UPDATE: Ptolemaios Transport Ship MSMecha Card

Per MSMecha Facebook Group Member request & for Mobile Suit Gundam 00 fans, the Ptolemaios MSMecha Card has been added.

UPDATE: MSMecha Cards v2.1

MSMecha Cards has been updated to v2.1.

The following revisions have been made...

• GF13-017NJ II God Gundam added.
• GF13-017NJ IIH Hyper Mode God Gundam added.
• Musai Class Battle Cruiser added.
• Musai "Farmell" Battle Cruiser added.
• RX-0 Unicorn Gundam (Abilities Revised).
• RX-0 Unicorn Gundam Destroy Mode (Abilities Revised).
• RX-0 Banshee (Abilities & Faction Revised).
• RX-0 Banshee Destroy Mode (Abilities & Faction Revised).

Click HERE to download them now.

UPDATE: Barrel-Roll and Bank-Roll Actions

The "Barrel-Roll" action will be updated in the upcoming revision to the MSMecha Tactical Battles Rulebook.

The MSA-011 Gundam Ex-S is clearly out of range for Primary Weapon firing of the RMS-141-3 Xeku Eins v3, but with the use of the "Barrel-Roll" action, the Xeku Eins can get on the Ex-S's six in one move.

The new rule for Barrel-Roll action in the MSMecha Tactical Battles Rulebook (v2.0.5.a.2) on page 8 reads as follows:

"Use of a Barrel-Roll action (if available per the MSMecha Card) will allow the MSMecha to “Barrel-Roll” using the #1 straight OR #1 bank template and will allow the removal of one enemy lock-on.  Use of the “bank-roll” will add one stress token to the MSMecha."

The Xeku Eins v3 performs a slow #1 turn to the right to get into position for the Barrel-Roll action.

After the Xeku Eins v3 performs a "Bank-Roll" (with the #1 bank template) to the right, it ends up on the Ex-S's 6 O'clock position for the point blank shot!  A stress token would then be applied to the Xeku Eins v3.

 Click HERE to download the MSMecha Tactical Battles Rulebook v2.0.5.a.2.
 

Musai Class Battle Cruiser MSMecha Cards

Adding a new dimension into MSMecha Tactical Battles... Musai Class Battle Cruisers!

MSMecha Tactical Battles FIRST CONTEST

MSMecha Tactical Battles is proud to announce our FIRST CONTEST - "Battle Report"!

What the prize is:

A set of MSMecha Tactical Battles etched fluorescent blue Litko movement templates (pictured below).

MSMecha Tactical Battles FIRST CONTEST PRIZE - MSMecha Tactical Battles etched Litko Movement Templates.

What you need to do to win:

You must create a "Battle Report" from a game of MSMecha that was played between a minimum of two players (a minimum of 120 points per side).  There must be photographic proof of the game and movement templates/gauges used.  The more complete the report, the better your chances of winning.

Post your "Battle Report" as a comment on the MSMecha Tactical Battles Facebook Group.  Remember, the more pictures and story telling... the better!

The winning "Battle Report" will also be featured in a future post on the MSMecha Tactical Battles Blog.

This contest is for MSMecha Tactical Battles Facebook Group Members ONLY!  Anyone can join the group and post a Battle Report.  You may post as many Battle Reports as you like, but there will only be ONE WINNER!

The contest ENDS at Midnight (Eastern Time), October 1st, 2014

New from Fantasy Flight Games...

Star Wars Aramada

 

 

Click HERE to read more about it.

Keepin' It Real: Dramatic Music!

When one of my friends brought out his cell phone and started playing the Imperial March song from the Star Wars Original Soundtrack, our Star Wars X-Wing Miniatures game took on a new life of its own.

I decided that I just had to try the same thing while playing a game of MSMecha... and sure enough it thoroughly enhanced the game.

I found that the instrumental orchestra battle numbers worked really well [especially with Macross Frontier: Nyan Furo CD1)].  However, there were a few songs that just didn't work... like Rank Lee's Ninjin Loves You Yeah (sample video below.)

There are lots of anime music available, but sometimes it can be hard to find the right sound for realistic battles.

However, just imagine playing while listening to "Tally Ho!" from Macross Frontier's - Nyan Furo CD1 (video sample below.)  It works really well!

In order to get true stereo sound, I bought a JBL Bluetooth Speaker, which also doubles as a Earth Federation Base for Mission 1 games (as pictured here on the left.)

The sound is phenomenal and extremely clear; and now the JBL Pulse is available with pulsing LED lights.  I'm definitely thinking of getting that for even more fun.

COMING SOON! MSMecha MACROSS!

MSMecha Tactical Battles -  MACROSS Rule set!

Here's a couple examples of future MSMecha Macross Cards.

Battle Report - Mission 1: Nuclear Missile Attack

We had a great Wednesday afternoon playing Mission 1 - Nuclear Attack with 3 players.  Zeon's MSN-04 Sazabi attacked the Federation's secret base with RX-93 Nu Gundam defending.  The Titans showed up to try and steal away the Nuclear Missile.

With the nuclear missile headed towards the Feddy Base, the Titans swooped in from the left to intercept.

 

The Zeon pilot didn't take the Titans presence lightly and swiftly attacked the lead RMS-141-2 Xeku Eins v2 to prevent them from Locking-On for the tractor beam.

The lead Xeku Eins v2 was no match for the over powered MSN-04 Sazabi locked-on funnels!  The Titans over-confidence proved to be their down fall and the last RMS-141-3 Xeku Eins v3 was quickly eliminated.

 

With a couple of well thought out maneuvers, the Sazabi was able to get right in front of the Nuclear Missile and shield it from attacks.  There was still Line Of Sight for a shot, however with the Sazabi in the way, the Nu Gundam's Beam Rifle was not very effective.

The Nuclear Missile survived the onslaught of the RX-93's Funnels and continued to move closer to its target.  With Nu Gundam locked-on, he had one more chance to destroy the Nuclear Missile before it reached its target.  The Sazabi attacked first, destroying the last of Nu Gundam's Funnels - but with the RX-93's Beam Rifle he took aim and fired!

MISSED!!

The Nuclear Missile reached the target and exploded - destroying everything within its path.  SIEG ZEON!  SIEG ZEON!  SIEG ZEON!

UPDATE: MSMecha Cards v2.0

MSMecha Cards has been updated to v2.0.  There are a lot of revisions made to this set, which incorporates the previous MSMecha Cards v1.3a file and updates v1.4, v1.5 & v1.6 into one file; as well as new updates.

There will be a revision to the Rulebook soon regarding Pilot Points usage to help define Unique, Custom and Grunt MSMecha.  So an update to MSMecha Cards Pilot Points have been made to reflect the upcoming rule.

The following revisions have been made...

• AMS-129 Geara Zulu (Angelo Sauper use) added.
• AMX-002 Neue Ziel (Weapons).
• AMX-004G Qubeley MP (Pilot Points).
• FA-010A FAZZ Gundam (Pilot Points).
• MSZ-006A1 Zeta Plus (Pilot Points).
• ORX-013 Gundam Mk V (Pilot Point & Weapons).
• RMS-141-2 Xeku Eins v2 (Primary Weapon Stats).
• RMS-141-3 Xeku Eins v3 (Primary Weapon Stats).
• RX-78-2 Gundam (Pilot Points).
• RX-79G Gundam (Pilot Points).
• RX-178 Gundam Mk II [Titans A7] (Pilot Points).

Click HERE to download them now.

Universal Century History

Another one of the things that makes MSMecha fun, is being able to reenact historical battles of the Gundam Series and OVA's.

We have put together a list of the available 1/400 Gundam Collection Universal Century mobile suits according to when they were available for battles in that timeline.

Mobile suits from "Seed" and "Wing" are from a different timeline, so there historically "Seed" would be able to battle "Seed" MSMecha and the same goes for "Wing".  Universal Century is a little more complex.

 

Click HERE to download the list now.

UPDATE MSMecha Cards: AMS-129 Geara Zulu Angelo Sauper use

Made per request from an MSMecha Facebook Group Member... AMS-129 Geara Zulu Angelo Sauper use.

This will be added to a future revision (v2.0) to MSMecha Cards when it becomes available.

Keepin' It Real: Battle Mats - Environments

I've been asked a few times, "What Battle Mat (background) do you use?"  Well, to tell the truth, I normally use a fabric sheet that I found on eBay for $13/yard.  Star Wars X-Wing Miniatures rules require the Battle Mat be a minimum of 3 ft. X 3 ft., so buying just one yard is legal.  However, just in case something were to happen with it (ie. rip, tear, stains, etc.), I ended up buying two yards.

Since most of my battles have been in outer space, the Battle Mat I have been using has been sufficient.  However, now I need to start looking into other environments, to keep things interesting.

Sometimes even using a single color table cloth can enhance the game, just like this pink/orange-ish sheet that was used to simulate a battle at Bespin.

 

I have found that there are quite a few different Battle Mats available from different sources.  Most of them I have found were laser printed onto plastic vinyl.  There are plenty of ready made ones available at Deep-Cut Studio, however they are a little pricey and since they are located in Lithuania, it might take a little while to get to you.

If there is a specific Battle Mat you're looking for, but just can't seem to find it... you can always custom print one out.  Banners-On-The-Cheap can print one out for you at a reasonable price.  All you need to do is upload a picture in their designer program and it will show you a preview of what you would like.  You can easily make one for less than $20!

UPDATE: MSMecha Cards v1.6

MSMecha Cards have been updated to v1.6.

• AMX-002 Neue Ziel added.
• MSA-011 S Gundam revision 01 (Weapons & ALICE System Abilities updated).
• MSA-011 [Ext] Ex-S Gundam revision 01 (Pilot Points, Weapons & ALICE System Abilities updated).
• MSZ-006C1a Zeta Plus "Hummingbird" revision 01 (Weapons & Abilities updated.)
• MSZ-006C1b Zeta Plus "Hummingbird" revision 01 (Weapons & Abilities updated.)
• MS-18E Kampfer revision 01 (Weapons & Abilities updated.)
• MSM-04G Juaggu revision 01 (Pilot Points, Weapons & Abilities updated.)
• MSK-008 Dijeh revision 01 (Weapons & Abilities updated.)

 Click HERE to download them now.

 

UPDATE: MSMecha Data Sheets now available

MSMecha Data Sheets have been created to help keep track of your moves, damage, ammunition and New Type points during your missions.  These can be used in conjunction with the MSMecha Cards.

NOTE: Three (3) MSMecha Data Sheets have been added to Page 21 of the MSMecha Rulebook (v2.0.5.a.1).

 

Here's an example of an MSMecha Data Sheet being used for an RMS-141-3 Xeku Eins v3 which is 1 of 2 units in its squad.  The LP/Squad Points have been lowered by five (5) points due to having the Special Ability of Prototype which can lose the Beam Saber or Beam Rifle to lower the cost.  Note that it has not been damaged after seven (7) turns, but has used all its Drum Fed Machine Gun ammunition.  The Beam Rifle still has two (2) shots left at +1 attack and no New Type points have been used yet.  The NOTE on the bottom indicates that since there is also an ORX-013 Gundam Mk V still in play, all its weapon attacks are +1 (this would be indicated on the ORX-013's MSMecha Card.)

UPDATE: MSMecha Rulebook v2.0.5.a.1

The latest revision of the MSMecha Rulebook (v2.0.5.a.1) has been uploaded.  The following revisions have been made.

• Clarity on required components.
• Clarity on squad building and initiative.
• High speed Banks & Turns <4 speed; combination of straight and curved templates.
• Clarity on "Melee at <1 distance ONLY".
• Use of cannons with NO Lock-On ability.
• Mission 1: Addition of TS-MA2 Moebius as nuclear missile.

Click HERE to download it now.

Keepin' It Real: Asteroids - how to make 'em!

Adding a little realism can really enhance your game.  One big thing to add are ASTEROIDS!

What you'll need...

• Lava Rocks: Char-Broil Bar-B-Q Grill Medium Lava rocks are great for use as asteroids.  They come in multiple sizes, shapes and colors.  They're also very porous and light-weight, which makes for easy transport if using many.
• Flight Stands: I use Litko's Firestorm Armada Flight Stand.  The stands are long enough that you can cut them down to the size you require, and the width of the base is the same as SWXWM.
• Krazy Glue
• Drill Bit or similar pointed tool to drill hole.

How to make them:

1. Drill a hole the same width as the flight stand's peg.  NOTE: The lava rocks are very light weight and brittle.  It will not take much force to drill into the rock, please be careful.
2. Cut the flight stand to proper length.  Using a 1/400 figure, compare height so that the asteroid will be at least above chest level of the MSMecha.
3. Assemble the flight stand.
4. Glue the flight stand to the lava rock and let dry for the recommended amount of cure time as noted on the glue package's instructions.
5. Optional: You can paint the asteroids to make them look even more realistic if you choose.
6. Create a total of 6... or more if you have a large playing surface.
7. HAVE FUN!