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Tumbleweed Tactics (BETA) - drop in/out western combat and teambuilding

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Posts

  • ElvenshaeElvenshae Registered User regular
    Just a Wild West Witch on the World Wide Web.

  • DelzhandDelzhand Registered User, Transition Team regular
    Grace the Witch seems settled, so it's down to Maxwell's job. Maxwell has max SKL and pretty good STR.

    Hunter: Arrow Shot is a hybrid damage formula that his attack stats would make good use of, Hatchet is a decent melee move, Stop is useful, but some tougher enemies will be immune
    Butcher: Another strong choice, makes use of good STR to attack a cluster of enemies in melee, or high skill to attack a whole line of enemies
    Harvester: Scythe forces melee foes to waste movement closing the gap, Bonfire is a solid ranged magic attack, but Grace will probably have that niche covered?

  • mrpakumrpaku Registered User regular
    I agree with Whelk that Max should be a Hunter. Feel like the one main weakness in our current setup is a lack of good long-distance damage

  • ElvenshaeElvenshae Registered User regular
    Thirded! Max the Hunter, Grace the Witch!

  • DelzhandDelzhand Registered User, Transition Team regular
    edited February 2022
    Current Company
    River (Brewer) Lv 2|30xp
    HP 127 | LUCK 7 | STR 7 | SKL 7 | MOV 3 | EVD 5%

    Emma Mae (Guardian) Lv 2|45xp
    HP 157 | LUCK 6 | STR 7 | SKL 6 | MOV 4 | EVD 0%

    Maxwell (Hunter) Lv 1|0xp
    HP 115 | LUCK 6 | STR 6 | SKL 6 | MOV 3 | EVD 10%

    Grace (Witch) Lv 1|0xp
    HP 101| LUCK 6 | STR 6 | SKL 7 | MOV 3 | EVD 5%
    Episode 1 - Two Kings is a Losing Hand
    You left your home in Dylan's care, and there wasn't anyone else you wanted to say farewell to, so you saddled up your mare and waited at the edge of town for the others. You handled your own provisions, it was safe to expect everyone else to do the same. Other people often called you standoffish, and you supposed that was true.

    Emma Mae appeared on the main road astride a big roan appaloosa, the other two volunteers just behind her. You tipped your hat as they approached.

    "We all know the plan, right? We'll ride west and see if we can pick up the Procession's trail," Emma Mae stated. "Next town in that direction is Summer's Rock. I don't think we'll find anything this close to home, or we'd have heard about it."

    It would be an easy three days ride. The weather was warm, and the skies were clear, for now.
    You sat around the campfire on the first night, telling stories. Emma Mae shared a few embarrassing tales, as did the others. She was comfortably genial, and you made an effort to participate, obliging the group with a tale of your own.

    "Want to see something special?" she asked.

    She pulled a long bundle from her bag that was wrapped in a flour sack. Sitting cross-legged before the fire, she unwrapped it.

    There, gleaming in the firelight, was a rifle-type Gun.

    "Everett might be a liar, a cheat, and a brute, but he's still my brother. He gave me this before I left. He won... well, cheated it off someone in a game of cards. It's still hexed, of course, but nobody will know until you pull the trigger, so it's still useful as a deterrent."

    You stared the dark metal barrel and polished wood stock. If someone was pointing that thing at you, you sure wouldn't take your chances.

    "Maybe you'll find a Sister along the way."

    Emma Mae re-wrapped the Gun and stashed it away.

    "Aw, I dunno. Even if we found a Sister, who knows what she'd ask for in payment. A talent like they got, they could ask for anything."

    It was true. The Sisters of Sunset were legendarily covetous, and not only for coin. Little else was known about them, and if you didn't have business with them they were best avoided.

    Delzhand on
  • DelzhandDelzhand Registered User, Transition Team regular
    Halfway through the second day, you noticed a pair of ghost peckers circling lazily overhead. Huge, pale white vultures, they were harmless enough for now, but they would be a nuisance when it was time for some shuteye. Their attendant squawking tended to draw the attention of wild dogs, and they weren't afraid to bring their ragged beaks to bear if a perceived meal wasn't quite dead yet.
    Emma Mae had a plan to deal with the noisome creatures. Once the sun set, you'd all pretend to settle in for the night, building no fire. The peckers would land, call their coterie of scavengers, and begin to draw in. You'd all spring from your bedrolls and beat them within an inch of their lives.

    As plans went, it wasn't the most sophisticated.
    Victory Condition: Defeat the Ghost Peckers, Scatter the Scavengers
    Failure Condition: River and Emma Mae are defeated

    m2tfbfj1016w.png

    River (Brewer) Lv 2|30xp
    HP 127 | LUCK 7 | STR 7 | SKL 7 | MOV 3 | EVD 5%
    Status: Ready

    Emma Mae (Guardian) Lv 2|45xp
    HP 157 | LUCK 6 | STR 7 | SKL 6 | MOV 4 | EVD 0%
    Status: Ready

    Maxwell (Hunter) Lv 1|0xp
    HP 115 | LUCK 6 | STR 6 | SKL 6 | MOV 3 | EVD 10%
    Status: Ready

    Grace (Witch) Lv 1|0xp
    HP 101| LUCK 6 | STR 6 | SKL 7 | MOV 3 | EVD 5%
    Status: Ready

    Ghost Pecker A
    HP 122 | LUCK 6 | POW 6 | MOV 2 | EVD 15%
    Status: Ready

    Ghost Pecker B
    HP 122 | LUCK 6 | POW 6 | MOV 2 | EVD 15%
    Status: Ready

    Scavenger A
    HP 112 | LUCK 6 | POW 6 | MOV 5 | EVD 5%
    Status: Ready

    Scavenger B
    HP 112 | LUCK 6 | POW 6 | MOV 5 | EVD 5%
    Status: Ready

    Scavenger C
    HP 112 | LUCK 6 | POW 6 | MOV 5 | EVD 5%
    Status: Ready

    * Creature enemies have a POW stat instead of STR and SKL
    * Ghost Peckers have the ability Black Beak, which attacks an adjacent target.
    * Ghost Peckers have the ability Wild Squawk, which has a 50% chance to summon a Scavenger. They will only use this when outnumbered.
    * Scavengers have the ability Dirty Jaws, which attack an adjacent target and inflicts HP Down.
    * Scavengers have the ability Howl, which grants ATK Up to other Scavengers within 2 tiles.
    * Scavengers have the innate property Cowardice - if their HP is reduced to 50%, they will stop attacking and only move to flee towards the edge of the zone.

  • discriderdiscrider Registered User regular
    (River, Chariot)

  • DelzhandDelzhand Registered User, Transition Team regular
    discrider wrote: »
    (River, Chariot)

    I removed the interim prompt before I saw this, but I'll honor it! River's raw SKL will increase by 3.

  • ElvenshaeElvenshae Registered User regular
    * Ghost Peckers have the ability Wild Squawk, which has a 50% chance to summon a Scavenger. They will only use this when outnumbered.

    To me, this says "priority target."

    We should also beat up at least one of the scavengers enough for it to flee (reduces incoming damage without triggering reinforcements); with their high MOV stat, it'll only take them a single round, two at most, to flee from basically anywhere.

  • mrpakumrpaku Registered User regular
    edited February 2022
    Alright, here's my morning coffee thoughts:

    - Defensive Square formation right about where we're at: River doesn't move his back from that barn ever, Emma Mae flips between F3 and F4 as needed, Maxwell starts at F4 (he can shoot 3/5 targets from there right now), and Grace parks at G4 (and anyone who makes it around that corner to have a go at her personally becomes the priority target that round)

    - River drops Heals wherever needed, and "Rough Draughts" if he's ever able, but only on people already engaged

    - Emma Mae "Defend"s when needed (switching places with Maxwell), but mainly focuses on giving whoever's in front of her a "Crushing Blow", and starts the encounter by dropping a "Shield" on the party once everyone's in place

    -Maxwell is taking cheap pot shots the entire time: either at the Peckers, or at any Scavenger close to 50% health, in that order. Might be useful to Snare (or eventually just leave a dead body) at F2 as well, then we could put a dead bird at Maxwell's back and leave him basically untouchable! (Plus, then Emma Mae would be free to Defend Grace)

    - Grace does "Wicked Wisp" to anyone in range, or "Lunar Scream" if the birds decide to try for boxing us in. She's the main priority when it comes to healing, as well

    - Like Elvenshae said, the Peckers (giggle) are the top priority target because of their summon ability, and the Scavengers we only have to worry about getting to half health before they'll fuck off and we can later pick them off at our leisure

    - Delzhand just pointed out that our Gun is currently inoperable, so that answers that

    Is that it? Did I miss anything?

    mrpaku on
  • DelzhandDelzhand Registered User, Transition Team regular
    edited February 2022
    Emma Mae's Gun will not be useful to you right now, as it will not fire. There's something odd about this frontier when it comes to guns and explosives...

    * Rule clarification - Arrow Shot is LOS, so you can't shoot over obstacles. Just thought I'd call that out specifically since it's different than typical SRPG rules.

    Delzhand on
  • mrpakumrpaku Registered User regular
    Oh, and I also think we should try to leave River's turn for last and Emma Mae's turn second to last whenever possible, so that the Healing and Defense are in our back pocket for when we need it

  • ElvenshaeElvenshae Registered User regular
    edited February 2022
    That would also allow us to, e.g., heal with River's last turn and again on the first turn of the next round (Battletech light double-shots!), in case of things gone really squirrelly.

    Elvenshae on
  • DelzhandDelzhand Registered User, Transition Team regular
    Someone give a unit a command! I don't think I explicitly said it, but players will always get to go first.

  • mrpakumrpaku Registered User regular
    edited February 2022
    Can Maxwell move to F4 and use "Arrow Shot" at Ghost Pecker A? (Characters on the same team can slide past each other in the same space, right? So Maxwell can just "push" past Emma Mae?)

    mrpaku on
  • DelzhandDelzhand Registered User, Transition Team regular
    edited February 2022
    Yes indeed! Allied units can freely pass through each other.
    Maxwell moves to F4.
    Maxwell uses Arrow Shot on Ghost Pecker A!
    Ghost Pecker A loses 36 HP.
    Maxwell gains 25 XP.
    

    57gz9w96ap8n.png
    Scavenger B moves to H7.
    Scavenger B uses Dirty Jaws on Grace.
    Grace loses 30 HP.
    Grace is afflicted by HP Down.
    

    idm0q76af22z.png

    River (Brewer) Lv 2|30xp
    HP 127 | LUCK 7 | STR 7 | SKL 7 | MOV 3 | EVD 5%
    Status: Ready

    Emma Mae (Guardian) Lv 2|45xp
    HP 157 | LUCK 6 | STR 7 | SKL 6 | MOV 4 | EVD 0%
    Status: Ready

    Maxwell (Hunter) Lv 1|0xp
    HP 115 | LUCK 6 | STR 6 | SKL 6 | MOV 3 | EVD 10%
    Status: Waiting

    Grace (Witch) Lv 1|0xp
    HP 71| LUCK 6 | STR 6 | SKL 7 | MOV 3 | EVD 5%
    Status: Ready, HP Down

    Ghost Pecker A
    HP 86 | LUCK 6 | POW 6 | MOV 2 | EVD 15%
    Status: Ready

    Ghost Pecker B
    HP 122 | LUCK 6 | POW 6 | MOV 2 | EVD 15%
    Status: Ready

    Scavenger A
    HP 112 | LUCK 6 | POW 6 | MOV 5 | EVD 5%
    Status: Ready

    Scavenger B
    HP 112 | LUCK 6 | POW 6 | MOV 5 | EVD 5%
    Status: Ready

    Scavenger C
    HP 112 | LUCK 6 | POW 6 | MOV 5 | EVD 5%
    Status: Ready

    Delzhand on
  • ElvenshaeElvenshae Registered User regular
    Grace has an AOE, so do we want to let the enemies clump up a bit and so have Emma Mae Toughen Up a little earlier this round?

  • discriderdiscrider Registered User regular
    edited February 2022
    Could have Grace AOE the two Peckers too.
    But probably should just Toughen up and see what happens to the board after

    Grace can always snipe the damaged Pecker next turn

    discrider on
  • ElvenshaeElvenshae Registered User regular
    I think Grace has to move closer to AOE the peckers; range is too short to hit them from here.

  • discriderdiscrider Registered User regular
    edited February 2022
    The Peckers can only move 2 though, so should be able to hit them and stay out of range even if we move closer.

    discrider on
  • ElvenshaeElvenshae Registered User regular
    Let’s do it then!

  • discriderdiscrider Registered User regular
    Grace to E5, Lunar Scream on the peckers

  • DelzhandDelzhand Registered User, Transition Team regular
    edited February 2022
    Grace suffers from HP Down.
    Grace loses 7 HP.
    Grace's HP Down fades.
    Grace moves to E5.
    Grace uses Lunar Scream on Ghost Pecker A!
    It's a critical hit!
    Ghost Pecker A loses 56 HP.
    Ghost Pecker B loses 56 HP.
    Grace gains 25 XP.
    

    frwppo0fau0g.png
    Scavenger C moves to F3.
    Scavenger C uses Dirty Jaws on Maxwell.
    Maxwell loses 30 HP.
    Maxwell is afflicted by HP Down.
    

    pvgqbpcxmubc.png

    River (Brewer) Lv 2|30xp
    HP 127 | LUCK 7 | STR 7 | SKL 7 | MOV 3 | EVD 5%
    Status: Ready

    Emma Mae (Guardian) Lv 2|45xp
    HP 157 | LUCK 6 | STR 7 | SKL 6 | MOV 4 | EVD 0%
    Status: Ready

    Maxwell (Hunter) Lv 1|25xp
    HP 85 | LUCK 6 | STR 6 | SKL 6 | MOV 3 | EVD 10%
    Status: Waiting, HP Down

    Grace (Witch) Lv 1|25xp
    HP 64| LUCK 6 | STR 6 | SKL 7 | MOV 3 | EVD 5%
    Status: Waiting

    Ghost Pecker A
    HP 30 | LUCK 6 | POW 6 | MOV 2 | EVD 15%
    Status: Ready

    Ghost Pecker B
    HP 66 | LUCK 6 | POW 6 | MOV 2 | EVD 15%
    Status: Ready

    Scavenger A
    HP 112 | LUCK 6 | POW 6 | MOV 5 | EVD 5%
    Status: Ready

    Scavenger B
    HP 112 | LUCK 6 | POW 6 | MOV 5 | EVD 5%
    Status: Ready

    Scavenger C
    HP 112 | LUCK 6 | POW 6 | MOV 5 | EVD 5%
    Status: Waiting

    * I forgot to account for Grace's HP down when screenshotting her turn, but the rest is accurate.

    Delzhand on
  • mrpakumrpaku Registered User regular
    I'm worried about Grace hanging out there by herself, but I guess she doesn't have to be standing for us to win, and admittedly I goldbrick my characters like crazy in Tactics

    I would say move Emma Mae to F5, and throw down a "Toughen Up" on either Max and River or (my vote) Max and Grace

  • ElvenshaeElvenshae Registered User regular
    edited February 2022
    Toughen Up affects all allies within 2 squares, so she doesn't need to move to get everyone tougher. (Unless AoEs are counted like movement, in which case Emma Mae needs to move to G5 to catch everyone in the AoE.)

    Because of turn phasing*, we can make sure that Grace gets to go again before the Peckers can do more than shuffle closer, and a regular hit will kill one and almost kill the other.

    ED: * Which I think I really like - reminds me of Banner Saga.

    Elvenshae on
  • DelzhandDelzhand Registered User, Transition Team regular
    I think mrpaku means that if Emma Mae uses it before moving, it'll affect Maxwell and River, but if she uses it after moving, it'll affect Maxwell and Grace.

  • mrpakumrpaku Registered User regular
    Delzhand wrote: »
    I think mrpaku means that if Emma Mae uses it before moving, it'll affect Maxwell and River, but if she uses it after moving, it'll affect Maxwell and Grace.

    Let's do it! Please move Emma Mae to F5 and use "Toughen Up"!

  • DelzhandDelzhand Registered User, Transition Team regular
    edited February 2022
    Emma Mae moves to F5.
    Emma Mae uses Toughen Up!
    Emma Mae gains a 30 HP shield.
    Grace gains a 20 HP shield.
    Maxwell gains a 22 HP shield.
    Emma Mae gains 15 XP.
    

    cdnt3el9z4yu.png
    Scavenger A moves to F2.
    Scavenger A uses Howl.
    Scavenger C gains ATK Up.
    

    wgbnt5cmjxm0.png

    River (Brewer) Lv 2|30xp
    HP 127 | LUCK 7 | STR 7 | SKL 7 | MOV 3 | EVD 5%
    Status: Ready

    Emma Mae (Guardian) Lv 2|60xp
    HP 157 | LUCK 6 | STR 7 | SKL 6 | MOV 4 | EVD 0%
    Status: Waiting, Shield (30)

    Maxwell (Hunter) Lv 1|25xp
    HP 85 | LUCK 6 | STR 6 | SKL 6 | MOV 3 | EVD 10%
    Status: Waiting, HP Down, Shield (22)

    Grace (Witch) Lv 1|25xp
    HP 64| LUCK 6 | STR 6 | SKL 7 | MOV 3 | EVD 5%
    Status: Waiting, Shield (20)

    Ghost Pecker A
    HP 30 | LUCK 6 | POW 6 | MOV 2 | EVD 15%
    Status: Ready

    Ghost Pecker B
    HP 66 | LUCK 6 | POW 6 | MOV 2 | EVD 15%
    Status: Ready

    Scavenger A
    HP 112 | LUCK 6 | POW 6 | MOV 5 | EVD 5%
    Status: Waiting

    Scavenger B
    HP 112 | LUCK 6 | POW 6 | MOV 5 | EVD 5%
    Status: Waiting

    Scavenger C
    HP 112 | LUCK 6 | POW 6 | MOV 5 | EVD 5%
    Status: Waiting, ATK Up

    Delzhand on
  • mrpakumrpaku Registered User regular
    edited February 2022
    What I'm thinking right now is: does the attack boost from a "Rough Draught" give Max a strong enough Strength Attack to hit the Scavenger with his "Hatchet" for harder than 50% (causing the creature to flee, and possibly opening Max up for another attack from a Scavenger next turn), or do we play it safe and throw him a heal instead?

    We could also heal Grace, but she seems in less immediate danger. We could also move River, but I don't see a good reason to open him up on an extra side at the moment

    mrpaku on
  • DelzhandDelzhand Registered User, Transition Team regular
    Max's Arrow Shot will do 36 damage, 43 with ATK Up, and 86 on crit (6%). Hatchet does the same damage (because at least for now Max's STR and SKL are the same).

  • mrpakumrpaku Registered User regular
    OK, so Max wouldn't have much of a chance of getting close to that 50% anyway, so my concern would be Scavenger C taking a bite of River or Maxwell next turn, flying off like a little bastard, and Scavenger A flying in to do a follow up attack

    My vote would be for River to use a "Smooth Medicine" on Maxwell, and hold his ground for the moment

  • DelzhandDelzhand Registered User, Transition Team regular
    * Rule clarification - Guardian's Defend ability can be used on enemies if you think it's advantageous to switch positions with them. Wasn't sure if that was clear.

  • discriderdiscrider Registered User regular
    I think we should move river so that Emma can move and whack scav C.
    And also river should use smooth medicine on Grace.

  • DelzhandDelzhand Registered User, Transition Team regular
    edited February 2022
    1. Hold pos, Smooth Medicine on Maxwell
    2. Smooth Medicine on Grace and move to... let's call it G5 to block Scavenger B's access to Grace?

    Let me see if I can remember how this works.

    Geth, roll 1d2

    Edit: goddamn you, robot

    1d2 1 [1d2=1]

    Delzhand on
  • DelzhandDelzhand Registered User, Transition Team regular
    edited February 2022
    There we go, only took 3 tries.
    River uses Smooth Medicine on Maxwell!
    Maxwell gains 33 HP.
    Maxwell gains HP Up.
    Maxwell's HP Down fades.
    River gains 10 XP.
    

    xb45hhbpb7kd.png
    Ghost Pecker A moves to D4.
    Ghost Pecker A waits.
    

    0z9d0k40cljj.png

    River (Brewer) Lv 2|40xp
    HP 127 | LUCK 7 | STR 7 | SKL 7 | MOV 3 | EVD 5%

    Emma Mae (Guardian) Lv 2|60xp
    HP 157 | LUCK 6 | STR 7 | SKL 6 | MOV 4 | EVD 0%
    Status: Shield (30)

    Maxwell (Hunter) Lv 1|25xp
    HP 115 | LUCK 6 | STR 6 | SKL 6 | MOV 3 | EVD 10%
    Status: HP Up, Shield (22)

    Grace (Witch) Lv 1|25xp
    HP 64| LUCK 6 | STR 6 | SKL 7 | MOV 3 | EVD 5%
    Status: Shield (20)

    Ghost Pecker A
    HP 30 | LUCK 6 | POW 6 | MOV 2 | EVD 15%

    Ghost Pecker B
    HP 66 | LUCK 6 | POW 6 | MOV 2 | EVD 15%

    Scavenger A
    HP 112 | LUCK 6 | POW 6 | MOV 5 | EVD 5%

    Scavenger B
    HP 112 | LUCK 6 | POW 6 | MOV 5 | EVD 5%

    Scavenger C
    HP 112 | LUCK 6 | POW 6 | MOV 5 | EVD 5%
    Status: ATK Up

    * System update: I've incorporated ready/waiting into the field display and removed it from Status. Ready units will be normal color, while Waiting units will be dimmed. We're at the top of the player order, so it's easiest to see on the enemy side - Ghost Pecker B is the only unit that is Ready.

    Delzhand on
  • ElvenshaeElvenshae Registered User regular
    edited February 2022
    We should have Emma Mae go smack Scavenger B. Then follow up with Maxwell attacking from range on B or melee C.

    Elvenshae on
  • DelzhandDelzhand Registered User, Transition Team regular
    If you specify a target but not a particular destination, I'll arbitrate in what I think is the most favorable way.
    Emma Mae moves to H5.
    Emma Mae uses Crushing Blow on Scavenger B.
    Scavenger B loses 48 HP.
    Emma Mae gains 15 XP.
    

    1b55w7jbhvwh.png
    Ghost Pecker B moves to C4.
    Ghost Pecker B waits
    

    ka99220rs4dx.png

    River (Brewer) Lv 2|40xp
    HP 127 | LUCK 7 | STR 7 | SKL 7 | MOV 3 | EVD 5%

    Emma Mae (Guardian) Lv 2|75xp
    HP 157 | LUCK 6 | STR 7 | SKL 6 | MOV 4 | EVD 0%
    Status: Shield (30)

    Maxwell (Hunter) Lv 1|25xp
    HP 115 | LUCK 6 | STR 6 | SKL 6 | MOV 3 | EVD 10%
    Status: HP Up, Shield (22)

    Grace (Witch) Lv 1|25xp
    HP 64| LUCK 6 | STR 6 | SKL 7 | MOV 3 | EVD 5%
    Status: Shield (20)

    Ghost Pecker A
    HP 30 | LUCK 6 | POW 6 | MOV 2 | EVD 15%

    Ghost Pecker B
    HP 66 | LUCK 6 | POW 6 | MOV 2 | EVD 15%

    Scavenger A
    HP 112 | LUCK 6 | POW 6 | MOV 5 | EVD 5%

    Scavenger B
    HP 64 | LUCK 6 | POW 6 | MOV 5 | EVD 5%

    Scavenger C
    HP 112 | LUCK 6 | POW 6 | MOV 5 | EVD 5%
    Status: ATK Up

  • ElvenshaeElvenshae Registered User regular
    Grace nukes the peckers.

  • DelzhandDelzhand Registered User, Transition Team regular
    edited February 2022
    Without moving? Fair warning, base damage for her Lunar Scream is only 28 unless she crits again. You could get her to H4 and still tag both of the peckers.

    Delzhand on
  • discriderdiscrider Registered User regular
    Grace can only get to G4, so do that instead.

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