Wednesday, December 31, 2014

LEGO Creator Transport Plane Review for MF0

The Bag
I really liked this one from the moment I saw it just for the build so I picked up two. I found this at 5 Below.

Parts 1
Can you build some sort of creation right away? 

I got two out of this set, a frame and a spaceship. Also I think it could be used as is for set dressing or maybe converted as a crash site station. +5


Parts 2
Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio? (Ten Cents Per Part)

$3.99/49 = 8 cents per part! +5


Parts 3
If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?

Absolutely! +5

The Set with comparisons
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts? 

Yes but I did think about saying No. +5


Spaceship
Total: Wowzers, we have an A+ set! (though maybe close to an A). The spaceship is a slight modification to the set build (very firefly) but most likely best as an HVA in Intercept Orbit. I like the frame I build for the most part, specially the hip connect style. The transport plane bit be slightly to small for 7p but should still look nice changed to make a crash site or something.


Side by side

Sunday, December 28, 2014

LEGO The Hobbit Mirkwood Elf Guard Review for MF0

The Bag
As you can see I got this at Five Below but it was quite some time ago. The tree caught my interest and is the reason why I bought it (a few bags actually. I like trees for terrain.)

Parts 1 - Minifigure
Can you build some sort of creation right away?

Frame or spaceship, not going to happen here with this set. Though it does make a tree from the set so we break even with 0.

Parts 2
Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio? (10 cents on the dollar, no wait on the part)

Isn't painfully obvious that it is above but let's get technical. $3.99/27 = 15 cents per part! I think that is the worse ratio for a LEGO set I have done. -10 indeed!

Parts 3
If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away? 

The giant mushroom makes a return!!! There are a few usual parts but not many. +5 (am I being nice?)

The set
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?

This is a certain nope! -5

COVER!
Total: Well our total gets a C+ rating which makes me feel sort of bad that I bought more then one but I still like the tree. I remove the torch and maybe the mushroom (or just don't count it). Either way as you can see they are tall enough to be cover but most likely won't be after taking just one hit but hey you need to have some hard and soft cover I feel!

Friday, December 26, 2014

LEGO Chima Worriz's Fire Bike Review for MF0

The Bag
This is the current Target polybag and WOW haven't done one of these in a few months. Let's make up some lost time!
Parts 1
Can you build some sort of creation right away?

Nope, nothing. Might be able to get a station out of it but I doubt it. -5


Parts 2
Is it below, at, or above the Golden Ratio? (We should all know this by now, right? {10 cents per part})

$3.99/31 equals $0.13! Wow, that is a big difference. Not looking good. -10


Parts 3
If you can't build a frame right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?

Thankfully there are a few of those so this set isn't completely shot yet! +5


Parts 4
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?

A lot of barrels and a few other random neatness but I don't think we have enough to 'more then a handful' here. -5
Vroom vroom


Total: C, certainly not the best set but...

Outside of being for MF0 parts, I like the build itself which is why I bought it. It a simple build yet very much looks like what it suppose to...it just fun...I wonder if it be practical for a frame to have a motorcycle...

Balancing Systems Unstable...

Friday, December 12, 2014

Mobile Frame Zero: Scales, Sizes and Standards

First this is a 'living document'.

What do we mean by living document? Essentially as the game grows and evolves, so will this post. Any major/additions changes and I will re-post to the usual places but I don't think any feed sources will update.

Purpose: A reference/guide for players of Mobile Frame Zero series about scale, sizes and standards. This isn't official but pulls info  heavily from the Hanger (MF0 forum) via discussion and/or 'word of god(s)' and sometimes my own crazy thoughts.

Scale: a comparable value of in game size compared to our real world. The scale size is referring to how big is a human at this scale.

Size: rough size limits of a build given the scale of your game.

Standard: a suggested default or a possible assumption of limits.

Rapid Attack
Plate

Standard Format: 7p (p=plates) Scale, 10 studs (wide) x 10 studs (deep) x 12 bricks (tall) suggested max Size Also known as 'The Box'

You and your friends can set any scale/size for your games but some choices might cause you to have to tweak the rules when it comes to ranges.

In the community we generally refer to scale by plates (as in the smallest height of LEGO) with a number in front to indicated how many plates for example 7p. What is this referring to? People. 7p plates is roughly equal to a person (or 6p, or 4p, that is how tall people are).
Stud

Why do we care about that? Well, it effects the look of your cover/stations. With the reference of how big a person is (you), you know how to build everything else in relation to that.

What about Size? Well, we are talking about the volume that your frame takes up and out point of reference here for measurement is a stud for width and depth while using a brick for height so 10 stud (wide) x10 (stud) deep x 12 bricks (tall). We refer to this simple as The Box.

Why this box? Well the best two reasons I can give is 1) the rules work well with your frames not breaking the Size suggestion and 2) This is the general assumption Soren used when making the iconic MF0 frames.
Brick

As for 1) I mean, the bigger you get out of the box the easier it is to get shot while gaining no real benefit besides look factor.

So at 7p Scale using the The Box the rules work very well and you have a nice scale to work with when it comes to building stations and your cover.

The Box
Box Checker














Visualizing 7p Scale


As we discussed above 7p is how tall a human is on the battlefield but what does that mean to everything else? Let's basic down to the most basic by starting with average human height at 5'10" (1.8 meters) but lets just round that to 6' (1.8 meters and humans will be taller in the future anyways).


6 feet/ 7 plates equals 0.86 feet ( or just over 10 inches, 0.26 meters. I say 10 inchs or 0.25 meters for simplicity.) per plate.

So there is the low end, but let's take this to another common reference in the game: the chub. The chub is roughly 21 plates tall meaning it is a rough 18 feet tall or three times taller then the average human. That seems about right and fits well into the default setting for MF0 (of course feel free to make your own setting).


So we have people, the plate, the chub but what about THe Box?

(a lot of adjusting is about to happen to keep math easy) The brick is 3 plates tall and just over 2 plates wide giving as a rough height of 30 inches or 2.5 feet (0.75 meters) and a width of 21 inches  or 1.75 feet (0.50 meters).

That makes The Box 17.5 feet (5 meters) long x 17.5 feet (5 meters) wide and 30 feet (9 meters) tall.

Hope this helps.

Breaking Down Further

If your interested in smaller scales such as 4p and below then you should checkout No B.S. Just A.B.S. 's entry about Scale as well.

-So You want to Play Minifigure Scale

Before I begin I will say this is just my opinion/research and has not yet been play tested. Anyone who takes this and tries it out please let me know how it went BUT Joshua tweeted a bit about the basics ideas I had and tweeted back this:




 Take that as you will.
7p Ruler

14p Ruler
So I sized up the minifigure (12 plates) and started the math to figure out the scale and how things would need to change. Short answer is it got complex and what I would call silly. So I came up with this instead. Just double the scale and everything else then just call it minifigure scale.

So yes, 14p scale(5 inches per plate)  is what I think minifigure scale should be with the minifigure is two plates short just like the microfigure is one plate short. With that though everything needs to double as well.

Minifig Standard Scale: 14p, 20 studs x 20 studs x 24 bricks suggest max size.

The Ruler: Still 8 units long but unit is now 10 studs long. With that adjust play area (about 9 feet wide) and ranges with that in mind.

Cover: Now Begins at 6 bricks or higher. Stations are still not cover.

Stations: Stations are now 8 studs x 8 studs.

Cover Damage: Remove 12 pieces instead of 6 and I would stick with 2x2 brick as your common minimum size of piece and have 1x1 bricks used sparingly.

14p on the left, 7p on the right. The top of the open hatch should be equal to a 14p Chub.

Saturday, November 29, 2014

Contact and Social Media

If you would you like to email Dark Cloud Blogs you can send them to dark.cloud.blogs@gmail.com

You can follow Dark Cloud Blogs on Facebook, Google+ and Twitter.

If you just want to follow me (John/Gwynn 'Shades Corvid') you can check me out on Twitter and Instagram.


Thursday, November 27, 2014

Book Review: Felix the Comet by Cathy Coley





So a while back a friend of mine did a bit of crowd funding to get her first children's book (middle grades)  published. To be a good supportive friend I donated at the level that would get me my very own copy of the book (I didn't have the money for the snicker doodles...though I should make her bring me some at our next game night.).

After getting past my list of must reads I got to reading her book and have decided to write a review after enjoying it so much (I read it twice.).

So I present a book review on Felix the Comet by Cathy Coley!

Felix the CometA book with easily relate able characters, specially for those not part of the main crowd. Cathy has a well written book but shouldn't prove any challenge for its intended audience. I like the detailing and the use of connections. Was a such a blast I read it twice, part to do a better review and get ready for an up coming interview of Cathy but was glad to read it the second time

If you like to purchase a digital copy go here.

If you rather have a physical copy for yourself
or to give as a gift try here.

If you like to learn more about Cathy or just follower
on social media you can catch her on the following:

Wordpress Facebook G+ Twitter

Interview coming soon on Dark Cloud Blogs Youtube Channel

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Sellswords Part 2: Twitter Notes

So the Sellswords concept came from a tweet that inspired many others. I used those tweets as a form of notes to make the previous post. Not every tweet is in there either because it just didn't flow into the writing or twitter was being stupid and I missed it.

Well I pulled out my twitter archive and recovered the tweets so I can present them here. If you are looking to use the Sellswords, feel free to fine more inspiration about these 'twitter notes' about the Sellswords aka consider the following 'cannon':

Sellswords- a guild of escorts, bodyguards, guards, lookouts for hire  and their local  handlers.

Sellswords are not mercs or soldiers. most dislike such terms and try to be deterrents, not killers.

Most Sellswords seek handler status or the long duty aka steady pay. also take pride in their chosen weapon.

Some Sellsword Handler duties include contracts, community 'n' govt relations and member crash space.

The big duty of Sellsword handlers is getting together to organize regional/local special events.

Sellsword events serve to recruit, promote, rank up, reorganize (Sellswords) and build relations (with community and fellow Swordswells).

Important Sellswords are allied merchants first; allied defenders second. They are their own product.

Rumor has it Sellswords went to war twice. Neither was a contract but under their own banner. they refuse to talk about it.

Famous Sellsword: Franus, youngest to earn handler, first to carry the title SellVoice, never carries a weapon.

Sellswords do have a Bill of Operations and Conduct.

Sellswords are expected to help each other if they happen to be present when something goes done; off or on duty.

These defense of Sellswords usually earns the defender tips or boons from the Sellsword and/or a handler.

Sellswords always get paid, even if the die but the client lives. either the pay goes to family and/or the Sellsword group.

Generally it is consider a bad idea to refuse paying Sellsword. legal course is always used first, if possible.

Sellsword clients do not have to go through handlers, usually just faster. There is always a contract though.

Sellswords Part 1

Sunday, November 9, 2014

Getting Ready to Demo so I Can Demo at a Con...

So as I write this post I am getting ready to go to a friend's house, but not any friend's house. This friend is the Gaming Director for a convention that takes place in Richmond, VA called RavenCon.

I am basically going over to hang out with my friend AND demo Mobile Frame Zero: Rapid Attack so I can be able to demo it at RavenCon. Wish me luck?

Group Shot!
Team 1 - Arty Team
The walker on the right is the Soldier and the one on the left is the long range gun!

Team 2 - Soldiers Team; special guest Wind Turbine Station.
Here we have the double soldier team with my station of choice for the night.

Team 3 - Melee Team
Here is our melee team, hope they know how to use cover fire.

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Sellswords: a in game guild for Fantasy RPGs

The following post exists because of this:

 I then responded with a lot tweets over the last few days for a group I call the Sellswords and using those tweets I give you the rest of this post!

Sellswords is a guild of elite defenders for hire: escorts, bodyguards, lookouts, guards and their handlers. These are no simple soldiers for hire to  fight your battles; just here to protect your stuff or keep you alive.

-Contract of Operations and Conduct-

The Sellswords Guild operates under a document that is referred to as the Contract of Operations and Conduct and in which all members carry a signed copy. The following is just a summary of its contents.

Goals

Seems a bit obvious but; Stay Alive, Get Paid, and Master your weapon but here are some other ways to look at it.


  • Sellswords are merchants whose wares are their ability to keep people away and put a weapon to fantastic use; not a soldier or a killer.
  • The fight prevented is a battle won.
  • Contracts make sure you get paid.
Leader

None; Sellsword have no governing head figure. Handlers work together as needed to run things on various levels be it international, nation, regional, local or personal levels. Even then there is no formal council of handlers; just people discussing what needs to be done. In certain situations handlers will call for a vote and of course certain handlers take on my 'leader' roles created out of necessity, ability or situation.

Joining

Simply put Sellsword Guild asks you to join, not the other way around. This is usually done by handlers during an organized Sellsword Event where they usually have some kind of tournaments open novices or anyone in general.

The other time a handler or a well respected member (with handler approval at SOME point) will find someone they see potential in and bring them into the fold. Of course skill in arms is only a fraction of what they are looking for and not all recruits make it to claim the title of Sellsword.

Titles

Sellswords have a ranking system in which members call titles. Upon gaining title a member is presented with a badge (most of the time publicly) indicating their title level. These badges are usually displayed constantly on person as this is a potential tool a member can use. Privately a member is given a token that goes along with the new rank; the token is how members prove to one another who they are given badges can be counterfeited quiet easily. Most of the time old tokens and badges are turned into handlers to be used again for the next rising Sellsword.

Recruit - The training and learning step. No badge, no token; either working under a Selltitle or a Handler. If under a Handler they will be assigned contracts working with other Sellswords that will report back progress to the Handler. If your not going to make it, it will usually happen here.

Sword - Usually the shortest chapter for most Sellswords, your first badge made of copper and a wooden token. This is the true proving grounds as you will be given contracts unsupervised either on your own or working with fellow Sword titlers. Can still wash out. Badge looks a square plate with a sword going across it. The token is a bar with a sword on top and special inscription on the sides.

Sellsword - Full member of the Sellswords with Iron or Steel badge along with silver token. The wooden token is usually burned by the new Sellsword as a symbol of moving on from one's past into one's new future with the Sellswords. This badge is a round shield with a sword going across while the token is another bar, again with a sword on top and a different inscription on the sides.

Selltitles - The Elite of Elite though depending on what is going on Selltitles could out number Sellswords in a region or even over all. The actual title replaces the word title with the members specialty of combat, style or focus of duty ie SellShortsword, SellArcher and SellWall. Selltitles are proven contract completer and have proven there skills at many of Sellsword Events. A new Iron or Steel badge but made to fit your new title, still usually a shield with something across it. The new token is now gold bar with the sword on top with a different inscription on the sides.

Handlers - Many Sellswords leave or retire from the guild without becoming a Handler as it is a duty along with being a rank. Most of the time it takes a new region or city and votes from handlers to raise a Selltitle to a Handler. Odd situations have caused the rise of  a Handler as well. One example could be a Handler suddenly dying and a member of the guild steps up handling the duties of a Handler. The word will spread and the surrounding handlers will make formal what is already going on. A steel badge similar to their Selltitle but with a H in the background or the equivalent in the Handler's native tongue. The token is same as before made out of platinum.

Retired - Not a rank but just a fact. Once a Sellsword they are done with the duty, the usually in form local handler(s) and move on with their life. They keep their badge and bar but no longer display their badge. Some go in and out of retirement.



Sellswords Conduct

Try to maintain good relations.

You always have the right to defend yourself.

The best victory is the one obtain without drawing your weapon.

Defend your fellow Sellsword, on or off contract.

If defended off contract, it is good practice to give boon or tip.

Tip Handlers for Crash Spaces if possible, Handlers get a cut of Contract Pay if they set it up.

Handler Duties

Provide Crash Space for Sellswords.

Maintain good relations with local communities, govt, local law enforcement and other groups.

Collect and distribute contracts.

Plan and run one at least Sellsword Event per year.

Sellsword Events

To help relations with communities, build reputation and give a change for Sellswords to properly gather for various reasons Handlers put on special events.

They can range from simple combat demonstrations to the public in front of a Crash Space to grand region fairs.

Sellsword Lexicon

Contract: Jobs and the written down arrangements for the job.

Boon: A favor granted to a fellow sellsword, sometimes written into formal contracts.

Tip: Money freely given to a fellow sellsword, usually no records for such a transaction.

Crash Space: A place ran by a handler to give sellswords a place to eat, sleep and get guild info between contracts. Usually where sellswords go to get contracts from handlers and where clients go to contract said handlers to arrange contracts.

-End of Contract-

Notable Sellswords/Crashspaces

Furan; youngest recorder Handler, first to earn the title SellVoice and never carries a weapon on person.

Sellwalls; heavily armored Sellsword team that are almost walking living forts.

Raniers; SellArcher and Handler. Operator of Outpost SellGreen.

SellGreen: An Outpost that serves as a safe haven in a middle of trade road that runs in untamed, barely explored area. It acts as inn, tavern and general store for travelers and those few that operate in the region. With a flash of your token gains you access to the private crash space and discounts at tavern and store...even perhaps access to exclusive equipment.

Rumors

The Sellswords have gone to war, twice but neither time was for a contract but for themselves caring their own banner. (This is true but no Sellsword talks about it or admits that this ever happen.)

Use

This was made for everybody! If you like what your read, please put it in your game if you like. Modify it to your desire, put in your details. Some things to think about: Do Sellswords have casters?, Are the Sellwalls a pair, a large party or even a sub guild with their own handler?

I am not opposed to seeing Sellswords in some kind of RPG document (it be insanely cool to be truthful); just give me some credit and super small cut if you make a profit?

Part 2: Twitter Notes

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Ionix Tenkai Knights Blind Bag Showcase for MF0

The Bags
So given these were on sale and my other Tenkai Knight post fell through I decided to check these out instead. Though I am going to say this isn't going to be a normal review but more of a showcase.

Parts

Here we have the contents of my four bags, and only one repeat so that good. Looks like the bags average four pieces though some of them are interesting. I picked up each of the bags for $1.48 but the original price was $2.99. Divide that by four gives us a price per piece of $0.75!!! That is way above the ratio but the body piece is a rather unique part.

Open

Here we have them 'open' and not in brick mode. One on the bottom left I have flipped over so we can use the back...poor choice with the black.

Assembled
Here we have them put together and well these could work for a 4p scale. The helmets being defense and the clear weapons being weapon systems. Of course you might be able to build a frame off the bodies...maybe. There might have to be a revisit. Over all I am not that impressed.

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

LEGO Merida's Highland Games Review for MF0

WARNING: Big Post

The Box
Alright so I think a bit of money went into this box.

Fancy, and it was thick Cardboard.
So, just going to be straight forward about this. In this household we are big fans of Disney in general and specially Brave. This set was mostly bought because the Spousal Equivalent wanted Merida but I have a rule about reviewing ALL THE SETS!

This is what the SE wanted; the Minifigs.
Can you build some sort of creation right away?

HVA, all from the Set including Base.

So I made this little ship that I think is a decent HVA including a base and you can change the angle. Though with so many pieces you think I could also get a frame or other stuff out of it but I could not. Also I added the tree from the set to my collection. +5 points.

Parts 1
Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio? (10 Cents Per Part)

Parts 2
$19.99 / 145 pieces = $0.14 per part, Wow that is pricey! I got this on sale thankfully. -10 points.

Parts 3
If you can't build a creation right away, or choose not to, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away? 

Parts 4
There are certainly several parts for building just about anything. +5 points

Plate
Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?


With a set this large this get's a bit harder to define. I am going to say yes plus four 4x4 plates! +5 points.

Built!
Total: With only 5 points (because of the ratio) we have a B+ set but with that steep price maybe B. I like the tree for terrain but the big pieces for the wall are just about useless for MF0. 

Front

Back

Stickers