Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Bushido: Batrep and Pics from the Seigyo Scenario


Here are pics from our latest Bushido game, the scenario called Seigyo, page 12 of the Bushido Tournament pack.

We ran 35 rice each, Pete bringing his awesome Silvermoon and I, Ito. Note that I ran 2 Temple Bushi and used my Chiyo model as one of them (though having Chiyo's Leap would have been great.)

This mission had 3 neutral idols mid field and required simple actions to worship them and take control of them. Enemy-aligned idols could be worshiped to be neutralized, then worshiped again to take control. Players with most friendly idols got 1VP at the ends of turns 2, 4 and 6. The game ends on turn 6. We were tied for VP's until turn 6.


Scenario set up
Ito Left and Silvermoon, Right
Both factions close rapidly to secure Idols before the end of turn two. It seemed like many of Pete's Silvermoon Roses were incredibly hard to target and engage as they had an ability to blend in as civilians and not be noticed. Silvermoon kept trying to seduce my Ito but by pure luck I resisted their charms most of the game.
Temple Bushi runs to the bamboo trees and eyes the lone Silvermoon Rose praying at the idol, which slowly turns towards their favor.
Itsunagi stands atop the koi pond as Senpu charges in. Itsunagi channels his Ki and uses Cobra Strike for Lightning Reflexes to kill Senpu first, tiring him from the combat but leaving him fairly unopposed.
View from the Ito line
Akimoto crosses the midfield to tempt an attack from the hiding Silvermoon as a Temple Bushi and Sakura control the middle idol. Itsunagi dispatches the petulant child Sukoshi Kani who threw down a makibishi in front of the idol, while the Temple Bushi moves to engage one of the Roses. Again the Rose Tsubaki tries Seduction but it did not work.
The Temple Bushi interrogates the Rose to no avail. Itsunagi isn't buying it but defends the idol as the sun sets in the sky...
Now the bodies are hitting the ground as the game leans into the last turn, still tied on VP's. A Temple Bushi is killed at the middle Idol and Sakura becomes Stupid. The solo Rose moves towards the middle Ito idol to make an end-game run at it. The lone Bushi tries to block the Rose near Itsunagi.
Silvermoon threaten the middle Idol Sakura and Akimoto defend. Saukra is killed by a Rose who is in turn beheaded on a combo attack by a wrathful Itsunagi, who shores up the middle Idol and controls his breathing as Tsubaki attempts Seduction to no avail.
The final Rose closes in to neutralize the tie breaking Ito idol as Akimoto furiously plays his mystical drum in an attempt to scare her away. A tired Itsunagi rolls his shoulders and scowls at her.
The Temple Bushi lends a hand to wipe out The Rose only after Itsunagi bloodied her. Ito is left standing as a sole survivor but the game is a draw on VP's thanks to the last Rose neutralizing the middle idol in the face of the exhausted Ito!

The take aways with this game are simple and complex. The fixed turns and cost of actions to control the idols means there is a fair amount of nuanced movement, positioning, blocking, foils and activation as much as there is controlled but very violent and conclusive fighting. 

In Bushido it is all about staying rested and making the enemy tire out before you do. Even as games become lopsided from casualties it is not over, as more desperate but more powerful abilities come off the leash as moderation becomes a detriment. Just when you think you have a clear line to charge and slash an opponent good, somebody knicks you from the side, you become tired or exhausted and the window closes. It lends itself to the "whoosh" of a martial arts brawl, not to mention the "betting" mechanic of rolling all attacks and defenses of both players simultaneously. 

Pete is a hell of a player and sportsman. He is teaching me a lot every game so the credit really goes to him for a clean, enjoyable and teachable experience. Bushido really is an exciting and different game. Try it out if you can. 

13 comments:

Da Gobbo said...

This looks like a lot of fun, helped immeasurably by the excellent minis and terrain! Interesting concept using exhaustion and having to conserve energy.

Paul O'G said...

Lovely Batrep and I enjoyed the explanations of how the game mechanics work. Red Sand Blue Sky (Gladiator game) works similarly with a die pool and fatigue being a major factor. Battles frequently end by fighter exhaustion as much as crippling wounds.

That really is a lovely board and setup you have there!

Yeti's Yell said...

Gobbo Grotto said...
This looks like a lot of fun, helped immeasurably by the excellent minis and terrain! Interesting concept using exhaustion and having to conserve energy.

>>>Gobbo: Thanks man. It is a great game. One thing I didn't mention is how exciting and yet relaxing this game is. The relative low overhead of models, books, time and calculations make this pretty immersive and chess-like which is wholly enjoyable.

Paul O'G said...
Lovely Batrep and I enjoyed the explanations of how the game mechanics work. Red Sand Blue Sky (Gladiator game) works similarly with a die pool and fatigue being a major factor. Battles frequently end by fighter exhaustion as much as crippling wounds.

That really is a lovely board and setup you have there!

Paul: Thanks as always brother. That gladiator game you mention is something my pal Pete was into. We even threatened to play it together but Warmachine kept getting in the way.

Jason said...

As always - stunning presentation. If there's not a Bushido magazine, you need to start one.

Yeti's Yell said...

Thanks Jason. You should give this game a whirl, it is pretty unique and fun; I know you go in for that.

Paul O'G said...

Along the same sort of lines, Flint and Feather is a lot of fun too but instead of Samurai you run a small band of American Indian Warriors. I think you would like it:
http://tasmancave.blogspot.com.au/2015/11/flint-and-feather_16.html

Yeti's Yell said...

Paul,

Whoa, that is sweet. Thanks for the 411!

Best,

Yeti

Da Gobbo said...

Dude, looking at getting some Bushido figs. Any recommendations for factions?

Da Gobbo said...

I quite fancy Prefecture of Ryu, mostly because of the dragon.....

Da Gobbo said...

have now plumped for the Temple of Ro-Kan - loving the elemental nature of it all, just bought the models. May have to get a couple of factions...hahaha. i blame you and your gorgeous models and terrain. Looks like i'm going to have to start thinking about modelling some Eastern terrain....

Yeti's Yell said...

Hey da Gobbo,

Super cool! I've only played against Silvermoon and Cult so far. My buddy does run Temple but I haven't seen them in action yet.

Multiple factions: Seems legit. I'll probably end up with Prefecture myself, since nobody around here has it and it seems to play differently than my Ito. That said, ninjas are coming too...

Let me know how it goes with building your figs and terrain stuff as well as finding players in your area.

Best,

Yeti

Da Gobbo said...

Is it just the free download rules you need? I take there is no other rule set?
No-one else I know plays it but I'm hoping if I can do justice to the models then a couple of guys I know will pick it up!

Yeti's Yell said...

There is the ruleset, FAQ and tournament pack all available for dowload, I'd grab all 3. The tournament pack has all the scenarios in it