Coup-De-Grace: Arena Design - Revision history

Asklepios: /* Obstacles */

2013-11-15T17:34:13Z

Obstacles

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	An "instant kill pit" simply takes out of action anyone who falls into it. This might represent the classic bottomless pit, or a pit filled with lava, or scorpions. Instant kill pits are a fun thing to put at the edge of the arena, to discourage players from hugging those edges.		An "instant kill pit" simply takes out of action anyone who falls into it. This might represent the classic bottomless pit, or a pit filled with lava, or scorpions. Instant kill pits are a fun thing to put at the edge of the arena, to discourage players from hugging those edges.

			==Forced Movement Obstacles==

			A goo

	=Hazards and traps=		=Hazards and traps=

Asklepios: /* Reunion */

2013-11-15T17:32:31Z

Reunion

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	Similar to rescue the prisoners above, except the warband is divided into multiple groups, that basically need to rescue each other! A simple two player set up would be four square rooms, set in a square pattern and linked by corridors. Each warband would then be split in half, over opposite corner rooms.		Similar to rescue the prisoners above, except the warband is divided into multiple groups, that basically need to rescue each other! A simple two player set up would be four square rooms, set in a square pattern and linked by corridors. Each warband would then be split in half, over opposite corner rooms.
	~~<br>~~The key to success here, clearly, is to move fast and unite the two halves of your warband!
			The key to success here, clearly, is to move fast and unite the two halves of your warband!

			An interesting variant approach to the above would be to use one-way portals (see below) to create a single direction of flow to the scenario. This then forces players to think about whether they want both their teams moving forward, or if they want to keep one force still so the other can catch it up!
	<br><br>		<br><br>

Asklepios: /* Layout Ideas */

2013-11-15T17:31:17Z

Layout Ideas

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	<br>Just in case there's no forced movement effects, its a good idea to have the central area have a feature that contains a controllable forced movement effect. Maybe a kinetic cannon emplacement that knocks back targets at huge ranges when a gunner takes place. Maybe a series of levers that cause board sections to crumble and disappear.		<br>Just in case there's no forced movement effects, its a good idea to have the central area have a feature that contains a controllable forced movement effect. Maybe a kinetic cannon emplacement that knocks back targets at huge ranges when a gunner takes place. Maybe a series of levers that cause board sections to crumble and disappear.
	===Ring of Fire===		===Ring of Fire===
	~~<br>~~In this set up, the starting areas are at the periphery. As the game progresses, a by round or random effect causes outer sections of the board to become terminally hazardous or undesirable. For example, a closing ring of fire that burns instantly, or a creeping cloud of poison gas that wounds anyone in it. You can play around with different concepts that have the same effect as well. Maybe there are a series of burning torches across the arena, which go out from the periphery inwards, and anyone not within five squares of one has a 1 in 3 chance of being eaten by a grue!
			In this set up, the starting areas are at the periphery. As the game progresses, a by round or random effect causes outer sections of the board to become terminally hazardous or undesirable. For example, a closing ring of fire that burns instantly, or a creeping cloud of poison gas that wounds anyone in it. You can play around with different concepts that have the same effect as well. Maybe there are a series of burning torches across the arena, which go out from the periphery inwards, and anyone not within five squares of one has a 1 in 3 chance of being eaten by a grue!
	<br>The key here is that this layout is defined by the outer areas being dangerous, rather than the inner areas being desirable. Indeed, you can introduce a risk-reward element by having the most beneficial features be on the outside!		<br>The key here is that this layout is defined by the outer areas being dangerous, rather than the inner areas being desirable. Indeed, you can introduce a risk-reward element by having the most beneficial features be on the outside!
	===Rescue the Prisoners===		===Rescue the Prisoners===
	~~<br>~~In this set up, the warbands start with greatly diminished numbers, and must take action to get the rest of their warband into play. There should be opportunities to kill other people's warband members before they can get them too!
			In this set up, the warbands start with greatly diminished numbers, and must take action to get the rest of their warband into play. There should be opportunities to kill other people's warband members before they can get them too!
	<br>For example, consider an arena with a series of locked cells, each containing a couple of figures from the same warband. The door could be opened simply by pulling a lever outside it. If its your guys doing it, thats grand, you've expanded your warband! If its the enemy, they could slaughter your men before you can reach them!		<br>For example, consider an arena with a series of locked cells, each containing a couple of figures from the same warband. The door could be opened simply by pulling a lever outside it. If its your guys doing it, thats grand, you've expanded your warband! If its the enemy, they could slaughter your men before you can reach them!
	===Reunion===		===Reunion===
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	<br>The key to success here, clearly, is to move fast and unite the two halves of your warband!		<br>The key to success here, clearly, is to move fast and unite the two halves of your warband!
	<br><br>		<br><br>

	=Doors, walls, cover and transport points=		=Doors, walls, cover and transport points=
	==Doors==		==Doors==

Asklepios: /* Variant Rules relating to scenarios */

2013-11-15T17:30:35Z

Variant Rules relating to scenarios

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	Equally, sometimes you want models to be represent faceless minions who are there for more competent warriors to cut down, and who are only dangerous en masse.		Equally, sometimes you want models to be represent faceless minions who are there for more competent warriors to cut down, and who are only dangerous en masse.
	A mini can be treated as being a "mook" if the scenario directs this. This gives it -2 Hit Points, and any attack roll made by a mook that rolls an odd number automatically misses.		A mini can be treated as being a "mook" if the scenario directs this. This gives it -2 Hit Points, and any attack roll made by a mook that rolls an odd number automatically misses.

			===In Media Res===

			In this variant, remove start areas, and instead mark a number of squares in the Arena equal to the number of minis in play. These squares should be spread across the arena, but some of them should be clumped to be adjacent to each other.

			Then, each player takes turns deploying a mini, and can deploy either one of his own minis or one of his opponent's!

			This is a good way of creating a scenario that is already in the thick of the action, and gels well with otherwise simple scenario goals (such as fights to the death).

	==Variant Objectives==		==Variant Objectives==

Asklepios at 17:21, 15 November 2013

2013-11-15T17:21:41Z

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	Generally speaking it should be possible to jump over pits. A good way to do this is to introduce a jump rule: allow a move straight forward of 2 squares for 3 Movement Points, which avoids stepping on the intervening square, and which lands with the same facing. The reason for making this 3 MP rather than 2 MP is to stop people using jump moves for outflanking: 3 MP is the same it would cost to move up and past a nearby mini.		Generally speaking it should be possible to jump over pits. A good way to do this is to introduce a jump rule: allow a move straight forward of 2 squares for 3 Movement Points, which avoids stepping on the intervening square, and which lands with the same facing. The reason for making this 3 MP rather than 2 MP is to stop people using jump moves for outflanking: 3 MP is the same it would cost to move up and past a nearby mini.

			Moving within the pit would be normal movement, but climbing out of a pit to an adjacent square should be double normal movement cost. Its also worth ruling that minis in a pit can't draw LOS out of the pit except to squares adjacent to the edge, and that they can't make melee attacks out of the pit. Also, characters in pits shouldn't increase the MP cost of actions taken by adjacent players outside the pit.
			To avoid unscrupulous players using "hidey hole" tactics, its worth saying that the opposite isn't true. This might be a little unrealistic, but it keeps the idea that pits are a bad place to be.

			Its unlikely anyone would voluntarily step into a pit. Instead, consider the weapons and spells that include forced movement effects. Its worth noting that to put a player in a pit, you usually need to end the forced movement on a pit. Any movement "along the way" should be considered to be airborne.

	If a mini falls into a pit, it should suffer for doing so.		If a mini falls into a pit, it should suffer for doing so.

	A "standard pit" might be considered to have a hard stone floor after a drop of ten feet or so. Represent this by having a mini that falls in automatically lose 1 HP, with no roll required. The fixed damage from falling in means that heavy armoured characters are just as prone to gravity as unarmoured ones! Moving within the pit would be normal movement, but climbing out of a pit to an adjacent square should be double normal movement cost. You could also rule that minis in a pit can't make melee attacks at adjacent ones out of the pit, and vice versa, and that ranged attacks can only make line of sight in or out if adjacent to the pit.		===Pit Types===

			A "standard pit" might be considered to have a hard stone floor after a drop of ten feet or so. Represent this by having a mini that falls in automatically lose 1 HP, with no roll required. The fixed damage from falling in means that heavy armoured characters are just as prone to gravity as unarmoured ones!

	A "spiked pit" has some sort of extra damage inherent in it. A good way to approach this is to have the fall in still do 1HP, but then have the spikes make an "attack" against anyone who falls in, potentially doing another HP damage. This makes heavy armour a decent protection against pit spikes, though the fall itself might cause damage.		A "spiked pit" has some sort of extra damage inherent in it. A good way to approach this is to have the fall in still do 1HP, but then have the spikes make an "attack" against anyone who falls in, potentially doing another HP damage. This makes heavy armour a decent protection against pit spikes, though the fall itself might cause damage.

	An "instant kill pit" simply takes out of action anyone who falls into it. This might represent the classic bottomless pit, or a pit filled with lava, or scorpions. Instant kill pits are a fun thing to put at the edge of the arena, to discourage players from hugging those edges.		An "instant kill pit" simply takes out of action anyone who falls into it. This might represent the classic bottomless pit, or a pit filled with lava, or scorpions. Instant kill pits are a fun thing to put at the edge of the arena, to discourage players from hugging those edges.

	~~As minis can jump over pits its unlikely they'll move into one voluntarily.~~

	=Hazards and traps=		=Hazards and traps=

Asklepios at 17:14, 15 November 2013

2013-11-15T17:14:14Z

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	Deep water that needs to be swum through could have a more dramatic effect: maybe triple movement point costs, no ability to use attacks, and -2 Defence Value. You could also force a test each turn to avoid drowning: maybe roll a D6, and if it is equal to or greater than the target's movement value, they lose a HP!		Deep water that needs to be swum through could have a more dramatic effect: maybe triple movement point costs, no ability to use attacks, and -2 Defence Value. You could also force a test each turn to avoid drowning: maybe roll a D6, and if it is equal to or greater than the target's movement value, they lose a HP!

			==Pits==

			A dungeon classic, the pit is represented on the arena as a marked area that you can fall into and take damage.

			Generally speaking it should be possible to jump over pits. A good way to do this is to introduce a jump rule: allow a move straight forward of 2 squares for 3 Movement Points, which avoids stepping on the intervening square, and which lands with the same facing. The reason for making this 3 MP rather than 2 MP is to stop people using jump moves for outflanking: 3 MP is the same it would cost to move up and past a nearby mini.

			If a mini falls into a pit, it should suffer for doing so.

			A "standard pit" might be considered to have a hard stone floor after a drop of ten feet or so. Represent this by having a mini that falls in automatically lose 1 HP, with no roll required. The fixed damage from falling in means that heavy armoured characters are just as prone to gravity as unarmoured ones! Moving within the pit would be normal movement, but climbing out of a pit to an adjacent square should be double normal movement cost. You could also rule that minis in a pit can't make melee attacks at adjacent ones out of the pit, and vice versa, and that ranged attacks can only make line of sight in or out if adjacent to the pit.

			A "spiked pit" has some sort of extra damage inherent in it. A good way to approach this is to have the fall in still do 1HP, but then have the spikes make an "attack" against anyone who falls in, potentially doing another HP damage. This makes heavy armour a decent protection against pit spikes, though the fall itself might cause damage.

			An "instant kill pit" simply takes out of action anyone who falls into it. This might represent the classic bottomless pit, or a pit filled with lava, or scorpions. Instant kill pits are a fun thing to put at the edge of the arena, to discourage players from hugging those edges.

			As minis can jump over pits its unlikely they'll move into one voluntarily.

	=Hazards and traps=		=Hazards and traps=

Asklepios at 15:36, 15 November 2013

2013-11-15T15:36:07Z

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 <br>An interesting setup might be to have such fences be all that divides two adjacent starting areas.
-=Obstacles, hazards, traps and monsters=
+==Cover==
 =Environmental effects=
 =Power ups, buffs and debuffs=

Asklepios: /* Walls */

2013-11-13T18:46:30Z

Walls

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	See breakable doors, above. Basically the same thing as a row of breakable doors!		See breakable doors, above. Basically the same thing as a row of breakable doors!
	<br>Its also interesting to combine this feature with an accessible effect that breaks walls. Maybe the breakable wall is near the emplaced mortar, forcing a choice. Does the mortarist bombard his enemies, or smash the wall for the goodies behind (or to release the monster behind, or to access the shortcut behind, or whatever).		<br>Its also interesting to combine this feature with an accessible effect that breaks walls. Maybe the breakable wall is near the emplaced mortar, forcing a choice. Does the mortarist bombard his enemies, or smash the wall for the goodies behind (or to release the monster behind, or to access the shortcut behind, or whatever).
			===Climbable walls===

			A low wall could count as something that blocks line of sight, but only hinders movement a little - say 3MP to climb over to the far side.
			<br>Alternatively, walls could be passable by other means. Consider, for example, a scenario where walls are each keyed to one of two elements, and can be moved through by a mini that has picked up the appropriare elemental buff (but can only have one of those buffs at a time).
			===Fences===

			Conversely, you could have "walls" that can't be moved through, but can be seen through. For example, an iron rail fence could have sufficient gaps that it can be shot through but be close enough that noone can move through it. A few simple rules could be added to represent the cover provided as well.
			<br>An interesting setup might be to have such fences be all that divides two adjacent starting areas.

	=Obstacles, hazards, traps and monsters=		=Obstacles, hazards, traps and monsters=
	=Environmental effects=		=Environmental effects=

Asklepios at 18:40, 13 November 2013

2013-11-13T18:40:55Z

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	==General Principles==		==General Principles==
	===Encourage Movement===		===Encourage Movement===
	~~<br>~~Nothing makes for a duller game than two teams refusing to move from their start areas. Some scenarios actively encourage a more aggressive approach, but in a default kill-battle the temptation will often be to just set up a defensive line and let the enemy come to you.
			Nothing makes for a duller game than two teams refusing to move from their start areas. Some scenarios actively encourage a more aggressive approach, but in a default kill-battle the temptation will often be to just set up a defensive line and let the enemy come to you.
	<br>As an arena designer, you want to use tricks to discourage this. Perhaps set up the areas nearest the entrance points so that they aren't very safe. A wide open kill zone, with multiple accesses from different directions is a good starting zone, especially if its easy to set up flanking moves from protected positions at the side.		<br>As an arena designer, you want to use tricks to discourage this. Perhaps set up the areas nearest the entrance points so that they aren't very safe. A wide open kill zone, with multiple accesses from different directions is a good starting zone, especially if its easy to set up flanking moves from protected positions at the side.
	<br>Desirable features should be placed furher in, and persistent hazards should be kept near the starting areas. Make the most beneficial environments be the ones at the centre of the board, and the most detrimental ones over the starting areas.		<br>Desirable features should be placed furher in, and persistent hazards should be kept near the starting areas. Make the most beneficial environments be the ones at the centre of the board, and the most detrimental ones over the starting areas.
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	<br>		<br>
	===Offer Choices===		===Offer Choices===
	~~<br>~~The game becomes most tactically intersting if you give a choice of routes, which are equally (un)desirable. Maybe there's a shortcut between target control zones, but its across an exposed narrow bridge over lava. Maybe the corridors form a circle or figure of eight, encouraging outflanking moves for faster models.
			The game becomes most tactically intersting if you give a choice of routes, which are equally (un)desirable. Maybe there's a shortcut between target control zones, but its across an exposed narrow bridge over lava. Maybe the corridors form a circle or figure of eight, encouraging outflanking moves for faster models.
	<br>		<br>
	===Keep it Tight===		===Keep it Tight===
	~~<br>~~Vast sprawling dungeon arenas may look cool, but if it takes ten turns before contact is made, there's going to be a lot of dullness before the teams end up fighting within much smaller areas.
			Vast sprawling dungeon arenas may look cool, but if it takes ten turns before contact is made, there's going to be a lot of dullness before the teams end up fighting within much smaller areas.
	<br>Better by far to keep it tight from the outset. As a rule of thumb, for every mini in the battle, have the arena be 2 squares wide. So for twelve minis, the game board shouldn't be wider or longer than 24 squares. That doesn't just mean a big open space of 24 x 24 squares, of course. You can limit the number of squares further by breaking that area into rooms, corridors, hazards, obstacles and the like.		<br>Better by far to keep it tight from the outset. As a rule of thumb, for every mini in the battle, have the arena be 2 squares wide. So for twelve minis, the game board shouldn't be wider or longer than 24 squares. That doesn't just mean a big open space of 24 x 24 squares, of course. You can limit the number of squares further by breaking that area into rooms, corridors, hazards, obstacles and the like.
	<br><br>		<br><br>
	==Layout Ideas==		==Layout Ideas==
	===Hub and Spokes===		===Hub and Spokes===
	~~<br>~~In this set up, the main "hub" part of the arena is a large central zone, likely containing a few passive hazards, such as pits or spiked walls. If the scenario has a primary objective, it should be in the hub area.
			In this set up, the main "hub" part of the arena is a large central zone, likely containing a few passive hazards, such as pits or spiked walls. If the scenario has a primary objective, it should be in the hub area.
	<br>Several "spoke" areas are attached to this central area by narrow corridors. Each player's starting area starts on one of these attached areas, and these areas are equidistant from the centre of the hub.		<br>Several "spoke" areas are attached to this central area by narrow corridors. Each player's starting area starts on one of these attached areas, and these areas are equidistant from the centre of the hub.
	<br>Additionally, there'll be other spokes, leading off into other side areas. These other side areas will have a desirable feature.		<br>Additionally, there'll be other spokes, leading off into other side areas. These other side areas will have a desirable feature.
	<br>This map layout should encourage quick movement into the central area, with fast guys being sent out to other spokes to get any goodies when they can be spared.		<br>This map layout should encourage quick movement into the central area, with fast guys being sent out to other spokes to get any goodies when they can be spared.
	===Floating World===		===Floating World===
	~~<br>~~In this set up, the starting areas are mostly thin corridors, but the main area has larger "rooms".
			In this set up, the starting areas are mostly thin corridors, but the main area has larger "rooms".
	<br>The special thing here is that there are no walls, and the tile pieces are considered to be floating over a bottomless pit. Anyone who gets knocked off will be taken out of action.		<br>The special thing here is that there are no walls, and the tile pieces are considered to be floating over a bottomless pit. Anyone who gets knocked off will be taken out of action.
	<br>This set up encourages movement away from the hazardous side areas, and into the melee in the centre.		<br>This set up encourages movement away from the hazardous side areas, and into the melee in the centre.
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	<br>For example, consider an arena with a series of locked cells, each containing a couple of figures from the same warband. The door could be opened simply by pulling a lever outside it. If its your guys doing it, thats grand, you've expanded your warband! If its the enemy, they could slaughter your men before you can reach them!		<br>For example, consider an arena with a series of locked cells, each containing a couple of figures from the same warband. The door could be opened simply by pulling a lever outside it. If its your guys doing it, thats grand, you've expanded your warband! If its the enemy, they could slaughter your men before you can reach them!
	===Reunion===		===Reunion===
	~~<br>~~Similar to rescue the prisoners above, except the warband is divided into multiple groups, that basically need to rescue each other! A simple two player set up would be four square rooms, set in a square pattern and linked by corridors. Each warband would then be split in half, over opposite corner rooms.
			Similar to rescue the prisoners above, except the warband is divided into multiple groups, that basically need to rescue each other! A simple two player set up would be four square rooms, set in a square pattern and linked by corridors. Each warband would then be split in half, over opposite corner rooms.
	<br>The key to success here, clearly, is to move fast and unite the two halves of your warband!		<br>The key to success here, clearly, is to move fast and unite the two halves of your warband!
	<br><br>		<br><br>
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	Consider the following tactical effects to make your arenas more interesting:		Consider the following tactical effects to make your arenas more interesting:
	===Doors as LOS blockers===		===Doors as LOS blockers===
	~~<br>~~Perhaps a door is just something that can be opened or closed for 1 Movement Point, which counts as an impassable square when closed and an open square when open.
			Perhaps a door is just something that can be opened or closed for 1 Movement Point, which counts as an impassable square when closed and an open square when open.
	<br>Placing doors smartly in the arena can create the opportunity to limit or allow firing lanes.		<br>Placing doors smartly in the arena can create the opportunity to limit or allow firing lanes.
	<br>If you're playing with an exploration variant, opening a door could allow a new tile section to be revealed from a prepared map.		<br>If you're playing with an exploration variant, opening a door could allow a new tile section to be revealed from a prepared map.
	===Locked Doors===		===Locked Doors===
	~~<br>~~Sometimes its interesting to have doors not be easily opened. A lever could control a door being opened, making it a one way obstacle. Consider having a one way door like that opening onto a starting area, so that attackers can use it to spring a flank attack, but defenders can't access that route without going into the centre of the board.
			Sometimes its interesting to have doors not be easily opened. A lever could control a door being opened, making it a one way obstacle. Consider having a one way door like that opening onto a starting area, so that attackers can use it to spring a flank attack, but defenders can't access that route without going into the centre of the board.
	<br>Having a door need to be opened, and having a goodies behind it is another smart way to encourage movement, and also to persuade players to split their warbands rather than keeping them in a big clump!		<br>Having a door need to be opened, and having a goodies behind it is another smart way to encourage movement, and also to persuade players to split their warbands rather than keeping them in a big clump!
	===Breakable Doors===		===Breakable Doors===
	~~<br>~~These can be an alternative to locked doors, or can just be an additional way to break open a locked door!
			These can be an alternative to locked doors, or can just be an additional way to break open a locked door!
	<br>You might treat a door as model with a a Defence Value and HP, and have attacks smash their way through. Or, you might specify that different sorts of weapons smash doors on different rolls: e.g. 4+ for double handed mauls, 5+ for other double handed weapons and spell attacks, 6+ for single handed melee weapons.		<br>You might treat a door as model with a a Defence Value and HP, and have attacks smash their way through. Or, you might specify that different sorts of weapons smash doors on different rolls: e.g. 4+ for double handed mauls, 5+ for other double handed weapons and spell attacks, 6+ for single handed melee weapons.
	<br><br>		<br><br>
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	By default, walls are just lines you can't move through. You can mix this up though!		By default, walls are just lines you can't move through. You can mix this up though!
	===Breakable walls===		===Breakable walls===
	~~<br>~~See breakable doors, above. Basically the same thing as a row of breakable doors!
			See breakable doors, above. Basically the same thing as a row of breakable doors!
	<br>Its also interesting to combine this feature with an accessible effect that breaks walls. Maybe the breakable wall is near the emplaced mortar, forcing a choice. Does the mortarist bombard his enemies, or smash the wall for the goodies behind (or to release the monster behind, or to access the shortcut behind, or whatever).		<br>Its also interesting to combine this feature with an accessible effect that breaks walls. Maybe the breakable wall is near the emplaced mortar, forcing a choice. Does the mortarist bombard his enemies, or smash the wall for the goodies behind (or to release the monster behind, or to access the shortcut behind, or whatever).
	=Obstacles, hazards, traps and monsters=		=Obstacles, hazards, traps and monsters=

Asklepios at 18:38, 13 November 2013

2013-11-13T18:38:52Z

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	The following categories provide discussion and examples of different aspects of arena layout. Its intended as a design workshop, to give GMs and players ideas as to cool ways to vary their arenas. Nothing here is set in stone, but players should be made aware of which different rules are in play.		The following categories provide discussion and examples of different aspects of arena layout. Its intended as a design workshop, to give GMs and players ideas as to cool ways to vary their arenas. Nothing here is set in stone, but players should be made aware of which different rules are in play.

			Be assured: you're not meant to use all these rules at once! Pick and choose the right number of extra rules to get the arena to the point where its an interesting place to have a fight, but not enough that it overshadows the warbands themselves.

	=Objectives and scenarios=		=Objectives and scenarios=
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	Capture the flag works well with the respawn rule, and can be made more chaotic with the mook rules.		Capture the flag works well with the respawn rule, and can be made more chaotic with the mook rules.
	~~<br>~~
	===Zone Capture===		===Zone Capture===

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	* "King of the Castle" - Instead of zones, have a single square be the target area. Grant a small buff to any model on this square. A player wins if a mini he controls occupies the target area for 5 turns in a row.		* "King of the Castle" - Instead of zones, have a single square be the target area. Grant a small buff to any model on this square. A player wins if a mini he controls occupies the target area for 5 turns in a row.
	* "Endzone Attack" - Each player's starting area is a target zone. Leave off the respawn rule for this variant!		* "Endzone Attack" - Each player's starting area is a target zone. Leave off the respawn rule for this variant!
	~~<br>~~
	===Wave Defence===		===Wave Defence===

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	* "Tower Defence": Defending players play by points buy, and must spend half their points on buying traps, turrets, obstacles and the like from a GM provided list.		* "Tower Defence": Defending players play by points buy, and must spend half their points on buying traps, turrets, obstacles and the like from a GM provided list.
	* "Us vs Them vs Us vs Them:" Two players play simultaneously on two boards, attacking on one, defending on the other. Winner is the one who survives with his defending team the longest.		* "Us vs Them vs Us vs Them:" Two players play simultaneously on two boards, attacking on one, defending on the other. Winner is the one who survives with his defending team the longest.
	~~<br>~~
	===Killstreak===		===Killstreak===

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	<br>Early cramped space can encourage movement so that minis can be brought to bear. a 1 square wide corridor leading into an open chamber forces players either to move up into the open chamber, or to present his minis one by one.		<br>Early cramped space can encourage movement so that minis can be brought to bear. a 1 square wide corridor leading into an open chamber forces players either to move up into the open chamber, or to present his minis one by one.
	<br>If all else fails, consider having the board move! This can be literal, with the scenario having board sections rearrange themselves (perhaps sliding towards a more dangerous zone), or can be achieved with advancing hazards: if both teams are being pushed into the centre room by a closing ring of fire, then they'll soon start moving!		<br>If all else fails, consider having the board move! This can be literal, with the scenario having board sections rearrange themselves (perhaps sliding towards a more dangerous zone), or can be achieved with advancing hazards: if both teams are being pushed into the centre room by a closing ring of fire, then they'll soon start moving!
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	===Offer Choices===		===Offer Choices===
	<br>The game becomes most tactically intersting if you give a choice of routes, which are equally (un)desirable. Maybe there's a shortcut between target control zones, but its across an exposed narrow bridge over lava. Maybe the corridors form a circle or figure of eight, encouraging outflanking moves for faster models.		<br>The game becomes most tactically intersting if you give a choice of routes, which are equally (un)desirable. Maybe there's a shortcut between target control zones, but its across an exposed narrow bridge over lava. Maybe the corridors form a circle or figure of eight, encouraging outflanking moves for faster models.
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	===Keep it Tight===		===Keep it Tight===
	<br>Vast sprawling dungeon arenas may look cool, but if it takes ten turns before contact is made, there's going to be a lot of dullness before the teams end up fighting within much smaller areas.		<br>Vast sprawling dungeon arenas may look cool, but if it takes ten turns before contact is made, there's going to be a lot of dullness before the teams end up fighting within much smaller areas.
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	<br>In this set up, the starting areas are at the periphery. As the game progresses, a by round or random effect causes outer sections of the board to become terminally hazardous or undesirable. For example, a closing ring of fire that burns instantly, or a creeping cloud of poison gas that wounds anyone in it. You can play around with different concepts that have the same effect as well. Maybe there are a series of burning torches across the arena, which go out from the periphery inwards, and anyone not within five squares of one has a 1 in 3 chance of being eaten by a grue!		<br>In this set up, the starting areas are at the periphery. As the game progresses, a by round or random effect causes outer sections of the board to become terminally hazardous or undesirable. For example, a closing ring of fire that burns instantly, or a creeping cloud of poison gas that wounds anyone in it. You can play around with different concepts that have the same effect as well. Maybe there are a series of burning torches across the arena, which go out from the periphery inwards, and anyone not within five squares of one has a 1 in 3 chance of being eaten by a grue!
	<br>The key here is that this layout is defined by the outer areas being dangerous, rather than the inner areas being desirable. Indeed, you can introduce a risk-reward element by having the most beneficial features be on the outside!		<br>The key here is that this layout is defined by the outer areas being dangerous, rather than the inner areas being desirable. Indeed, you can introduce a risk-reward element by having the most beneficial features be on the outside!
			===Rescue the Prisoners===
	=Doors, walls, ~~fences~~ and transport points=		<br>In this set up, the warbands start with greatly diminished numbers, and must take action to get the rest of their warband into play. There should be opportunities to kill other people's warband members before they can get them too!
	=Obstacles, hazards and ~~traps~~=		<br>For example, consider an arena with a series of locked cells, each containing a couple of figures from the same warband. The door could be opened simply by pulling a lever outside it. If its your guys doing it, thats grand, you've expanded your warband! If its the enemy, they could slaughter your men before you can reach them!
			===Reunion===
			<br>Similar to rescue the prisoners above, except the warband is divided into multiple groups, that basically need to rescue each other! A simple two player set up would be four square rooms, set in a square pattern and linked by corridors. Each warband would then be split in half, over opposite corner rooms.
			<br>The key to success here, clearly, is to move fast and unite the two halves of your warband!
			<br><br>
			=Doors, walls, cover and transport points=
			==Doors==
			Consider the following tactical effects to make your arenas more interesting:
			===Doors as LOS blockers===
			<br>Perhaps a door is just something that can be opened or closed for 1 Movement Point, which counts as an impassable square when closed and an open square when open.
			<br>Placing doors smartly in the arena can create the opportunity to limit or allow firing lanes.
			<br>If you're playing with an exploration variant, opening a door could allow a new tile section to be revealed from a prepared map.
			===Locked Doors===
			<br>Sometimes its interesting to have doors not be easily opened. A lever could control a door being opened, making it a one way obstacle. Consider having a one way door like that opening onto a starting area, so that attackers can use it to spring a flank attack, but defenders can't access that route without going into the centre of the board.
			<br>Having a door need to be opened, and having a goodies behind it is another smart way to encourage movement, and also to persuade players to split their warbands rather than keeping them in a big clump!
			===Breakable Doors===
			<br>These can be an alternative to locked doors, or can just be an additional way to break open a locked door!
			<br>You might treat a door as model with a a Defence Value and HP, and have attacks smash their way through. Or, you might specify that different sorts of weapons smash doors on different rolls: e.g. 4+ for double handed mauls, 5+ for other double handed weapons and spell attacks, 6+ for single handed melee weapons.
			<br><br>
			==Walls==
			By default, walls are just lines you can't move through. You can mix this up though!
			===Breakable walls===
			<br>See breakable doors, above. Basically the same thing as a row of breakable doors!
			<br>Its also interesting to combine this feature with an accessible effect that breaks walls. Maybe the breakable wall is near the emplaced mortar, forcing a choice. Does the mortarist bombard his enemies, or smash the wall for the goodies behind (or to release the monster behind, or to access the shortcut behind, or whatever).
			=Obstacles, hazards, traps and monsters=
	=Environmental effects=		=Environmental effects=
	=Power ups, buffs and debuffs=		=Power ups, buffs and debuffs=