A reboot of the game nights (wargame, hobby variant)

For these missions, we need a gamemaster as well. Since the AI needs to follow a script. The script will be kept simple. So that if buddy wants to be a gamemaster, this is no problem.

There might be some randomness in what the ai will do. Either way, in order to follow the script. The board will be needing coördinates.

The latest Projectile path rules

I forgot to mention, the board will be simple in such a way. That height is displayed. But no centre dots. And no graphics. Only colours to indicate the terrain. Light colours. Perhaps I display a number to show what portion of a hexagon is what kind of terrain. But I rather work with simple colours for now.

There are ridges too. But all of that doesn't matter much, compare to the most important rule:
Terrain influence.

If a hexagon is between 2 attackers, it might block projectiles. How to determine if a hexagon is in between? We used to use a rules or rope to see the path. That is history.

The projectiles may follow only one path.
The path of the projectile can go in 12 direction. Since it is a hexagon field.
Between 2 hexagons will take the average of the 2.
The projectiles pick the most direct path. Can make a 30 degree turn at some point. Then from the opposite side, a mirror path is used as well. The projectiles will form a zigzag patern. And all hexagons in between might have influence on the projectiles.

It is rare, but possible. That there are 2 paths to choose from. The player may pick the most optimal one. This might trigger that both sides pick a different path due to weapon attributes.

Sorry, I have no visuals. But let me ensure you, this way does not require helping tools. And is 100% "digital" and thus considered 100% fair.
It is just looking a bit weird and sometimes unlogical at the extremes.

Note
I didn't create the boards yet. It could go any way. These are just rough idea's for now.

Mission 1
Board segment...Will be just 1.

The first unit:
Rifleman, cost 100, size 100, (sumsize 100)
Movement 2, Attack range 2, (Salvo 1)
Armor 1, health 5
Damage 1, Projectiles 1, Accuracy 5/6

I am sure that most people understand most of these numbers, knowing it is a hexagon board.
But those who are new or need a recap:

Salvo will be the cost of action points if this unit fires. Most have a salvo of 1 by default. But it will be mentioned once it is 2 or more. Because then there also should be a mention of how the salvo looks like.

The sumsize is for internal cover. Meaning that this size is used to see if they can go into a transport or bunker. The normal size is used to see if they can take cover behind a special designed wall or shield or tank. By default, the sumsize is the same as size. Only support or meat units will have a larger sumsize. The logic??? Inside an object, you got 6 sides that are limited. Behind an object has plenty of room into 1 direction.

As for the armor and damage. In combat, these 2 are compared. The lowest number will be the actual damage multiplier. This means that 1 vs 36 remains 1. But 36 vs 1 becomes 1. I know it is counter intuitive, but you might as well read armor-tier.

As for accuracy, 5/6 is a d6, 5 or less remains a hit. After that, a damage roll will occur.

Still mission 1

We both start in the corners at the bottom. We both have 6 riflemen. The enemy is at the top. We can move through a thick forest (space 600), but not together. Behind the thick forest, we can move as one. Or stay in separate groups.

Enemy forces are also 2 groups of 6 riflemen. They are inside a dense forest (space 1200 and 1200). We need to work together. But not act as 1 group. If one has an action, then the ally has a reaction. The ai will return fire. The special rule here is that victims alternate between the 2 of us if we are 1 group. But the enemy will have bonus damage if we are one group. We need to remain separate here. Unless, we take 1 more distance. We get a bonus attack range. If this happens, the enemy will retreat. After the first group, the second group can be attacked.

There should be an high ground option. If firing from here, the ai will choose between return fire or retreat. Then we need to get down, but the enemy will have regrouped. See previous block.

There should be a forest (space 1200) option. If firing from here, the ai will return fire. The other group will be within attack range as well. They will be outnumbered though. But only 1 group can fire per turn. The ai will now divide the action points into 2x3=6. And can fire 4 times with 50% power here. The bonus is +50%. The penalty is 50% that 33% hits. Thus -33% on average. The total power will be 200%. While we have 1+2+4=7 each in terms of action points. We have not 4 but 6 attacks in total. And can even fire at the same time. But no bonus. And we do get a penalty of -33% as well. Our power seems to be 200% as well. And our only advantage is that our initial attack is slightly stronger than the ai.

I want to see if my buddy can recall the tricks through the rules.
1. We should act as if we are outnumbered for getting bonus damage. We still can fire together.
2. We should act as one big group for getting bonus attack range.

Either way, if we position ourselves right. We can choose between the 2.

Mission 2
We add a new map segment adjacent to the previous one.

We get 1 new unit:
Combat Tank, cost 600, size 600, (sumsize 600)
Movement 2, Attack range 2, (Salvo 1)
Armor 36, health 180
Damage 36, Projectiles 1, Accuracy 5/6

The units reset. But now we can choose what we want. Both of us can spend 1200 now.
We start in the same corners.
Either we get 2 tanks, 1 tank with 6 riflemen or 12 riflemen.
We need to make use of the fact that the units can block enemy units. They will try to get close for optimal fire. We need to keep our distance. Perhaps even take highground for that -1 attack range on the enemy. No matter what we do, one squad blocks, the other one does some wacky actions and keeps its distance.

The enemy will be having 3 groups.
In mission 1, we hade 2x600 vs 2x600. "Difficulty" 100%.
Now it is 2x1200 vs 3x1200. "Difficulty" 150%.

The groups are futher appart and will only act when we get within range. Thus mission 1 had 1200 in total vs 2x600 or 1x1200.
Mission 2 will be having 2400 in total vs 3x1200. While we have the upper hand at first. If we don't use strategy, the ai will win this. We need to make use of the RPS that comes through the tanks. We need at least 2 tanks together.

We can choose, one player gets 2 tanks while the other has 12 riflemen. Or we both get 1 tank and each 6 riflemen.

I let him decide. And the complex tactics are embedded within the action points. And the fact that a re-action can cost 0. Thus we can exhaust the action points of the ai here.

When calculating, I should sometimes look into the weirder number.

ATV
Cost 600, size 600, (sumsize 720)
Movement 4 with 2 through water, Attack range 3, (Salvo 1)
Armor 36, health 216
Damage 1, Projectiles 2, Accuracy 4/5 x 4/5
Cargo is a value of 600 Organic Units

With a cargo of 600 (sumsize), it can transport infantry of the same value as itself. On being destroyed, the infantry can walk out. There is no chance on losses of the personal.

It can go through water. But not park in it. Thus a river of 2 hexagons wide can be crossed.

The ATV is a tanky unit that can take a decent beating. 20% more durable than a combat tank for the same price. The machine gun has an accuracy of 64% that can outrange riflemen and combat tanks. Although the damage compared to that of a rifleman is only 53% higher. It is more than enough to win in the long run against a whole squad of riflemen.

On average, 1 ATV can survive a full squad of riflemen for 4 attacks. In the time of 5 turns, it can deliver enough damage for killing 2 of them. There is even a 11% chance a kill can occur in the first turn.

With a maximum of 6 ATV. 7 Riflemen on average can be killed in 1 round. When comparing with 6 combat tanks, this would be 5 on average. The ATV is clearly not THE choice for dealing with infantry. But if a player needs to make a choice, the ATV is a better choice than a combat tank. With that 20% extra durability and 40% extra anti personel power, the effectivness is a bit more than 60% higher.

***

Perhaps renaming size and sumsize.
What about cover size and cargo size?

***

The first RPS right now is:
Riflemen = Combat Tanks > ATV > Riflemen

It is a very soft RPS in general. In fact, the riflemen might actually beat the combat tanks.
The combat tanks cannot catch up with the ATV, but if they do, the ATV will suffer greatly. And the ATV are slightly better than the riflemen.

Mission 3 needs another unit. One that can counter the RPS effect of combat tanks vs ATV.

***

While I said that the ATV is needed to get accros water. There is a path to the enemy barracks. The goal is destroy the barracks. The river crossing will give access to a higher ground. And the enemy will only be able to start returning fire once enough infantry are trained by them. It is a race against the clock. Not only that. But the movement speed of the ATV is 4. And the distance should be a bit shorter too, than the go around. It will be a mission that is a given.

***

4th unit.
The Bazooka
I would like to have it cost no more than 300.
But the cargo size will be bigger.
Either I make it a 1:4 or a 1:9 unit.
Meaning that the cost can be multiplied by 1.2 or 1.5.

With 300, the cargo size would be 360 or 450.
With 200, the cargo size would be 240 or 300.

The body and weapon value would be either;
300: 72+288 or 45+405.
200: 48+192 or 30+270.

If I pick the 30+270, then the movement speed has to be 2 for this bazooka. It is an option.
If I pick the 72+288, I got this design ready. But the cargo of the ATV goes to only 600. Meaning there is 240 room left.
If I pick the 45+405, I have no idea what would fit this description. The 45 is not allowed at all.
If I pick the 48+192, I can have another design. But the weapon will be much weaker than the 72+288 design. But, we then would get a cargo size of 240.

In a sense, I did say that I would be designing options at a certain time. Perhaps I should have this 48+192 version go alongside the other version.
240+360 = 600. It is a neat fit. And the 200 and 300 are also nice options.
Googling shows me that the RPG is a better version of the bazooka. In most games in terms of damage. I have an better idea. I have the attack range be the difference.

So, I design both!!

Bazooka
Cost 200, size 200, (sumsize 240)
Movement 1, Attack range 2, (Salvo 1)
Armor 1, health 6
Damage 36, Projectiles 1, Accuracy 4/5 x 4/5 x 5/6

RPG
Cost 300, size 300, (sumsize 360)
Movement 1, Attack range 4, (Salvo 1)
Armor 1, health 9
Damage 36, Projectiles 1, Accuracy 4/5 x 4/5 x 5/6

If we look at their difference. With a full squad. It is 18 vs 12.
The triangular numbers are 171 and 78.
The RPG is 50% more durable too, thus 78 becomes 117.
If it comes to damage, the Bazooka deals 46-50% more.
The RPG however can deal damage before any target can return fire. This in numbers, scores a 12. So, 117 becomes 129.

And if the 2 groups fight each other. The RPG can even shoot twice.
But with that low accuracy, the average damage would be 21 for those 2 turns.
The other group would loose no more than 3 Bazooka. And their number ends up with 15.
They too can still kill 3 RPG. It would be very close. But a 15 vs 12 > 12 vs 9. You can tell who will win this. The RPG can only get an extra advantage if they are located on a spot where the Bazooka need to walk around more. A +2 turns does wonders here. And they end up as equals.

When dealing with ATV. The RPG can fire any time.
The Bazooka have a 1 attack range disadvantage.
A full force of ATV can deal 12 damage. Enough to kill 2. The RPG are actually a better choice for this. No matter how you look at it.

What about micro managment?
1 ATV can carry 1 RPG. For 3600, we can have 4 couples.
As for actions. It is possible to keep a distance to an AI opponent. But you need to get out of the attack range of the RPG as well. The AI needs to get closer during a round, while wasting precious actions. And the player can then pack up and move further away, at the end of a round. Next round, unload and wait again.

As a player using Bazooka, the map is small. You can indeed start running. But you need to wait for the enemy to waste their turns. And only approach if the round is over. You need to move twice. The second move could be an assault with a +1 bonus range. This is very hard to pull. Because the other player might as well not unload at all.

It is an impasse thanks to the ATV.

Medic, cost 150, size 150, (transport size 180)
Movement 3, Attack range 0, (Salvo 1)
Armor 1, health 3
Damage -1 on organic units only, Projectiles 8, Accuracy 100%

The transport size of 180 means that 2 of them take 360 room and a Bazooka could ride along. (I should design an unit with transport size 120.)

Enter;
Light Infantry, cost 120, size 120, (transport size 120)
Movement 2, Attack range 3, (Salvo 1)
Armor 1, health 6
Damage 1, Projectiles 1, Accuracy 4/5
It is just annoying

Medics
Designed as a support unit. If they are right behind an infantry squad. Chances are, they are not targetted. But... even if they are.
What effect do they have?
If we have 6 riflemen, we need 6 medics to give all of them 1 medic to be assigned. For the cost of 6 riflemen, we have only 4 medics.

But even so, if we have 1 medic per 1 rifleman. The healing is 8. This means that outside of combat, a rifleman can be completely healed. And a RPG down to 1 hit point can also be completely healed. It sounds like overkill. But there are 2 other rules. One, after combat, healing can be spread over multiple units, even multiple regions. Two, the healing does last slightly longer during combat.

What I mean is that if combat takes place. Each damage roll is not d6-2 but d6-3 instead.
And this only counts for the hits.
If the target is injured and the next damage roll is 0, it actually can heal for 1.

This all rarely happens. Why?
Damage rolls are sorted from low to high.

There are Event Cards that allow the attacker to sort the dice. Or the defender. The latter allows for 0 damage in total.

There is also the option for having the roll not to be sorted. There is even a new Event Card for this too.

In general, if units die and cannot be healed. The medic is rather useless. But if the healing can be stacked somehow, the medic is a sure way to counter all that damage.

The Cumulative rule comes in action here!
If you want to heal 1 damage immediately. It costs 1 medkit.
If you want to heal 2 damage immediately. It costs 3 medkits.
If you want to heal 3 damage immediately. It costs 6 medkits.

In a way, 4 damage would be 1 damage this way as well. Then, the next 2 projectiles can be healed for only 1 each.
Healing 2 damage would cost 3. This can be done twice, then 2 times 1 remain.
3 projectiles can still kill a rifleman this way. But, you need to roll really lucky. And rolling 3x4 damage having it result in only 1 kill is rather bad. Not to mention. If a rifleman has 2 medics assigned to it. There is another medkit ready to reduce that 4 damage to 1. And yes, we reduce the damage here. The rifleman does not die.

Mechanic, cost 200, size 200, (sumsize 300)
Movement 2, Attack range 0 and 1, (Salvo 1)
Armor 1, health 3
Damage -36 on mechanic units only, Projectiles 1 and 1, Accuracy 100%

I should mention, that -36 is actually the armor value. And thus, a mechanic unit with armor value of less than 36 will also get less repairs done.

The mechanic looks very cheap. But can keep tanks easily alive if they are dealing with simple weapons. During heated combat however, they aren't that usefull.

At an attack range of 1, they can repair only half.

You might have noticed that they cost the same as a bazooka. But their transport size is 300 instead of 240. This is due to the fact that they are an extreme support unit.

I kept the health the same. But movement is 1 less. They carry heavy tools if you will. Speaking of which. Multiple mechanics can work together for reducing damage as well. So, 3 mechanics would offer a total of 6 repair kits. Meaning that 3x36 can be prevented as well. You need 5 mechanics if you want to prevent 4x36.

There is still so much I want to add. But with 4 missions. I think we are busy for the night.

Mission 5 and 6 would both add 2 portions to the map. Making a total of 8. Where in mission 6, we certainly would have a base ourselves.

By then, we need production facilities, resource managment, base defences (the ai should get them too).
I want to add vehicles too. I have 2 infantry in mind. 3 vehicles. And we still need that one tank that is anti infantry as well.

That one light infantry was only designed to accomondate the transport. We need more of these units too, that have a cost with a base of 20.

Let's see. Not sure how the designing will work out. But here are my wishes for the designs:

Grenadier
Should get an attack range of at most 1. It will be a fast infantry unit that is anti vehicle. The attack will have an explosive die.

Mortar Infantry
Should get the transform option. It will also be a fast infantry unit. But cannot move, once transformed. It will have the artillery ability. It needs a scout. And once more an explosive die.
I have no idea how much penalty cost this unit should get for the transformation. It does cost an extra action point. Perhaps consider the changes in terms of costs as well. And take 50% of this.

Assault Buggy
Will be a fast vehicle with anti infantry capabilities. Perhaps this one will have a cooldown of 1. Meaning it will be sniping infantry.

Missile Buggy
Will also be a fast vehicle, but with anti vehicle capabilities. The missiles can fly very far. The only counter is the inaccurate mortar infantry. Thus micro with action points is a must. Salvo of 2? And shooting missiles in the first AND second turn?

Rocket Launcher
Will be a slower vehicle, perhaps a bit more durable too. The rocket(s) can fly even further. The missile buggy will be a good counter through manouvering well. But to counter the rocket launcher, the grenadier (with some medics) might be the best option. Considering giving this unit a cooldown of maybe even 2 (16/37) or 3 (64/175). (Salvo would be 3 or 4)

Artillery
Will be the tank variant of the mortar infantry. Except, it cannot transform. But the projectile will be explosive. To an extend, it will be relatively effective against infantry too this way. Maybe I give this one a charge. But not sure how long.

We now have 2 short and 4 long range weapons. This is added to the other relative short range weapons. The RPG is more like a midrange weapon now. But I do have the feeling that most anti vehicle weapons do a lot with long range and bigger salvo's.

We need one more unit. The ATV isn't that well versed in dealing with infantry. And the Assault buggy immediately has plenty of counters. We need a tank that is anti infantry.

CATV
I am bad in names, you know that. The Combat-ATV is the same as the ATV. But it has less movement speed. Maaaaybe the crossing of water. No transport capabilities. And deals much more damage. It will be having a machine gun.

There are 2 more units that could see the day.
A sniper, with a specific weapon against organic units.
A....whatyamightcallit, vehicle-anti vehilce. Like a quad from Dune 2000. But if it is not attack range, it is speed that a mid tier of armor will hold. I believe I talked about this before.

And what about another type of mechanic that can fix vehicles too? Perhaps I should change the mechanic a bit. And have one of the 2 change from -36 to 2x -9.
I can have 4 variations of the mechanic. Kek.

I also need an engineer if we want to fix mechanical structures.

Base buildings?
Barracks (1); trains organic units
Factory (36); builds mechanic units
Resource node (9); gives resources every round
I don't feel for adding more here. All 3 tiers are covered.

Base defences?
A wall (1) that only blocks movement
A wall (9) that can give cover
A bunker (36) that can give internal cover

A guardian (1), immobile gun turret, very weak in durability.
A guard tower (9), similar to the assault buggy, but immobile.
A modular machine gun, which can be placed on that bunker instead of having infantry go in :)

A mortar pit (1), same as the mortar infantry. But cannot transform. Slightly better though, in all ways. Due to not being able to transform.
A missile turret (9), that can shoots 1 missile. This missile has the seeker ability. Thus you place it behind a forest. It has the best attack range. It also probably has a salvo of 2 or more. Depending on what works best.
A modular missile launcher.

Tank Trap Mine (1), It really is just a barrier. These mines are not the burried types. You can not get close though. The explosive is insanely strong. While they are useless due to being avoidable completely. They do help in protecting something like a cannon turret. And on usage, they dissappear.
A rocket turret (9), with a main purpose of damaging incomming combat tanks.
A cannon turret (36), classic!! Yes, classic counter, they are simply more durable than a combat tank.

3 types of walls, of which the bunker can double with one of the 2 modular weapons.
6 defences. And 1 mine that just sits there.

***

Now, I do want to spend time on the mine and its tactics.

1. The mine can be shot by anything that has a weapon.

2. The mine is truly a melee weapon. But a big force can be targetted at a distance of 1. The rule here is that sufficient mines need to take action. And overkill might occur due to spending more mines for that +1 attack range.

3. The mines used, could easily get a +50% damage boost. Since a player could decide to spend only a few instead.

4. Defences or units behind the mine field can be protected against shorter ranged units, see the 2nd line.

5. Combine with walls for immobility. Since destroying walls does give access to go through them. Having some mines in the vicinity will enforce the walls in their purpose. Take note, the mine field should be in a separate line of hexagons. Since this way, the player needs to use several types of weapons and blast 4 regions instead of the 3 regions with mines.

6. Spread out the mines. Having them being spread out might reduce your own mobility. But it will hold back the enemy too. And the enemy can attack only 1 region at a time. Just remember that spreading them out is a choice. They have less a chance to get that +1 attack range this way.

7. Do not combine mines with units. The mines are there as a waste of time. But you don't want to reduce the attack power of your own squads. See the 4th line.

8. Be a bastard like me. Have room between the mines in such a way that the enemy feels safe and moves closer. Then, move into your own minefield. So these little shitters get that +1 attack range. And voila, in the next turn you can use them as intended. But keep in mind, the action points of the mobile force is added to that specific region.

I might have made a mistake with the ATV design?

Modular weapons should not influenced by the transport attributes.

In fact, transport can appoint attributes.

Modular weapons can have any attribute, thus this is 2 or 4 times more expensive. A modular weapon should be as if it is a weapon.

Transporting units that have a body and thus attributes is different.

The ATV cannot carry a modular weapon of 600. But I should mention, it can carry a weapon worth 150. I need to calculate this to make certain.

But with this knowledge, I assigned the attributes of the ATV itself to the "attack range" of the transport.
That is wrong.
If a transport gets an attack range, it should apply to loading and unloading on a distance.

I forgot what I agreed upon with myself.

Long story short. I did make a calculation mistake. But the original one is still correct.

I did a lot of testing and calculations. But I will try to refrain sharing these. Since it would be a complete mess and chaos. Based on a mistake, based on the assumption of another mistake.

The correct way to calculate transport is to use the weight factor from the movement speed of said transport.

Thus, the weight for a modular weapon that comes with the ATV will be 48.

Modular Weapon:
Attachable Machine Gun
Cargo size 48
Attack Range 3 (salvo 1)
Damage 1, Projectiles 1, Accuracy 4/5 x 4/5

I hope I did everything correct now.

***

... ehm....

I just realized that this modular weapon is exactly the same as the weapon the ATV already carries.
So, I guess I should have the transport of a value of 600 infantry units. Be modular too!!

I can allow players to decide on training the ATV. If they are going to be full transport without a weapon (1800). Or a full fledged tank with a level 3 machine gun.

But.... would this not make things over complicated again?

There is a limit to this rule. The "transport" is linked to the design. It can not be exchanged with other designs. Because the attributes of the bodies of those designs might change too.

Since modular weapons have not attributes themselves. They can still be exchanged.

The ATV comes with the option to have 0 to 3 times the cargo hold of 600 infantry. And 3 levels of the machine gun as modular weapon.

If you want another unit with modular weapons to have an exchange. You need to build both in order to get the modular weapons. The weapons can be stored at the factory. And can only be exchanged there for the cost of an action point.

Or, in the field, between the 2 units. It should cost an action point.

***

I can see the F-kening happen now.

My biggest concern now is the rule for having modular weapons in the first place.

Is it only allowed when transport is involved?
Would this not trigger my cousin to ask for all designs to have the cargo ability, then the designs would all get a modular weapon...

Not only that, but if it is possible to have a transport that can transport itself. Then we get a stack of units...
We can... If the ATV can transport mechanical units only. And uses 2 transport modules. It certainly can transport itself.
Thus we have a stack of 6 ATV. And there is room for a value of 3000 more.
Imagine if this is finetuned. And we do this with structures only. We would get 1 region to be infinitaly big.

***

Knowing my cousin. I have to think of better rules regarding this.

Any idea's?

I have 2 options.
Option 1. I add an replacement projectile. That is discarded once transport is filled.
Option 2. I add an replacement projectile. That is discarded once transport is filled.

Lol, yeah, but one of the 2 options has a different roll-set. And the other option is actually a complete weapon that simply has less projectiles. I see first if the latter is possible. So from a game point of view, it is easier.

And no, you cannot exchange twice or trice or whatever. The whole weapon set was only good for 3x 600 as transport.