A scenario that mirrors the two introductory scenarios?

[industrialchild]

Hey guys, sorry in advance if this isn't the proper place to post this on these forums but it seemed like the most logical place, to me anyways, to post this experience and inquiry.

I've looked through various sources, both rulebooks and scenarios from the following works: Everything in Ogre: Sixth Edition including Reinforcements, the rules for Ogre Pocket Edition, Ogreezine, Scenario books 1-3 and The Ogre Book. My question is, does this scenario that I'm about to describe ring a bell to anyone?

The other day, after introducing my brother to the introductory Mark III Attack scenario, he immediately wanted to play another one and I wanted to try this out and it was a lot of fun.

I got one of my GM screens and put it in the middle of the board to obstruct both of our views. Next, I gave us each a Mark III Ogre and a Command Post. I instructed my brother how to go about setting up a defensive force as per the Mark III Attack scenario. While he did that, I did the same on the South End of the map, making sure that I had no more then 20 attack strength in the central portion.

Once that was done I raised the screen and we both rolled to see who would go first. Our objectives were the same as in the Mark III Attack scenario but we both controlled an Ogre and a defensive force. It was super fun too! I hope my explanation of this is clear and I'm wondering if anyone else has seen something similar in print. If so, I'm curious as to the name of this scenario, the story behind it and where I could find it. I'm also curious as to if anyone has tried this. It was a very close game and it was a nail bitter all the way to the end! My brother achieved victory but barely and that was awesome to see!

[GranitePenguin]

I want to say the idea is familiar, but not in that specific form. The closest I can think of is Two Nations, One War, but that's on a much larger scale (two maps G1 and S1) and has reinforcements.

[industrialchild]

Ah, that one is fantastic! Good call GranitePenguin!

[GranitePenguin]

yeah, it's an oldie, but a goodie. :-)

[industrialchild]

So, I may or may not be unknowingly "reinventing the wheel" here, but I wanted to share with you guys the specifics on the alternate Mark III Attack scenario that I played with my brother. Any version of Ogre can be used to play this scenario.

When Worlds Collide

This is an epic battle between the North American Combine and the Paneuopean Federation and is a variation of the Basic (and awesome) Scenario, Mark III Attack.

Setup This uses the Basic Ogre map. Place a thin screen (like a Game Master's screen, binder or something similar) to obstruct the view of each player across the center of the board.

Each player gets: 1 Mark III Ogre, 20 squads of infantry and 12 armor units (keeping in mind some are considered "half a unit" and some "two units") and one Mobile Command Post.

Each player will set up a defensive force behind the screen, bearing in mind that no more than 20 attack strength points can be set up in the Central Area.

Each player will place their Mobile Command Post where they wish. The Mobile Command Post for this scenario will be a Mobile Hardened Command Post. It has a Movement of 1 and a Defense of 3

Once this set up is complete the screen is raised and the game proper will begin.

Gameplay Roll to see who will go first. On each player's first turn, before other units are moved, the Ogre will enter the map on whatever side is closet to the player.

This scenario will use the standard Ramming rules. An Ogre may freely move through friendly units without creating a ramming situation. However, an Ogre may not end it's movement in the same hex as a friendly unit.

This scenario will use Victory Point Scoring that can be found here: http://www.sjgames.com/ogre/products...ment_rules.pdf (see below). As units and Ogres are destroyed, each player will place the destroyed opposing units/Ogre near their side of the board to determine the score of the end of the game.

Objective Weaken the opposition more then they weaken you prior to the end of the game.

End of Game The game will end when a player destroys the opposing Mobile Hardened Command Post. Note that any unit (not just the Ogre), may attempt to destroy the opposing Mobile Hardened Command Post. In the event that a situation occurs where it is not at all possible for a player to end the game by destroying the opposing Mobile Hardened Command Post, forgo Victory Point scoring and declare the opposing force the victor.

Victory Points for Destroyed Units and Ogres

Each squad of Infantry: 1 point
Each "Half Value" Armor unit (e.g. Light Tank): 3 points
Each "Standard" Armor unit: 6 points
Each "Double Value" Armor unit (e.g. Howitzer): 12 points
Mark III Ogre: 100 points

Victory Points for an Opposing Ogre That is Damaged, but Not Destroyed

Main Battery destroyed: 8 points
Each Secondary Battery destroyed: 5 points
Each Missile destroyed (or fired by the Ogre): 6 points
Each Antipersonnel Gun destroyed: 1 point
Each Tread Unit destroyed: 1 point

[offsides]

Neat scenario, though with all that on 1 standard Ogre map it feels like it would get very crowded very fast. Perhaps a variation would be to use 2 Ogre boards, 1 flipped 180 degrees, and each side sets up in the obstructed area of 1 board. Have the Ogres come in on the non-obstructed side, but allow units to freely move between the 2 boards (run a strip of orange hex overlays down the column between maps). This gives a little more room, and makes it more interesting. Plus, you have to make a choice of how to use both the Ogre and the conventional forces for attack and defense. Not sure I can play this one out with my current opponents (ages 6 and 8 :P), but who knows. Maybe it becomes a 3-player game, like with SJ vs the dozen opponents, except the games are linked together...

[industrialchild]

I'm glad you like it Joshua! When I got home today and saw this post, I had to set it up as you described and that's really, really cool! It's amazing how your simple tweak can change the feel of this scenario so much.

On my next day off or maybe sooner, I would love to give your idea a go. I'm sure it will be great fun! Thank you for that suggestion.

I tell you Joshua, this is why Ogre and Car Wars are two of my favorite games. These two games are like the swiss army knives of excellent tabletop games and really get your mind going before, during and well after a game. That to me is the definition of an excellent game!

I recently graduated from the excellent Pocket Edition and 6th Edition Ogre and got myself a retail copy of Ogre: Designer's Edition and my mind was absolutely blown! It's literally a toolbox rife with gorgeous components and possibilities. Don't regret that investment one bit!

With that said though, even Ogre in its basic form seems limitless with how one can tweak a couple things (like you just did offsides) and have an awesome time! I couldn't be happier with not only the game, but the passionate community as well. It truly is a pleasure to be a part of it and thank you so much for your feedback and excellent suggestions!

[Cat]

Looks like a good scenario; now if we only get some crater style game mats...

[industrialchild]

Thank you Cat! I hope you enjoy playing it!