Some questions regarding the rules

[phoenikuz]

Greetings everyone!

I've just recently recieved my copy of the AE: Bounty rules and so far I'm definately loving every page of it. However, after having read through it a couple of times, a couple of questions arose:

What is a template?
I've flicked through the book time and time again and nowhere could I find any indication as to the size of the Template? The AoE templates sure enough, but the flamethrower...?

How do i determine a random direction?
Now now, I could of course just use a d10 or a GW Scatter die or similar; but this is just a question that I thought was worth mentioning to the authors as, again, it isn't stated anywhere in the rules.

How the H... do I make a Crew?
Okay, I'm getting most of the rules on how to make a crew; choose a template and fill out the slots with units of a corresponding EL.

But... How do I alter the EL mark-up? It says "unit's" for all options, indicating to me that you have to sacrifice a Crew-slot in order to upgrade a units EL (as per the unit Options)... But then, that definately ruins the Two-Man Crew. Then I read somewhere on these boards that the option to change a unit's EL is considered a 'free' option... but, why then is there an entry that states you have to exchange a slot in order to upgrade a units EL?

All in all, the EL levels confuses the hell out of me

Oh, and a secondary question; You cannot purchase a lower EL unit for a higher EL slot, correct? Say I want to build a Two-Man Crew and choose 2 x Veteran Units for my choices; that can't be done right?

(I would need to exchange my 2 x Elite choices into 2 x Veteran choices in order to do the above mentioned, yes?)

Other than these questions, then I'm defaintely glad I picked up this game! I'm looking forward for my first game this weekend... once I figure out how to put together a crew

Cheers!

[macnam]

Aug 18, 2010 9:02:19 GMT -5 phoenikuz said:

What is a template?
I've flicked through the book time and time again and nowhere could I find any indication as to the size of the Template? The AoE templates sure enough, but the flamethrower...?

There is no printed template in the book. Read the description of the Flamethrower and Arc Guns - they affect everything within 1/2" to each side of a straight line X inches long (X varies by weapon and gear). Many tape measures are (conveniently) 1" wide, and can act as a template if you need one. Failing that, making a strip template 1" wide is a matter of a few seconds work with scissors and a ruler.

How do i determine a random direction?
Now now, I could of course just use a d10 or a GW Scatter die or similar; but this is just a question that I thought was worth mentioning to the authors as, again, it isn't stated anywhere in the rules.

Yeah, they skipped that. You know what they say about the word assume.

How the H... do I make a Crew?
But... How do I alter the EL mark-up? It says "unit's" for all options, indicating to me that you have to sacrifice a Crew-slot in order to upgrade a units EL (as per the unit Options)... But then, that definately ruins the Two-Man Crew. Then I read somewhere on these boards that the option to change a unit's EL is considered a 'free' option... but, why then is there an entry that states you have to exchange a slot in order to upgrade a units EL?

Easiest way I can phrase it:

All units can fill slots of one of two Quality levels. In almost all cases (Pirate Quartermasters being the single bizarre exception) those Qualities will be within one of each other, with the lower one being the "base" Quality. When you choose a Crew Template you get a number of slots to fill, each of a given Quality. You fill those slots by allocating units to them from your list of units. Note that "unit" means a single selection, and may be an individual or a squad. Those units can be taken at either of their Quality levels so long as they fit the slot you're filling. You can sacrifice a slot to upgrade the Quality of another slot (NOT a unit, which may be the source of your confusion) which can then be filled normally. You can also sacrifice a slot to take a slot of a lower level (which is a downgrade, and rarely done, but is legal).

Note that no units exist at a base level of Elite, and only units which can be upgraded to Elite can be placed in those slots. This is one of the few reasons to "trade down" on a slot - a 2 Man Crew with 2 Elite slots that really wants a unit (eg a Heavy, which is a base Regular, upgradable to Veteran) that can't be Elite will have to downgrade the slot's Quality to make him fit.

For ex, a Veteran Crew has 2 Veteran and 2 Regular slots open. It can fill the Veteran slots with any unit that is listed as either Veteran Quality or able to be upgraded to Veteran Quality. You can fill a slot with Old Guard (vets), a Sergeant (vet), or a squad of Cutters (regular normally, upgraded to vet). Same with the Regular slots.

Because all units exist at two Quality levels, it's quite possible to have the same type of unit in your force at different Quality levels. A Veteran Merc Crew might fill its slots with a Veteran Sergeant, a Veteran unit of Cutters, and 2 Regular units of Cutters.

You can trade an empty slot to upgrade another slot by one Quality level. The Veteran Merc Crew could trade off one Regular slot to upgrade the other to Veteran (giving them 3 Vet slots) or one of the existing Vet slots to Elite (giving them 1 Elite, 1 Veteran, and 1 Regular).

You can also trade empty slots for a variety of other things (extra hero upgrade or dirty trick), trading manpower for specific capabilities. For ex, the Veteran Merc Crew could trade a Regular slot for an extra Hero, then fill its 2 Veteran slots and 1 remaining Regular slot with (say) 1 Veteran Sergeant Hero, 1 Veteran Old Guard unit, and one Regular Heavy Hero.

EDIT: Oops, stupid me, that example is slightly off, you couldn't actually make a Heavy into a Hero, it's not an option. So far none of the heavy weapon carriers can be made into Hero types - they and the Exterminator android are the only Individuals that can't be Heroes.

Oh, and a secondary question; You cannot purchase a lower EL unit for a higher EL slot, correct? Say I want to build a Two-Man Crew and choose 2 x Veteran Units for my choices; that can't be done right?

(I would need to exchange my 2 x Elite choices into 2 x Veteran choices in order to do the above mentioned, yes?)

Yes, but IIRC all Veteran units can be upgraded to Elite, and can therefore be taken to fill Elite slots. If you want 2 units of (for ex) Old Guard as your 2 Man Crew, they'll both be Elite. You'd miss out on your two "free" Hero choices since Old Guard can't be heroes, but it's still a lot of high-quality actions on the table.

It's not really a hard system once you grasp the basics, and it's surprisingly versatile with millions of potential combinations.

[phoenikuz]

Easiest way I can phrase it:

Brilliant explanation! Thank you! I think it was the word "unit" that threw my gears into a fit. Off to design some crews for the game this weekend.

Yeah, they skipped that. You know what they say about the word assume.

Sure do, and I don't mind - but if somebody were to argue the point about it not being stated anywhere in the rules... (although, frankly, I would then say "thanks for the game" and be on my way).

There is no printed template in the book...

Aha! I've been reading myself blind it seems. It would appear that the templates are the same as for AEWWII then?

And cheers for the answers!

[dijit80]

Nice to see you here btw! I took me a while to get the handle of the crew building system, it have been easier if it was written 'Experience Level: Regular or Veteran', instead of the rather unclear wording as it is at the moment, but I think Macnam hit the nail on the head.
Duncan

[verminousfang]

How do i determine a random direction?

I seem to recall this question coming up pre-pre-release, and there were a few different answers (I specifically remember one of the Darkson crew stating he uses the GW scatter die). Basically, it should be a "mutually acceptable method determined before the game begins". But I do know that some people don't always get to play with "mutually aceptable people", so... Have fun with that.

[silentbob27]

Aug 18, 2010 9:02:19 GMT -5 phoenikuz said:

Greetings everyone!

How do i determine a random direction?

Spin a bottle

We usually use a GW or Rezolution scatter die.

[xGIxJOKERx]

Don't feel bad, a lot of people have a hard time wrapping their head around the points-free system at first (particularly the need to sacrifice a slot to upgrade another slot's EL vs. the free upgrade units can take to fill a different slot) but once you do it becomes incredibly easy to make crews, so much so that I used to make them up in my head and write them down in my little note book for AE-WWII to pass the time waiting for the bus.
There are templates on the main website for AE-WWII that you can print out and will work perfectly for Bounty. Just be advised that they are a bit short so measure them out before you cut them to give them a bit of padding at the end to get them to the right length.
darksondesigns.com/?page_id=12