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Ideas for new Apocalypse templates
Wed, 08/05/2009 - 15:46
Hey, all.
Since I'm going to have access to a laser cutter, it occurred to me that I could work on some new templates for Apocalypse. Completely unofficial, of course, but if a group of mega gamers wanted to adopt them in their own templates, it could be fun. Please suggest anything that you can think of. Here are the ones I'm contemplating.
15" Blast Template: The cutter will take up to 18" acrylic sheets, so this seems like an obvious choice. The plan is to cut a normal center hole and to etch in outlines for 5", 7", and 10" templates as well.
7" Apocalypse Blast: Increase the size of the Apocalypse blast cloverleaf to be based off of the 7" blast instead of the 5". Other shapes will also be considered.
Thud Gun/Continuous Beam/Tracer Rounds: I'm a little inspired to make up a new version of the old Thud Gun linked template where the following shot is based on the previous. My first thought is this:
It's a 5" template with a center hole and an etched arrow. You use a 0.25" peg to link the source of one to the destination of the second and so on. Here's how you would use it:
- Place the first template (or the stack, really). Roll scatter and distance as normal to determine the final location of the first template. If an arrow is rolled, orient the first template such that the arrow on the template corresponds. If a 'hit' is rolled, you may choose the orientation. Resolve the damage as normal for a blast weapon of the weapon's type.
- Roll the scatter die again. If an arrow is rolled, orient the template such that the arrow on the template corresponds to the one on the scatter die. If a 'hit' is rolled, you may choose the orientation. Resolve the damage as normal for a blast weapon of the weapon's type. Repeat this step until the total number of templates placed is equal to the number specified in the weapon's description.
My idea is that this would represent something like an Apocalypse version of a Laser Burn where a continuous beam can sweep across the battlefield, hitting everything in its path, or where a bunch of rounds are fired in quick succession, using the location of the first to determine the location of the next. (That's how the old Thud Gun worked, although the templates were different.)
I put the center hole in so you can have directionality of the shot and possibly miss big things like titans if you don't hit it right on for every shot. Yes, it takes more time to resolve than the Apocalypse Blast, but I think it'd be fun.
What do you guys think? Suggestions are welcome!
Matt
Wed, 08/05/2009 - 21:49
#2
Sounds like fun. I like the big 15" blast and the linked. The only problem with the linked is that it will be hard to hold over minis.
Some I could think of would to be an actual laser burn template (Specifically a narrow oval (like the terrain piece) with a ruler on it) and an actual 7 inch template.
An Apocalypse barrage of three inch circles would also be something that could be cool for certain units (e.g. mortars).
Mon, 08/10/2009 - 12:52
#3
Didn't you get a 7" template from Litko when I set it up through them?
A small version of an Apocalypse Barrage is an interesting idea.
If anyone knows of a cheap place to get some green acrylic sheets, I'd appreciate it.
Matt
Mon, 08/10/2009 - 17:37
#4
I did, but I could use another.
Thu, 08/13/2009 - 15:51
#5
OK, I'm getting to the point where I'm about to order material. If you are really serious about wanting a custom template, send me a PM and I'll tell you how much they'll cost. If all of the Saint Louis people want to combine their orders to save in shipping, I'd be glad to do that.
I plan on doing:
- 15" template with 3/8" center hole.
- 7" template with 3/8" center hole.
- Mini barrage (clover template based on the small blast markers, etching to indicate locations).
- My continuous-beam template on a per-template rate.
- Kirk, if you provide me with specifics on what you want the Laser Burn template to look like, I'll work on getting that in too.
The prices look to be a little more than half of what the other company charged us last year. I can also do custom etching on a case by case basis.
Matt
Sat, 08/15/2009 - 14:13
#6
7" template and mini barrage will be $10 plus shipping. 15" is $40. Continuous Beam is $5 per template.
Matt
Tue, 08/18/2009 - 14:24
#7
I'm in for a 15", 7", mini-barage, and a 5 template continuous beam.
Sounds like $85 plus shipping.
For a bunch of templates for guns I don't have.
Maybe I do have a problem ...
Tue, 08/18/2009 - 16:44
#8
Cool. I can set you up.
I look forward to coming up with rules and units that use these new templates. It will be a lot of fun! At the very least, we can come up with strategic assets that allow you to drop those templates on your enemy.
The mini-barrage has etching to show the different locations:
I'm hoping to order the material (fluorescent green acrylic) over the weekend, so let me know what you are interested in by Friday. Thanks!
Matt
Fri, 08/28/2009 - 14:23
#9
The current rules in IA5 make the Quad-Launcher a Heavy 4 Barrage weapon.
I can't see any reason not to swap that out for a Mini Apocalypse Barrage(4).
That would make the gun slightly more accurate, but we'd get to use the cool new template.
Fri, 08/28/2009 - 14:56
#10
Sounds like a good idea to me!
As an update, I've ordered the green acrylic and it should be here today. I took the laser safety class on Monday. It was very enlightening. ;)
The two most popular materials to cut are corrugated cardboard and the blue or pink insulation foam. Foam core is out because it makes toxic fumes when cut (the insulation foam is designed to be on a house so doesn't make toxic fumes).
The most obvious-in-retrospect thing is that it takes forever to etch anything. Even at the low resolution of 100 dpi means that it takes 100 passes to etch one inch. Even if you cut at 1/5th speed it still only takes one pass around the outline of whatever you are cutting out. It took one guy over 10 minutes to etch a silly alien head into cardboard and I cut an Eldar power generator out of a scrap piece of acrylic in such a short time that it was done before I could exit out of the Corel Draw program I used to drive it.
My plan is to sign up the week after Labor Day, since there is no sense to do it now and then go on vacation.
I ordered more green acrylic than I needed, so if you want a template let me know and I can still fit you in.
Matt
Thu, 09/10/2009 - 11:34
#11
Update: I went to the place with the laser yesterday and it is "down for cleaning." No idea how long it will take. If they can clean it in-house, it will be up over the weekend. If they have to get a new table, then it will take longer.
Matt
Sat, 09/19/2009 - 12:30
#12
The new guys are finally done!
Family portrait:
I remember thinking how HUGE the 10" template looked when I first got it, but now it doesn't seem quite as big for some reason.
The continuous blast template is fun, but it completely depends upon how tightly the 1/4" rods fit in the holes and how long they are. If they are too long, you can't stack them well. If they are too short, they slip off. I probably should have made the non-glue side a tiny bit smaller so they fit tighter. Oh well.
I'll get them in the mail as soon as I find boxes that will fit a 15" circle. :D
Matt
Mon, 09/21/2009 - 17:51
#13
Nice, soon the rest of the world will have template envy.
I wouldn't mind a separate 7" template.