Top 10 Action Point Allowance System Games with Sam Healey

[@noloatmo6682]

Hello Sam. I know Tanks: Panthers vs Sherman has "Action Points Allowance" listed in its mechanisms on BGG but, basically, it's pretty much the same system as X-Wing without the action programming phase. There is no action points to spend per se in Tanks. Its movement and shooting according to initiative, pretty much like X-Wing. But, anyway, the game is quite cool and the models are really fun to paint.

[@martinandersson2109]

Thank you Sam. I you ever run out of books to read or books to listen to. Be sure to visit the DiscWorld universe. You will not be disappointed. Don't let the cover art on the books scare your away thinking they are child/youth books. I have re-read/listen to the lot (30+ books) many times, and Pratchett was a genius! Miss him much. Cheers from Sweden..

[@christopherlai364]

These solo Sam videos were so addictive!!

[@annjourney14]

So much good stuff with this mechanism (in no particular order): Chaos in the Old World, Kemet, Railways of the World, Conan, Fleet Captains, Torres, Jambo, Macao, Amerigo, Oracle of Delphi, Evo, Hawaii, The Mask Trilogy, Mesopotamia, Dresden Files, and Game of Gnomes. But I'm going to have to go with an obscure Rio Grande title called Trias as my favorite with this mechanism.

[@Steve-L]

Trias is my #2 favorite game of all time, and played it last night!

[@chobe78]

Humm.. on my list would be: *- Earth Reborn* - You can not just spend your saved points during the enemy's turn, you have to BID for an interruption. This adds an additional level of bluffing and really mean resource management that can even limiting the enemy's actions during his own turn. *- Grind* - Brilliant system, you have 10 action dice per turn, everything you wanna do uses a number of these YOU choose (min. 1, of course) plus additional dice, some optional. And everything you plan well in your turn (good positioning, your units automatically block every in their reach) can force the enemy to spend actions in his to even be able to move freely (block breaks^^). Awesome stuff.. and barely anyone knows that game. :/ *- Level 7 Omega Protocol* - This system is just brilliant, I'm actually trying to re-write my old copy of doom to sth. similar. *- Conflict of Heroes* - Like in Space Hulk, every unit has its own points but you also have to make clever usage of a common pool of points. You can even use those points for stuff during you enemy's turn, so it's really hard to decide what's best. *- Defenders of the Realm* - Love that game, especially, that you just flip (not loose) your life tokens as an actions. Less health, less actions.

[@thediceodyssey4690]

Was kinda surprised that Star Wars Imperial Assault wasn't on the list, I figured since you enjoy that game, that'd be a shoe in. Thanks for the list Sam. Also, does Wasteland Express have any combat in it or is it strictly pickup and deliver? The Mad Max postapocalyptic sounding nature of it would lend well to some combat while in transport of goods I would think. Thanks brother.

[@bookaddict777]

One of the first games that came to mind for me when I saw the topic was Tikal, a game I have had in my collection forever. I got it the year it came out and, as far as I am concerned, it will never be leaving my collection.

[@Steve-L]

My #1!

[@noeldillabough2153]

the one I thought of when seeing the title was Tikal; but I like your list too!

[@Steve-L]

My #1!

[@shaneannigans]

Hi Sam Just a thought on the abbreviation of the name of this mechanism: just refer it as "APAS" pronounced 'ape-as' which is an acronym for Action Point Allowance System. Other variations could be "APAG" (Action Point Allowance Game) or just "the APA mechanism"

[@elink2k1]

it's interesting to me to try and fit mechanics into a 'box' like apas. for instants, Kanagawa only allows you to paint pictures you have the skill for based on the number of paint brushes you own and your ability to move them if needed. Arctic Scavengers allows you to do everything once if you drew the right cards but doing so limits your ability to win the rumble at the end of each round. A game like Jump Drive allows you to do two things but gives you bonuses the less you do. While I agree a game like pandemic is absolutely an apa, these others use rules based on theme to make you think about tactics and strategies around how much you want to do in your turn. BTW Sam, I recently bought Fire and Axe but it hasn't hit the table yet. I'm coming to Dice Tower Con and would love to get a game of this in... maybe get your endorsing signature on my rule book. I love your viking passion.

[@KabukiKid]

SPACE HULK! ;-) That was the first one I thought of when I saw the topic.

[@chobe78]

Conflict of Heroes made the system even better.

[@williammatthews4267]

KabukiKid A!A

[@mikejonesnoreally]

Thank you KabukiKid. A certain respect for the classics should always be maintained. :3

[@gamera2351]

I'm surprised Zombicide wasn't mentioned. But then again there are a ton of games with this mechanism.

[@Steve-L]

1. Tikal 2. Trias (just played this last nite) 3. Above and Below 4. Blood Rage 5. Dead Men Tell No Tales 6. Dead of Winter 7. Evolution 8. M.U.L.E. The Board Game 9. Heroes Incorporated 10. Rum & Pirates

[@goyasolidar]

I had a good chuckle at Sam catching himself from saying "blow your sh%t up" at 8:24.

[@thedicetower]

Ship. Sam doesn't curse.

[@jimgrant9081]

Tikal would be on my list.

[@noloatmo6682]

Absolutely! I was going to mention it.

[@Steve-L]

my #1 as well!

[@jukka-pekkatuominen4540]

I have not played any of these games so I cannot comment on them. But my favourite game of this system is probably Runebound (3rd edition). And Mansions of Madness (2nd edition) is also very high on my list.

[@Hieronymus-Pseudonymous]

I was surprised not to see Quantum on this list. I thought Sam liked it a lot.

[@ryanbrand6093]

Great list. Question: Sam or interwebs, would Raptor count as an APA. Thanks!

[@Coastercinder]

High heavens looks like a really interesting game. Unfortunately, it looks like it's pretty hard to find now.

[@thogg11]

I thought for sure that Blood Rage would have been on the list! Doesn't that game have an Action Point Allowance System mechanism?

[@Steve-L]

maybe on another list?

[@jblank1552]

Yeah Age of Thieves, also enjoyed that one. Have you played it more than once or twice? I wonder about longevity.

[@bushibayushi]

Through the Ages. Thank you, good night ;).

[@Steve-L]

I think Sam has said in the past he usually doesn't like Civ games.

[@ShadowKen74]

Would have expected Kemet to be on this list.

[@mikejonesnoreally]

So what was the first game with an A.P.A.S.? Was it the original Descent? I can't remember a game that used it before. Never mind, yes I can, is it Arkham Horror? It was one of those that created it and them bam! it's everywhere.

[@Miniebee]

Tikal!!

[@frankl9583]

Would you consider Conan's player system as an APA system ?

[@annjourney14]

BGG does. Conan is filed under the APA mechanic there.

[@lantre5384]

Full Metal Planete should have its place here ! ;-)

[@blesswitskills]

ZBP or Arcadia Quest ! 🙂

[@vololudo4671]

i agree with most of the list. i haven't played everything so that kinda limits things lol

[@vikingskarsnik]

have you tried days of ire?

[@brianb5145]

Hi, Sam!

[@drphogg]

Action points were a fairly common staple in nineteen seventies wargames. Everything in the rules was verbose.

[@Larsemillarsen]

A lot of glare coming off of your glasses - a little distracting. Otherwise great video.

[@TheHouseofPanda]

Has no one suggested, "this game uses an A.P.A. system?"

[@Hieronymus-Pseudonymous]

"Action point allowance system" - surely either "allowance" or "system" is unnecessary?

[@mikejonesnoreally]

No Z:BP??!! Who are you and when can we have Sam back?? 0.o

[@ojeylo]

what about Android Netrunner?

[@mikejonesnoreally]

Probably one of the most flexible action point systems ever created. With the possible exception of the "life as fuel" mechanism he created for Jyhad, it's one of Dr. Garfield's best mechanisms. Sam and the Dice Tower don't really support LCGs or TCGs though.

[@goyasolidar]

No Kemet? I will fight you!

[@inhumanbookworm]

You have to start calling them APAS games

[@clarenceneal2622]

Yup....pronounced A Pass