Moving Asteroids

By afilter, in X-Wing

Saw this in another forum and thought it was a neat Idea to share.

The person that posted has a set of 3D asterdoids they mounted on hex bases (from AA20). Each turn they roll a 1d6 and move the asteroid in that direction.

I really like the basic concept, but since asteroids would not really change direction like that my thoughts are as follows:

Place the asteroid on a hex base (could be the the basic counters or 3D). Roll a 1d6 and the asteroid stays on that trajectory until it collides with a ship of another asteroid then roll a 1d6 to determine the new direction.

You could also add speed. Instead of all the asteroids moving the same speed (1, 2 or 3 staright), I would propose giving them varios speed values. Before thagme begins roll 1d6 to determine inital speed (1-2=1speed, 2-3=2speed, 5-6=3speed). Place a small die on the edge of the hex base showing the speed and direction of travel. When the asteroid collides roll for new direction and speed.

As for movement asteroids would be a value of 1 and would move before anything else, but after all movement is planned.

If an asteroid leaves the field of play you could simply have it reverse direction or bring it in on the opposite side of the play area.

Here is a pic form the game that was posted:

swasteroids_zps58e7a107.jpg

I think it would add a new dimension to the standard 100pt game.

Thoughts?

Edited by afilter

When they collide are you required to work out the conservation of momentum? because that would be hilarious.

Other than that... yeah I like your idea better than the randomly moving Asteroids.. The one thing I would say is a new Asteroid should re-enter the board from a random edge (I would roll an old GW scatter dice and put it on the edge in the position the arrow points.) if one of them flies off an edge.

The one thing I would say is a new Asteroid should re-enter the board from a random edge (I would roll an old GW scatter dice and put it on the edge in the position the arrow points.) if one of them flies off an edge.

That would work rather well, the problem with them simply moving is unlike the movies, we're limited to a 3x3' space. So the feel of the MF flying though the field in ESB isn't really captured well. But random table edges would go a long way to capturing that feeling.

We put red sticker arrows on each card stock asteroid. We roll a scatter dice for each asteroid and point the arrow in the direction on the dice. This shows the direction it's moving. Then we roll a small D6 and place one on each asteroid for the speed. You can make 6=stationary. We move all of the asteroids at pilot skill zero. We use Asteriods video game rules asteriods leaving one side return on the opposite side of the table. This simulates a larger asteroid field. If they reappear then we randomize the asteroid again because it is a new asteroid. We are fans of flat asteriods and capital ships.

Edited by apegod

pretty cool ideas. would add a new element of realism to the game :)