AK Day Terrain

[Sean Clark]

Reflecting on previous AK days at Brixcon back in day, I was reminded that attendees would often bring along a tables worth of scenery, and some would build a custom piece, such as a volcano, a football pitch or a hotel.

Once numbers are more settled, we'll know how many tables worth of scenery we will need. But perhaps players could look at making something unique for the day to add to the table.

It would need to fit into one of the terrain types but other than that let your imagination run riot!

A crocodile infested swamp?
A security compound?
A colonial mansion?
A golf course/tennis courts?
A large rocky prominence with a mine entrance?

I can't promise a prize, but you'll have the enduring heartfelt thanks of all who take part for making the day something really special.

[Jimmy James]

Grand idea. I'm in.

[Colonel Kilgore]

My Benign Dictator, from a neighbouring land, may well bring some of his pet crocodiles along with him on his "friendship tour" of uMbongo. There could be some good feeding for the little beasties if things do turn hostile...

Simon

[Sean Clark]

You'll need a visa for the crocs though Simon. And they ain't cheap!

[Colonel Kilgore]

Er - you try stopping them - they are not house-trained

Simon

[Smiley Miley 66]

Could we not visit the old rules, and use them to theme some of the table scenery? These would at least establish what goes onto a table, obviously how they are set up is down to each individual game.
As the old rules used to have a list of things that needed to be included on that table ?
Then maybe we each have our own core scenery pieces each that we take to each table ?
Not looked at either set of rules for now, I can't remember how many pieces you are meant to bring ?
But let's say it's 6each ? But the old rules might state that that table needs 5 or 6 compulsory pieces so each individual would bring 3 pieces each ? To make up the 12 ? These are only arbitrary figures for now ?
Then that way we could at least then have some ideas what we need ? Then when we have established a rough number of pieces most people will need to bring to a table. Those then could be individual but relevant pieces to the game.
But remember some of the compulsory pieces are going to determine a table set up. So be careful what you bring ?
It's just a thought ?
Miles

[Sean Clark]

The old rules had 'terrain descriptors' Miles, with recommendations of what that descriptor would include. We could look at that certainly. However, I want to play AK47 Reloaded as written in the book, so maybe use it as an influence to theme a table, but stick to the number of terrain pieces as per the rules - which I think is 6 pieces per player.

The idea of building something special is that it must fit one of the terrain types in the new rules - but a buidling template could be a hotel, or a football pitch could be rough ground, a mine could be a rough hill piece that sort of thing.

I'll look at the old rules later and see what we can use.

[Smiley Miley 66]

 It's just a thought , as you need to have a Start point. Knowing that the original book/rules have certain setups with a theme to each, is to me a good starting point! You always need a good foundation and structure ! Then you can make and adapt it to what you want to archive!
Yes I know this is a 2009 reloaded rules but at the same time it's still a set of rules about gaming mainly on the African Continent. Sometimes it's best to go back pick out the best bits and then improve or adapt ?
The other thing that struck me in the "old" competition was people were doing tables, yes they looked good even fabulous! with say "a fun fair" in it but the competitors were then saying what's that got to do with the game ? Or how am I meant to play on that table ?
So Yes do make a special piece or two each ! But let's make sure there is a reason why that piece is there, and is a playable piece of terrain.
I am all for doing something wacky, but why is it there ?
Just make people at least think why I am doing this piece is because:
It makes it more believable.....
"I know let's have a fire pit in the middle of an Oil Refinery? Most people are going to say that's not going to happen, but that seemed to be the thinking or similar thinking behind some of the tables back then..."
The tables need to have some bearing on the game, at least when Martin originally set the rules out he had a "Structure" in mind hence why he laid these out in the original set of rules.
Miles

[Sean Clark]

Well said. I played on a table at Brixcon labelled Toy Town, with buildings made out of wooden blocks from a toy shop. It breaks the immersion and believability for me. I can easily justify a tennis court or a crocodile infested swamp, but a table that looks like Noddy and Big Ears might appear at any point is a bit much.

[martin goddard]

It did "wander" a lot Sean.


martin

[Colonel Kilgore]

Oh no - I was just putting the finishing touches to Noddy's car (rotors, and a final pair of wire-guided missile launchers...) 

Simon

[Jimmy James]

Just been for a mooch around Wilko's up the precinct and seen that their dinner placemats are 8" x 11.5" which sounds to me just about the right size for a double-template piece. Nice and sturdy and won't warp or crease either. I'll get me thinking-cap on...

[Sean Clark]

sean, when we do hand in our Army list for the AK day ?

here's my carrier allowance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6YE4PCRNwc

Julian

I've not considered this Julian! I'm tempted to say we're all gentlemen and can be trusted to play with a straight bat. None of this reverse sweep of a full length out winger 😂

I may reconsider closer to, but for now I'm not worrying about it.

[Smoking gun]

Hi Julian,
Page 50 Scenery; four objectives can be road entraces, crossroad, buildings, and hills.

I hope that helps, best wishes,
Martin Buck

[Smoking gun]

Just been for a mooch around Wilko's up the precinct and seen that their dinner placemats are 8" x 11.5" which sounds to me just about the right size for a double-template piece. Nice and sturdy and won't warp or crease either. I'll get me thinking-cap on...

,

Jimmy, I've been using placemats as terrain bases for years, the mdf ones with cork backing and a pretty picture on the upper side. I peel the plastic laminate off and rough the paper up a bit to "key" the surface for glue. The cork backing helps stop them sliding around. They are easily cut to size using a hand or powered saw. I get them from charity shops or car boot sales for very little money.

Best wishes,
Martin Buck