Monday 19 October 2015

Frostgrave campaign start.

Well it was 2 weeks since our start and will be at least a month before the next game of Frostgrave, but we are now up and running. 4 of us are all playing on the same board at the same time! Ian (Witch) Relfie (Necromancer) Kev (Elementalist) and myself as an enchanter. In fact the same types of mages we played in the pre-campaign. We had all changed spells a few times though having seen how goo or bad our first selection was. Mostly for convenience I stuck to almost the same retinue as last time just swapping an infantryman for an archer. Spell wise I decided on the following:
  • Animate Construct (8+)
  • Grenade (10+)
  • Telekinisis (8+)
  • Elemental bold (14+ Aligned)
  • Absorb Knowledge (10+ Aligned)
  • Fog (10+ Aligned)
  • Leap (12+Neutral)
  • Heal (12+ Neutral)
And only a slight change in my retinue 4 archers and 2 Infantrymen (as opposed to 3 of each)

Pregame spells were cast and I got a single Medium construct, my apprentice Called Nigel) missed getting another medium construct by 1. So I was just a little under strength from last time, but not greatly.

We played on a board that Kev had made for nothing or next to nothing. Which really did look very good indeed and even better when you knew what it was and what it cost. needles to say not all the terrain fitted in exactly but we do not generally worry about that too much. The first turn saw a group activation from me and my wizard cast Telekinesis to get the treasure close enough for an archer to pick up. And in the Apprentice phase the archer and loot counter were leaped from the table but the apprentice did have to empower the spell by 3 points to secure my first loot counter on my first turn. There was voiced concern from the other players both at me taking the damage from empowering the spell and also if this was allowable in the rules as the archer had already been activated and the Leap spell would mean that he could do nothing else that turn. But as he was then off of the table I had no further plans for him. Kev Cat a wall (the beige building on the right.) and Ian cast Fog all to stop me getting more loot. Their plans worked! No More loot in turn 1 for me, not that I would have been able to anyway, but both spells did force me to change my plans! (The rotters) Relfie did pick up some loot as well, but Kev had his crossbow man shoot the thug. Which then shuffled of his mortal coil and passed into eternal night. But picking up the loot had bought on 2 skeletons right behind kevs front line. While me picking up the loot had not generated anything!

Turn Two. Ian was getting happy with the Fog and laid down 2 more strips (one from wizard the other from apprentice. I used another archer to move and pick up another loot counter. Which Kev then shot with another crossbowman. Again straight out of the game in a single hit. So I moved another archer to pick it up. Again my apprentice did manage to cast leap spell and the loot was finally moved from the board.. But there were no more easy loot counters to snaffle up. The closet was to Ian but behind the fog so my archers were useless being unable to see and shoot beyond this curtain. Ian's tactics were working well. This did generate a random monster (an Ice spider) right behind me.  (Yeak!).Ian was battling another random monster (a wolf) and snaffling up as much loot as he could while Relfie and Kev were deep in battle with each other and doing physical damage to each others wizards through spells arrows and knowing them harsh (but friendly) banter. The Ice spider badly wounds my infantry that was sent to kill it while my other one just seems to provoke it more. I gernerally move up using the Wall Kev created as cover and get my construct close to Kevs apprentice. Next turn I will strike!

Well again my plans did change as I did manage to kill one ice spider but then another appeared in exactly the same place. I have come to hate Ice spider.

Turn 3 my construct engages Kevs apprentice in melee . Kev and Relfie continue the wizard battle and both take serious wounds. Ian Gets 2 loot counters from the board while Both Kev and Relfie manage to bag one each. I don't get any this turn  but do move an archer ready to pick up another one just before Kev sends an infantryman to attack him. So we both stand over it and neither of us can pick it up as they are fighting. Ian continues to cast fog and cuts all lines of sight and while he does try to move an archer to shoot my Wizard (who is called Dave!) the fog is too high and he cannot see over it despit3 his elevation. But He can shoot at one of Relfie's, so he does do that instead. There is a little sparing between the archers of mine and Kev's but it is mostly indecisive.

The battle with the Ice spider continues to rage and I do loose an infantryman and have another seriously wounded. These two ice spiders have cost me dear in terms of both men and time. But eventually they do both die. but have cost me 1 dead infantryman and one severely wounded (2 HP left) and have kept them out of the fight in the game so far.

Turn 4.Kev's wizard is badly wounded and takes the very wise choice of getting out of the way and out of line of sight. Seeing how badly battered I am Ian takes the fight to Relfie and picks up another loot counter. It does generate a mosnster (Wild dog) and guess where. Yep right behind my wizard. The places are all rolled randomly, it just does not feel like it sometimes!

Some of the fog starts to disappear, as does The wall I am using for cover. leaving my wizard and apprentice in the open. Both severley wounded and both only on one action. I scurry them both into cover out of sight as best I can. Kiev still gets a crossbow shot at my wiz but the dice gods smile and he misses.

My construct also has some favourable dice and puts Kev's Apprentice out of the game. Things are not good for Kev as his Wizard is also hit and put out of the game by Relfies Necromancer (I think he used a "Steal life "spell). But Relfie is also in a bad way as well and taking his second loot counter moves his wizard of table.

Turn 5. I am down to my last few men and everything is wounded. Kev is able to pepper my construct with arrows and crossbow bolts and it goes out of action. I have one wounded archer one wounded infantryman as well as both my enchanter and apprentice on 4 hits or less. With his single action the enchanter kills the wild dog. While the single action of the apprentice fails to cast a spell and instead takes a single wound leaving him but 1 left. At this stage Relfie runs his final figure from the board and the game ends.

Aftermath:
Ian ended on 290 Exp and 3 loot
Relfie on 270 exp and 2 loot
I was on 200 exp and 2 loot
Kev's wounded Wizard failed to recover from his wounds and will be starting again from zero in a months time.

Loot wise managed to replace my losses (except the construct which rolled a natural 1. Kev must have hit a vital component and I will have to make another one before the next game. I also scored a ring of power (1) which I sold and bought 2 healing potions. And I also had a Grimoire with the "beauty" spell. We did have a brief discussion and decided that the effect of the Beauty spell would be on all forms of attacks including spell casting and arrow fire so for one of my 2 advances I did learn the spell. My second advance was fight +1. This is because it is used in both melee and  shooting and also the apprentice also benefits.

So with two healing potions and 30gc in the bank I start the next game also being able to cast beauty. I also have a nice cosy laboratory as my base.

Overall a good fun game and at several points I had different options which may have changed the balance of the game. I have learnt a lot more about how to play and when to use certain spells as I am sure the other players have,

Thanks for reading, I know it was a long read . And may your dice roll high.








24 comments:

  1. Nice write-up Clint and a reasonable start to your campaign.

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    1. Thanks Tamsin. It could well have been a whole lot worse. Now I have 2 haling potions My wizard might last a tad longer if anywhere in the open. (But not when Kev keep rolling 20's )

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    1. Cheers Gordon. I would have preferred an ancient Egypt setting, But none of the other guys wanted to go for that.

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  3. I'm Five games into a Frostgrave Campaign, Its an excellent system every one is loving it so far hope you have continued success.

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    1. Thank you Adam. Ian may have painted a target on his back with his success this time. (As I did last time). It is good knowing the players and their quirks and foibles as I am sure they know mine.

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  4. Nice run down of the battle. How are you finding D20s seems like some spectacular damage can be caused with them. Sounds like a lot of fun though

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    1. Thanks Simon. The variation on a d20 is quite wide which means one good roll opposed by one bad roll is devastating. Personally I prefer something with a narrower range.

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    2. We have talked a little in my group about switching to 2d10 for Melee and shooting but keeping 1d20 for spell casting. One of many effects would I think this would have is to make armor more significant.

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    3. I agree with making armour more significant as the spell enchant armour is really rather weak as it stands. Thanks Adam.

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  5. Has a look at the rulebook while at Spiel, looks interesting. Will follow along with your adventures some more and see if I can convince a few at the club to join it after our current campaign is over. Good run first ( second? ) time through :)

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    1. Thanks Kyle, not too bad. We learn and evolve and maybe adapt the way we play. I can see my tactics changing very fast and each new spell does open different avenues to pursue tactically. Beauty for example (IF I can successfully cast) will make me harder to attack. (I hope!)

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  6. I'm following this with great interest (and planning how to rebase some old wizards of mine...).

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    1. Thanks C6. Firstly there is no base sizes so anything you would use in "Songs of...." will work. You are looking for 10 figures max each warband So again that should be no problem, just pick the type of Wizard that appeals and start the game. If you want a Wich,/Shaman you might need a few animals, Constructs (Golems, Frankenstein Monster etc) for Enchanters, Zombies for Necromancers and devils for summoners. But they are optional (Little better than Humans) so you might want to not use them many types of Wizards do not!

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  7. I must say reading your report, I can feel my resolve weakening.

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    1. Thank you Michael. It is not a huge outlay. 10 or so figures a side, some wandering monsters rules and terrain. The rules are quite cheap |(NOT £30) so if you have a couple of players I would recommend it!

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  8. Gripping report I can see why Frostgrave is sweeping the Wargaming world. I bet you'll get back on time next game.

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    1. Thank you Robert. I do have a few plans for next time.

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  9. You seem to be taking to Frostgrave quite well, sounds quite good!

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    1. Thanks Fran. There is much to admire in the game. At several times I was in a position where I could have used different spells of the non "BLAM BLAM!" variety so had to workout which were easier to cast and which result was the most preferable given the chance of casting.

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  10. I am so going to have to get my warband painted up...

    Thanks for sharing a gripping yarn!

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    1. Thanks Evan. I will be basing another Frostgrave Component tonight.

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  11. I get the feeling whilst reading through this aar that it was frustrating and exciting at the sametime and you're obvioulsy hooked!
    There are always going to be 'problems' with a new set of rules and their interpretation, which with friends can generally be talked through. As for the d20 'controversy', I too don't particularly like wide variations in 'luck', but instead of immediately switching to an alternate solution I'd play a few moretimes with the d20s and if you're still not convinced, try 2d10, giving allmost the same range of scores, but with a better average score.
    Great read btw and congratualtions on your 'win' (it was a win right?)

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    1. Thanks Joe. Not really a win as such more a slight improvement on my original position, though 2 players have raced past me. For while I am 100 xp short of my next level, Ian is just 10 points short. Kev on the otherhand is two levels behind me. So I am kind of just treading water. Kev Drown, while Ian and Relfie are swimming freely!

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