Multiplayer Random Turn Order

Subject: Multiplayer Random Turn Order Thu 29 May 2008 - 17:43

In my current Mordheim campaign, we were having a problem in larger games (5+ players) with people always just picking on the players that came in late or deployed last.

So, I decided to employ the "Deadlands" initiative order.

How does this work you ask?! What the Heck is "Deadlands"?

Deadlands was an old Weird West game with ghouls, monsters, angry Native Americans and creepy German Mad Scientists.

The multiplayer initiative system for that game was great, so I "borrowed" it for LARGE games of Mordheim.

The way it works is you take a standard deck of playing cards, and deal out 1 card to each individual warband.

Then you call out cards starting with Aces and going all the way down to 2's. Then the cards determine the order and the players never know who's going first.

Also, in case of a tie, we once had 3 fives dealt out. Then you use the "English" system of suit order. Spades, Diamonds, Hearts, and Clubs.

It works for us and it adds a heck of a lot to the larger games.

-Dr R.

Subject: Re: Multiplayer Random Turn Order Thu 29 May 2008 - 19:27

That is interesting. Thanks for the idea

How were the teams "picked on" on the first turn? didn't everyone start like ~30" apart?
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-Ashton Sanders
-Mordheim in Montana Blog

Subject: Re: Multiplayer Random Turn Order Thu 29 May 2008 - 19:33

Sorry AShton, I don't understand your questions.

We just used the "Chaos in the Streets" multiplayer rules plus these turn order "initiative" rules.

BTW- I hadn't noticed the post earlier about using cards for turn order.

Sorry to Admin if this is a "double post".

-Dr R>

Subject: Re: Multiplayer Random Turn Order Thu 29 May 2008 - 20:21

No prob, I'll rephrase. You said:

Subject: Re: Multiplayer Random Turn Order Thu 29 May 2008 - 21:08

Oh okay, now I understand.

Here is an illustrative example.

We have 4 warbands playing:

Possessed (Dr. R.), Orcs (Ashton), Dave (Dwarf Treasure Hunters), and Bob (Marienburgers)

4 cards are dealt, in secret to each player.

Aces are called. If someone has an Ace, they say, "Ace!" and reveal their card.

Otherwise, Kings are called. Then Queens and so on.

Here is a real life example.

Marienburgers are rated 350 and are defending a Wizards Mansion. Cards are dealt.

Possessed have an Ace. They move closer to the mansion while hugging cover.

Cards are called until we get to Jacks. Orcs have a Jack, they go next and hide in cover for this turn.

Cards are called until we get to fives, Marienburgers reveal a a five of clubs. However, Treasure Hunters have a five of spades. There fore they get to go before the Marienburgers. The dwarfs fire a few crossbow bolts and a few of their warriors move to closer cover.

The Marienburgers go next and shoot back at the dwarfs scoring 2 hits and taking a henchman out of action.

Next turn cards are dealt again. This time the Dwarfs go first, with a Queen, and they move to better cover.

The Marienburgers go next with a ten and they take a better shooting position outside of the mansion and shoot several Orcs that have little cover from this new shooting position. One of the Orc's is stunned by Longbow shots from marksmen.

The Possessed have the next turn with an 8, they decide to have a veteran mutant with sprint, hooves, and leap run up and take a stunned Orc out of action. Thus finishing the job started by the Marienburgers.

The Orcs go last and two Orcs counter charge the Mutant, unfortunately for him those Orcs both had Strike to Injure and Mighty Blow. So that Mutant went out of combat as quick as he came in.

2 Orc Arrer boys move to a shooting position and fire back at the Marienburgers' marksmen. However, Orcs are not the best archers in Mordheim and they missed completely.

The Following turn, Gork smiles on the ORcs and they are dealt an Ace of Spades, nothing beats an Ace of Spades in turn order.

The Orcs go first and choose to ignore the Possessed warband for now and proceed to charge the Marienburgers' position.

Several Marksmen fall to the Orcs and the Arrer boyz shoot at Marienburgers' in the windows. HUZZAH, 1 stunned Marienburger fell out of a window and took D3 S6 hits. Good bye.

The Possessed go next with a Jack of diamonds and they charge the Orcs in the back and take both Arrer boyz OOA.

Many Turns later-

The Marienburgers voluntarily rout because a highly experienced Possessed got inside the mansion. The Orcs routed because of casualties and low leadership.

The Possessed had to voluntarily rout as they had too many casualties from Dwarf Treasure hunter crossbow fire.

The Dwarfs won, but just because they got to the party late and everyone else had already danced without them.

In the end, the Orcs lost an Arrer boy and the Orc leader lost an eye to Marienburger crossbows.

The possessed Mutant with hooves, sprint, and leap got 2 leg injuries and was "retired".

The dwarfs became VERY rich and bought several henchman and hired a troll slayer.

All in all a good game, and because you never know who's going next it makes things ALL the more interesting.

-Dr R.

Subject: Re: Multiplayer Random Turn Order Thu 29 May 2008 - 21:17

Oh! I get it. You deal another set of cards every turn. I kindof like that... definitely adds randomity to a random game.

I'd like to try this, as well as that other randomity thread with cards. (basically where each hero and henchmen group gets a card)
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-Ashton Sanders
-Mordheim in Montana Blog

Subject: Re: Multiplayer Random Turn Order Thu 29 May 2008 - 21:34

I would HIGHLY advise against dealing random cards to each hero and henchmen group.

That will seriously S-L-O-W down your game(s).

That is only worth doing in VERY complex games with few fighters.

Could you imagine if you were playing that way against a Skaven warband with 16 members?

It would be mind numbing after the 2nd or 3rd turn, depending on your attention span and your constitution.

Subject: Re: Multiplayer Random Turn Order Thu 29 May 2008 - 21:47

Subject: Re: Multiplayer Random Turn Order Thu 29 May 2008 - 22:36

That is a GREAT IDEA not just for multi-player games, but, at the other end of the spectrun, solo games.

Your explanation of the mechanics was a fine piece of battle reporting [time to break out the pop corn Suspect

]. AN EXCELLENT POST! BRAVO! Sir, yes sir!

Subject: Re: Multiplayer Random Turn Order Thu 29 May 2008 - 23:37

I like your idea Remulack.

However we used to solve the problem by just making 2 teams and having all the players from each team move/shoot etc... at the same time.

You can thus reduce any game, with any number of players to a "A team vs B team" scenario with only 2 alternating turns. A little bit like in multiplayer WHFB battles where all generals from one team move their regiments simultaneously.

But as I said, I like your cards idea, as it is more unpredictable.
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Subject: Re: Multiplayer Random Turn Order Fri 30 May 2008 - 14:50

This does sound like an h’excellent idea.
Me and my circle of Mordheimers are having a chaos on the streets type thing soon (trying to play a whole campaign in one day, never gonna happen!) and I think we will have to give this a go.
I was thinking maybe adding the card “score” to the warband leaders initiative, using just one card per warband/per turn that is.
Hmm…
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Subject: Re: Multiplayer Random Turn Order Fri 30 May 2008 - 16:21

PLease by ALL means use the card turn order/ initiative system.

Just please give credit to the Deadlands game.

Heck some of you "cross the pond"-ers may actually like it.

Here's a link to Deadlands in case you've never heard of it.

http://www.smithandrobards.com/product_info.php?products_id=13

They also made some FANTASTIC miniatures. (I even use a few in Necromunda)

http://www.nobleknight.com/imagepage.asp?image=PEG1507.jpg&name=Devil%20Bats

http://www.nobleknight.com/imagepage.asp?image=PEG1218.jpeg&name=Pyro%20Master

Subject: Re: Multiplayer Random Turn Order Sat 31 May 2008 - 16:26

Thanks a lot for the Deadlands lead. I had never heard of Great White Games and Savage Worlds before. I just had a look at the Rulebook and I like the feel of it. When I find the time I'll have a closer look at the Savage Worlds system. So far it does look good to me.
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