Conspiracy! Solo Play Test Part 1
For a different, slightly condensed version of this battle report, please see the video at the end of this post.
Introduction
I recently published Solo Play rules on this blog so thought it might be useful to playtest the system and show it in action through a series of connected narrative-driven scenarios. The scenarios will be based on Jobs and Encounters as found in Warlord Games' Strontium Dog Miniatures Game's core rulebook. In the battle report pictures, I have tried to place light strongly on activating models to highlight who is performing the actions. I'll report each scenario both from gaming and narrative perspectives, the latter being denoted in segments of text written in italics. Comments, questions and other feedback is welcomed. I hope you enjoy!Scenario Background
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| A shuttle descends upon the planet Alzir Art by Carlos Ezquerra, Copyright Rebellion 2000AD Limited |
A beat-up old Earth shuttle drops out of warpspace over the planet Alzir. On board are two bounty hunters - known as Strontium Dogs - on the hunt for dangerous alien outlaws who have been terrorising the local population on Alzir. The outlaws, creatures known as Howlers, may soon be the ones feeling terrorised as mutant Johnny Alpha and his norm partner Wulf Sternhammer are on their tail!
After landing on Alzir and being debriefed about their quarry, Johnny and Wulf head out into the badlands to begin the hunt! They are seeking Bubo and his so-called 'Bad Boys' who have a predilection for robbing humans - and eating them!
As the day begins to wane, Johnny and Wulf spot activity on a high ridge. It looks like they have found Bubo!
"Bad Boys up on that ridge Wulf," Johnny says, passing his partner the binoculars. "Looks like Bubo is with them too."
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| Johnny and Wulf by Carlos Ezquerra Copyright Rebellion 2000AD Limited |
"Ja," Wulf nods, "but who is der mutant vith them?"
"Brute Mosely, one of Max Bubba's gang," Johnny replies. "Bubba's gang are outlaws just like Bubo but I don't know what business they have together."
"Vun hundred and eighty thousand credits bounty on Bubba," Wulf exclaims, his eyes lighting up as he examines his warrant meter. "Is no small cucumbers Johnny!"
"One thing at a time big fella. The Bad Boys are the priority. The people of Alzir want Bubo to stand trial for his crimes. If we take him alive, he's worth triple! Setting blaster to stun!"
"I vill try not to kill der voorm..." Wulf smiles, patting his favoured weapon. "...vith der Happy Stick!"
Forces
Player Band:Johnny Alpha (hero mode): 19 Notoriety
Wulf Sternhammer: 15 Notoriety
Total: 34 Notoriety
Enemy Band:
Bubo (Battler): 14 Notoriety
Bad Boys (x2) (Battlers): 14 Notoriety
Brute Mosely (Battler): 6 Notoriety
Total: 34 Notoriety
Note: Johnny and Bubo are the leaders of their respective bands for this mission.
Game Notes
Job: Headhunt (Assault)
Encounter: Bushwhack
Collateral: Unused (each side were entitled to 100,000 creds)
Special Rules: Once Johnny and Wulf reveal themselves, Bubo will realise the danger and in the turn following will default to Sprint Actions to flee the board.
The Encounter
1) Set up. I have set up Bubo, the Bad Boys and Brute Mosely in the centre of the table with some random terrain scattered around to provide cover. In the foreground, left to right are my gaming essentials - box lid for rolling my dice, tokens, character cards for my Player Band (Johnny and Wulf), a custom rules summary sheet I made, Enemy Band character cards, a generous mound of dice, Chicanery and Armoury cards and a Dredd dice bag for my tokens! Note that I have opted to play "hero mode" Johnny Alpha for 19 Notoriety rather than the usual 22. This means Johnny only brings his Westinghouse variable cartridge blaster and will not keep himself out of sight behind cover, gunning down opponents by (ab)using his Johnny Weird Eyes ability. My computer is close by to check the Action Flowcharts. All characters are battlers which keeps things simple!
1. Up on the ridge the Bad Boys parley with Brute Mosley, blissfully unaware that Johnny and Wulf are closing in upon them. In the dark shadows of twilight, the Strontium Dogs silently move into position behind a rocky outcrop.
2) I deal myself the usual 6 Armoury cards for Johnny and Wulf. The Enemy Band do not get any Armoury cards dealt to them.
2. Before they left the shuttle, Johnny Alpha had reviewed his armoury. Sure he and Wulf had their favoured weapons, but it was always good to have a little extra insurance...
3) Because Johnny has been selected as leader, he is able to keep 4 rather than the usual 3 Armoury Cards.
3. "Time Bomb, check. Electro-flare, check. Anti-Grav shot, check. A bottle of Famous Grouse that Middenface miraculously left on the shuttle?... Check!"
4) I deal myself three Chicanery Cards. Out of sheer principle, I will not be making use of No Honour card (especially since Johnny is being played in hero mode)!
4. Johnny could fight dirty just like the next man but just because he had could, didn't mean he would. He may be a mutie but he still had honour...
5) The Enemy Band are dealt three Chicanery Cards face down. They can play these to nullify the effects of an attack (provided at least 2 stuns/injuries are inflicted or the enemy had a modified Cool of 1, preventing incapacitation or becoming subdued).
5. ...unlike scum like Bubo! No doubt he'd use every trick in the book to save his skin!
6) The Job is a Headhunt, the Encounter is a Bushwhack with Bubo the main target. I completely misunderstand the intention of the Encounter and believe that Johnny and Wulf are effectively hidden until they open fire. It was only after the battle and on rereading the rules that there is nothing that says they are hidden, only that they start out of Line Of Sight of the Enemy Band.
6. Brute and Bubo argued at length, but their words were lost to the howl of the wind that swirled around on the ridgetop Bubo suddenly bared his teeth and hissed at Brute. The mutie simply grinned in response, his tusks glinting in the last light of the day. Bubo spat on the ground but threw Brute a sizeable bag of creds.
Looking on from the shadows, Johnny wondered what was going on. Bubo wasn't the type to take orders, even from a fellow outlaw with the fearsome reputation of Max Bubba. One thing was for sure though, Bubo was more than a little reticent about handing over his ill-gotten gains. Even if he wasn't about to break up their party, Johnny didn't believe this partnership was fated to last.
7) In position, my Player Band of Johnny and Wulf are ready to get into action! Set up ends.
7. "You all set big fella?"
"Ja," Wulf affirmed with a pat of his sledgehammer.
"Let's hit 'em then!"
8) The game begins! Wulf activates. As part of the Player Band, I can select whichever Actions I deem appropriate to take down Bubo and his Bad Boys. I opt to Sprint.
8. Wulf glanced around his surroundings before rushing away from Johnny...
8) I move him around the outskirts of the ridge, and he rushes out of sight again behind a rocky protrusion. I opt not to attempt to return his Star Chip to the bag.
8. ...moving closer to their prey. But as he closed in on another boulder, he accidentally stumbled, kicking some loose stones!
"By der Gotts," Wulf whispered, cursing his clumsiness.
9) One of the Bad Boys activates, opting to Sprint. As he can't see either Johnny or Wulf, he cannot attack.
9. The outlaws peered into the darkness searching for the source of the noise. Bubo indicated to one of his Bad Boys to investigate...
10. ...But the rider couldn't discern the source of the sound.
11) Brute activates and is placed on Overwatch.
11. Brute Mosely was not satisfied however. He aimed his stormer into the gloom, eyes trying to penetrate the dark.
12) I activate Johnny and, with the gun on Stun Mode, open fire on Bubo!
12. Recognising his partner is in danger of being discovered, Johnny opens fire with his Westinghouse variable cartridge blaster!
"Anti-Grav shot," he shouts!
13) I play an Armoury card, an anti-gravity shot! It not only hits and stuns Bubo and his mount, but sends them floating up into the air!
13. Bubo was furious as he and his mount floated into the air! Foaming at the mouth and with eyes bulging with rage, he screams at his Bad Boys, rousing them into action.
"Rrrrgggghhhh! What are you waiting for? Zap the saps!"
14) I manage to return the star chip to the bag and reactivate Johnny, firing at the vulnerable Bubo again.
14. Determined to silence Bubo, Johnny opens fire at the outlaw again...
15) Johnny lands three stuns upon the stricken Bubo, which automatically triggers the use of one of the Enemy Band's three Chicanery Cards. End of Turn 1.
15. ...but is unable to subdue him!
16) Turn 2. and Johnny is first to activate. He inflicts two stuns on Bubo this time and another Chicanery card is played to nullify them. His Star Chip is returned to the bag - good rolling so far!
16. Witness to Bubo still squirming and shouting in the air, Johnny glances at his Westinghouse with a quizzical gaze.
"Faulty ammunition? Those rounds should have put Bubo to sleep! I'll have words with the Doghouse armourer...if I get back!"
17) Wulf activates and opts to Charge. With a Bad Boy between Wulf and Brute, the latter is unable to make use of his Overwatch. Wulf engages one of the Bad Boys in Close Combat.
17. Swinging Der Happy Stick in the air, Wulf charges out of cover!
18) Wulf engages the nearest opponent, one of the Bad Boys, in close combat, inflicting four injuries. The final Enemy Band Chicanery Card is played, nullifying Wulf's attack. I decide not to attempt to return the Star Chip to the bag. The safest place to have Wulf is engaged in close combat. The Bad Boy then activates and tries to bite at Wulf as he attacks!
18. "Now you see me old cucumber," Wulf shouts as he launches his attack, engaging one of the Bad Boys. The alien reacts swiftly, his mork evading Wulf's deadly Happy Stick. The snarling Bad Boy counter-attacks, pouncing upon the Viking, his vicious fangs exposed...
19) But Wulf Evades and triggers his Brawler ability, counter-attacking the counter-attack! This time, without any Chicanery cards, the Bad Boy is instantly incapacitated!
19. "....Now you don't!"
With a sickening crack, der Happy Stick connects with the Bad Boy's skull and the mork crashes to the ground. Neither mount nor rider get back up again!
20) Bubo's other bodyguard howled in outrage and Charges at the Viking!
20. The killing of his brother sparks another Bad Boy into action! Spitting hate, he charges at Wulf...
21) But once again Wulf Evades, manages to instigate Brawler and takes the Bad Boy down!
21. ...but is dispatched by the Sternhammer swing even quicker than his brother was!
22) Johnny activates again but only manages to inflict another stun on Bubo, not enough to subdue him. He attempts but fails to return a Star Chip to the bag, meaning he is Pinned! Bubo activates but can only use Shake It Off twice to remove the Pinned Marker (and therefore the effects of the Anti-Grav Bullet) and one Stun Marker.
22. Completely dazed and disorientated by the Dogs' attack, Bubo frantically tries identify an escape route.
23) Brute Mosely charges Wulf.
23. Even though he has seen how deadly Sternhammer is, Brute Mosely fancied himself as a more formidable opponent than these feeble 'Bad Boys'.
24. Indeed, Brute is a more capable opponent, but Wulf almost casually shrugs off a head butt from the mutie! All of a sudden Brute turns a paler shade of blue! He knows he has angered this deadly bounty hunter!
25) But there is one last twist - I play Adrenaline Surge Chicanery Card on Johnny, allowing him to clear the Pinned Marker and perform a Single Action. Once again he fires at Bubo on Stun mode.
25. Johnny still has Bubo in his sights and looses another shot!
26. With a pathetic yelp Bubo is finally stunned into submission!
Realising the game is up, Brute surrenders. Wulf is disappointed as he was relishing the prospect of knocking those tusks loose with der Happy Stick!
Aftermath
Johnny and Wulf dust themselves down, relieved not to have been wounded during the fray. Wulf digs out his warrant meter and smiles.
"Let us see... For bringing in Bubo alive, ve vill receive four hundred and tventy thousand creds. The Alzirians aren't interested in der other Bad Boys, set them free Johnny?"
"No, they're scum too. I'd happily hand them over to the authorities, reward or not."
"Now, Brute, how much are you vorth?"
"I'm worth more to you free than rotting in a cell," Brute says.
"Talk fast Brute," Johnny orders. "And no holding back, if I feel like you're hiding anything, you'll find yourself keeping Bubo here company in a cell."
"Your friend Middenface," Brute replies. "He was here on another job, hunting the robot Steelkreeg VII."
"Verdammt, Johnny, a Steelkreeg robot singed my beard in der Killing, remember?"
"I remember big fella. The Steelkreeg series are dangerous assassin robots. What about Middenface, Brute?"
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| Brute Mosely by Carlos Ezquerra Copyright Rebellion 2000AD Limited |
"Middenface didn't know that Steelkreeg was luring him here. Middenface thought he was working with the Weerd Brothers, but they were hired muscle under Steelkreeg's employ. When they arrived on-world here, the Weerds said they'd lead Middenface to Steelkreeg. They led him all right, but then they took him down. But he's still alive, at least for now. If you give me your word you'll set me free, I'll tell you where to find him. They're heading off-planet soon and once that happens, you'll never see him again."
"What makes you think I'd keep my word, Brute?"
"Ha," Brute scoffs. "You're Johnny Alpha!"
"I've got a reputation for being soft, eh? Maybe I need to change, starting now."
"Maybe," Brute nods, "but then your friend's life would be forfeit. Do we have a deal or not?"
"Yeah," Johnny agrees. "One thing though, why were you here with Bubo?"
"Max Bubba has an extensive network. I was here selling information to Bubo."
"What information."
"Details of supply convoys..."
"What information."
"Details of supply convoys..."
"So Bubo knew where and when to hit the supply caravans! They robbed those people - and ate them!"
"It-it was just business, Alpha! We never told 'em to eat no one!"
"You don't deserve to live Brute," Johnny scowls. "But Middenface needs me. You got my word. I'll set you free. But you tell Bubba that once I have Middenface back, I'm coming for him. I'm going to put you all out of business, and into jail...or an early grave. You have my word on that too, Brute! Now, come on, lead the way to Middenface..."
NEXT PROG: Showdown with Steelkreeg!
NEXT PROG: Showdown with Steelkreeg!
Closing Reflections
For a first playtest, the system seemed to work fairly well. All of the Enemy Band were Battlers which kept things simple and, for the most part, they acted the way I'd hoped. It will be interesting to see how Gunslingers and All-Rounders fare in the next scenario!
Obviously I made a few mistakes, particularly in having Johnny and Wulf able to stay hidden until they attacked, and I think that this certainly made the scenario more one-sided than I'd expect. The Pay-Off (which included a triple pay off for subduing Bubo) was a hefty one which enables Johnny and Wulf to recruit more members to their team as the campaign progresses.
Watch this space for more soon!
Below: Video version of this battle report!
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