Prussian Empire Arminus Class Frigate

Continuing painting Jeff's Prussian Empire Fleet from Spartan Games Dystopian Wars, the Next ships that I did were the Arminius Class Frigates. He had already painted one, so I had a whopping 8 to finish!

Again I tried to copy the style of his frigates, and much like the cruisers highlight the unique features of the class.

The Arminius Class Frigates are truly mini versions of the Reiver Class Cruiser. Complete with a cannon in the front, and a Tesla coil in the back.



                          

Diplomacy Online

I recently had the pleasure of having my ass thoroughly handed to me in a game of Online Diplomacy! It was a really interesting experience, and I thought I would share.

An Old University friend of mine contacted me and asked if I would be interested in joining his friends for a game of Diplomacy Online:

http://www.playdiplomacy.com/

I was intrigued to say the least.

I own a copy of Diplomacy, but had only ever played it once. I was unsure of how well I would do, But despite my unfamiliarity with the game, I was curious to see how it would work across the web. So I agreed.

With that, he gave me the website, told me to create an account, send him my username, and wait until he had everyone assembled.

After a day or two, my friend had found enough people to get a game going, and I received my invitation to join via email. Once all eight players had confirmed, I was off to the map to give my first set of orders.

Not the map from our game, but basically the same.

The colours on the map were a little wild, and apparently change each game, but I went with the flow. I had been assigned the Ottoman Empire. A tough start in this time period.

I was Ottoman in the First game, and Ottoman in the Second Game.

If you are not familiar with Diplomacy, the game works by giving your units different orders, that make them attack, hold or support another attack. 

All of this is done on the screen, by right click on your unit, and then clicking through the instructions to give the order.

In order to defeat an opponent, you must attack them with a force of superior size. Only then will you push their units out of the territory you where fighting over, and this where the true nature of the game comes into play. 

It is called Diplomacy for a reason! (Treaty of Paris 1783)

Since you need to devote so many forces to each invasion, you must strike up deals with the other players, or find yourself out manned. These deals can be anything from agreements to attack a certain territory, to border negotiations, or just plain and simple threats. But before each player gives their orders, there is a "diplomacy" phase where players plot and scheme against each other. 

Alliances are made (even with the intention of breaking it), and deals are struck among all players: Each seeking to out maneuver the other.

Every friend is a potential enemy, every enemy a potential friend.

Since our group was all over the world, we couldn't sit down and have these negotiations face to face like a traditional game of Diplomacy. So we created a Facebook group and added each other as friends for private negotiations.

It was effective, but it lacked a certain humanity. When sitting around the board, you get to look a player in their eyes while they lie to you, or see other sneak off for secret discussions. So, you get a read of the situation and can play accordingly. When you are on Facebook, you can't see the others expressions, and you have no idea who is talking to whom. It's like playing in the dark.

I personally prefer to see my opponents when we talk, but I am sure using Skype next or something similar could get around that issue. 

Each turn lasted 5 days rather then the standard half-hour turn the board game uses. Which was to give everyone a chance to fit the game into their busy schedules.

The game started off beautifully with each turn ending on a day, but as people's lives waned on, the turn length got longer and longer. I will confess that I even missed a turn once as I was out of town, and didn't remember until I got a warning that I needed to retreat!

The Great Retreat of the German From the Banks of the River Marne in 1914 by Joseph Skelton

Despite those hang ups, Diplomacy Online really did feel like a real game of Diplomacy. The back stabbing was there, the strategy of the game was there, and the interface was easy to use. But, remember that Diplomacy Online does require you to be familiar with the rules. So look them up before you play! Wizards of the coasts hosts free version of rules that you can download here:

https://www.wizards.com/avalonhill/rules/diplomacy.pdf

If your game group is all over the world, or you just have trouble getting together, then Diplomacy Online is an amazing way to have a game with low time commitment costs.



                          

Prussian Empire Reiver Class Cruiser

After painting a few of his Prussian Empire miniatures for Dystopian Wars, Jeff decided to ask me for some help. So he gave me the rest of his minis and I tried to copy his design.

The first ships I painted were the Reiver Class Cruisers. Jeff had already painted one, which left two for me to finish. I used darker colours then Jeff did, and tried to highlight some of the vessel's interesting features.

Like all Prussian vessels, the Reiver Class Cruisers make heavy use of Tesla coils, which continue to operate at peak efficiency even when the ship is badly damaged.



                          

Elijah's Central Powers Planes

Elijah has only a few Central Powers planes, as he prefers flying Allied aircraft. But he has a couple just in case.

Elijah uses a Central Powers Staple: the Albatross DV, for his main fighter. It always servers him well. here he has it painted in a classic black.

His Multi-Engine Bomber is the A.E.G. C.IV. It is a short range bomber, and is a little under powered, but it gets the job done!



                          

The Spot Check with David Corbin, Pinnacle Game Labs

For this Edition of Spot check we checked in with David Corbin, Founder and operator of Pinnacle Game Labs, and creator of the time-saving turn app Fast First. Other apps on the market determine player order using more clunky methods like spinners, and having players put their fingers on the screen allowing a light underneath to randomly choose player one- but these options are limiting.

Corbin was inspired to design an app that would not only be the fastest and most efficient way to determine player one, but could also provide a complete turn order for all players in the game. -something other apps really need to improve on. Using an innovative circle schematic representing players around a table, users can easily choose the option suitable for the number in their game and have a complete turn order established in seconds.

This is what JADE loves to see on the market: creative ways to make gaming even easier for those who love it most. Fast First is available on iTunes, and Pinnacle is soon to be releasing a Name that Game app as well - challenging gaming enthusiasts to put their fandom to the test and name the board game or puzzle based on the subtle clues provided. Check out Pinnacle’s website for more deets on all of Corbin's games and machinations: pinnaclegamelabs.com

Let's learn more about the inner workings of the game lab:


1) Whats your name and where are you based?
David Corbin.  I live on the north edge of metro Atlanta, GA, USA.

2) What got you into game design?
I’ve been writing software and playing games (of various sorts) for 38 years.    To me, game design is just another creative outlet like writing software, or playing an RPG.  Game design (like software design), scratches two itches at one - I get to be creative, but there’s also a lot of analysis to it.  When I discovered the modern table-top game hobby (about 8 years ago), like so many that find it, I dove in head first.  I think being should deep in games, it was inevitable that I try my hand at designing some.

3) What genre of game do you enjoy creating most and why?
I definitely lean towards  light to medium weight Euro-ish games.  To me, an elegant game design has very simple rules, but there’s an emergent complexity to the strategy of playing it.  I’m constantly striving for that type of elegance.  Highly thematic games and heavier Eurogames seem to me to be much more work to design.  There’s just more moving parts, and play tests take that much more time. 

4) What is the biggest challenge you've faced?
Hands down, it’s making a game that stands out. I’ve designed a few games that I’m reasonably proud of, but designing one with enough zing to get be really noticed is a whole lot hard than it looks.

5) What do you have in the works now?
I’m working on a family strategy game - probably my lightest game design ever.  It was my fasted game from idea to playable prototype (36 hours).  Nine months later, I just made a significant change to avoid the “multi-player solitaire” feel, and so it’s pretty much like starting over again.

6) Fave game?
Hanabi

7) Most overrated game?
Agricola

8) Favourite meme?
Bacon.  You can never have too much bacon.

9) What game character would you be out of any?
I’m always the very thinky rogue.

10) Best alignment?
Chaotic Good

11) Magic or melee?
Whatever the party needs, but melee if I’m solo.

12) Old school or new school?
Very old school

13) Sci-Fi or Fantasy?
Hard Sci-Fi.

14) Most epic win?
I was playing Battlestar Galactica (as a human).  Both the President and Admiral are Cylons and have soft revealed. Two of the three Human Players  are in the brig and we’d only gone half-way. We eventually got both Cylons in the brig with us.  The President escapes, while two humans continue to sit in the brig.  We eventually squeaked out a win. Somehow. I had to do a BGG session write up: http://www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/407691/and-then-some-days-gods-are-your-side

15) In a battle for middle earth where would you be?
Trying to figure out how to win the battle through wits instead of brute force.

Jeff's Central Powers Planes

Despite Jeff's love, Prussian, German, Central Powers and Axis war machines, He only has two Central Powers planes that he uses in Canvas Eagles.

Jeff's favorite plane is his Fokker D8. He painted it in a gold and black motif, giving it a very classy look. Though no more then a handful of Fokker D8's actually saw combat, Jeff handles this plane with skill.

The Rumpler CIV was a strange choice, but wanting a Two seater, Jeff snagged one, painting it with Purple and Green stripes. It is a pretty standard plane over all, but when used properly any two seater can be deadly.

Written by: Andrew Gregory

Jeff's Allied Planes

The first minis Jeff ever painted were his WWI planes. Jeff prefers to play the Central Powers over the Allies in Canvas Eagles, but when he does, he makes sure to include as many countries as he can.

Here we have a Romanian Nieuport 17. One of the more famous French planes in the war, widely used by the Allies.

For the later war, he has a Greek Nieuport 28. Which he painted in a distinctive camo pattern with a signature number "9" on the left wing.

And finally his Italian Ansaldo SV5A. He painted the top wing of this Fighter/Bomber with the same colours as the Italian flag.

Federated States of America Springfield Class Escort

For a time my FAS Springfield Class Escorts were my secret weapon as I attempted to rule the Skies with my American fleet.

Using the combined power of their Ack-Ack (Anti-aircraft) Springfield escorts can take on almost anything in the sky.

Well, after a battle or two everyone caught on, and they are now a common sight in everyone's fleet.



                          

Cobblepot's Big Score Game 3

Game Master: Elijah
Game Edition: D&D 5
Players: Jeff, Andrew, Dave, Sarah
Starting Level: 5
Current Level:5

Quote of the Evening:
"I figured you guys would be fine."

Introduction

We last left our party in a sorry state. Cobblepot the Penguin Criminal Bard (Jeff) had left his compatriots at the scene of a murder, while Sharky the Shark Monk (Andrew) and Legion, the Psychic Collective of Sorcerer Turtles (Dave) had taken the wrap and surrendered to the guards.

It seemed hopeless, but after waiting for hours in their prison cell, Sharky and Legion were released by an... Old friend?

A Crocodile they had met last game.

The mob boss, Crocodile Daryl sprung them from the jail and took them out into the street. He scolded them for such idiocy. They didn't have time to be fooling around with the town guard. He needed them to steal the item the Prince was bring to the town in a few days. And he couldn't afford any slip ups.

With that he left them in the street. Neither Sharky nor Legion knew how he got them out of jail, nor did they care to ask. Best not to know such things.

Legion looked up to Sharky, asking what to do next. Sharky shook his head and headed towards the Drunken Badger where he assumed he would find Cobblepot.

Scene 1 The Plan.

Cobblepot was in his room when Sharky and Legion pounded on the door. It was about 2 o'clock in the morning but Sharky didn't care. He wanted to speak with Cobblepot.

The penguin opened the door and let them in. And he at least acted revealed to see Sharky and Legion.

"I figured you guys would be fine." He said in our quote of the evening.

Sharky and Legion were not offended and explained that Crocodile Daryl had freed them from prison. Cobblepot thought it over and decided they should act as soon as they could. He didn't want to disappoint the Croc.

Sharky suggested that they rob the Clothier's shop the porter at the Nodding Navigator suggested they get clothes from last game.

Cobblepot thought this was a brilliant idea and the two headed out into the night as Legion fell asleep in the corner to regenerate his powers.

I wonder if they are dreaming of being Blue Shells.

Scene 2 Robbing the Clothier's.

To speed their journey though the night, Sharky grabbed Cobblepot and placed him on his Shoulder. Like that they ran through the night streets looking for the store.

Graceful!

Finding the Clothier's was simple enough, but entering it proved more difficult: the front door was locked. Sharky offered to break the shop's window, but Cobblepot urged caution, and suggested they go in through the back.

The shop had a rear entrance, with a rickety wooden door. It was also locked. Sharky looked up at his boss resting on his shoulder and Cobblepot gave him a knowing nod. With permission given, Sharky hit the door with a quick and powerful punch bursting it open. With the way cleared, they entered the shop.

The groggy shop keeper was roused by the noise and came down from her apartment above to see what was happening in her store. She carefully crawled out of bed, lighting an oil lamp at the side table as she went. Quietly she crept down the stairs. The light from her lamp spilled across the shop room floor, revealing a penguin and a Shark rummaging through the stores possessions.

Like some weird version of Jaws.

It was only shock that kept her from crying out, and Sharky silenced her with a stun punch. To cover their tracks, Cobblepot had Sharky break the store owners neck, and they went about robbing the place.

During this Legion had awoken from a very restful slumber. Deciding to find Cobblepot and Sharky he left the room and went off into the dark.

After chasing a drunken squirrel into the night for a bit, his attention was captured by a loud crack that split the silence of the night. This was indeed the punch Sharky had used to break through the back door, and Legion hurried in the direction of the sound.

He found Cobblepot and Sharky rummaging through the shop and joined in. By the time they were done they each had some sharp threads. But perhaps it was Sharky that looked the most dapper.

Those are the kinda threads you get for rolling a 20 on a search.

When they were satisfied with their outfits, they head over to the Nodding Navigator with the hopes of finding the Stewart.

Scene 3 The Red Panda in the Nodding Navigator.

The party had spent so much time deciding what they were going to wear, by the time they got to the Inn of the Nodding Navigator it was 5 o'clock in the morning.

At the front door a maitre d' greeted them and bid them enter. This time they were not stopped due to their appearance. However, to say they were elaborately dressed was an understatement. They looked out of place, but each of them played it up like they were big shots.

The Dining Room of the Nodding Navigator was practically empty, but there was one individual who stood out: a Red Panda pouring over cook books.

*Cook books not shown

Feeling the Red Panda Chef may know the Steward in charge of the festival's preparations, Cobblepot slipped over to her table and introduced himself. The Red Panda told him she was the Wizard Xiaojing He (Sarah). She was recently one of the Chefs at the Castle preparing for the feast, but she found the head chef so pig-headed she refused to work with him any more.

Seeing this as the opportunity they needed to gain access to the castle,  Cobblepot began spinning his web of lies.

As complex as a spider's web.

He told the Red Panda that he was the owner and operator of Cobblepot's Catering, and wanted to speak with the Stewart about using his vegetables in the prince's feast.

Xiaojing commented that all of the food would be brought to the feast by the prince's entourage, but offered to take Cobblepot and his retinue, and introduce them to the steward. 

Cobblepot graciously accepted. Everything was going to plan.

Scene 4 Finding the Steward.

Thinking the steward would most likely be at the fair grounds, Xiaojing lead the way. She found one of the managers there, and asked where the steward was. The manager told her that he was at the castle and asked why she was looking for him. Cobblepot interrupted stating that he ran a catering company and was interested in replacing the current cooking staff with his own.

Xiaojing realized this was not the story that Cobblepot told her in the first place. It seemed strange but she decided to ignore it.

Cobblepot then realized that Xiaojing was growing suspicious, and that he could use her to his own advantage. On the spot he offered her as job as head chef of his Catering company, and offered an exorbitant fee of 50gp. Overwhelmed by the offer, Xiaojing accepted, forgetting the contradiction and lead on to the castle.

At the gates, the guards told them that the steward had gone missing. Apparently a large hole had opened beneath the steward’s feet swallowing him up!

Hole in the Wall by Toms Atte

The guards had searched for him but turned up nothing. The hole opened into a labyrinth of ancient tunnels that twisted and wound their way beneath the town. Finding him would be almost hopeless!

Cobblepot and his party went to the courtyard to find the sink-hole, and discovered it and was surrounded by onlookers. In a loud voice, Cobblepot promised that he and his party would find the steward in the tunnels.

So removing their finery, the Party jumped into the hole.

Scene 5 Sharky Down.

As they fell, Legion cast feather fall on the group, and they each fluttered safely down to the bottom.

Then, using Speak With Plants, Cobblepot was able to ask the roots that grew out of the tunnel walls:

"Which way did they go?"

The plants told them that something had followed the tunnel before them, and the party dashed down the corridor. About half way down, they were ambushed by a group of vicious giant beetles!

Most of them went towards Sharky, as he was the largest target. He fought furiously to keep them off of him, but after a few critical blows, the beetles had taken him down.

BEETLES! NOOOOO!

Thankfully he passed his Death Saving Throw, and Xiaojing was able to stabilize him, while Legion and Cobblepot fought the remaining Beetles off.

With Sharky down, the group needed a healer and fast! Cobblepot sent Legion to find one. Legion ran as fast as he could, and made it back to the sink-hole in no time. He then cast Gaseous Form and drifted up to the top.

The onlookers were happy to help and directed Legion to Brother Davis, a visiting cleric. Brother Davis, was a kind man and when he heard that Sharky was injured, he offered to help.

Legion lead him back to the sink-hole, and then to the party. Cobblepot and Xiaojing were standing guard lest the beetles returned, and were relieved to see the cleric.

Brother Davis worked his magic and Sharky was healed. The group thanked the priest and bid him farewell. They had a steward to find.

Scene 6 Rescuing the Steward.

After battling another group of beetles, the party came to a cross roads. Listening carefully, Sharky heard a moaning coming from one of the tunnels.

They followed it carefully, moving as quietly as they could. Their silence was rewarded by a most unusual sight. The Stewart was hung from the ceiling by his feet, and was surrounded by a 5 figures in dark robes. It would seem they were preforming some sort of ceremony.

And the Steward was no Houdini.

Sharky charged into the crowd, but before he could reach them, they all vanished into thin air. Using his height, the shark lowered the steward from the ceiling and carried him further into the tunnels.

After 20minutes of wandering, the party stumbled upon a little girl playing in the in one of the passages. She was surprised to see them, but offered to lead them to the castle. The party thanked her and she lead them out through the kitchens.

As they emerged, servants rushed to take the steward to a comfortable room, and the party was told they could speak to him once he had recovered.

And that was where we left off for the evening.

Conclusion

Things seemed to be going Cobblepot's way! We will almost certainly be able to befriend the steward now!

The next step is to poison the head chef, and replace him with Xiaojing. After that we case out the castle, and find out where the Prince's mysterious item will be located.

With only a day left until the guests of the feast arrive, will Cobblepot and his team have time to steal the item for Crocodile Daryl or will the face his wrath after a bitter failure?



                          

Sarah's Rad Panda Wizard: Xiaojing He

JADE Guest Sarah's Red Panda from Dark Sword Miniature's amazing Anthropomorphic Line was a great choice. She wasn't sure which class she wanted to be, and while having a very monk like quality, the mini really could work for a number of classes.

Xiaojing He is a Wizard in JADE's fifth edition campaign: Cobblepot's Big Score. She is a world renown chef (or at least claims to be), and should come in handy when trying to gain access to the castle. Who would turn down a world renown chef after all?



                          

Prussian Empire Geier Class Bomber

Continuing Painting Jeff's Prussian Empire Fleet, I came upon the Geier Class Bombers. Now I was truly in uncharted territory. Jeff had not painted either of his bombers so I had nothing to base the paint job on.

I was unsure as to whether the solid metallic purple would suit the plane, but I was blown away by the results. As far as I am concerned, this paint scheme was made for the Geier Bomber, and it just looks fantastic!

The Geier is a pretty standard bomber, but of course, those Prussians just had to add in that Tesla Coil!



                          

Federated States of America Revere Class Corvette

The Revere Class Corvettes from Spartan Games Dystopian Wars are about as standard as they get. One forward gun, one central water wheel, and that is it.

Unlike Frigates, Corvettes only have one forward facing gun. Which makes them great chargers, though greatly limits their power in comparison to a frigate.

I personally use them because they are fewer points then a a frigate, saving room for more important vessels.



                  >        

Federated States of America A-17 Class Bombers

There is not really too much to say about the Federated States of America A-17 Class Bombers. They are a pretty standard plane.

They have bombs and torpedoes and move at a standard speed, and truthfully don't do anything all that interesting.

But in the end their simplicity makes them an important stock option for an FAS fleet. And I wouldn't play a game without them.



                          

Elijah's Allied Planes

Elijah had already been painting Warmachine miniatures for some time, but the size of 1/300th scale air craft presented an unusual challenge for painting, which Elijah is always up for.

Elijah's favourite plane is his Sopwith Camel. Probably the most famous plane in the war, and for a good reason. It is a deadly adversary in the air.

His RE8 is a strange two seater to have on the board, and not the most common plane in the war. It is a little under powered, but the rear gunner makes up for it!

The BE2C is more for fun then being a real contender. It was one of the first planes of the war, and with it's bizarre firing archs it makes for an interesting battle.



                  n