AK47 Day 2021 - News and Announcements

[Trebian]

When I ran Brixcon I had all of the tables set up by participants before the game started, and then tables were allocated at random, subject to the proviso that you couldn't paly on your own table. Of course this was old rules, so there was no moving the pieces about, but we did have some tables that provided challenges - like the volcano that emitted smoke, and the dam that took up half the table. I, personally, do not like most scenery placement rules that you see in most sets these days and I'm probably in a minority in that respect. It's probably heresy, but I'd have suggested that tables were laid out with the terrain and just then played on. When I play a game I'm more interested in pushing the lead than pushing the scenery, and I like to leave as much time for that as possible.

[Big Mike]

Putting 14 scenery pieces on the table is not a simple task.

Sticking to all the rules on distances between objectives, distances between templates and the edge, distances between templates which are not touching, correct amount of templates within the sectors whilst all of this has to be around the roads. It is not a simple task and it can easily start eating up time and setting the game off on a staggered , fractious footing.

When Derek and i played the first game last week the scenery and its correct placement it was clear that this element of the game Derek had not given the scenery the  consideration it requires . You can not understand the intricacies from reading the rules. You understand them when you are actually doing it. We did not have the same problem in the 2nd game, lessons had been taken on board, by both of us.

I would not like to battle on this table. I will not be doing so as it stands.

I'm an upfront type of guy. I call a spade a spade. It is not personal, it is simply where i stand with regards to gaming on this coming AKDay. The scenery pieces are divine Mike and i would love to do battle on it, but for me , not this game day and so early on in the development of everyone's understanding of AK47.

Julian

Julian, it's better to be up-front and direct. Your view is appreciated and respected.

The Airport scenario is virtually untried, although Miles and I played it just once recently.  I was the defender and was roundly beaten by Miles. So it is impossible to predict how the 2 games will play out.
Frankly, having to build two DC2 plastic kits ( my choice of course) has been a nightmare. The last time I built an aircraft kit I was 14. However, I hope the overall scenery will add to the enjoyment of the day.
Mike

[Moggy]

I am a little concerned regarding the airport layout. With the runway filing 2 sectors I would think the placement of another 14 pieces would prove difficult to achieve and produce a possibly disjointed game due to too much scenery in too small a remaining place. The defender has a hard enough job as it is.

I think the layout and work that has gone into it is wonderful and applaud the effort is has taken.

Perhaps modify the placement rules that it MUST be tucked into a corner may help.

Derek

[Moggy]

Sorry Julian, I don't think treating the runway as water will work. It blocks of such a huge area from receiving re-inforcement units  and movement. Then what about units forced to fall back into water. Are they immediately destroyed? Apart from that I doubt many of us have boats!

Derek

[Big Mike]

Julian,
I can see the logic here. The idea of using the water feature rule is clever.
Just to clarify how I have set out the table.

The Runway Scenery templates (3) are Rough Ground and are 8" x6". They are each counted as one of the 14 scenery pieces.
The Runway itself is 1ft X 3ft and starts in one corner and the Runway Scenery templates are placed on it.

This may help your deliberations.

Mike

[Moggy]

I recall that somewhere in the rules there is something about a template may only hold 1 unit (but cant find it now). If I am wrong please disregard this.

Can a double template hold 2 units?  If so I do not like the thought of a double building template like the terminal building in a unmoveable position on the defenders side. The number of templates being "fixed" with no chance of being moved by the attacker is already reduced by the runway and objectives. To make a further 2 templates unavailable I feel is unbalanced.

About the airport

I am trying very hard not to be negative about this.  I would rather have the terminal building open to being moved. Ok it may have to be a hotel instead but.....

After reading Mikes comment (we were typing at the same time). I am taking it that the runway is purely scenic and only the 3 templates on it are terrain. If that is the case then just restrict it to 1' x 2', and max of 2 items on it. Other wise that is 3 (rough ground on the runway), plus 4 objective pieces, plus 2 for the terminal means there are only 5 other pieces left for the attacker to move.

Derek

[Big Mike]

mike , thank you. i have studied the photos.

I can only think in terms of inches.

what is your runway made up of ?
i.e. how many pieces and what size in inches ?

The Runway is made of 2 separate flooring strips each of 6" X 36", laid side on at long edges.
We could shorten the Runway length to 24" and so it would not extend by 12" into a second Zone. Although this would limit the potential placement of the Airport Buildings.

As an alternative to shorten the Runway it could be classed as open ground and not a road for movement, then perhaps only 1 or 2 Rough Ground templates may do the job.  This would allow more templates to be used elsewhere on the table.

Mike

Palace have scored !

[Big Mike]

Julian,
I can see the logic here. The idea of using the water feature rule is clever.
Just to clarify how I have set out the table.

The Runway Scenery templates (3) are Rough Ground and are 8" x6". They are each counted as one of the 14 scenery pieces.
The Runway itself is 1ft X 3ft and starts in one corner and the Runway Scenery templates are placed on it.

This may help your deliberations.

Mike

okay, i now understand. how do you differentiate between the actual runway template and the runway ground ( the shiny dark sheets) ?

Yes, they are clear Perspex.

[Big Mike]

Let me set it up on my table and see how it works.
Mike

[Big Mike]

Julian,
Yes, all fine. I appreciate that I could be either attacker or defender.
Please, continue.
Mike

[Big Mike]

The 12" X 36" Runway is not Perspex, it is in 2 sections of 6" X 36" each made of flooring material.

[Big Mike]

Julian,
The two planes are approx 12" wingspan and 9" body.
Mike

[Sean Clark]

OK, as event organiser, I appreciate the requirement for clarity here as it is something needs to fit as closely as possible with the rules as written.

However, I am very appreciative of Mike going to the effort with this to produce a unique table. Having known him for a good few years, there is no way he will be seeking any advantage, or wishing to confuse other players with his table.

If after bits have been ironed out anyone doesn't wish to play on the airport table that's fine, I'll sort you out to play on another table, but I'm sure most people will want to.

One thing is for sure, the airport table WILL be used in the manner Mike intended it to.  There is also the possibility 2 other players will be playing on it on the afternoon so clarity is important.

Please all remember that this isn't a competitive event. It's a fun day of gaming. So a little creativity is welcome to increase the enjoyment of all. Win lose or draw I want each and every player to go home having had 2 good. games, had a few laughs and eager to return next year for the next phase in the story of uMbongo.

[Smiley Miley 66]

I can post these pictures to show the set up of Miles's
Miles

[Smiley Miley 66]

Here are a lot of my markers nearly completed.
Miles