This morning I woke to an email/update from the Tiny Epic Zombies kickstarter that they will have started shipping the game to backers by the end of the week. Amazing news, so with a fair wind, a bit of luck (which I never seem to have with the shipping companies) by the middle of September I’ll have my grubby mitts on the game.

I am waiting on the Star Realms Frontiers kickstarter to be shipped. The US has theirs now and it’s very frustrating seeing all these people getting their copies. While here in the UK we are not getting ours yet. They are in the country now. However the shipping company is Games Quest and their kickstarter fulfilment side is amazingly useless. They appear to be totally understaffed, and unable to meet the commitments to kickstarter projects that they have been contracted to fulfill. Can you tell I’ve been on the receiving end of their ineffectiveness a few times now. I wish Kickstarter creators would realise that because Games Quest is cheap (possibly) that they are not any good, and that they tarnish the reputation of the creator.

Anyway back to happy thoughts and Tiny Epic Zombies, and the Tiny Epic series. I thought that just out of interest for myself and maybe some random people out on the inter web I would rank the Tiny Epic games. As a general comment, the only thing tiny about these games is the box. Once out and setup they can take up a lot of space. Oh and one thing Gamelyn do as an optional extra that you can by for these games are play mats. Naturally these don’t fit in the box. But they are pretty cool, and do add to the game, and aid setup and game play.

Let’s start with the one I haven’t played and haven’t been tempted to play Tiny Epic Defenders. It didn’t help that the reviews I saw were not that flattering for the game either. So naturally this goes straight in at the bottom slot. No competition.

Now all the rest I have played, and enjoyed. So lets get onto the real rankings.

Tiny Epic Western is next lowest in the rankings, which currently makes it fourth place. I like the game. This has worker placement, bluffing, area control, rolling of dice, set collection, unique player powers. The bullet shaped dice are thematic and rather unique. But also fun. I love the play mat. But this game takes up a lot of space once set up. I like the poker mechanic that the game introduced.

Third place goes to the 4X game Tiny Epic Kingdoms. I like 4X games, and this hits the spot when I want that quick fix without the epic long game play. I really should play this more. This has individual player mats instead of a single playmat. They are mouse mat size, and there is score tracking mat too.

Tiny Epic Galaxies takes the second place slot. Action selection, dice rolling, resource management. I like the follow mechanic, there is a way to mitigate bad dice rolls. There is also a bit of engine building when you collect planets for your empire/colony. The expansion Beyond the Black is also a nice addition to it. I love the theme.

The top two spots were really hard to choose between. I really like both games a lot. But Tiny Epic Quest just edged it to the top slot. I think at the time after playing the game for the first time, this was Zelda the boardgame for me. The playmat is a must for this game in my opinion. It just makes life so much easier when playing and setting up. It helps that it is a really great playmat. The ItemMeeples and the plug in equipment help make this feel like you are adventuring, and also that your ItemMeeples are unique.

This post will actually help I think when I come to talk about Tiny Epic Zombies once it arrives and I play it. It has also got me wanting to get these games back to the table sooner than later.

So this arrived yesterday. The power of pre-ordering.

All I have to do now is find a suitable free location that can be used on a regular basis to play this. Oh and then suitable dates and times that those interested can play. Which is the more herculean task.

But I am so excited to start playing this. I’ll keep saying this, I absolutely love Scythe, it’s my all time favourite game (I’ve proven this scientifically using paired comparisons). I don’t play it nearly as often as I should, this campaign expansion is an excuse to play it a lot more times.

So until I’ve solved the above problems of location and dates I’m keeping it in the bubble wrap to avoid the temptation to peak inside.

This post is dangerous for WotC, it should be a warning to them.

Today I wanted a MtG experience on my iPad Pro. I knew there was no-one around to play a physical game with. So I had to think what were my options digitally? Hearthstone? Or fire up the hardly played early access beta for Epic (I backed the digital version on Kickstarter, so had that early access to the iOS version)? I suppose I could reinstall Magic: Duels. But that’s a dead product and I’m not sinking any cash into that. I decided I wanted the MtG like experience that didn’t involve spending lots of money on digital product, or grinding my way to getting stuff.
Epic it was.

I don’t normally play against the AI in Star Realms, all my games are against my friends. So I thought I would get used to playing Epic and the cards by playing against the AI.

My first game was a beginner game, and I chose the green Wild deck. Yes the beginner decks do seem to be just the mono decks from the physical game.

I think to make me feel good, and get me hooked the AI let me win.

I decided to then dive right in the deep end and play one of the two limited formats on offer. I have to admit the Dark Draft format is really great fun.

The great thing about it is that you are never really sure what the other player has drafted. That not knowing exactly how they might have built their deck adds to the suspense. You know what cards they had a choice from, but what did they take and what did they discard?

Oh a Dark Draft if you were wondering is when “Each player is dealt 5 cards. They take 1 card out of their hand of five cards and drafts it, then passes the other 4 to the other (at the same time).
Each player takes 2 cards out of their new hand of four cards and drafts them, then discards the remaining two cards into a shared face-down discard pile.
Both players now have drafted three cards. Repeat nine times to get to a 30-card deck.”

Once you finish you play a game of Epic with the deck you just drafted.

I didn’t keep track of the win loss ratio, but I think the AI edged it.

So why is this post dangerous to WotC? Well with I’m pretty sure less resources available to them, White Wizard Games are developing the digital version of Epic on all platforms at once. The interface isn’t Hearthstone/MtG Arena like, but it is still very nice.

From what I have seen in this current beta build at the moment White Wizard Games can’t be that far off from actually releasing the game to the world. This won’t have the same business model as Hearthstone or WotC. If the Arena mode of Star Realms is anything to go by, then you will pay to enter events/tournaments. But the majority of the game will be pay once and play away, until a new expansion is released then you get that for a relatively cheap price. The nice thing is that this is buy once, have available everywhere. So if you move from your iOS device to your PC/Mac then you pick your games up where you left them, along with all the expansions etc that you have paid for. I really do like this model.

So while WotC are concentrating on one platform (Windows for their closed Beta) they will be at a disadvantage when they move to being open to everyone because they will not have Arena available on all platforms. which their competition will have. If from day one you are not on iOS and Android then you might as well pack up and go home. I know my playing habits from my brief time playing Hearthstone, and my constant playing of Star Realms, it’s portable, playing anywhere. Take my turns and move on to something else. I rarely fire up my Mac, and I don’t have a PC at home. My main computing device is my iPad. My students play Hearthstone on their phones (if they play it).

Hearthstone is well established now, they are the one to knock off the top. Epic won’t be that one, it will have a hard core audience that will play it (will it be as popular as Star Realms? I don’t think so). And I don’t think Arena will either. They are far,far behind Hearthstone. WotC are too busy trying to be the MtG version of Hearthstone, and working out from it’s closed beta just how much they can milk players for.

In the meantime I can get a MtG like experience where I can draft, build decks, play real time games against opponents online or 48 hour ones (this mode means each player has up-to 48 hours to take a turn) without being gauged for cash to play.

So with the lack of support for the platform I prefer to use (mobile and desk top) I’m looking at the alternatives to Arena and to be frank, I like the alternatives a lot.

Just put a base coat on a zombie horde for classic Zombicide and might, well will be used in Last Days the zombie survival skirmish game.

I was going to do the genestealers and space marines from Space Hulk. However I currently don’t have all the colours I need, and the correct glue. There is a little shopping list for pay day, so that may well be the project after I’ve worked through the numerous zombies that make up Zombicide. But then I have the survivors to do as well.

If I’m lucky, come Halloween I’ll be playing Zombicide with fully painted stuff for the first time ever. I just need those 3D doors. But they are ridiculously hard to get hold of.

Oh well the horde is drying, I’ll see you in the next post.

Yesterday I was chatting briefly with some-one I’ve known on social media for a few years now, Jim Connolly. As a result of that conversation I said I’d do a photo of my current iPad setup.

The iPad is my main computing device. Except when I need to code, I can do pretty much everything else I need to do on my iPad. This blog is exclusively written on the iPad or iPhone.

My current setup is as follows:

• iPad Pro 12.9″ 2nd Gen
• Apple Pencil
• UGreen Tablet Stand
• JETech Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard
• Lamicall Adjustable iPad Stand
• HooToo wireless hard drive companion, wireless router, battery extender, access point
• FiFine USB Condenser Microphone (not shown)
• Snugg iPad case

I have 2 stands because the UGreen one (the white one) fits better in the bag that I take to work. While the metal Lamicall (which I prefer because of the height) stays at home and is used there (unless I go away then it gets put in the suitcase).

For the record the rest of my blogging makes use of an iPhone 6S, gorilla pod, a cheap tripod, and a phone holder mount that allows me to securely attach my iPhone to the tripod (it’s more robust than the flimsy one that comes with the gorilla pod).

I suppose folks might like to know what my apps are that I use the most when writing this blog.

• wordpress app (naturally)
• Pixelmator
• LiveCollage+
• Diptic
• Percolator (for obscuring peoples faces)

Here are some of my other favourite apps:

• GoodNotes
• iThoughts
• Kindle/iBooks
• MS Office Apps
• Dropbox
• Outliner

I hope that has been of interest to folks.

I thought I’d give Dram his own post. This little power house wizard deserves his own post.

The top left photo is Dram after I had done some touching up of the paint work before applying a wash.

For my wash I used a watered down black grey paint.

I’m pretty happy how it ended up looking after the wash was applied. Well except for the cloak. It looks awful really. But the rest has that dirty, been adventuring, travel along lots of dusty roads look. Obviously I have some work to do on washes.

I decided not to attempt highlights by dry brushing. I thought it didn’t need it. I didn’t want to ruin the effect I’d achieved so far. Stripping back to metal and starting again was something I wanted to avoid. Although that cloak,has me tempted to do that.

This time I finished Dram off using the correct spray can, and applied a thin layer of varnish.

So overall I’m reasonably happy with the way Dram turned out. The one look I wanted to avoid was bright, loud, just walked out of the supply store in new clothes look. I think I achieved that.

I might source some green sand/grass and glue that to the base to finish it off. I’ll look into that in the future.

So now do I attempt another mini? If so which one from the many I have? I feel like doing another.

A brief painting update.

I did some dry brushing on the mini to give it a “dirty” been living on the trail look.

I was happy with what I’d achieved. May not have been the best painting in the world. But as a first effort.

So I thought I’d finalise things by sealing it varnish.

Sadly I grabbed the wrong tin and as the photo below shows kinda ruined it with black primer!

I don’t want to add more layers of paint and lose detail. So I’ve ruled out painting over the major cockup. That leaves removing the paint and starting again.

Which after finding a UK blog post on the subject I made a trip to my local Morrison’s to get either the Dettol or own brand cleaner recommended today.

As I write this the model is in a jar of Dettol disinfectant doing its magic on the paint.

Oh well back to the drawing board.

Those of you that haven’t blotted out my poorly written ramblings with copious amounts of single malt (if you have good taste) or binge drinking white lightning or some other cheap alcoholic beverage (if you don’t), will remember the other day that I bought some more paints and primer ( I also had a couple of Zombicide paint kits ordered). I don’t think I mentioned that the other day I used the primer in anger on a halfling wizard.

This morning I was feeling guilty for doing absolutely nothing yesterday. So I set up a painting station (that sounds like I know what I’m doing) in my living room in front of the tv this morning.

Using my none existent painting skills I’ve applied my base colours to the mini.

The paint might be too diluted. And almost a wash (ooh another technical term) , as the staff shows.

But as a first attempt I’m happy with the way it’s looking. Painting with the magnifier to see what I’m doing is taking some getting used to.

Just need to let this dry before trying to get the motivation to do the next coat/touches.

After a little bit of radio silence with life stuff and drama I’m back folks.

A friend of mine foolishly sent me a photo of the scene that greeted him when he arrived home today.

From this brief exchange you can see I was supportive and empathised with the situation.

Naturally HHH and his entrance music came to mind.

This afternoon Diego and I had a gaming session round his. His Atlanteans beat my Romans in Imperial Settlers.

Whilst I managed to trade my way to victory in The Voyages of Marco Polo. A game that hadn’t hit the table in over a year. And had only just made my collection this past weekend. I managed to get a second hand copy with the mini expansion and a wooden insert for a real good price.

Both games the end scores were pretty close. Especially considering during the games it looked like there was a run away winner each time. In Imperial Settlers Diego had the lead, and a late end game scoring saw me within 2 points of him. Then during Marco Polo I was in front for the majority of the game. Briefly lost the lead in the end game scoring and then snatched victory by 2 points.

It was a great afternoon gaming. Nice to meet Diego’s daughter (months old). There was even cheesecake between games.

So I’m playing a halfling wizard in the D&D campaign/scenario we started last week. I wasn’t sure I’d get a mini to represent my character. But the internet has not disappointed. Even better I was able to get them in the UK. So no importing and excessive postage fees.

In fact there were male and female halfling wizards. So I went with 3 of the minis that were wizards, and a cool looking halfling dressed for winter.

I suppose over the Summer I should attempt to paint them. My north of the border version of me will for sure be nagging, correction encouraging me to paint them. I fancy Gandalf grey for the hat and cloak.

Earlier in the year, might have even been before Christmas I got the source book for the FFG Genesys RPG. It’s a generic system that seems to focus on narrative and story telling. This version of the system is an updated rule set based on the FFG Star Wars system and an earlier Warhammer RPG I believe.

Within the core book there are suggestions for world settings such as Android, Tannhauser, Terrinoth, Twilight Imperium, plus one or two others. The Terrinoth source book is the first to hit the market place (I have a copy on the way) and is their fantasy setting. Which makes sense. It shouldn’t be hard to get hold of Descent figures to use with the game. But then again generic D&D figures should be usable also. Although I can see using Descent board tiles to make the dungeon maps as a good idea.

I’d love to play a cyberpunk style game, and the Android universe would be that ideal setting. I love that world from my time playing Netrunner. I have what effectively is the the world source book in The Worlds of Android book I have. But there is no hurry to play in this universe, so I don’t need to put time in fleshing it out, knowing that the next FFG source book is for Android. I’m not reinventing the wheel.

But listening to a Genesys specific podcast recently I got thinking obviously I’d love to play the odd Star Wars campaign (along side the classic RPG). But there are other worlds I’d love to explore. Such as Elfquest, I’d love to turn the old RPG into this new system. I was, and still am a big fan of the comic books. They were a fresh take on elves. I also loved the relationship between the wolf riders and their wolfs. That’s me and my mutts, and a bit of the influence for calling us the Wolfpack.

I think there was also a Judge Dredd RPG back in the day (did I just type that?), would love to have an updated RPG in Mega City one playing a Judge. Plus with there having been a miniatures game out for Dredd, getting minis shouldn’t be too hard either. I love Judge Dredd, and have done so since I first read the strip back in the 80’s. The Cursed Earth and The Day the Law Died, two epic story lines that I still fondly remember today.

I’ll briefly mention once more the Planes shift material and the art books for MtG as potential worlds to explore in Genesys.

A zombie apocalypse based game might also be cool. I’m sure there must be systems out there already. But it shouldn’t be too hard to create something, especially using the Zombicide figures, and maybe tiles.

I think it’d also be interesting to do a modern day conspiracy theory, big brother , cyberpunk setting. Think the likes of the tv series Condor, the film Enemy of the State, Hackers, Black Hat, War Games, the fourth Die Hard movie, and the book Little Brother by Cory Doctorow. Snowdon, Wikileaks, Stuxnet, cctv, mass surveillance, the establishment, the 1%, vote rigging, Homeland, rendition, water boarding, Anonymous, you get the idea.

I’m stoked for the alt history Tannhauser which I hope they do release a source book for. But there is one other alt history setting I adore, and happens to be the setting for my current all time favourite game Scythe. That alt 1920’s Eastern Europe with the mechs. Just love it, the art by Jakub Rozalski is soooo amazing. If I was going this route I’d need to get the art book for Scythe. Actually it’s shocking, neh borderline criminal that I don’t already own it.

As you can see the Genesys system before you even play it has you bouncing ideas around.

Mum Update

Monday they kept mum in for another day after she starting being sick again. Apparently mum wanted to be on the floor while vomiting. Naturally the nurses wanted mum back in her bed. I’m not sure whose will was the stronger. I just know mum can be a stubborn bugger when she wants to be. Something I’m sure she has inherited.

Which means Nan, the dogs and I have to survive another day by ourselves. I will say that my washing up skills are still second to none.