Keystone Gaming Society

Heroic RPG Day at CSW!

keystonegamingsociety@gmail.com (Keystone Gaming Society) — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 15:25:11 PDT

Saturday, April 24 two KGS members will be hosting events at Comic Store West's Heroic RPG Day. The event is being held to celebrate the release of the Marvel Heroic Roleplaying Game by Margaret Weis. Sessions are from 11-3 and 4-8.

Scott will be running the new Marvel RPG in both sessions. Sam will be running Judge Dredd in the first session. Advanced sign-ups are required. When I checked earlier today, there were only a few spots left! Hope to see you there!

Scott Takes a Hiatus

keystonegamingsociety@gmail.com (Keystone Gaming Society) — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 09:09:59 PDT

First, KGS lost Brian. Now it's losing me - Scott.

I'm officially starting my hiatus from KGS... now!

My son's Tee Ball team (of which I'm the coach and the commissioner of the league) will be playing for the next several months on Tuesdays when KGS games. I love to game but family's got to come first!

My plans are to return eventually but I though I'd note the occasion so loyal listeners will know what happened to me. You can continue to follow my geek adventures at onelostroad.blogspot.com. I'm sure the rest of KGS will soldier on and try to keep a stiff upper lip in my absence. The poor lads... they don't know it but they'll be lost without me. Might I recommend KGS read this book:

Marvel Heroic RPG - Gaming Notes

keystonegamingsociety@gmail.com (Keystone Gaming Society) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 03:24:22 PDT

KGS played with an advance PDF copy of the Marvel Heroic RPG this past Tuesday. We tried to get as much right about the rules as possible. I "crash read" the book and tried to take as many notes as possible. The rules are very jargon-heavy and are very different from most RPGs. Not in a bad way, necessarily but there is a learning curve. Let's just say we played with the "spirit" of the rules. There are a lot of nuanced rules in some cases and in others the rules are vague at best. The book literally tells you, "make it up as you go!"

We played the New Avengers #1-6 "Breakout" storyline adventure that comes with the basic book. Not a great adventure but it provides a lot of action opportunities.

Sam played Captain America quite well, despite his aversion to superhero RPGs. Dave played Daredevil... and just like Daredevil in a team book, he failed to show up. John played Luke Cage and did a fairly good job of capturing the essence of the character just by reading the brief bio on the character sheet (he had no prior knowledge). Finally, The Bryan played Iron Man and took full advantage of his tech gizmos!

All in all, everyone enjoyed the game probably because we didn't follow the rules all that closely. That's just how KGS rolls!

RCC Game Night Report

keystonegamingsociety@gmail.com (Keystone Gaming Society) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 06:29:28 PST

The Renew Community Church game night was sparsely attended but a good time was had by all. It was need to see the entire KGS gang together under one roof. It's been awhile since that has happened!

We set up all of the games and played in four rotations for a half hour each so players got to play four new games by the end of the evening. Consensus was that Word on the Street was the most popular board game of the evening.

Here are some photos from the event:

Jarred and Michael learn how to play the Axis and Allies miniatures game.

The battlefield.

Brett and Dave battle to be the best rail barren in Ticket to Ride.

Ticket to Ride

Brian teaches Kevin how to play Fluxx.

Wait - what are the rules again?

RCC Game Night was a family affair! Cindi, Ben, Jan, John, and Lauren all learn Word on the Street.

Wait - how do you spell "rototiller?"

Chris teaches Jarred, Michael, and Bryan how to play Word on the Street.

John, Lauren, Dave, and Jan play a introductory game of Settlers of Catan.

Settlers of Catan, beginner's style.

Christi plays Carcassonne while balancing baby Mary. I think she still beat Sam.

Brian, always working! Or is that Angry Birds?

If you want to check out Renew Community Church you can do so at http://renewcc.wordpress.com/.

A special thanks goes out to Comic Store West for supporting the event! Check them out at www.comicstorewest.com.

Renew Community Church Game Night!

keystonegamingsociety@gmail.com (Keystone Gaming Society) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 21:33:37 PST

One of our goals here at KGS is to promo gaming in the community. To that end, we have partnered with Comic Store West to put on a game night for Renew Community Church in York, PA this Sunday night.

Here are the games that are going to be run:

Brian - Fluxx

Sam - Carcassonne

Brett - Ticket to Ride (American Map)

Bryan - Axis and Allies Miniatures

Chris - Word on the Street

Dave - Settlers of Catan

Scott - Pass the Pigs

We'll report back after the even to let you know how it went.

KGS Founding Father Retires From Comic Store West

keystonegamingsociety@gmail.com (Keystone Gaming Society) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 20:14:44 PST

KGS would be remiss if we allowed the occasion to pass without comment. The fella that initially formed the gaming group that would become KGS retired today after 25 years in the comics industry. While this is sad news for Comic Store West (which is left in the capable hands of Brian Waltersdorff and Joe Miller with Scott as manager), it may be KGS's gain because we're trying really hard to get Brett to use his newly discovered free time to return to the gaming table with us.

Brett - job well done! Congratulations on your retirement! I wonder if those signs that say, "Brett's Office" will be changed to read, "Brian's Office?"

This photo is like Where's Waldo?... Where's Brett? Oh yeah, he's not here anymore. He's at home watching Star Wars.

Marvel and DC Comics For Breast Cancer Awareness

keystonegamingsociety@gmail.com (Keystone Gaming Society) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:28:00 PST

Great to see both DC and Marvel Comics supporting Breast Cancer Awareness.

Marvel Heroic Preview

keystonegamingsociety@gmail.com (Keystone Gaming Society) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:25:57 PST

The excitement is growing.

Margaret Weis Productions just posted previews of Captain America and the Savage Land for their upcoming RPG. Check out the previews here.

Role Playing Games I'm Looking Forward to in 2012

keystonegamingsociety@gmail.com (Keystone Gaming Society) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:29:00 PST

The three RPG games I’m looking forward to most in 2012:

1> Mutant Epoch – Even though this game came out toward the end of 2011 I have not had a chance to read or play it yet. There is a ton of support for this game and I am really looking forward to playing it.

2> Marvel RPG – Fans of the KGS know how much I love the original Marvel RPG. Well the new version is about a month away and I am very excited to see what they done to it.

3> Finally, just announced D&D 5.0. Yes you heard it a new version of Dungeons and Dragons is due out by the end of 2012. WOTC is promising to design a game based on input from the many, many fans of the game. Play testing to start very soon. I was not a huge fan of 4th edition but I’m hoping all of the problems from 4th will be adjusted with the new version later this year. Hopefully it will it stores before the end of the world on December 21.

New Facebook URL

keystonegamingsociety@gmail.com (Keystone Gaming Society) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 13:02:08 PST

We have a new Facebook URL.

Marvel Heroes RPG Basic Game

keystonegamingsociety@gmail.com (Keystone Gaming Society) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 01:39:00 PST

At last, the new Marvel Comics RPG game is now orderable.
Tell your FLGS (hopefully it's our sponsor Comic Store West) that you want to order this game.

Due to ship February 2012.

Wings of War is now Wings of Glory

keystonegamingsociety@gmail.com (Keystone Gaming Society) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 00:32:00 PST

You may have heard that Wings of War the miniature game that KGS loves (see our previous posts) was dead. Well it did die but has been quickly resurrected as Wings of Glory (at least the WWII version).

Check Ares Games website out here.

Skylanders - Must have toy for Christmas 2011

keystonegamingsociety@gmail.com (Keystone Gaming Society) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 11:46:46 PST

Every year at Christmas there is one toy that all the kids ask Santa for.
There was cabbage patch dolls, Tickle Me Elmo and who can forget Furby.

It looks like this year it’s Skylanders.

Skylanders is a video game for all of the major platforms (XBox, PS3, Wii and DS3D) the twist on this is that it is also a toy (or miniature if you will) in that there are 37 different figures available. Each figure has it's on set of powers that the game gets from an embedded chip. The figure is placed on a base that connects to your game system via various methods.

The figure is then playable inside of the video game environment. The figure also comes with a code that can be used on the internet to allow you to play various internet games with your figure for added content.

This is going to be a huge hit. It's got everything. It's a video game, it's a toy, it's a miniature, it's a collectible. There are boy friendly figures, girl friendly figures and neutral figures.

Unfortunately I cannot play the game myself until Christmas, but I am working on getting the complete collection of figures for my daughter (because she, like me is a completeists).

I've created a check list because a good one was not readily available online, feel free to print and use freely.

2011 Skylanders Checklist

[ ] Spyro

[ ] Double Trouble
[ ] Wrecking Ball
[ ] Voodood
[ ] Slam Bam
[ ] Zap
[ ] Wham-Shell
[ ] Gill Grunt
[ ] Legendary Spyro (Toys R Us Exclusive)
[ ] Dark Spyro (3DS Exclusive)
[ ] Bash
[ ] Dino-rang
[ ] Prism Break
[ ] Terrafin
[ ] Hex
[ ] Cynder
[ ] Chop Chop
[ ] Ghost Roaster
[ ] Legendary Chop Chop (Toys R Us Exclusive)
[ ] Legendary Bash (Toys R Us Exclusive)
[ ] Ignitor
[ ] Sunburn
[ ] Flameslinger
[ ] Eruptor
[ ] Whirlwind (Target Exclusive)
[ ] Warnado
[ ] Sonic Boom
[ ] Lightning Rod
[ ] Legendary Trigger Happy
[ ] Boomer
[ ] Drill Sergeant (Wal-Mart Exclusive)
[ ] Drobot
[ ] Trigger Happy
[ ] Camo
[ ] Stump Smash
[ ] Zook
[ ] Stealth Elf

Star Wars Dawn of the Jedi

keystonegamingsociety@gmail.com (Keystone Gaming Society) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 00:25:00 PST

A few weeks ago the KGS had a round table discussion about the origins of the Jedi and if force ability is hereditary. We will finally know the answers in February. Dark Horse Comics in conjunction with Lucasfilm will publish DAWN OF THE JEDI. A 5 issue comic book mini-series written y fan favorite - John Ostrander.

Read more about it here

Martian Dice Review

keystonegamingsociety@gmail.com (Keystone Gaming Society) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 22:28:00 PST

Martian Dice Review
Published by: Tasty Minstrel Games
Website: http://www.playtmg.com/
Price: Change back on your $20

This afternoon over lunch I finally had the opportunity to play the dice game Martian Dice with my good friend Mr Glacier.

Martian Dice is very similar to Zombie Dice (see past KGS review) in that the game contains a cup and a bunch of dice (13). The dice are unique with pictures of Tanks, Death Rays, Humans, Cows, and Chickens on them. Your job is to act as Martian kidnappers and try to collect as many Humans, Cows and or Chickens as you can. The tanks are trying to stop you but no worries you have death rays that can take out the tanks.

Like Zombie Dice this game is strictly dice management and playing the odds based on previous rolls of the dice. You start with 13 dice as you roll you pull out tanks and death rays and re-rolling until you have and equal over overwhelming number of death rays to tanks. Your score is equal to the number of human, cows and chicken dice you were able to collect.

This is a very fast paced and extremely easy game to play. We played 3 games (and sudden death overtime) in less than an hour and we both wanted to continue playing.

For the record I lost my first game, won my second game, we tied our third game. With ties you roll 6 dice and the person with the most death rays win. Well me tied on our first roll with 1 death ray each. Then we were forced into sudden death overtime 2. This time Mr Glacier edged me by 1 to take the ClixPals Martian Dice Championship (at least for now).

Rating: This game is a solid 5 (very close to a 6).

The Top Five Comics You Are Not Reading

keystonegamingsociety@gmail.com (Keystone Gaming Society) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 05:59:18 PST

There are 5 comics that everyone should be reading but aren't. Not sure why people are not reading them but I highly recommend giving them a shot.

In no particular order:

1> Super Dinosaur - Image Comics. Written by Robert Kirkman. About a boy and his dinosaur. This is a great all ages comic and really should have it's own Saturday morning TV series.

2> Hack Slash - Image comics. Soon to be a major motion picture. About a hot chick who hunts your typical horror movie serial killers and kills them. Lots of sex, blood and gore so adults only please.
(Check out the FREE online Hack/Slash Holiday Special here)

3> The Bionic Man - Dynamite Comics. Written by Kevin Smith. Remake of the classic 70s TV show.

4> Star Trek - IDW Comics. Ongoing series spinning off from the JJ Abrams Star Trek movie.

5> Omac - DC Comics. Please read this series I don't want it to be cancelled. It's DC's version of the Hulk only better.

Ticket to Ride - Asia

keystonegamingsociety@gmail.com (Keystone Gaming Society) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 02:09:00 PST

Ticket to Ride Map Collection Volume 1: Asia

Warning - This is an expansion so you do need the original Ticket to Ride to play or Ticket to Ride Europe.

Contents

Ticket To Ride Asia contains not just one but two different maps (Team ASia and Legendary Asia) on thick double-sided board.
Two sets of destination cards
Nine extra trains in each of the 5 colors
Four wooden card holders (yes, real wood)
Two full-color rulebooks

Legendary Asia
This map offers more cities in the south with longer routes to the north. There are two special types of tracks - Ferries and Double Routes.

Team Asia
Some of the same area as the Legendary map is covered on the Team Asia map. Besides rules for team play this map introduces tunnel routes.

Conclussion
Awesome expansion to a great game. Team play is great. Price point ($30) is even lower than I thought it would be. I give it a solid 5 out of 6.

Did DC's NEW 52 Save The Comic Industry?

keystonegamingsociety@gmail.com (Keystone Gaming Society) — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 10:39:47 PST

The answer is YES, so far.

Overall 2010 showed a striking downward trend in comic sales. Sales numbers were down 7% from the following year. Then DC's New 52 hit in September. In just two months (September and October) DC is reversed the downward spiral of the industry. With sales only down 1.5% from 2009 as of this writing DC is primed to help bring sales up to a positive number when compared to 2009 numbers.

Look at the October sales. October 2010 sales 25% higher than October 2009.

Many stores report increased sales for both Marvel and Independent comics, which Diamond Comics attributes in part due to the increased foot traffic caused by the New 52.

It's fitting that DC Comics - creators of iconic figures like Superman and Batman, widely thought of as the 'original' comic book superheroes, have saved the comic books at least for 2010.

(Picture at top shows the industry share for October 2010)

The Game To Watch For in 2012 - Zombicide

keystonegamingsociety@gmail.com (Keystone Gaming Society) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 05:52:00 PST

Guillotine Games has announced a new game coming next summer that I am excited about.

Zombiecide is a cooperative miniature game set during the coming zombie apocalypse.

For 2 - 6 players. Players take on the role of survivors who work together to survive the zombie hordes.

The game features a modular playing board, 71 miniatures (most of which are zombies), 10 pre-designed scenarios, rules, dice and cards.

The game will be distributed by the same company who just release Super Dungeon Explore - CoolMiniOrNot.

KGS loves zombie games so I'm sure this will be a big hit. Look for a full review next summer.

What are your 10 Favorite RPG games of all time?

keystonegamingsociety@gmail.com (Keystone Gaming Society) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:37:01 PST

I googled this and found several websites where the author or authors listed the best RPG game systems of all time. It seems like the following list is what most people seem to think:

10 - Gamma World
9 - Vampire the Masquerade
8 - RuneQuest
7 - Champions
6 - Tunnels & Trolls
5 - GURPS
4 - Star Wars
3 - Traveller
2 - Call of Cthulhu
1 - Dungeons and Dragons

Now I gotta say there are several listed above that would appear on my list. But there are a few that are missing. The one's that should definitely mentioned are:

Savage Worlds
Marvel
Pathfinder
Atomic Highway

Pokemon The Card Game

keystonegamingsociety@gmail.com (Keystone Gaming Society) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 16:10:00 PST

This makes me want to start playing the Pokemon Collectible Card Game again (it's been about 10 years since I've played).

Super Dungeon Explore - Hottest new miniature/board game on the market?

keystonegamingsociety@gmail.com (Keystone Gaming Society) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 05:18:00 PST

Super Dungeon Explore (SDE) is a dungeon crawler, inspired by old japanese console-RPG's. The miniatures are done in a cute / chibi / super-deformed style, that means the head is roughly the same size as the rest of the body.

One to five players take the role of classic fantasy heroes like the human paladin, a dwarf fighter or an elf ranger.

One player is the "Dark Consul" who controls the monsters of the dungeon.

Every hero/monster has a character card which informs you about the stats for movement, attack, armor, willpower, dexterity, action points and hearts (= life points). Additional information may include special abilities / actions / attacks and potions.

The game is played on modular dungeon boards. In a round of play the game passes back and forth between single heroes and the monsters, but the exact order may change from round to round. The characters use the stats from their character card, special dice (with hearts, potions and stars) are only used for combat and checks. If the heroes wound the opponent they may draw loot cards to improve their stats. There is also the possibility to open treasure chests to find even more powerful things. The monsters have no possibility to "level up" but the Dark Consul has an unlimited number of them.

To win the game the Dark Consul must defeat all heroes in his dungeon. The heroes must defeat all monsters and destroy all spawning points (= entry points for new monsters) to be victorious.

Game Contents
• 50 + highly detailed Soda Pop Miniatures
• Custom Super Dungeon Battle Dice
• Character and Minion Stat Cards
• Loot and Treasure Card Decks
• 5 Large, Double Sided Dungeon Boards
• 32 Page Rule Book

Mouse Guard RPG - New Rules and New Missions

keystonegamingsociety@gmail.com (Keystone Gaming Society) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 11:14:00 PST

A new Mouse Guard supplement is available in PDF format.
This supplement was originally available only in the Mouse Guard Boxed Set.

The supplement contains new rules for using mounts, weapons for conflicts and three new locations for adventuring.

If you have the original hardcover rule book for Mouse Guard and did not want to purchase the box Set you can pick up the PDF at drivethroustuff.com

Lord of The Rings HeroClix

keystonegamingsociety@gmail.com (Keystone Gaming Society) — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 14:59:00 PST

It's been almost a year since I broke the news about Lord of the Rings miniatures coming to HeroClix. Well the wait is finally over. The LOTR starter set and single booster packs release this week. These are fully compatible with the HeroClix Gaming Engine.

These are also going to be perfect when we play The One RPG game (Adventures in MiddleEarth).

Smallville WatchTower Report

keystonegamingsociety@gmail.com (Keystone Gaming Society) — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 18:27:16 PST

Mysterious projects, villainous experiments, and superpowered opponents constantly challenge Clark and his companions. Rising above them all is the Watchtower, always ready to provide support, guidance, and direction for these heroes. This sourcebook expands and builds upon the rules found in the Smallville Roleplaying Game with a special focus on antagonists and opposition. The Watchtower Report also features a Season Ten update to the Smallville RPG, spotlighting new allies such as Booster Gold and Blue Beetle in addition to new threats like Granny Goodness and General Slade Wilson.

Release date: December 2011