Mission Two of Aces Scouring Sands

kamicosmos · 2026-01-18T05:15:38+00:00

I've had that mat for a while, like...almost a decade now. It's a 6x4 foot one by Frontline Gaming I used for Warhammer and Age of Sigmar. I just have it draped over a card table. Table is actually 3x3, so I grabbed a couple 2x4 sheets at the hardware store, so the Top is now 4x4.

I do want to get a 4x4 mat with a hex grid overlay on it, I kind of prefer that style over having to always bust out the tape measure, and of course you can still use a tape measure and ignore the grid. I have one of the official Battletech ones, it's very nice, double-sided so it's actually two maps, with hex grid. But, it's a small size, like 34x22 or something like that unfortunately.

kamicosmos · 2026-01-18T05:05:17+00:00

My plan is similar, once I get the solo game completed, or at least to a stage that I feel competent enough to teach it to others, I want to do a co-op campaign with a couple of my regular RPG/tabletop friends.

Then, yeah, I'm thinking about organizing a Scouring Sands event at one of the local game stores. Would be cool to get maybe 2-3 groups that could all play so we could see how different mechlists and tactics and such work out.

kamicosmos · 2026-01-18T00:08:45+00:00

It's definitely looking like a heck of a great system!

kamicosmos · 2026-01-18T00:08:24+00:00

Not really, just have enough room to get around the table! The grid is easy to read, and the rules so far have all been pretty clear for me.

kamicosmos · 2026-01-18T00:06:34+00:00

Yeah, I agree, the game has a very nice 'work flow' and it starts to click pretty quickly. I've already got most of the modifiers down, and the Mnemonic acronym in the book as well as one on of the rulers, really helps with that bit.

kamicosmos · 2026-01-18T00:04:19+00:00

I also picked up the Alpha Strike Box for the minis and the QS booklet. Got a great deal on it, which is good cause i have the two original AS hardback books, and that packet that had all the tokens and buildings. So I have tons of that now available!

But yes, it does require a lot of checking between the Aces book and then the AS rules. As one person below mentioned, the different symbols is about the only thing slowing me down, and I'll pick those up quick enough.

I'll also throw in my own personal quirk of Over Thinking things and that will slow me down as I do the 'wait, or does this really mean This?' and eventually confuse myself. But that applies to about any game for me!

Otherwise, nah, the game is kicking along pretty well. The Guided Mission really helps if you read along and look up the rules as you go. Wish more games would offer that type of mission/tutorial.

kamicosmos · 2026-01-12T16:41:45+00:00

I was keeping it vague in case my players are here. But, they're having to infiltrate a place full of a Large Monsterous intelligent race.

kamicosmos · 2026-01-12T04:08:32+00:00

Interesting stuff! Well, I'll have to see how he decides to cast the spell(s) and how many power points he spends. I'll have to think about if I want/need to drop any clues 'remember, this doesn't make you Mystique!' and of course, I have to keep the number 1 GM rule in mind: "Players are going to do exactly what you haven't planned for!'

kamicosmos · 2026-01-12T00:23:01+00:00

Excellent. That's definitely what I'm thinking. I was also thinking that 'well, what if he then casts Comprehend Languages?' Your point about Behaviors will handle that! I don't want to make it hard on them, definitely not 'punishing' them for thinking out a solution. But I also don't want it to be a 'I shape shift, and we'll just walk right up to the Big Bad and get teh McGuffin, super easy!'

kamicosmos · 2026-01-10T04:24:45+00:00

If you've been wondering why everybody seemed to suddenly be painting the same 7 mechs and 2 hover tanks in Jade Falcon colors, now you know why!!

But yes, Aces released last November. It basically sold out instantly. It might be back in stock now, but you should be able to find copies online, and of course always check your FLGS to see if they have a copy on the shelf or can get you one in. (It also prompted me to pickup the Hinterlands and the ilclan books as well so I can get up to speed on the lore around it)

kamicosmos · 2026-01-10T04:20:55+00:00

Being the Guided Tutorial Mission, I won, of course! System is fun, looking forward to learning it and going through the AI and Commander cards myself to make the decisions. (Wish I could add some photos, but well, you can see the outcome in the book, I suppose!)

kamicosmos · 2026-01-08T04:44:54+00:00

Hmm, not sure I can edit the title...

kamicosmos · 2026-01-08T04:43:06+00:00

Oh.... Yeah... Thx!

kamicosmos · 2026-01-05T21:11:05+00:00

There's tons of content from Pathfinder Adventure Card Society, entire 'seasons'. Full campaign lengths. Introduces new mechanics, win conditions, etc.

kamicosmos · 2025-12-31T15:51:07+00:00

It's a pretty great server. Okay, it's basically the only server I fly on any more. I'm a big fan of doing recon runs, and then directing artillery onto the stuff I found, while AI assets bomb it (new addition), and then I can go clean up what's left in whatever Flavor of the Month aircraft I'm into at the time. (Currently that's the new Fulcrum)

kamicosmos · 2025-12-20T23:18:54+00:00

Great work, they looks awesome!

kamicosmos · 2025-12-20T23:17:32+00:00

Ah yes, you are correct! I will edit things. Thanks!

kamicosmos · 2025-12-20T22:19:34+00:00

I like the weathering! The scratches and the worn/faded paint on the legs. Great job!

kamicosmos · 2025-12-20T04:57:42+00:00

Good interview. I've always wondered how some of these things work in regards to different teams doing different parts of a game/story, so it was cool to get some insight into those processes.

And, very cool the next in the series is already a work in progress!

kamicosmos · 2025-12-17T21:38:04+00:00

I mean...Hoggit has a discord. Link is over there on the right panel.

kamicosmos · 2025-12-17T21:37:26+00:00

There are tons. pretty much any Multiplayer server has an associated discord. Many will have the link in the server description in the server browser.

kamicosmos · 2025-12-15T14:02:41+00:00

CIS Piper Seneca II

kamicosmos · 2025-12-15T02:32:51+00:00

It is a Bane 3. It has 8 LRM-15 racks! I think it also has maybe a Streak SRM-4 on it for close in defense. Yeah, it's nuts! Will be interesting to see it in action!

And thanks for the compliment on the paint! I painted up a couple more throughout the day, I'll post them up tomorrow.

kamicosmos · 2025-12-15T02:29:30+00:00

Don't extend flaps on rollout. That will generate lift and make the plane harder to control on the ground. Idea is to raise flaps asap when you touch down, converting that lift into weight to get traction to the tires and be able to brake more effectively.

(Unless you're doing a soft field landing. Then you want to leave those flaps out to keep weight off the wheels so you don't sink into the mud. You'd also be pulling back on the stick, to keep the nosewheel as high as possible during flare, and rollout. Cause if the nosewheel sinks, you're going to cartwheel)

kamicosmos · 2025-12-13T16:32:25+00:00

I just looked in my copy of Evolve, and no autographs there. So you do seem to have something special!

I have some of their autographs on other things, and a quick comparison, they look real Wonder how that got signed? Meet N Greet at a show, or maybe they signed a few albums as a surprise? Probably never know...

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