Category Archives: new arrivals

new arrivals

My week

new arrivals

It’s been a very very hectic week at work.

To say I’m knackered each evening is an understatement. My body is sore and stiff. And not in a good way! The harsh reality is I’m old. Well my body is. Somehow my mind still thinks it’s a teenager.

Not much gaming has been going on this month. If I was still sharing the stats each month they would be abysmal.

However a couple of Kickstarters have arrived, as have a couple of promos, a new rpg, and a rethemed game.

The Vaesen rpg bundle arrived or part of it did. It was missing the GM screen and map. So far I have not been overly impressed with the Free League customer support.

However another Free League rpg just arrived! Last year I did back The Lord of the Rings rpg The One Ring Second Edition on Kickstarter.

The level I backed it at got me the core rulebook, starters kit, and GM screen, plus a set of dice. However there appears to be an issue with the dice.

“Now, the dice. Sadly, we have realized that the Feat Dice (the twelve-sided ones) are misprinted, having the number 11 where there should just be a 1. The dice are of course still perfectly usable – just count the 11 as 1 (perhaps while exclaiming that you rolled eleventy-one!)” from a recent Free League The One Ring Second Edition Kickstarter backers update.

Free League have a solution. “We will reprint the faulty D12 Feat Dice and send them to all backers who want them, at no extra cost. We will offer you a choice of replacement Feat Dice or a 100 SEK personal discount voucher in our webshop.” from a more recent Free League The One Ring Second Edition Kickstarter backers update.

However the solution will take a while.

The second Kickstarter to arrive was Gloomier: A Night at Hemlock Hall. This is a “full stand-alone game that includes 6 new Stories and 14 new Guests that can be used with any edition of Gloom.”

The pledge got me Gloomier: A Night at Hemlock Hall standalone card game, Gloom Grief Case deluxe storage box, and The Gloom Chronicles campaign-style mini-expansion.

The latest (second) promo pack for Rolling Realms dropped through the letter box. As did the three promos bgg are selling for Fields of Green.

Finally the Marvel themed version of Splendor arrived. Is there room for vanilla Splendor and Marvel Splendor in my collection? I don’t know. The answer is probably no, and why Gav and me are going to come to an “arrangement” at the next Friday evening gaming session.

Now I just need to get some gaming in!

Through the letter box

Cyberpunk Red, expansions, new arrivals, Rivals, Scythe, Vampire the Masquerade Rivals, vampire the masquerade: rivals

Life has changed a bit since Nan left us. I have a part time job now that sees me start work at 5am. But finishes midday (at the moment) which leaves me the rest of the day to be there for Mum. So you can imagine I’m pretty tired by the evening and usually asleep by 7pm!

This week has been particularly tiring as I worked what I dubbed the long week so that I could be around today when a second stair rail is fitted to Mums stairs to help her get up them.

So I’m pretty knackered. And it might be understandable why there has been no posts during the week.

Gaming wise obviously I’ve not played anything since last Friday. However there have been some arrivals.

Last weekend saw the arrival of the latest and second expansion, The Wolf and The Rat for Vampire the Masquerade (VtM) Rivals.

It’s arrival bought a new dilemma on how to store the game and both of its expansions. The core game box is no longer large enough to hold everything. So I started thinking about alternative storage solutions. High up on the possible solutions were the MtG storage boxes for cubes or lots of Commander decks. And that is an option I may eventually go for. However I decided to repurpose my quiver that was currently home to various rpg decks for the new home of my VtM Rivals cards.

There’s room for the third expansion (currently in production) so it’s bought me a little time before I have to get a second or alternative solution.

Naturally tokens for the game are kept separately now, and I need a folder to store the rulebooks. But that’s just how things are. Although I should look into some stickers to decorate the folder.

There was one hiccup with this preorder of the expansion. The promo Tamaska & General Flint Alt Art Cards were included. But the Victor Temple Promo card wasn’t. Apparently it hadn’t arrived in time to be sent out with the preorders. Which I’d argue that Renegade Studios knew and should have been proactive in letting customers know before shipping started. The promo will be sent out at a later date. So we will get it. But when, who knows? I’m more concerned that it will be packaged properly and not destroyed in the post. Plus this is extra expense for Renegade.

On Monday the first three organised play kits for VtM Rivals Season 1 arrived. I’ve not even opened the box for those yet. I suppose I should do just to check over the contents. Depending on how next weekends learning games go, I might be able to start to organise some events!

The start of the week saw the launch of an EU specific web store for Stonemaier Games. Which meant my Champion account was moved over to that web store, and all my orders will be through there now. And to celebrate its launch Jamey gave EU customers an extra 10% off if they used the provided promo code he emailed out.

Champion discount and a further 10% off! Ok the temptation was too great. Before I knew it the spiral bound version of the Scythe Complete Rulebook, some of the plastic token storage containers, and four of the double sided neoprene Wingspan player mats were in my shopping basket.

Why four mats and not five? I don’t intend to play Wingspan at five players ever ever again! Famous last words I know. But if I only have four player mats it’ll be hard to play at the higher count.

Yesterday also saw the arrival of another preorder. This one was for the Cyberpunk Red rpg.

Inside the package was the Cyberpunk Red Data Pack and Netrunning Deck. I’ll look at these in more depth in another post (possibly if I remember).

So that’s all the stuff that landed this week. Thanks to the randomness of the whole shipping crisis currently going on who knows when my preorders for the Arnak or Imperium expansions will appear. Potentially The One Ring second edition Kickstarter might arrive before Christmas too.

Anyway it’s a Commander session this evening that I’m very much looking forward too.

Three Cool Cyberpunk Red Additions

Cyberpunk Red, new arrivals, RPG

I so need to get a session or two of Cyberpunk Red organised. But that I’m afraid has to wait for safer times. However in the meantime I got one or two bits in to help with that when it happens.

The cool thing is one is generic enough it could be used in a Judge Dredd RPG, Genesys RPG Shadow of the Beanstalk, or even an Alien RPG session. Whilst another although aimed at Cyberpunk players it’s contents could apply to other RPGs. Finally the third item is pure Cyberpunk Red only.

First up is the newly released Cyberpunk Red Data Screen.

The Data Screen is the official GM screen for Cyberpunk Red by R. Talsorian Games.

My initial impressions of the screen is that I like it. It looks one of the more useful screens in relation to the information it has (see below).

I love the art on the player facing side (see below). It screams cyberpunk, the Bladerunner influence is clear to see. The sprawling metropolis of Night City looks stunning.

Images off the R. Talsorian Games website

The Data Screen is available from R. Talsorian Games directly if you can’t wait (like me) for it to arrive at your FLGS (they are in transit).

Next up is a reprint of a 1994 book for the Cyberpunk RPG, “Listen Up You Primitive Screwheads!!!!” The book offers “advice on a number of topics, including crafting long-term campaigns, game style and atmosphere, cyberpunk sociology, running interesting and dynamic combat, and more!” Despite being nearly 30 years old, the info still seems relevant today.

“Listen Up You Primitive Screwheads!!!!” is available physically, as a pdf and as an audible book. Which ticks all the bases for me. I don’t think this will be a surprise to anyone but I have all three versions! So I can listen to the book while going to sleep or driving (a good use of an audible credit). I do like having a physical copy, I’m old school like that. But I also like the digital as well in case I need to print or quote something. I’m an ideal mark for a publisher.

Finally the “Big Book of CyberPunk Battle Mats” is bigger than I was expecting. It’s A3 size (there is an A4 version). I really should read the product description. But as I said at the top of the post this is generic enough to be used with several other systems. The maps can be bought digitally via DriveThruRPG for use with something like owlbear.rodeo for running a game online.

Inside the large tomb you get the following maps: Concrete Plaza,Motel,Downtown Shops,Nightclub,Neon Streets,Neon Crosssing,Car Park,Neon Alleys,Subway Station,Rooftop Helipad,Supermarket,Municipal Lobby,Municipal Rooms,Corporate Office,Data Centre,Tech Rooms,High Rise Hab Block,Corporate Lobby,Neon Plaza,Freeway,Luxury Residence,Warehouse,Shipping Container Lot,Storm Channel Underpass ,Industrial,Cabin in the Woods,Quarry Dirt Track,Ruined Street,Death Road,Abandoned Desert Houses,Mud and Grass,Deserted Train Yard,Shanty Town, and a Blank Grid.

Having said that it’s large, I do actually prefer the larger A3 size over the A4 (I have one of the fantasy map books of theirs in that size).

I just need to use the stuff now in anger.

Adventures in the Forgotten Realm Prerelease Weekend

magic, MtG, new arrivals

It’s prerelease weekend once more in the world of Magic the Gathering.

This year instead of giving the world another core set, WotC have decided to break from the norm and the MtG universe by cross pollinating with their other major product they sell D&D, to bring us a D&D themed set called Adventures in the Forgotten Realm.

The prerelease kits are slightly different from “regular” prerelease kits in that we get a proper d20 die instead of the usual spin down die.

The reason for this change is that some of the cards in the set require the rolling of a d20 to decide which benefit/option is selected on the card. There is a card showing this “mechanic” in the gallery below.

Each prerelease kit also has the 3 adventure cards as double sided foil cards, with a token on the opposite side. These 3 adventure cards named after famous D&D adventures are a new mechanic for this set.

As you can see we are getting some great new looking cards. I really love the ones that look like a classic D&D module cover. Although the ones that look like art from early rulebooks look very cool too.

Sticking with the D&D theme we get new enchantments called classes. As you can see in the one above, each level of the card has a mana cost to activate.

Sadly world events are still conspiring to prevent in real life prerelease events taking place. Which is a shame because I’d love to be playing this sets prerelease with friends. I think it’d have been very popular.

This is the last prerelease where we will get 2 draft boosters with the prerelease kit. From the new Innistrad in the Autumn we will be getting a set booster instead. These are more expensive, so naturally we will see an increase in the cost of a prerelease kit.

Along side the prerelease kits the Commander precons were also on sale. With this set we get 4 new decks to play with. Which takes my back log of precons to play to about 20 odd decks now since world events kicked off over 18 months ago.

What cards did you pull this weekend?

It’s that portal song title post again

D&D, Fenland Gamers, magic, MtG, new arrivals, news, vampire the masquerade: rivals

Time sure flies.

Before you know it over a week has passed since the last post.

Not much has happened to share on here. Obviously world events are still putting a dampener on things like playing board games in person. Plus there hasn’t been much online gaming using apps (outside of Star Realms and Epic the Card Game) either.

My “secret” project is going slowly. I’m not sure what folks will make of it. It is a departure for me and this blog. Which I hope folks will like.

On the Kickstarter side of things Vampire the Masquerade: Rivals finally landed (after it hit retailers).

Naturally I’ve sleeved it all up with the official sleeves that came as part of the Kickstarter. I’ve even used a couple of the Stonemaier token containers to surprisingly store the tokens for the game.

From a recent Renegade live stream it was revealed what the next expansion will be after the first expansion Blood & Alchemy comes out. It will be called The Wolf and The Rat. But it was also revealed they have a third expansion that has finished production and a fourth currently being worked on. Both of them currently remain unnamed.

And yes for the record I have pre-ordered Blood & Alchemy. The bonus for doing so are a couple of alt art vampire cards, one for each clan.

Vampire the Masquerade: Rivals first 3 OP kits

Another big reveal from the stream were the contents of the first three OP kits for Vampire Wednesdays. These will be available for your FLGS to order, or for those that can’t get their local store interested, or get to a store to participate you can order direct from Renegade. These OP kits introduce three new vampires that will eventually be available on the Renegade website to purchase.

I got the season 0 OP kit as part of my Kickstarter and plan to get these as well. These will form part of my attempt to kick off a Rivals scene in Wisbech once Fenland Gamers starts up gaming sessions again. Although my track record in doing that sort of thing is pretty poor.

Which brings me nicely onto the news that Jonathan and I have had chats between ourselves and also with our hosts The Luxe about when and how we will start gaming sessions back. Taking into account current world events we are eyeing September as our target month for once more holding meet ups.

Hopefully in the meantime those corrupt, lying bullies in charge of running our country will not screw things up (although history is not on their side on that front) and we will indeed be able to safely once more gather to roll dice, shuffle cards and move pieces of plastic around a board.

On the D&D news front apparently next week (Tuesday) instead of releasing stories setting up the next MtG set, because that set is a D&D/MtG standalone crossover set, WotC will be releasing five free D&D adventures for players to download. These 15 to 20 page adventures are aimed at tier 2 characters, specifically levels 8 – 10.

Hopefully the next thing you read on here is the “secret” project. But you know me!

Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

D&D, first look, new arrivals, RPG

Yesterday saw the release of the new D&D source book Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft (VRGR).

Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft Alt FLGS Exclusive Cover

VRGR takes players and DMs back to Ravenloft and the Domains of Dread. But this isn’t an adventure like the Curse of Strahd. This is a campaign source book.

A campaign source book that gives players and DMs the tools to run horror themed D&D campaigns.

Contents page (Image taken from EN World)

As the content page (above) shows those tools include new options for players such as lineages, dark gifts, new backgrounds and subclasses.

For the DM there is a chapter on creating your own Domain of Dread that also covers the various types of horror. Followed by coverage of the Domains of Dread that make up the Ravenloft setting. DMs also get a chapter on running horror games that also includes an adventure “The House of Lament”. This adventure is for first level players and takes them up to level 3. From a cursory glance over the adventure it looks like a haunted house type of affair.

This brings me onto a minor criticism, and I know that page space is an issue in these sort of things. But considering the advice earlier in the chapter about session zeroes etc, you would have thought there would be a paragraph or two that a DM could use summarising the themes and content for the adventure. But to be fair I’d like to see this sort of thing in all of the official D&D books.

I’ve not run the Avernus campaign, so was shocked when I saw in a Sly Flourish video that it uses body horror in part of the campaign. There needed to be some sort of paragraph at the start of the book, and also at the start of each chapter similar to what I suggested above. If nothing else it forewarns the DM that there might be problematic content for their gaming group.

The final chapter is the good ol’ bestiary for the Domains of Dread. More monsters is always a good thing.

VRGR is the latest instalment in what seems like a fixation with horror for the WotC D&D crew. Since the release of Avernus, we have had Icewind Dale, Curse of Strahd Revamp and now this. It will be interesting to see if they lighten things up.

I’ve been looking forward to VRGR since it was announced. And apart from the comment above, my initial look through the pages hasn’t disappointed.

I’d like to run a campaign in the Domains of Dread. But luckily the way my current campaign is structured I can introduce horror elements to it using VRGR and Tasha’s as well. Naturally before doing so there would need to be a conversation with the players. (Is there a name for a mid game session zero? ) And although this book is specifically for D&D some of the information like horror genres, or running that session zero are applicable to other systems. Horror Cyberpunk Red anyone?

Alien RPG Starter Set – First Look

#AlienDay, Alien, first look, new arrivals, RPG

Happy Alien Day!

Yep it’s a thing. I only found out about it a couple of weeks ago while researching stuff for a future post. Fox started it about 4 years ago apparently. So later today when the States wake up we should see some cool Alien franchise product announcements being made.

In the meantime there are some Alien themed photos I’ve pushed out on social media to amuse you, plus this post.

Just over a month ago I finally caved and got my hands on the Alien RPG Start Set.

Inside the Starter Set is basically everything a group of friends need to play the Alien RPG cinematic scenario inside the box, plus the sold separately Destroyer of Worlds cinematic scenario. And yes some of the contents can be used when using the core rulebook and your own scenarios or campaign.

Contents of the Starter Kit

So what do you get inside the box?

  • A 104 page rulebook
  • The Chariot of the Gods cinematic scenario
  • 5 pre-generated characters
  • A double sided map
  • 84 game markers
  • 56 cards
  • 10 base dice
  • 10 stress dice

It should be pointed out that since the release of this Starter Kit, the only place you can get the game markers, Chariot of the Gods scenario, map and cards for the scenario is in this kit. They used to be sold separately.

But taking all this into account the Starter Kit does provide good value. The two sets of dice alone account for a large chunk of the kits cost. Before the kits release the individual parts came to more than the cost of this kit.

Naturally the rule book at 104 pages is a tad shorter than the 392 page core rulebook. Which is understandable this is geared at getting players playing a cinematic game of the Alien RPG as quick as possible. It doesn’t need the campaign or character creation rules.

For those wondering what a cinematic scenario is, this is basically what the Alien RPG calls a one-shot. It’s a single stand alone scenario that can be played in typically one to three sessions. In the Alien RPG these cinematic scenarios mirror the sort of story arcs that you get in the Alien movies. The game play is usually high stakes, fast and brutal (read high body count).

Naturally this cut down rule book doesn’t need the short introductory cinematic adventure from the core rulebook, or the creature stats (these are provided in the scenario).

I know some have criticised the lack of character creation within these slimmed down rules. But the D&D starter kit also didn’t allow you to create characters either. This is about playing a game of Alien RPG as fast and easy as possible. I don’t see it as an issue not being able to create characters. However I do agree with the comments I’ve seen about including a couple more cinematic scenarios. They could be short one act missions similar to the one in the core rulebook.

The cards provided include 10 initiative cards (although playing cards could be used for this), 12 equipment cards, 10 character/npc cards, and 24 agenda cards. Obviously the initiative and equipment cards can be used in other scenarios. But these are a handy inclusion.

I’d have liked to have seen the pre-generated characters printed on card stock to make them a bit more durable to wear and tear.

Overall if you want to play the Alien RPG this Starter Kit is a good place to start.

Unnamed blog post

Last Days, miniatures, miniatures painting, new arrivals, painting, RPG

And we’re back. This post is going to be all over the place (when aren’t they?) But we are starting off with a look at the progress I’m making with the Alien miniatures to use with Last Days (and the RPG).

I have 13 aliens assembled which includes the Queen. Which means I have 12 more left to do. However I decided to paint the assembled ones before putting the remaining ones together.

That meant I needed to decide how I was going to paint them. So it was off to the internet to look for some painting tutorials. Luckily with the older now out of print AvP game and the new Alien game there are one or two posts and videos about painting the aliens. And you guessed it they all had different colour schemes! Which means choose the finished look you like the most and follow that. And that’s what I did.

Here is the tutorial I decided to follow.

So far I have primed the figures with a black primer. Then dry brushed the models with Runefang Steel (which I just realised is the wrong paint! It should have been Leadbelcher! But I actually like the way it’s turned out.) Finally after the dry brushing I applied a wash of Nuln Oil. Now I just have to wait for that all to dry now before proceeding with more dry brushing. But that’s tomorrow’s job.

Painting progress of the Alien miniatures

You’ll also see above that I have some more supplies in to start painting the Big Bang Theory figures with. The important one was the orange brown for Raj. The others were just getting more in off paints I already had.

Not board game related but I do talk video games from time to time on here. And let’s face it I have been playing them since the dawn of the entertainment media that it is.

A couple of years back the Royal Mail issued commemorative stamps celebrating the rich history and achievements of the British video game industry.

Back then I didn’t have the resources to get a set of the stamps. But I did now. So when I saw that I could still buy them whilst pre-ordering the upcoming commemorative stamps celebrating British sci-fi. Well I snapped them up.

Royal Mail commemorative stamps celebrating the British video game industry.

I’m not a stamp collector. But these like the Asterix stamps that I have are just pretty cool to own.

The stamps bring back some find memories of simpler, more care free times. There was a sense of pioneering, pushing boundaries with the games back then.

The only drawback I see with these stamps is that Llamasoft and Jeff Minter are not represented. I love Llamasoft games. They have a unique feel, almost purity to them. Minter has been a gaming hero of mine since the early 80’s. He’s a coding god in my eyes.

Alice is Missing arrives

Finally I’ve been able to get a physical copy of the silent RPG Alice is Missing (I have a digital copy).

I just now need to organise a game or two using the discord server I have access to. Oh and learn how to assign roles, etc in discord. But that’s an apathy thing to overcome.

Belated Mar10 post

new arrivals, nintendo, switch

Yesterday was Mar10 day! I think this is the first time I’ve ever seen this as a thing. I hope it remains so and becomes the Nintendo equivalent of May 4th for Star Wars.

Below are the images I shared across social media via Instagram.

So that I don’t forget I’ve added a reminder to the calendar on my iPhone. Along with May the fourth.

I had been hearing good things about the roll and write Rome and Roll. And I have been known to enjoy the odd roll and write. I have a handful of them in my collection.

So when I investigated the game, which was basically looking to see how much it costs. I was pleasantly surprised at how relatively cheap it was.

And because there is a photo (above) and the fact I am briefly discussing it here. It is safe to assume a copy arrived yesterday.

I hadn’t realised this game doesn’t have the obligatory thick pads of paper to play with. But uses dry erase pens and shiny wipeable boards. The cards used in the game are not your regular MtG sized playing card, but more a larger tarot size. So if I want to sleeve them then I need to source an appropriate sized sleeve.

The game caters for 1 – 4 players. The likely hood I’ll play it solo. Slim. I like the idea of solo play. And more than a few of the games in my collection allow solo play. However the flaffing around setting up, and running some form of AI puts me off. Especially if there is a digital version of the game I can play. Although there is the lack of the tactile side of things with the digital version.

Rome and Roll does come with a reputation of being more thinky and complex that your regular roll and write. And I’m looking forward to sinking my teeth into it.

Quest Decks by Dice Dungeons

D&D, first look, new arrivals, RPG

Nearly a year ago now I backed a Kickstarter for these deck of cards to be used with RPGs called Quest Decks.

By there end of the Kickstarter there were ten quest decks unlocked. These decks covered various genres and types of missions:

” •  The Notice Board – Filled with traditional quests a party may find in a fantasy town.

•  For The Crown – Plunges your character into a world of nobles and intrigue. A chance at bigger rewards, but with higher stakes.

•  Into The Stars – This sci-fi themed deck will take your players on Interstellar adventures. Designed to work great for space-fairing games such as Stars without Number and Starfinder.

•  Grimm Adventures – Explore spooky crypts and dark secrets in this eerie, ghost-themed deck.

•  Coastal Threats – Great for coastal regions and seafaring campaigns. Explore docks districts and seek buried treasure.

•  Far-flung Journeys – Embark on quests that require distant travel that will take you beyond the edge of world.

•  Neon Dystopia – From megacorps to mechanoids, dive into the neon shadows of the future in this cyberpunk inspired deck.

•  Eldritch Omens – Bring a touch of madness to your game and investigate unknowable horrors with this Lovecraftian themed horror deck.

•  Uncharted Expanse – Take your sci-fi adventures to edge as you explore the outer regions space.

•  Partners in Crime – This deck will have you using all your wits and cunning to plan heists, shake down shop owners, and fight for territory.” (Taken from the Kickstarter page)

I backed for five decks of my choice (a decision based on funds, and interest), and the physical copies arrived a couple of days back. I’ve had the digital versions of the decks I chose for a while. But unless I was in a hurry to use them, printing my own copies to use didn’t appeal to me.

The nice thing about the digital version of the decks was the “bonus” content. These are pdfs that any DM would find useful. There were three in total, A Lively Encounter (tables to add depth to random encounters), 50 Plot Points to Add Depth to Your Side Quests, and D100 Names (can never have enough lists of names).

The decks themselves are fine quality wise. I’d have preferred maybe better card stock for the deck boxes and cards. However I plan to sleeve the cards anyway, which means the deck boxes are redundant and most likely for the bin.

Each deck consists of forty five quest cards, three blank cards, a quick guide card (although the Quest deck didn’t have this), and an advert card for more Quest Decks.

I’m looking forward to using these Quest Decks. Tie them in with some of the other decks and the npc dice, and it’s possible to create a random quest, dungeon, and NPC’s on the fly during a session. Or as inspiration whilst session planning.