http://fortressat.com/ Thu, 23 May 2013 19:59:25 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://fortressat.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2231#josc28213 One other thing, as noted in previous, only tested this so far, but I like the draft. I don't think I'm gonna tell the players what the special abilities are at all in our first game but get everyone to pick or bid on characters they simply think would be cool for their team (and how much money they have remaining)- the same way kids pick on the playground the first time, not klnowing who is more useful or less so, altho here some powers it appears will surprise at unexpected moments. I don't care about comparing the value of the character that much, I'd rather play hunches on who will be good. In my test run there were surprises: one of the 'players' had the prophet and 'guessed' the winner. The 2nd place brought in enough points to win the whole thing. Simply, it seems fun building your team on a gut feeling and I think it will be equally enjoyable trying to choose who to play in which race. A lot of luck, who cares? If you end up with too many shit characters start rolling those sixes.... Others here have have noted it, but this must be a great game to have a few drinks over and just watch unfold. scissors Wed, 17 Nov 2010 06:23:31 +0100 http://fortressat.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2231#josc28209 Looking forward to playing this. Did a solo run recently just to get the simple rules down and WOW I think our group will really enjoy this. On paper it just seems kind of ... meh ... this guy has these powers, this character that... but the way they ineract ...bam! I think this is going to be a lot of fun. It seems the hype machine of FAT was right :) LOve the graphics and art. The stands though are more *annoying* than I thought they would be. scissors Wed, 17 Nov 2010 05:10:25 +0100 http://fortressat.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2231#josc28129 We never look at the decks at GT, it is more fun when you realize that your battleship is worth shit in the universe full of planets and derelict spaceships. sydo Sat, 13 Nov 2010 23:12:46 +0100 http://fortressat.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2231#josc28127 I hear you, Frank---my opponents were looking at me in horror when I refused to look at the deck in Galaxy Trucker when I played it at your place. It was a fun that way. Gary Sax Sat, 13 Nov 2010 20:08:40 +0100 http://fortressat.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2231#josc28124 Depends on the group. Monster Derby is a more complex game, with some amount of rules negotiation and tracking. The advantage of Monster Derby is that it give you more to do, and you have interest in more than one monster. (It is like the fun version of Titan: The Arena in that manner.) As to the auctions: 1. There are definitely tiers of powers, although the random selection nature of the game blurs those distinctions--some powers never, EVER win, and some (Amazon) are incredibly strong. The auctions do balance that just a bit. 2. The fact that your incredibly cool racer is completely sucking is only amplified by the act that you paid 4 for this loser is actually quite a bit of fun. As a side note, ever try playing Galaxy Trucker WITHOUT the rule that allows you to look at the event card decks? The game might be end up being more fun that way. moofrank Sat, 13 Nov 2010 11:04:26 +0100 http://fortressat.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2231#josc28123 So far, I don't think this game is as good as Monser Derby....and my group seems to request the latter over the former more often. Space Ghost Sat, 13 Nov 2010 09:53:05 +0100 http://fortressat.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2231#josc28122 I'm inclined to agree with Robert and the mighty chaotic Steve Avery. I think a limited draft where you're dealt the cards and pass them along would serve the same essential purpose. To me, MA is about the entertainment of the various interactions and collisions between the characters during the races. Sure, you still play to win, and being more intense about your draft choices might help, but it seems a little like having a gourmet dinner at a fancy restaurant before going to see a tractor pull, or something like that. Then again, if you have a group where everyone knows the game and the characters well enough and can choose quickly, you might as well do the draft, for whatever it's worth. What's up with the stands, though? Very annoying. Not typical at all for a Z-Man production, of course, and I expect he'll probably correct that for future editions, like he did with the size of the Pandemic tokens and research stations. I think next time I play I'm gonna get little hunks of Play-Doh and just stick the character markers in those. Grudunza Sat, 13 Nov 2010 08:04:46 +0100 http://fortressat.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2231#josc28120 Embrace entropy my brothers. The control you exert is only an illusion. A random draw would not change the outcome in the slightest. Become one with the chaos and it will release your earthly tethers... Steve"Avatar of Chaos"Avery Stephen Avery Sat, 13 Nov 2010 04:50:31 +0100 http://fortressat.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2231#josc28109 Just for this game. What I like about the draft is that, in a game so full of randomness, it is the one aspect of semi-control you have. And that control gives me a connection to who I picked for the collection of heats. Typically at the end of the race, after I have lost (which happens often in this game) my thoughts go to: Which racer didn't pan out how I liked? Did I over/under value a racer? Basically the questions revolve around my team and who I picked. Secondary comments may then come out about how the die hates me or that how one of the other guys playing was rolling fives and sixes all day. If I were to be dealt a random hand of racers then I have no association with the outcome of the race. Me losing comes down to the die hating me still or being dealt a crap hand of racers that I loathe. And for all that I like about the draft, I don't see a time savings of 10 mins or so worth it. LordVonTush Fri, 12 Nov 2010 10:26:09 +0100 http://fortressat.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2231#josc28107 A random deal on its own is no fun. But a random deal followed by tactical card-passing? It works well in all sorts of trick-taking games. Or will you not entertain those in your household, either? Juniper Fri, 12 Nov 2010 10:20:38 +0100 http://fortressat.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2231#josc28106 My most recent play of MA ended with a very similar conversation and I'll say now what I said then: "The idea of being dealt random characters does not appeal to me in the slightest, and that is not an idea that I would entertain in my household." LordVonTush Fri, 12 Nov 2010 10:11:47 +0100