So I have a dice game (mechanically complete) but I am trying to think of what exactly the dice could represent.
They will be in a particular formation that supports the theme. Two of the six dice acts as shields/guardians for the leader/core die. The leader/core cannot be damaged until the two shield/guardian dice are destroyed.
Examples:
Castle - 3x2 formation or three rows (1/2/3)
Ship - 6x1 formation
Mech/Bot - three rows 1/3/2
Any other ideas?
Now, I'm trying to get a grip on these "formations", as you call them. Where is the core and guardian die within these formations? What is the significance of the positions? What does combat look like(assuming there is combat)? How do you plan on expanding this, seems very limited with only six dice?
I just need a little more detail and I think I will be able to fully understand your concept.
Tbone
Well, you could have it just reflect different infantry formations: line, wedge, echelon, column, mixed, square, etc. Kind of a DBA-style games sans miniatures with different colors of dice representing infantry, cavalry, artillery, and fortifications. It may work well for Civil War or Napoleonic.
Somehow, I feel like I know less now about what you were trying to accomplish than I did after reading your original post.
It reminds me of a game I saw before on kickstarter that has 3x3 formation with the character in the middle being the leader. Each character has two abilities, a normal one and a leader one. Being placed in the middle of the formation will activate the leader ability while the other 8 characters in the formation will only be able to use normal abilities.
Sorry I forgot the name of the game... Not a big fan of that one...
Ha! I could see that, but everyones' comments helped even if you don't know what the project was about.
Sorry I forgot the name of the game... Not a big fan of that one...
This is targeted for the casual gamer as a gateway game that can be played at lunch or between beefier games. This is a bluffing battle dice game.
Just a small portion of the game to better understand what I was trying to do....
The 6 dice act as tokens for fantasy characters. The classes are Champion (leader), Warrior, Cleric, Ranger, Thief, Wizard.
During setup, players form the 6 dice, in any order, into a horizontal row. However, the Warrior and Cleric have different roles depending on their position in relation to the Champion. The formation can't be changed again during the game.
When the Warrior is next to the Champion, he acts as a Protector and has the passive ability:
Shield Wall - The Champion is immune to damage.
But when the Warrior is not next to the Champion, he acts as a Berserker and has the passive ability:
Victory Rush - Immediately start another turn after defeating an enemy character.
When the Cleric is next to the Champion, she acts as a Protector and has the passive ability:
Divine Shield - The Champion is immune to damage.
When the Cleric is not next to the Champion, she acts as a Healer and has the ability:
Heal/Blessing - When rolling doubles you may either restore 1 health to a wounded ally or increase the maximum health of a fully healed ally by 1. Additionally, she can Bless one ally (to include the Cleric herself) before the game starts.
Yes, the Warrior and Cleric can both act as Protectors in the same game.
I ultimately went with characters instead of a castle/ship because having the dice change abilities based on their position (while maintaining the same symbol) didn't make as much sense with the inanimate objects.
Looks like a good start.
This sounds like my kind of light in-betweener game...it'll all come down to your mechanics. I hope you take this to the next level! Sounds like something I'd like to play test.
I'd say maybe consider other themes than the "generic fantasy" (I myself am guilty of playing in that sandbox too often). It's popular to be sure, but also flooded. Dungeon Roll comes to mind...
I like Soulfinger's suggestions of historical themes, or in general a more military theme. Could go futuristic or space with it to lend some fantasy without being too typical...just a thought.
It would be cool to have maybe different viruses created with your mechanic and have them battle each other. Maybe see who can infect the body faster? Not sure where you could incorporate your "leader" mechanic. Maybe the leader is the Nucleus of the virus? Hmm. We'd have to brainstorm a little, but definitely needs to be a little more unique as far as theme to me. Get creative!!
Well, I'm not against your current idea of champions, warriors etc. Just brainstorming if other themes could work or not.
While I search out themes, I'm testing the game mechanics with cards in place of custom dice.
http://nostalgiantgames.com/img/GoadPromo.png
I'm still working on the warrior and cleric cards because I want to properly convey the split role mechanic on the card while playtesting. The wizard will be added soon too. Then the game can be played with a handful of dice and 14 cards.
My buddy just finished the first set of dice icons, what do you think?
Edit: The etched preview versions have been removed.
I'd try shrinking them down to the size they'll be on your dice...if they're standard sizes, the embossing effect on the graphic may make them difficult to read. You could reduce the amount of shadow so that the icon is easier to read, as for me it's the harsh light placed on the "edges" which detract from these IMO. Such nice icons, you want them to shine!
I think they would look great engraved with a paint wipe!
Yeah that is just how he sent them over so I could see the etched depth, they are normally flat vector images.
Edit: Here are all 6 icons of the white 22mm character dice and black 19mm target dice. What do you think of the health pips?
Click image to see full size.
These are nice, clean designs that can easily be distinguished from one another. I worry that the heart icons would be very small. Would a numeral work better? Of course, the numerals on the dice in Mice and Mystics are small and they work fine.
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Edit: I ended up going with 6 units and even came up with a few cool mechanics that alter their roles (and their abilities) depending on their proximity to the leader.