The last one is mine… and it’s far from the best one!  E.T. speaks French?! Who knew?  I’m looking forward to more fun, and creative assignments with this class!

First a few pictures to give you the idea.

Me at work.

Smoking Allied Planes--both of which are mine!

Snoopy in action

Another Snoopy pic... Amelia must've been taking the pictures!

Enemy fighters at 12 o'clock!

See, Amelia really likes Snoopy.

Fokker VII with color design by Hunter

You can tell this plane is going very fast by the stress on the upper wing.

And now for the rule book.

Historical Background:

During World War I the airplane became an important weapon of war. At the start of the war the planes were unarmed and were used for scouting. Soon the pilots were taking weapons with them on their flights. These early efforts were crude, but Dutch inventor Anthony Fokker eventually succeeded in synchronizing a machine gun with an engine so the weapon could fire through the propeller. This led to the “Fokker scourge” as the Germans used the new invention to dominate the skies. The Allies soon followed suit and battled the Germans for control of the skies. Successful “aces”, like the Red Baron, were lionized by the press and became living legends. By the end of the war the airplane’s role in combat had expanded to include reconnaissance, artillery spotting, trench strafing, and bombing.

Rules

Each Student gets:

1 airplane token

1 maneuver sheet (and pencil with eraser)

The Board: The game is played on a 4′ x 6′ mat with a 5″ hex pattern.  At least 5 (five) six-sided dice (d6) are needed.

Maneuver Sheet: Each student gets a maneuver sheet from which he can choose his moves for the turn. The sheet names each maneuver, illustrates how to move the plane, and describes it in words.

Deployment: The Germans and Allies start on any whole hex facing each other but at least 6 Hexes from an enemy plane. Planes should be positioned so the nose of the plane points at a hex side, NOT a hex corner.

Sequence of Play: 1. Choose three moves from the Maneuver Sheet.
2. Play the first move.
3. Resolve shooting.
4. Play the second move. 
5. Resolve shooting.
6. Play the third move. 7. Resolve shooting.

Choose Moves: At the start of the turn each pilot must select three maneuvers from his/her maneuver sheet. Note that maneuvers on the top row maybe used multiple times during a turn, while maneuvers on the bottom row may not be used more than once each per turn. However, the pilot may choose all three maneuvers from the bottom row, but any one maneuver may only be used once. The pilot should try to anticipate the maneuvers of his opponents and plan accordingly. At the start of each new turn the three maneuvers will be erased and new ones chosen.

WW1 Aerial Maneuver Sheet

Move Planes: Each turn has three rounds of movement. When all players are ready, everyone reveals their first maneuver. Each player moves his plane as indicated on his/her sheet. All moves take place at the same time. Planes should always end their move facing a hex side. This procedure is repeated for the second and third maneuvers after shooting is resolved.

Planes in the Same Hex: Sometimes two planes will end up in the same hex. Planes in the same hex MAY NOT shoot at each other, they are assumed to be flying at different altitudes. Do your best to put both planes in the hex without losing track of which way they are facing. The problem will resolve itself when the planes make their next move.

Resolve Shooting: Planes may ONLY fire at enemy planes that are in the line of hexes directly in front of their nose, they may not fire off to the sides or at an angle. Pilots must fire at the nearest enemy plane, and may ignore any friendly planes that are in the line of fire. If the target is one hex away the pilot rolls five dice, two hexes away roll four dice, and so on. Targets six or more hexes away are out of range. Hits are scored on rolls of 4-6. The target puts a check mark in  one circle on the Damage section of their Maneuver Sheet for each hit received. When a plane has taken six hits it is shot down and removed from play, until then it may be flown normally. All firing is assumed to take place at the same time.

Crash Landings: When a plane is shot down the pilot may be able to survive by landing the plane safely. Roll one die – on a roll of 1-4 the pilot survives, on a roll of 5 or 6 the pilot is KIA (Killed in Action). If a student’s pilot is KIA they lose all their victories and must start over again with a new airplane. However, the student must switch teams.

Victories: The pilot that shoots down an enemy plane is credited with a victory. If two planes hit a target on the turn it is shot down the victory is awarded to the player doing the most damage. If both players inflicted equal damage they each roll a die, high roll gets the victory (re-roll ties).

Aces: When a pilot gets 5 victories they become an ace. Ten victories is a double ace. When a pilot becomes an ace they get to throw one extra die each time they fire at an enemy plane.

Leaving the Board: If a pilot’s plane has received 4 or more damage points he/she may escape combat by flying off the map. If he/she succeeds in getting off the map all his damage points are restored and he/she may return to combat at the start of the next turn.

Returning to Combat: A pilot that has survived being shot down or left the map voluntarily may return to combat at the start of the next turn. Their plane will start the turn undamaged. They must place their plane on any whole hex on any edge of the mat that is at least six hexes from the nearest enemy plane. This is to prevent them from flying in right behind an opponent. The hex where they start should be indicated to the other pilots before they select their maneuver cards for that turn.

Altitude: Altitude is measured 1 – 10 and is represented by various length rods (chopsticks) each altitude level is approximately 2 inches in height.

Climbing and Descending: At the beginning of every move a pilot may choose to change altitude either 1 or 2 levels.  Changing the length of the rod does this.  Changing altitude by one level is considered a shallow climb or descent.  Changing altitude by two levels is considered a steep climb or steep dive.

Altitude and Shooting: A pilot may shoot at any plane in range and at any altitude.  Shooting at planes that are at 1 altitude level above, the same altitude, or one level below gives no advantage or disadvantage while shooting.  However, if the target is above or below, the attacker must change his altitude at the beginning of the next move.  Shooting at targets that are 2 or more levels below adds 1 on the attack roll, meaning the attacker may roll one more dice than usual depending on the range.  And the attacker must change his altitude 2 levels down at the beginning of the next maneuver.  Shooting at targets that are 2 or more levels above subtracts 1 from the attack roll, meaning the attacker must roll one less dice than usual depending on the range.  And the attacker must change his altitude 2 levels up at the beginning of the next maneuver.

Collision: two planes entering the same hex at the same altitude have a chance of colliding in mid-air.  Two pilots roll to d6 dice.  If the results add up to the same number the planes collide, and the pilot each roll a single d6 to determine how much damage is done to their plane.

Zeppelin Variation: Zeppelins were used by the Germans for extensive bombing campaigns in England.  In this scenario, Zeppelins fly through the map on their way to England.  The allied planes must try to shoot them down, while the German planes must attempt to protect them.  The Zeppelins move forward one space per maneuver.  They may shoot in any direction up to 2 spaces and always roll two attach dice. They take 20 points of damage to destroy.  However, whenever they are fired upon, the attacking pilot must roll a fire die (a smoke colored dice will be provided).  If the attacker rolls a 6 on the fire die, the Zeppelin catches fire and takes 5 points of damage per maneuver until destroyed.

Credit where Credit is Due: These rules were compiled and adapted from Matt Fritz and Pete Pellegrino and their Fast Play Rules for Students with inspiration from the advanced game rules of Blue Max and Canvas Eagles.  Students wishing for a more realistic simulation are encouraged to download the free rule book from this website.

Building all those planes and figuring out the mat and stands consumed all my brain space for the last week.  I’m sorry I didn’t report on Angela’s dramatic reclamation of the Wiz War Throne.  But she had it, again, but only for a single week.  This past Thursday Angela met her doom.

If you’ve seen the film Beowulf, or if you’ve read the old English text, you’ll know who Grendel’s Mother is.  She loved her son Grendel though he was a murderous monster.  And we have had just such a soul in our guild the entire semester.  Every time she’s played the game, she’s looked for her “Little boy”–the Big Black Bat.  And even when other wizards controlled monsters, she always spoke of them affectionately.  Never has another wizard had such love for all created creatures.

And this week, they proved their love for her.

Amelia’s creature minions relentlessly attacked Angela’s wizard as she tried to abscond with Amelia’s treasure.  Throughout the game Angela’s laments could be heard over the din of the other game table… as could Amelia’s coos for her lovely beasts.  In the end, Angela succumbed to their beatings, and Amelia arose Mistress Wizard, Mother of Monsters.

Amelia with her pets and a freshly bathed Mr. Bill.

Michael prevailed against another long term challenger to the throne, Amelia.

They both won a game on Wiz War Wednesday against long term champion Rick who wished to regain this title.  Both Michael and Amelia’s dedication to the game of late gave them a daunting advantage that even Rick’s four week’s at the top magical spot could not match.

Amelia beat Rick by her cunning advantage of having a card that would not allow her to be killed.  While Rick’s whole strategy was to forego the treasure and eliminate the competition.  Amelia simply ignored all the damage she was taking and focused on taking the treasures and running home.  Her strategy was a solid one.

On Thursday, Amelia had a similar situation.  She held the Soulstone, a magic stone that would not allow her last three life points to be taken by magical damage.  The fatal flaw of the stone was that it did not protect her against physical damage.  And that’s how Michael conquered her.  He found a large rock and pelted her to death with it, winning the game and the coveted Grand Wizard title along with the company of Magical Mr. Bill.

Congrats Mr. Wizard Michael.  You deserve it.  You’ve demonstrated mastery of the cards, and it shows during game time.

Let Michael’s story be a lesson to all guild members.  Long his path has been.  He has faced every trap in the deck.  He has been eliminated by losing his treasures, brutally stabbed to death, levitated, and lost critical turns to lightning blasts.  But he has prevailed by his knowledge of the cards.  And knowledge of the cards is the beginning of victory.

Michael was within 3 steps of winning when Amelia forced all players to draw new cards and she came up with a Vortex, which she teleported into the space next to Michael.  He was sucked in and was forced to drop his treasure, giving her enough time to get in Line Of Sight and zap him with a lightning bolt, causing him to lose one turn.  Then if that wasn’t enough, she levitated him so he couldn’t move.

At that point, I had to exit the dungeon.  Mistress Wizard elected to keep the game running.  As fate would have it, a dispute arose, and Mistress Wizard made a ruling which caused her to loss her crown.

And the scepter (Mr. Bill) has passed to Amelia.  However, after hearing how the game played out, I have ruled a draw.

So Amelia, who now holds Mr. Bill, as been ruled the Steward of the scepter.  And we are currently without a Grand Wizard.

Calling all wizard.  A tournament to find a new Grand Wizard begins on Wiz War Wednesday, matches begin a 1pm and will end no later than 4:30pm.  All winners will qualify for the championship match to be held on Thursday beginning no later than 1pm and ending no later than 3pm.

Will you be the next Grand Wizard?

The Grand Wizard has fallen!  A new power has risen!  Angela by a twist of fate has defeated Rick for the top position, securing her place in Sanya Wiz War history as the first female Grand Wizard!

But enough of me…  Let’s hear from our Mistress Wizard Angela.

I am very happy to talk about the game I won.

During a nearly two hour game, Rick, Mike, and I were all confident we’d each win the game. At first, Rick, and Mike fought with each other. So I had time to grab a treasure. After I got one, I was so lucky to draw a wonderful card that I could control Rick one turn.  I used his number card, so my treasure was far away from his wizard. Moreover, I drew many useful cards and duly used them.

The consequence was beyond all of our expectation–Mike took the treasure he won and put it down in my homebase, he just wanted to go through my homebase, but it was his mistake and I caught the opportunity and won finally!

Yours, Mistress Wizard

And here are a few pictures from the day, including shots of Nancy and Gill.  Don’t they look happy for their friend?!

]]> http://jeremytrylch.com/blog/angela-the-first/feed/ 0 http://jeremytrylch.com/blog/snap-goes-the-trap-swoosh-goes-the-treasures/ http://jeremytrylch.com/blog/snap-goes-the-trap-swoosh-goes-the-treasures/#comments Mon, 25 Apr 2011 03:50:11 +0000 Jeremy Trylch http://jeremytrylch.com/blog/?p=771 This post is a week behind because of connectivity issues with the email.  But Michael has such an incredible Wiz War story to tell, I thought it was worth it to still post it.

Here’s Michael’s post…

Wednesday, I had a very exciting game with Tony, Rick and June.  June was the winner of the first game.  Tony and I had no attack cards to use against her. So, we just watched as she won.

The second game was a big game between Tony, Rick and me—thankfully June had left for something. There were two magic stones in my first hand—a stink stone and speed stone.

After that I got the “Public Funds” card, which removes personal ownership of all the treasures on the board.  It tipped the balance in my favor.  But I held onto it, waiting for the right moment to play it.

But, Tony took a treasure quickly and was going for another. It looked like he was gonna win in the next turn. Then I stepped on his home base. I had the stink stone, which meant he could not enter the space or put the treasure there to win. Lol! And I cast a double-fireball to attack him. But he used counteraction card. The damage became his life point. Oh no!

I carried his treasure and run for my home base. I moved really fast with my speed stone. But they were not just going to let me win. They attacked me together. I had no counteraction blue cards. My life points decreased so fast.

When I only had 4 points and two more turns to the win, Bang! Tony teleported to me and stabbed my heart with a dagger. I was dead. Then my all cards belonged to Tony. He had the public treasure. And Rick didn`t have enough time to stop Tony. Finally, Tony won the game.

I hate that goddamn dagger!

Thursday, was trap day! I played a game with Teddy and Isabel. Tony and June had a chance to challenge Mr. Wizard.  I was still seething over not being at that table because Tony had killed me the day before.  But I decided to focus on the game at hand.

Then I drew two traps when I finished my first turn. Then I redraw two cards. Another trap! I couldn’t move. Each of my opponents picked up my one treasures. Of course, I wouldn’t let them do that. Then, the 4, 5, 6 trap came to me. They put my treasure on their home bases. And I died.

I died twice in two days!

What’s worse is I really shuffled those cards at the beginning! Really! really. . .

I’m happy to report that last week Michael’s luck changed and he finally won a game and was awarded the opportunity to face Mr. Wizard along with Isabel.  But, alas, both Michael’s treasures were dunked early in that match, and once again he was eliminated.

Ladies and gentlemen of the Dungeon Club,

Be strong, smart and aggressive.

I, Mr. Wizard, have beaten all the challengers so far; however, you didn’t make me feel excited——You are too weak!

I want a real challenge!

Come on, you wizards, fight with me!

Sincerely,

Mr. Wizard. R.

This week many of you, especially the sophomore English majors, take a major national examine, which is meant to evaluate your language skills.  But while most of you were studying for one test, some members of our guild faced a great and terrible test, a rumble in the dungeon.

Wednesday was a day of reckoning, a day of considerable importance… as far as Wiz Warring is concerned.  Mr. Wizard Rick was met by fellow spell casters June, Tony, and Michael.

The battles were intense, hard fought, and so exhilarating that I should have taken notes, but honestly I was so caught up in the action that I could hardly stay in my chair.  I wish I could give a blow-by-blow report.  June won by dunking two treasures.

Note the fallen Grand Wizard trophy in the foreground.

Yes, tis true, Mr. Wizard was numbered among the losers in this game.  However, it was not a title match.  Still Mr. Bill looks pretty shocked.

Then we had a new comer join us in the dungeon.  She came and watched the first game and jumped in on the second under the tutelage of Mr. Wizard.

Angela makes her move under the tutelage of the Grand Wizard.

She caught on quick and, backed by Mr. Wizard, played one of the most exciting games of Wiz War yet played in our school.

Isabel also joined in to spectate… it was really that good… like watching a movie.  Again, as so often happens in this game, Tony was mere steps away from winning when the entire game shifted against him.  Michael with his magical noxious Stinkstone stood on his home base and did not allow him to enter.  Then it seemed Michael was within two turns of winning when Angela and Tony ganged up on him.  Angela laid a telepad on the dungeon floor, which allowed Tony to teleport next to Michael and brutally eliminate Michael’s Wizard by plunging a sword in his heart.  After that, it was a race to home base with Tony coming in first.

Congratulations on the well fought victory!

The brutal, victorious Tony!

Thursday came.  The challengers June and Tony sat side-by-side across from Mr. Wizard.  The game started quietly.  A strange, mystical hush hovered over the game table.  My attentions were divided as I was dungeon master for another game played by Teddy, Michael, and last weeks challenger, Isabel.  In that game, Michael had horrible luck–he drew three trap cards in a row.  When I asked who’d shuffled the deck, he raised his hand.  And shortly he fell as Isabel and Teddy each grabbed one of his treasures and beat it home.

As I checked back on the grudge match, I found Mr. Wizard had also been hit with a trap card, taking four points of damage from a radioactive meteor.  But he didn’t seem to mind. And shortly he triumphed in repelling his challengers, retaining his title of Grand Master and his name of Mr. Wizard.

Isabel watches as Tony approaches a win. She quietly awaits her next opportunity to face Mr. Wizard...

However, across the room, a former challenger of his was making her own bid for the title.  Isabel electrified her remaining opponent forcing him to lose a turn (a lesson Mr. Wizard had taught her the hard way), and giving herself ample time to step on home.  Although she could have simply won, she did not miss the opportunity to sick her minions on her rival.  Her Ghoul and her Black Cat clawed at her shaken foe as she slipped back to her home base and won the right to challenge Mr. Wizard again next Thursday.

Watching these two battle it out I started to understand how their personality traits were demonstrated in their playing style.  Rick is an Accounting major.  He is calculating, precise, and very good at managing his resources.  Isabel is quiet. And I’ve learn through watching her play that doesn’t mean she’s timid.  She’s sly and quick witted.  She loves to block passage through the dungeon.  I can imagine her giving people the cold-shoulder or the silent-treatment to great effect.  In short, it was a great match up for a game.

The first game went to Mr. Wizard.  I could see his determination was put to the test.  In the end, he blasted Isabel with a lightning bolt causing her to lose a turn.  Then he play a Speed card, which allowed him to take two turns in a row.  So with three turns, he grabbed up Isabel’s second treasure and waltz home.

The second game was nearly lost.  Isabel’s sly use of a Stumble Stick, which caused Rick to be reduced to moving only one space during his next turn, and her use of spells that blocked passage through the dungeon made it so Mr. Wizard almost couldn’t go anywhere.  While she picked locks and passed through walls using the portable hole.  But Mr. Wizard whipped out a Stone Walk card and finally got around all of Isabel’s  blockages.  Then, when she was just one move away from winning, he used a Drop Object card to make her drop his treasure.  He did a snatch and grab that would have made a petty convenience store thief envious.

I was reluctant but forced to call time as we had to get to English Platform.  So Mr. Wizard Rick retained his title as Grand Master.  But Isabel hasn’t kept quiet.  Here’s a letter she wrote after the match.

Dear Mr.Wizard,

Actually, I am not willing to call you “Dear” Mr. Wizard because you are a tricky guy.

Here’s what I want to say.  Tricky guy, don’t be happy so early!  Our game has not ended. Last time, I totally didn’t try my best to fight with you. Now, I swear, you will become the loser forever.

I analyzed our last game. I just stole your treasure and did not fight with you. It was my biggest fault, I admit.

Remember the moment I stole your second treasure?  I whacked you with my stumble stick and you couldn’t move.  You just stayed in a small square.  You were so worried but had no better way to go.  Ha ha!  You were helpless. What were you thinking?  That you could just walk up to me and attack?  You were wrong! I had 11 life points. You had no chance to kill me in so short a time.  It was a PITY that I only needed one turn, just one turn, and I would have won.  Then you got that Drop Object Card and made me drop your treasure. Then you picked it up and ran.  What kind of wizardry is that?  You’re a juggler of cards. You’re just lucky time ran out.

Tricky Mr. Wizard, I warn you–To defeat you is my duty.

Isabel, Mistress Wizard to be.

And it wouldn’t be right not to allow Mr. Wizard himself have the last word.

Dear Sneaky Girl.

“Tricky guy,” I like this nick name, but I won’t use it.  Call me, Mr. Wizard.  That’s the rule.

You’re afraid of me aren’t you?  Last time, you just ran, and tried to escape me, right?  But I have to say, wise choice.  If you had fought with me, you would’ve lost immediately.  I guess you didn’t understand the situation clearly.  Even if you could have killed me, I had a Clone Card, which could regenerate me with 7-life-points.  In words, I had 20 (13 +7) points while you just had 11 points left.

One other thing I want you to know–using Drop Object Card was part of my plan, so I felt nothing when you used your stumble stick.

Next time you’re in MY dungeon.  You better run, or I’ll do more than blast you with a light bolt and make you lose one turn.

Mr. Wizard R.