Federation Commander

Some time ago now, if I recall correctly [which is by no means certain] SVC asked us what sort of map boards we'd like in new products. That was the thread where people asked for variable pulsars, black holes, and the like.

Well, for Hydran Attack, if it hasn't already been decided, I would like to request more asteroid maps, if possible. Or even a 'seconds' asteroid map - one that didn't quite make the grade.

My reasoning is simple. For a large asteroid map, you really need to use the small-hex sides of the boards. As far as I can see, there are only four asteroid panels available, two from Romulan Attack and two from Battleships Attack. This means that players using the large hex sides of the boards will get a smaller map in game terms - fewer hexes across - and are forced to use the small hexes if they want to play in a massive asteroid field. We at BG Exeter happen to like playing on large hexes and with large ship counters!

Of course, I realise that we can simply place asteroid counters in open space hexes on a 'blank' map, but then the homogeneity of the board is not as aesthetically pleasing.

So, there's my request, then. Pretty please?

The "map" for Hydran Attack will be counters. There is no map panel.

(The counters are for Boosters 91-95.)

Just do what we did... order additional asteroid map panels from ADB as spare parts. You can get enough to fill any size map area you want for a relatively low price...

mjwest wrote:The "map" for Hydran Attack will be counters. There is no map panel.

(The counters are for Boosters 91-95.)

Well, that's even better than my request. Especially when combined with...

Scoutdad wrote:Just do what we did... order additional asteroid map panels from ADB as spare parts. You can get enough to fill any size map area you want for a relatively low price...

...which is what I will do, and I'll get B91 into the bargain. In fact that was my backup plan in case my 'wish' wasn't fulfilled

Speaking of the counters that MJ mentioned. In the Origins tournament, do you use the small counters/small hex map or the 1 inch counters/large hex map.

Just another good reason to buy Hydran attack.

I know anything posted on the fourm is not likely to be considered, but I want nebula Map panels

pinecone wrote:I know anything posted on the fourm is not likely to be considered, but I want nebula Map panels

That is not true. Steve has considered lots of things from this forum.

That said, there isn't going to be any nebula map panels because they don't do anything. For all intents and purposes, a map panel is either all nebula or all not-a-nebula. As such, all a nebula map pane would be is a panel in a different color.

Put another way, you already have "nebula map panels". Either the scenario is in a nebula, in which case all map panels are nebula, or it is not, in which case they are not nebula map panels. (In the case of the edge of the nebula, just define a convenience panel border as the edge and go for it.)

Pinecone...if you want blue and red or green and yellow nebula maps, try candy paint. You can still see through it but you also color the field. Then you can say, 'you are on the edge of the Mutara nebula' or some such name...if you are doing any type of RPG or background scenarios.

Anybody else have any other ideas to help shade a map?

Try thin sheets of coloured plastic. The type that the lenses in old style 3d glasses are made from. That way you can lay a sheet on top of any map while it's a nebula without needing to actually change it at all.

Sound like a lot of effort to say you're in a nebula. I'm with MJ on this one. The map is in the nebulae or it is not. I've not played in one yet so maybe, just maybe I would enjoy it more if it were a different shade. Technically though, you're starships would also have to be shaded that color as well...

I am finishing up the FCHA counters even as we speak.

Due to the way the production system works, we will be printing on both sides of these counters, so, unless somebody comes up with a better idea, I will print asteroids on the back of every counter so you can build your own asteroid field if you want to.

Asteroids on the backsides of the counters?

Hmmm... I usually initial the backsides of all of my counters before they're cut apart, but a massive asteroid field has a lot of potential.

I see a lot of potential scenario ideas there...

Seems like a good use of the space (and the least likely to have registration-error problems).

Interesting, thanks

And, does that mean that all future counter sheets will have back-side printing - "Due to the way the production system works" - as Steve said?