THe Siege Engine Success at GenCon 2012
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 3:24 pm
Having run my first set of games at GenCon, I think I can write with a smidge more credibility. I CK’d three sessions of Tegel Manor, the classic Judges Guild adventure. The first night I had two young 19-20 year-old guys who, up to then, had only ever played 4e. The others at the table were 1e and 2e grognards.
What was astonishing to me was that when it was finished, my two young up-starts stated that it was best ever single adventure and game session they had ever participated in. It certainly boosted my confidence as a CK. It did something else though. It got me to thinking; “why”?
The boys told me that it was the fantastic thrill they got during combat. The combat was fast, and not one time did we stop to consult a rule book, and the change in initiative each round kept them wondering who would get the first shot off. These guys were worried. There were some white-knuckle moments around rolling higher numbers on the d10’s.
They both commented on how quickly combat and other situations were adjudicated. It was smooth and seamless.
So it got me to thinking. I have not played a lot of high level material in C&C. But here we were, doing just that and the play was not slowed in anyway. That is the beauty of the Siege Engine. The saves against saves were against the spell level of the caster, with no need to go adding modifiers and other fiddly bits. Going up against a lich using the C&C rule-set, is a daunting task for the characters, not the CK or the players. Liches are real b***h’s in C&C!
I had the opportunity to fine-tune my quick Siege Engine skills and at the booth the next morning, those same two young fellows were seen purchasing a PHB. Again, after another game, the next morning, there was a certain player of a colorful cleric, who himself, picked up a PHB and an M&T. Heck, do I get a commission?
So Steve and I discussed this, and I think it will stick for next year at GenCon. TLG is getting a room where the grid and pick-up games will be played. If we have enough grid games, the Con organizers will be more inclined to grant Steve the space. I think that once players are introduced to the Siege Engine, they will be instant fans.
Pick-up games are great, but they are not out there for play-testers cruising for games to try, to see. The majority of those who signed up and purchased tickets for my games, were first-time players. The reaction was positive.
What was astonishing to me was that when it was finished, my two young up-starts stated that it was best ever single adventure and game session they had ever participated in. It certainly boosted my confidence as a CK. It did something else though. It got me to thinking; “why”?
The boys told me that it was the fantastic thrill they got during combat. The combat was fast, and not one time did we stop to consult a rule book, and the change in initiative each round kept them wondering who would get the first shot off. These guys were worried. There were some white-knuckle moments around rolling higher numbers on the d10’s.
They both commented on how quickly combat and other situations were adjudicated. It was smooth and seamless.
So it got me to thinking. I have not played a lot of high level material in C&C. But here we were, doing just that and the play was not slowed in anyway. That is the beauty of the Siege Engine. The saves against saves were against the spell level of the caster, with no need to go adding modifiers and other fiddly bits. Going up against a lich using the C&C rule-set, is a daunting task for the characters, not the CK or the players. Liches are real b***h’s in C&C!
I had the opportunity to fine-tune my quick Siege Engine skills and at the booth the next morning, those same two young fellows were seen purchasing a PHB. Again, after another game, the next morning, there was a certain player of a colorful cleric, who himself, picked up a PHB and an M&T. Heck, do I get a commission?
So Steve and I discussed this, and I think it will stick for next year at GenCon. TLG is getting a room where the grid and pick-up games will be played. If we have enough grid games, the Con organizers will be more inclined to grant Steve the space. I think that once players are introduced to the Siege Engine, they will be instant fans.
Pick-up games are great, but they are not out there for play-testers cruising for games to try, to see. The majority of those who signed up and purchased tickets for my games, were first-time players. The reaction was positive.
