Age of Annihilation: The Rules Book(s)

[chas]

Currently the rules shown on the offering page are the Beta Rules, as of 10/14/22, in 24 pages. While the first scenario has just been released, we don't know whether they will be added to the rules book, or be placed in a separate book. Since there are going to be 20 Scenarios in 2 Campaigns, I'd guess it will be in a separate one, but we can discuss them here as well.

Everything is a draft for now. I did a quick first scan through the rules, and here are a few observations:

I note that Valkrill is mentioned in the list of Generals. Since some of the new AOA cards are being reassigned, its not clear what the final picture for the Generals will be. Thormun, our Heroscape Lore Master, may even be added. It has not yet been decided whether Valkrill will be included. However, those that think its a copyright issue seem to be wrong, as its been mentioned that Wizards of the Coast does not own the name. Currently there are 4 Official and 29 Custom Valkrill cards.

Eight of the ten Glyphs which will be included are mentioned in the rules book. Two are duplicates of old ones, the +1 to Attack and +1 to Defense. There is a Healing glyph as well. There are both Permanent and Temporary Glyphs.

All of the rules examples use the new AOA figures. This makes the Vanguard Set almost seem real to me. I sure hope we fund!

There should be a few New Rules or Clarifications. I haven't picked any out yet, but please add any here if you noticed them. Heck, we can add these even if we don't fund. The rules refer many times to adding passages from Swarm of the Marro. Are these more currant than the 2.0 Rules? If AOA comes out, they will become the new standard.

[Rÿchean]

I was surprised to see partial card scoring, only because it is a subtle change that only came about because of community preference, which is a good thing. I was never a fan of partial card because it wasn’t the rule; well if AoA funds it seems like it will be.

Also, they sort of exemplify hex denial as being something that can and will happen, but they present it as more of a “you may not be able to fit in hexes next to other figures”, not so much “here is a great strategic fun way to play the game”. I really don’t think they are trying to say position Raelin’s spear or a stinger’s gun to deny entry, more so that in some situations there just aren’t going to be options. We knew that already with ogre pulverizer.

[chas]

In our games, we always decide upon Full or Partial card scoring before the game starts.

We always joke about "Stinger Denial," but disallow Denial unless it is obvious and major. Since we often use proxies for Customs, especially the newer ones, this does come up, as we can really only rule on the figures being used. It would be pointless to try and imagine how the original "recommended" figure would act. However, we do have a lot of the recommended figures to use when we can.

Likewise, I don't rebase my figures, (although a pal sometimes does this for me) so sometimes have to deal with another style of base. In this case, we usually allow a figure to get on a space if only the nonstandard base is denying it a flat position on the hex. Of course, we are playing friendly, non tournament games.

(For many examples of our games, see my signature line).

[superfrog]

It doesn’t seem like they would leave out two glyphs from the list. Is there another explanation for only 8 listed but 10 included?

[TerminX]

Duplicates, possibly. Three Brandars? Three Xenithraxes?

[Captain Stupendous]

Originally Posted by superfrog

It doesn’t seem like they would leave out two glyphs from the list. Is there another explanation for only 8 listed but 10 included?

Teasing a unit design that comes with its own special glyphs, are we?

[GaryLASQ]

Originally Posted by Rÿchean

Also, they sort of exemplify hex denial as being something that can and will happen, but they present it as more of a “you may not be able to fit in hexes next to other figures”, not so much “here is a great strategic fun way to play the game”. I really don’t think they are trying to say position Raelin’s spear or a stinger’s gun to deny entry, more so that in some situations there just aren’t going to be options. We knew that already with ogre pulverizer.

I think the best way to handle this in a new rulebook is to just say "The opposing player should adjust their figure as best he or she can to accommodate your figure. If it still doesn't fit, the figure can't move to that space." It wouldn't need to bother mentioning friendly vs competitive play. Just put this "friendly" rule in there and be done with it.

And to keep this from turning into another Stinger Denial thread I shall now

[superfrog]

Originally Posted by Captain Stupendous

Teasing a unit design that comes with its own special glyphs, are we?

Would that imply two entirely missing glyphs from the list? AFAIK they didn't forget any.

[chas]

There are in fact 3 Xenethrax Vine Glyphs.