"Pure chess" Mage Wars

[Skytale]

I was wondering if anyone had thought about trying a "pure chess" (i.e. nonrandom) version of Mage Wars. Obviously, it would require a lot of changes, damage would be converted to an automatic 1 point per die with half of that (probably rounding up) being critical. Attack effects that use the effect die would have to go, or be replaced by an alternating counter that lets the effect land every other hit. The same is true for defenses. Inevitably, there would be some cards that just wouldn't work.

Still, I think it would be interesting. It would allow you to think further ahead.  Obviously, this would slow the game down and make it less casual, but it would also make the game even deeper and more analytical.

[DarthDadaD20]

Thats a good idea! I never thought of static damage.

[DarthDadaD20]

The only real problem is it would make some cards less important, and what would you do about incorporeal?

[Skytale]

Yeah, it would definitely effect the balance of cards; a few would surely become nearly unplayable.

As for incorporeal, you could divide damage (from non-etherial attacks) by 3 and then round appropriately.

[metadust]

Would it be at all possible to convert number of attack dice strictly into damage dealt, even if you have guaranteed damage there is still random elements in doing more or less damage not allowing you the level of clairvoyance that is involved with chess.

[Lightseed]

This game is already close to chess as it is but i see where you are headed, the only problem is some cards become useless. you could make a creature start up line , each mage starts with 3 creatures, one lvl 4 one lvl 3 and one lvl 2 and the mage ofc. and then just batle it out. with only that, no other spells or cards like a battle royale

[auronvi]

I like the idea where you just start with a static list monsters and just battling it out. No new spells, just battle mechanics. So, like 3 level 1 creatures and 2 level 3 creatures and then maybe 4 levels worth the equipment on the mage and then you battle in pitched battle. It simplifies the game a bit, but it will probably play pretty quick. I want to try this out.

[Wiz-Pig]

I like the idea where you just start with a static list monsters and just battling it out. No new spells, just battle mechanics. So, like 3 level 1 creatures and 2 level 3 creatures and then maybe 4 levels worth the equipment on the mage and then you battle in pitched battle. It simplifies the game a bit, but it will probably play pretty quick. I want to try this out.

That is pretty much what the D&D miniatures game was like.

[cbalian]

That would be kind of cool.  As in chess you have ALL your pieces out on the playing field at the beginning of the game, so that is the biggest difference.  It could work similar to how Summoner Wars works also I could see that being viable.

If you got X points to put X creatures/conjurations etc out in the arena and then went at it chess style that could be really fun.

[Fentum]

I like the idea where you just start with a static list monsters and just battling it out. No new spells, just battle mechanics. So, like 3 level 1 creatures and 2 level 3 creatures and then maybe 4 levels worth the equipment on the mage and then you battle in pitched battle. It simplifies the game a bit, but it will probably play pretty quick. I want to try this out.

This is actually a lot like old school Warhammer. I find MW to be much more like a fantasy battle game in concept rather than Magic The Card Game, for example. If you consider a creature to be a 'regiment' it works similarly at a top line level. Army selection then Strategic planning and manoeuvring that is, rather than detailed combat mechanics.

In my book, that's a good thing.