Subject:
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Brikwars Game 3/17/2001: LONG
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.org.us.nelug
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Date:
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Mon, 26 Feb 2001 19:44:26 GMT
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Viewed:
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1461 times
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SUBJECT: Next Brikwars Game and NELUG Brikwars FAQ
Hello everybody,
What better way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day than with a rousing game
of plastic science fiction mayhem? The next Brikwars game is scheduled
for March 17th at Jorge Fernandez's house. It is located off 495, so
people don't have to trek quite all the way to New Hampshire this time
(a.k.a. "The Land Where Pizza Cannot Be Delivered Before 4:00 p.m.")!
Here are the nitty gritty details:
Tech Level 6: Basically, this means an all-out science-fiction game.
SP Points: 0 - that is, no magic or "force" or psionics
Army Budget: 600 CP each person
It's looking as if we might have a spectacular layout in terms of
scenery. Several people have been hard at work on landscaping items,
whetehr for Brikwars in particular or for the Train Show. The detailed
scenery can make these games look amazing!
Unlike the last two games, we were thinking of splitting the
participants into two opposing teams, for a couple of reasons:
(1) People won't have to wait as long for their turn, since everybody
on a side can move simultaneously. We can also get in more turns this
way
(2) People can build some items they might not normally build. In
cutthroat games, special-use items (artillery, for example) might be
foregone in favor of more versatile units. With several people to a
side, however, such expenditures can work wonders!
(3) People who aren't familiar with the game have the security of
teammates
In addition, a number of questions have come up repeatedly. I am
presenting here a jolly (read: somewhat tongue-in-cheek, but with useful
information) FAQ concerning Brikwars, how it relates to NELUG, and why
you should be present at the next game:
**************************************
Q: I have only built firehouses and fire engines. Why are you
excluding me?
A: We're not! A firehouse is a wonderful building that can contribute
wonderfully to the landscape. PLUS, if you've got firetrucks, you're
all set! Just make some ideological changes to them: instead of
fighting fires, reverse them into firestarters, trying to cook
everything they dislike! Water Spray Guns become Flamethrowers! Fire
extinguishers become Plasma Launchers! Axes and hatchets become gory
axes and hatchets! You've already got a force that combines the best
elements of Road Warrior with the best elements of BackDraft and
Farenheit 451!
Q: Can I use troops from a different time period, like castle or ninja?
A: YES! The tech level listing is supposed to represent a barrier on
the level of advancement attainable (though in this case, there is no
limit). Anything less than that limit is fair game!
Q: I only build models of marsupials. Is that even a question?
A: No, it wasn't, until you asked the secnod part. Well, your
marsupials can join in the mayhem just as well. We are not prejudiced
against very odd additions to the game, no offense.
Q: I don't build anything. Or, alternatively, I won't have anything
built for the game.
A: Why can't you people figure out how a question is supposed to work?
Anyway, to address the issue, that's fine! Many people bring extra
stuff that they are more than willing to share. Although we love to see
other people's creations, we'd rather have more people come, even if
they didn't bring anything. Although we love them dearly, minifigs are
poor conversationalists in real life. Also, if you can let someone know
ahead of time (best way is on this newsgroup or e-mailing myself or Eric
Joslin), they might be able to organize for sufficient extra troops and
equipment to be all ready for you.
Q: What if I've never played Brikwars before?
A: Even better! And I don't just say that because we like to beat on
the uninitiated. Seriously, that is not a problem - peope are more than
understanding, and mroe than willing to help out with any questions of
confusion that may arise.
Q: Can somebody vouch for this?
A: Yes. Several people have played Brikwars for the very first time in
the last couple of months, and for good or for bad they chose to do so
with us. Among them (and I use their names without permission) are Tim
Courtney, Jorge Fernandez, and Jeff Johnston.
Q: Can you or Eric Joslin, who seem repsonsible for the mojority of
Brikwars posts, give us any references?
A: Eric's parole officer has respectfully declined to act as a
reference for him. So I didn't even bother calling mine.
Q: Sometimes, when you people talk about Brikwars, it scares me.
A: Where's the question?
Q: Ummm, will I be at a serious disadvatage not knowing the rules well?
A: That's more like it ... no, definitely not. For one thing, we'll be
playing on teams. But even beyond that, Brikwars is a very chaotic
game, and things happen quite quickly in terms of game-time. The
average game length so far has been just over 4 turns. It is a
wonderful example of how the best laid plans of mice and minifigs oft go
awry. That is to say that even someone who applies the typical amount
of strategy used in Chutes and Ladders (N.B. - there is no skill
involved in Chutes and Ladders, as wonderful a game as it is. It is
simply dice rolling) has as good a chance of surviving/winning (and in
Brikwars, the two aren't always distinguishable) as anybody else.
Q: Should I be intimidated by the depth of Brikwars knowledge and
strategy some people expound?
A: Absolutely not. Good *question*, by the way. The others could
learn a thing or two by listening to you. I can certainly see how
intimidating it is when Eric Joslin is able to cite a rule by both (1)
page number and line number and (2) Chapter, Paragraph, and Article
Refernce Numbers. It scares you, and it scares me. I have heard,
though, that this knowledge came as part of a Faustian deal, and so I
assume that his time will come sometime, and I plan to be there with an
opportunistic mech when it does.
Q: I have a strong phobic reaction to dice.
A: What is wrong with you peo-
Q: I wasn't done yet. Can I still play?
A: Oops, sorry. Yes, of course you can. We can have somebody roll for
you. Or, if it's actually touching the dice that bothers you, we can
get that game with the popper in the middle that you push down and it
rolls the die inside - what was that game called, Boggle maybe? If
worst comes to worst, Joe Comeau will write a quick random number
generator on his Palm Pilot, or we'll give you a Twister Spinner and
assign numbers to the colors.
Q: What if I can't make it when the rest of you are planning to start?
A: Come later, if you can! We'd love to have you get the chance to
play. We can work it into the game by calling your troops something
fancy, like "reinforcements" or "reserve forces" or even "tardy".
Seriously, though, if you can come at all, we'll work the arrival of
your troops into the game. In fact, it could make for quite a reversal
if some latecomers came in on the side of team was getting pummelled and
tried to enact a successful rally.
Q: Will this post ever end?
A: Yes.
Q: What was that Pizza Delivery comment near the beginning of this
incredibly long discourse?
A: I live in what might be termed "the sticks". On the weekends, pizza
delivery is only available after 4:00 in the afternoon, since the local
businesses can't justify the expenditure before then. I don't like it
either. Jorge, who lives in what some might term "civilization" (I spit
at the idea ...), may not be subject to such draconian food distribution
restrictions.
Q: Speaking of food ...
A: Exactly. We will make some arrangements for lunch that are
agreeable to all. In the past, we've gotten pizza or sandwiches. One
time I even caught Dave Eaton in the corner chasing down a Wild Boar.
People are also more than welcome to bring snacks, drinks, or whatever
they would like, whether to share or to hoard.
Q: What's the ruling on adult beverages?
A: Interesting. First off, it is at the discretion of the host whether
or not they are comfortable with them being consumed on their premises.
In the past, there have been adult beverages available at some of the
games, but not at others. In at least one of the games where it was
indeed available, everybody had such a good time that they were
forgotten completely, and I was forced to consume an 8-pack of Guinness
on my own at a later date. At another game, I for one chose not to
imbibe lest my already-minimal battlefield judgement be hampered
further. However, the 17th is St. Patrick's Day. Ahhh, I will have to
defer judgement on this question to someone else, or to another time.
Q: What is this so-called "Brikwars" ?
A: A latecomer, I see. Please refer to
http://www.teleport.com/~rayhawks/brikwars.htm . As always, thank you
Mike Rayhawk, for this, our "good book".
Q: How long does the game go?
A: We've thusly called the games at an end when one of two things
happens: (a) the players agree that they have sated their ABSLust or (b)
when the host has commitments or obligations or closing time or a fierce
significant other that requires that the game draw to a close. IN
general, the events have so far gone from about 10:00 a.m. to about 6
p.m. - though some of that time is setup, lunch, etc.
Q: I don't want to play. I don't even really feel like watching.
Should I come?
A: If Jorge can cram you into his house, I say come on over! (That
claim is subject to immediate and retroactive reversal by Jorge). When
it's not their turn, people are discussing everything from LEGO to LEGO
train shows to the LEGO Company to LEGO Amusement Parks to LEGO software
and Guinness and everything else under the sun, of which I cannot think
of any more examples. If you crave contact with people who share your
LEGO obsession, you need not play to be included.
Q: What about pictures?
A: Guinness is rarely served in pitchers, so I really know very little
about them.
Q: Pictures, you smug dolt, I said PICTURES.
A: oh. The more the merrier. If you are in the Witness Protection
Program we can
blur out yor face, or replace your head with Tea Leone's. In the latter
case, I will probably request that the picture be taken with my arm
around you and you leaning your head on my shoulder, so I can show my
friends that yes, I did indeed make out with Tea at Jorge's place.
Q: What more could I possibly need to know?
A: Most likely, this is enough to bring you health, wealth, and wisdom
in all walks of life.
Q: I hate Brikwars. I hate the very thought of it. Yet posts about it
clutter up a good portion of the NELUG newsgroup. Why do you do that to
me?
A: Well, the short answer is, we do that because you are profoundly
wrong in your views. The more appropriate answer is that it is, quite
simply, the best means of disseminating information about a local event
that a good number of NELUG members enjoy. I apologize for any
discomfiture that these posts present: I try to make sure that the
heading mentions that the post is about Brikwars, so anybody not
interested need not trudge through yet another post about it. Please
let me know if there is anything else I can do to ameliorate the
situation if you truly feel that way.
***********************************
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Message has 3 Replies:
 | | Re: Brikwars Game 3/17/2001: LONG
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| (...) Really huge snip... Yes!, Shaun is not lying (for a change) ;^)... Dress up in green or camouflage if you prefer and come over to have some healthy fun with us on Saturday March 17, St. Patrick Day. Directions to my house will be published (...) (24 years ago, 27-Feb-01, to lugnet.org.us.nelug)
| | | Re: Brikwars Game 3/17/2001: LONG
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| (...) OMG, SPD is right around the corner! Count me in if there'll be Guinness there. :-) (...) Would that include mecha dinosaurs or would they be too lame? (...) Guinness! (...) Forced?! My image of you is tarnished! --Todd (24 years ago, 27-Feb-01, to lugnet.org.us.nelug)
| | | Re: Brikwars Game 3/17/2001: LONG
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| Howdy... As always, I'm curious if this is sort of an open invite or a members only? As a BrikWarrior myself, I'm always looking for a chance to let others to kick my patootie and/or teach me new and interesting lessons on loosing. I'm not 100% sure (...) (24 years ago, 27-Feb-01, to lugnet.org.us.nelug)
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