Excellent advice! I think we have a similar style, when it comes to running a game. For me, the storytelling and immersion are always more important than the rules. Of course, I have run games with players who don't necessarily agree...As I mention in the video, good communication is required to maintain a happy table. 😊

@The.Game.Cave. personally, I think most role-playing games are really two separate sets of rules. one set covers all social and skill interactions. the other set covers physical conflicts. once the GM announces 'roll for initiative', the GM has removed the players from the role-playing game and has now put the game into a tactical simulator. most new GMs don't know this and many experienced GMs don't know the difference. I let my players know up front, I will never say 'roll for initiative' during a role-playing game. if an attack action is going to happen, the player simply describes the activity and makes the rolls - or I describe an npc action and make some rolls. there isn't a stop in play to set up turn order, declare intentions and/or discuss all the combat options. thus, my combats are very quick, somewhat confused and hectic. a typical skirmish (5 PCs v 8 goblins) will take approx 15 minutes to resolve. not 15 minutes per player.

@bruced648 That's interesting. Does that still work as your PCs reach higher levels, acquiring more abilities, Hit Points, etc? I've found that beyond mid-level battles often slow down, as PCs have so many more options available. Also, do you use minis and maps - or is it all 'theatre of the mind'?

@The.Game.Cave. having higher level abilities, skills and spells doesn't really change things for me. because I don't use the combat 'action economy' or dedicated initiative turn order, the play moves quickly. it's upon the players to know the capabilities of the character and to pay attention because I can call upon them at any time to act. additionally, I allow players to interrupt at any time. thus - chaotic, the way combat should be. as for scene layout, I do both. miniatures and some terrain to help visualize. and a lot of theater of the mind, because it's just easier. additionally, I love to use physical props. when the players defeat something/someone, and they conduct a search. I toss a small pouch to that player. it can contain some fake coins or a gem or a note or a key... etc. it's great to be able to add in notes or maps, even magic items. best example, they found a deceased gnoll. it had been recently killed by some kobold. when the players searched, they found a note. since none of the players knew Gnoll, the note was a bunch of 'arf, bark, yelp, growl' and signed with a paw print. maybe they can get it translated, but in the nean time, it's simply funny.

@bruced648 The props sound like great fun. I like handouts players have to scrutinise and make sense of - your note in gnoll-ish sounds like a lot of fun! How many players do you tend to have, given how free-form your sessions would seem to be?

I've not tried the video game myself - though I've heard it has an X-Com vibe? It's because of the RPG - which is great - that I backed the Kickstarter for this game.

@@stevewintle8669 Thanks, mate 😁

You're welcome I even understood everything Ni said 😂​@@The.Game.Cave.

Thanks very much. Great to know you found it useful. 😊

I will see what I can do...😊

The next play-through I'm planning will use the Nova Cult and the Mechatron Robots. 😊

Thanks - and will do.

@@jasonmileham Cool. Enjoy your adventures in the Zone!

@amelia.g.w It was quite tricky- given the tech I am using 😳

It was a fun scenario - and did give my characters a chance to do some walloping!

@@The.Game.Cave. Willtry it out, after trying the ones in the rulebook...

3 is standard for lots of scenarios. It's really up to you, though - if you want to use four or five characters, you just need to give the AI (or human opponent) the same number. Easy! 😊

They do make a good sound! Maybe I should have recorded the entire assembly process! 😂

Glad you like it. 😊 Hoping to film a Zone Wars battle report over the weekend.

@@The.Game.Cave. I ended up ordering a set of the war ruins after watching your video

@@timcat61 Cool! It is great terrain. In fact, I used some of it today in a battle report that I've filmed for Zone Wars.

It really is a great product - I picked mine up at Magic Madhouse for about £30, which is an absolute steal.

@@rohanalmond Great choice! The guys at Battle Systems produce excellent terrain for a Zone Wars type setting. I don't know about the paper craft prints you've mentioned - that sounds interesting 🤔

@@The.Game.Cave. he’s worth checking out on drivethrurpg - from medieval and fantasy to some modern and sci-fi stuff. Cheers for the vid

@@voltage2773 Good question! You use true LOS. If a model is partially obscured by terrain, they gain two Gear dice (black) against an incoming attack. If they are touching the terrain that obscures the shot, this increases to 4 dice. This is only against ranged attacks - not melee. Cover also offers no protection against area effects. I hope that helps. 😊

Yes it does help thanks. Appreciate your video explaining this game. I ordered the core and expansion. Not a fan of true line of sight, I prefer 2D line of sight. But the game looks too fun to pass up. 😅

@@voltage2773 It is a fun game - and because the cover rules are very straight forward, true LOS is less of a faff than usual.

@@SJ76Gaming I completely agree! Until you've roleplayed, it's hard to imagine just how much fun it can be.

@@Vaskonga Good luck! Just remember you're all there to have fun and you can't go far wrong. 😀

The dice gods are fickle. You can't rely on them any more than Conan relies on Crom!

Lol! More than likely, mate!

@mattjackson Good to know - thanks very much!

@@CraigSteinhoff I am keen to film a battle report in the near future. Watch this space...

Thanks, @tim!

Keep 'rollin. Great video 👍

@@stevewintle8669 Cheers, dude. 😀

Thanks, dude! 😀

Hi, Tim. I picked it up from Zatu Games in the UK.

It seems like a fun game. I am hoping to play this weekend!

@@The.Game.Cave. Glad to hear it. Have fun and immensely tense tactical games!

Hi @Cinaen. I played the game twice over the weekend and loved it! I would like to create a gameplay video once I have played the game some more. Would it be possible to ask the designers or manufacturers one or two questions before I do so? Thanks.

Excellent - have fun in The Zone!

@@The.Game.Cave. yes, I look forward to it.

Hi. I am hoping to film a game of Zone Wars with a friend of mine in the near future...And, yes, the setting stays very true to the original RPG, which I love!

@@user-es5ex1xm3v I am trying the game tonight. Free leuge is here in town let me know if you want help with any Swedish or Swedish stuff.

Thanks 😊

Good clear explanation of the solo rules. Loved the little intro music too

I shall see what I can do...

@The.Game.Cave. thank you. Would be much appreciated.

You're welcome. 😊 It's a very accessible game - great for newcomers to the hobby.

Thanks. It's a really fun game. 😊

Excellent! The game is light enough that I shall try a game with my kids at some point - who have some experience with games already. It's an accessible system.

👍

Hi @tim - I will be posting a rules overview and sample of gameplay soon. After that, I will see what I can do...