planes for the mission.
For example: A mission to hunt a Airco D.H.4 that tries to leave the battlefield. Think I would choice a minimum of one Albatros D.Va to have the ability to follow this guy.
Own parameters:
One mission - 5 (soon 6) diferent AAR. That was fun!
Think St. Caronne had all details we need to play a funny mission. I know I'll be dissapointed if I read 6 similar AARs. One player keep the (AI)recon planes in formation, the other sent only a Bristfit for the picture and keep the AI planes meanwhile busy and the third let the (AI)recon planes spread out for dogfights before reaching St. Caronne. We all ended the missions with diferent results and this is ok.
Maybe you can't compare the AARs excactly because of missing parameters like: 2 DR.I vs. 1 SPAD XIII and 2 Camels.
But this shouldn't be a problem. That's why I'm in here.
Repeat mission:
Maybe there will be confusion about our "diehard" personal pilots in the next few missions, but it's clear that I'll repeat a mission if the first "A" or "B" damage result for my pilot is an explosion, or he did not survive. I don't care for an injury. That's life.
Think that's ok, because I won't see a perforated Nigel or a grilled von Oppeln,too..
Voilŕ le soleil d'Austerlitz!
Sven.
You may well see a perforated Nigel in the future. Even the great characters like Guynemer, Ball, or Voss did not live forever. He will have to take his chances with the rest and trust that the scar on his rear end is the only wound that he gets.
Rob.
"Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."
Once again, my friends, the true advantage of solo mission is that you can tailor them to your choices. The beauty of the AARs is surprise (our own surprise while we play - and other's surprise while they read it), accomplishment (even if we fail the mission), and fun (have I said this before?).
The rules are there to give meaning to the effort and to join us together in one goal.
Believe me Sven, that after 3 or 4 missions you will be wanting to add an extra enemy plane to the equation. 2 vs. 3 will stop to be enough.
It's our pilots against AI's so, of course it's our game and we want our pilots to endure and get better. But without the risk of losing it all, it wouldn't be funny. It's that risk that will keep you on your toes to make it better and better.
A balanced scenario is one where the goals that you must achieve are of the same weight with the challenge you must face. But the opposite forces at work might be very unbalanced. I always hated rulebooks where the scenarios given had equal forces on both sides with similar goal.
The greatest battles in History weren't ever balanced:
Thermopylae,
Battloe of Britain
Etc.
As for this campaign let's weight the odds:
Players -------- vs. ------- AI Pilots
Intuition ------------------ Established movements
Free movements ---------- Established movements
Free Disengage ----------- Pre-set rules for disengaging
Can Choose Target ------ Reacts to the nearest target
Less planes in combat ----- More planes in combat
More abilities ------------- Typically common pilots
In this environment the only way to create challenging scenarios is to give extra planes to the AI's and to create scenarios with difficult tasks, wouldn't you agree?
Another e-mail from Richard Bradley (including my reply to his previous e-mail with the N-deck PDF):
Maybe we could create a thread specifically with feedback for Richard Bradley?Hi there!
Please keep me informed as to what you do - I would be interested!
The new deck N is on the club website now, so can be considered the 'official version'.
My friend has some of the decks missing from the solo rules, as I thought, so will be letting me borrow them on Saturday to use in working out the new charts.
Be well!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi Richard,
Thank you very much for the PDF, it is going to be quite useful. The fact that the S-E-5a is a fast plane also means it can get away from the action quite quickly and the Immelmann is both an option to return to the frey and a threat to the opponents by the very fact that it is there in the table, which adds fun to the game.
Your rules are undergoing some serious playtesting and some of us even started adding to them to make the AI planes even more unpredictable and deadly. I think that our campaign, currently with six players, could be a good source for some feedback for you.
Last but not least - thank you for creating this great system. Have you ever thought about offering it to the authors of the game? Andrea is active at the Aerodrome and since now there is a new and active publisher for the game, maybe some new ideas could interest them.
Best regards
Jan
That is fantastic, Jan.
Yes, of course we can create a specific thread for Mr. Bradley. You are now nominated to take care of that. You can call it: "Mr. Bradley's Observatory Post"
Give Mr. Bradley the links for our battle reports and rules, and specially the link for the mess, of course, as we all would like to pay Mr. Bradley's a drink.
Great idea. He deserves a lot of credit for allowing us to use his rules, and in granting us such a great way of adding to our solo playing of the game.
Rob.
"Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."
Pumped to the first page.
I just came across this thread and would like to volunteer for the cause!I've played the solo system and really loved it!
Todd
You are more than welcome, Todd.
What would you prefer, The Entente or the Central Powers?
Either is fine with me. But, if you would prefer I choose, Entente.
Todd
Todd, everyone is welcome
BUT: The last - so called - empty slot for now has just been preassigned to user Algynon. See the end of this thread, please:
http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/sho...Central-Powers)
That would form a 4:4 group.
HOWEVER!:
1. We are not sure if Alygnon joins the group eventually,
2. Even if he joins, THERE IS NO REASON YOU CAN NOT JOIN!
I'm sure the other members will welcome you as well.
We are an open cameraderie.
You decide. So step up. Your Squadron/Jasta needs you. Which side do you choose?
WoW! Our Admin Blackronin is always first!
Entente...I see...
Well, after 4 missions they do need fresh meat...
Alygnon (Bob) already sign in for the Central Powers, so even if he takes a while to get to us, he's already ours.
There's no problem about Todd joining the Entente. So, welcome and get to it.
Here's what you have to do using the words of Jan (Watchdog):
"I recommend that you create a scout pilot and a two-seater crew as your personal pilots and then create 6 NPC pilots. I would again recommend you to create another two-seater crew instead of one of the NPC pilots. Then come up with enough airplanes to let them all fly. But remember, only those airplanes available in October 1917 are allowed, so no Fokker D.VII's... "
And the fresh meat should be listed here: http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/sho...ns-and-StoriesAlygnon (Bob) already sign in for the Central Powers, so even if he takes a while to get to us, he's already ours.
There's no problem about Todd joining the Entente. So, welcome and get to it.
Here's what you have to do using the words of Jan (Watchdog):
"I recommend that you create a scout pilot and a two-seater crew as your personal pilots and then create 6 NPC pilots. I would again recommend you to create another two-seater crew instead of one of the NPC pilots. Then come up with enough airplanes to let them all fly. But remember, only those airplanes available in October 1917 are allowed, so no Fokker D.VII's... "
I will then add them to the squadron rosters.
Amazing how the whole project is going. I have never been a member of such like-minded group.
Having a glass of red wine in your honour chaps, right now.
I'll drink a glass of red wine with you also.
To get everyone in the right mood for the campaign...
Enjoy.
It's a little early for red wine in the states. I'll have a few later. ;-)
It's never too early for a G&T. I'll enjoy one whilst I watch the show.
Kyte.
...an afternoon away and we got two new members?
Ok, so I have a small problem. I only own 4 fighter minis that were available in 1917 (Nieuport 23, SPADXIII, Focker DR. I, and Albatros D. III). I have a total of 11 minis (with 2 Reveresco's still being built). So, my collection is pretty small compared to most on this forum.
So, I guess the question is, do you mind if I still participate with cards? While the photos might not be as engaging. I have Burning Drachens, along with the Top Fighters and Recon Patrol booster packs. I don't see my wife being happy about me acquiring enough minis to fully participate.
If you would prefer to have all minis, I completely understand.
Sorry for the complication,
Todd
Fine with me. If you can only use cards, use them, if it does not hinder YOUR fun. Having fun is the most important part.
No problem here as well! Get along with cards, Todd, fun and imagination is the point, as Jan wrote. Tally ho!
There is absolute no problem with that, my friend.
We are an inclusive group. Fun is for everybody with the possibilities that anyone has.
Play the game as you can or want.
Two Entente and two Central Power planes? That's still enough.
Todd, a few questions:
- Do you have any twoseater miniatures??
- What kind are the other miniatures?
I don't see a problem if you're playing the missions with cards, too.
You're the guy that wants to join the Bulldogs, aren't you?
Is it possible to pin this thread?
You mean close it, Quim? Rob posted closed threads, I do not know how yo do it.
Not close it, Andrzej, but rather pin it at the top of the sub-forum so that we don't have to go looking for the rules.
It is called a "sticky" on most forums.
Thanks, Jan.
That's it. Let's stick this thread.
Sheer willpower on my part.
Kyte.
Or you could ask the Herr Oberst to stick it for you as my power is limited to the U.K. sub forum.
Rob.
Hi all! Your solo campaign has caught my attention and I would love to give it a try. It looks like I may have a bit of catching up to do! Can you direct me as to how to go about starting up? (I'd be quite interested in running all of the scenarios to date, even if the outcome won't have an effect on the campaign right now.)
Please let me know how to proceed!
Jon
You are most welcome, Jon!
Of course you can join us!
I'll try to give you some rough guidelines:
1. Choose a side (prefarably Central Powers - the Eagles are the minority
2. Nominate 2 PC and 6 NPC pilots.
3. Play the missions (all of them, from the first one), but remember, that your enemies should be "unknown" pilots (until you catch up with the rest), for your scores must not interfere with ongoing results.
Have fun.
Sounds good.
Ii had an idea that I'd like to play some Canadian boys flying for the RFC, but I'd be just as happy playing the Germans.
Can you point me to a location where I can get the complete campaign rules? I'm having trouble sifting through all of the accumulated posts to find information.
Specifically, I'm looking for rules on starting up (creating pilots, npcs, selecting aircraft, etc.), playing scenarios (which rules are in play, if there is a preference for 'simplified' or 'complex' AI movement, etc.), and campaign play (how to transition from scenario to scenario, what effects are carried over, stats tracked, and how the group results work).
Cheers,
Jon
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