Gaslight | BoardGameGeek

Reply: Gaslight:: General:: Re: GASLIGHT "on the cheap"

thdizzy — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 14:57:13 +0000

Keep us updated on the progress of this game!

Reply: Gaslight:: Reviews:: Re: A Review of GASLIGHT: Glorious Adventures in Science Loosely Involving Generally Historical Times!

thdizzy — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 00:07:27 +0000

mothertruckin wrote:
Excellent review Mark. I know there are many of us enjoying your series of Gaslight pics. They should really remake the rulebook in the vein of the large sized "Tooth and Claw" rulebook, that is: in luscious full color, loaded with your pictures!

Yes, I wonder if the designers of Gaslight are aware of these pics on this site. If not, perhaps someone should tip them off.

Reply: Gaslight:: Reviews:: Re: A Review of GASLIGHT: Glorious Adventures in Science Loosely Involving Generally Historical Times!

fastbilly1 — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 19:45:13 +0000

by fastbilly1

I am going to say it again, I know the only reason the game recently had a surge in popularity is Yugblad's amazing work.

Reply: Gaslight:: General:: Re: Dinosaur hunt?

fastbilly1 — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 19:42:34 +0000

by fastbilly1

Even though Yugblad already responded, I am going to throw my opinion in here.

Dinosaur hunting was actually the main reason I wanted the rules. I suggest using the book and the guides on rivets and steam as a guide and adapting to them as your group sees fit. In my group we did not like the idea of the Dinosaurs going down as fast as they were so we just gave them a few hitpoints – I know it is opposite what you should do but it worked a lot quicker than doing new calculations for stats.

Reply: Gaslight:: Reviews:: Re: A Review of GASLIGHT: Glorious Adventures in Science Loosely Involving Generally Historical Times!

JonnieK — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 19:48:52 +0000

by JonnieK

thats as well presented a review I've ever read on here.

I look forward to playing this

Reply: Gaslight:: Reviews:: Re: A Review of GASLIGHT

Myszak — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 13:24:42 +0000

by Myszak

Great review - thanks & thumbs up. It encourages me to look at the world I did know absolutely nothing about before.

Reply: Gaslight:: Reviews:: Re: A Review of GASLIGHT: Glorious Adventures in Science Loosely Involving Generally Historical Times!

thdizzy — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 16:48:34 +0000

by thdizzy

Keep it coming! The work that you're doing with this game is amazing.

Reply: Gaslight:: General:: Re: Dinosaur hunt?

cdwalkley — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:47:15 +0000

by cdwalkley

Probably a bit late for people now, but Spirit Games sell the rules and expansions for £8 each.

If anyone is going to the UK Game Expo this weekend give them a bell and they'll bring you a copy. That is what I am doing!

Chris

Reply: Gaslight:: Reviews:: Re: A Review of GASLIGHT: Glorious Adventures in Science Loosely Involving Generally Historical Times!

Yugblad — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 09:48:20 +0000

by Yugblad

Scrowe wrote:
Thanks Mark, great stuff. Your photos inspired me to order a copy a few days ago, so good to see a review as well.

I was getting a bit bored of the miniature games I usually play and was looking for something with a bit of a roleplaying slant. A rules set that forces players to be creative. Your review makes me think I'm on the right track here.

Thanks, I decided to write a review for a game at long last; really just a longer version of my game comments, actually. I make quite long comments, sometimes, and I came to realise over the last week or so that not everyone reads comments - even those who have been on the Geek quite a long while. So I sprung into action. Plus, on a wider note, if you Google for reviews of games, things like the slightly hidden comments on BGG, can go undiscovered.

I hope you enjoy your games of Gaslight.

Reply: Gaslight:: General:: Re: Dinosaur hunt?

Scrowe — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 09:38:13 +0000

by Scrowe

cdwalkley wrote:

I found these at Amazon Miniatures.

http://www.amazonminiatures.com/catalogue/itemDetail.asp?pNa...

Haven't bought any yet, but wonder if anyone else has?

Chris

Is it just me, or is that raptor wearing wooly mittens?

Here's the Amazon link for those looking for Gaslight...
http://www.amazon.com/G-S-L-I-G-H-T-Christopher-Palmer/dp/18...

Reply: Gaslight:: Reviews:: Re: A Review of GASLIGHT: Glorious Adventures in Science Loosely Involving Generally Historical Times!

Scrowe — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 09:30:51 +0000

by Scrowe

Thanks Mark, great stuff. Your photos inspired me to order a copy a few days ago, so good to see a review as well.

I was getting a bit bored of the miniature games I usually play and was looking for something with a bit of a roleplaying slant. A rules set that forces players to be creative. Your review makes me think I'm on the right track here.

Reply: Gaslight:: Reviews:: Re: A Review of GASLIGHT: Glorious Adventures in Science Loosely Involving Generally Historical Times!

InnsmouthMedic — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 03:46:47 +0000

by InnsmouthMedic

Rousing review! I ordered my copy moments ago - after reading your review I re-commenced the search and finally found myself a copy. Tally-ho!

-InnsmouthMedic

Reply: Gaslight:: General:: Re: Dinosaur hunt?

cdwalkley — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 01:47:27 +0000

by cdwalkley

Yugblad wrote:
Nobody seems to make appropriately scaled Velociraptors, though. Even on eBay, home of all wondrous things, I have not seen anyone part with their Raptor collection. Mind you, I'm not about to let mine go either, so it's not a huge surprise.

Hi Yugblad

I found these at Amazon Miniatures.

http://www.amazonminiatures.com/catalogue/itemDetail.asp?pNa...

Haven't bought any yet, but wonder if anyone else has?

Chris

Reply: Gaslight:: Reviews:: Re: A Review of GASLIGHT: Glorious Adventures in Science Loosely Involving Generally Historical Times!

mothertruckin — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 01:22:46 +0000

by mothertruckin

Excellent review Mark. I know there are many of us enjoying your series of Gaslight pics. They should really remake the rulebook in the vein of the large sized "Tooth and Claw" rulebook, that is: in luscious full color, loaded with your pictures!

Review: Gaslight:: A Review of GASLIGHT: Glorious Adventures in Science Loosely Involving Generally Historical Times!

Yugblad — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 22:38:15 +0000

by Yugblad

FOR YOUR ATTENTION:

Dear Reader, be wary, for the uncanny information which your wondering eyes are about to take in, may be too much for you, I also hasten to discourage all proper Englishwomen from reading further, for she will encounter heinous villains, malodorous creatures, and indecent readings of the sort no Lady would deign to have anything to do with. Only true-blooded Englishmen should continue.

Proceed now, gentle reader, and God save the Queen!

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I almost had to Zeppelin myself to the World's End to get my hands on my wafer-thin copy of this game, but it was worthy of the challenge. Now I can sit back and relax in my plush hunting-trophy adorned drawing-room, cigar and brandy in-hand, cloaked in a silk-lined smoking jacket. Huzzah!

"Tea and buttered scones should be available at all times, stronger spirits only after noon"

The Victorian period was one of immense progress in all fields of human endeavor; strides were made in every science, the value of human life validated as never before. Entire regions of the planet were explored, mapped, and exploited. In Gaslight, not only do tripods from Mars stalk the horizon, great ocean liners ply the seas, and vast airships cruise the sky, but huge ether galleons sail the airless darkness between the planets.

This is a skirmish-level wargame heavily dependant on a glorious theme - it's actually buried miles deep beneath the Earth's crust in theme! Fight melees between British regiments of Foot, coal-fired robots, fezz-wearing villains, snarling, leaping mummies, knife-twirling Chinese henchman, hordes of spear-chucking Zulus, ferocious African wildlife, ravenous dinosaurs, mad scientists, and rifle-wielding Sikhs; or any bizarre combination that tickles your fancy.

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"This is an uncommonly good wargame - for hunting dinosaurs with blackpowder rifles!"

The rules are a toolkit for the players to craft themselves an enjoyable steampunk experience, setting their battles in "The Lost World" or "At the Earth's Core" or in any other Victoriana-like milieu. The system mirrors some of the mechanisms used in Gutshot, Starship Troopers, and Memoir '44. Not a bad thing. Also, approximate playing time is totally arbitrary and will depend on force size and the number of players.

Gaslight is a quick read, loosely written; slightly ludicrous that utilising a 40-page embossed pamphlet still requires me to repeatedly thumb back and forth to confirm rules answers - they are just not laid out in a logical format. You might even be mildly disappointed upon first reading. Still, the authors are to be applauded for their brevity, and the relative simplicty of the rules that govern gameplay is a strength. Breathtaking is also their smart decision to omit any backstory or campaign setting - it would be futile to compete against the fleshed-out worlds of Rider H. Haggard, HG Wells, Edgar Rice Burroughs, or my absolute favourite, Jules Verne.

"Oh, I love the jolly rattle - of an ordeal by battle - there's an end to tittle-tattle. When your enemy is dead."

Combat is a brutal, fast-paced, wonderfully bloody affair, with 90% of miniatures (the movie-like extras) removed upon receiving their first wound - those that remain are typically steely-eyed, two-fisted gentleman heroes (equipped with a toughness/save roll) and ungodly beasts/dinosaurs (who may have a multiple-hit facility). All conflicts are resolved with D20s and target numbers. Anybody remaining when the bullets stop zinging about their piths, must test their "manhood" (morale - for the ladies).

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A buff to the rules I admire is "Sustain". This solves the problem of incredibly over-powered machinery dominating the battlefield, by adding the rule that each turn the invention may breakdown or "run out of steam".

Command and control of all the opposing elements is activated by a one-deck card system. Obviously due to the varied nature of the game's settings, this deck will have to be created before the battle begins. Each card represents units or models that may perform a command. This adds a beautifully chaotic element to the structure of combat, with no side sure of what miniature may be activated next. To my mind this reflects the confusion of war in a good gamey manner.

Any giant steel automata, steam-powered conveyance, Martian tripod, clockwork soldier or lightning gun can be created, allowing the conflicts to only be limited by your own creativity. The same can be said of the monstrous creatures, or strange people, you might face - simple combat stats can be forged in minutes.

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The expandability and versatility of the Gaslight system is endless - you could use it to run small Doctor Who skirmishes or even clashes in Call of Cthulhu with minions of the Elder Gods. I'm even thinking seriously of using it to power a recreation of the Battle at Rorke's Drift I have been planning.

A huge factor in whether you really enjoy Gaslight is the quality and diversity of the terrain and models you have access to - much like any miniature wargame, I guess. If you don't possess a sand-choked pyramid, or a 28mm Natal mission station, you could always build your own. Trust me when I say it's a lot simpler than it looks to get started; it just takes time and effort. Also buy at least one box of HeroScape Ticalla Jungle.

Gaslight is written with the idea of a GM controlling play, creating the scenarios, and setting up the games. But, actually, you don't need one. As long as the scenario is roughly balanced, the game-deck equal to all participants, and all gentleman players are in the right frame of mind for a bit of Victorian fisticuffs, things should flow wonderfully.

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QUEEN VICTORIA:

1. Amazing theme.
2. Cheap set of rules.
3. Fairly simple rules.
4. Card-driven gameplay.
5. Toolkit system.
6. Skirmish level gaming.
7. Needs few models.
8. Skillets of dice.
9. Brutal combat.

THE MAD MULLAH:

1. Needs terrain.
2. Needs miniatures. And possibly paint and brushes (see #3).
3. Needs huge steamboats of cash, talent, effort, or an uncaring "let's play with twigs and string" attitude.
4. Dubious politics.
5. Poorly written.
6. Very few examples of characters or machinery. How much effort would it take to list, say six explorers, or a small gaggle of dinos? Not much effort, methinks.
7. Skillets of dice.
8. Not very realistic!
9. Scenario detail and card decks must be made before each session.

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So do enjoy the game? Obviously I do. But, it requires a certain level of dedication from the players - especially if there's no GM - and this means that Gaslight might not be everyone's cup of tea. Also, if the time period doesn't tickle your fancy, then look away now.

You know, I don't really enjoy period-drama movies, but if someone sticks a shrieking mummy, a trap-filled tomb, or some such in it, then I'll happily part with a farthing or two to see it. The same goes for wargames! Oh, and RPGs. I adore Castle Falkenstien, BTW.

I like Gaslight because it's simple and effective. And even though the game lack a certain something in places, it steamrollers over these cracks with sheer enthusiasm and simplicity. Ease of use can get you far. Sure the rules booklet is amateurish and a teeny bit lazy, but somehow it rises tripod-like above those faults.

So, realise that when I said this was a toolkit system, that that is exactly what you will be getting. That's a good and a bad thing. But mainly good.

HOUSE RULE: You may wish to explore the option of critical hits inflicted on a natural roll of "1". If such an injury is caused, no save rolls are allowed, and multi-hit models take two hits. This can prevent a lonesome "lucky" silly bugger adventurer surviving one hailstorm of bullets after another. I know it's pulpy, but there's a limit in game terms!

PS. Anybody with any steam to vent about Colonialism, could you please go and post elsewhere. This is silly dads, with nothing better to do than play with tin soldiers, forts, and a bucket full of dinosaurs....

GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!

Reply: Gaslight:: General:: Re: Dinosaur hunt?

Yugblad — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 20:25:55 +0000

by Yugblad

Some online retailers have the game under G.A.S.L.I.G.H.T and not GASLIGHT. It's a small but significant difference when using store search tools.

Reply: Gaslight:: General:: Re: Dinosaur hunt?

InnsmouthMedic — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:04:26 +0000

by InnsmouthMedic

Hmmm. I'll check amazon again. It shouldn't be this difficult to find - I checked their website but wasn't able to find a purchase link! Maybe a web-redesign is in order or i'm just missing it.

Reply: Gaslight:: General:: Re: Dinosaur hunt?

Scrowe — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 10:38:31 +0000

by Scrowe

InnsmouthMedic wrote:
I've been lurking the G.A.S.L.I.G.H.T. topics here and thought I'd peek my head in and say, 'Hello!". I'm very interested in the system - I' a huge fan of mini games. I'd like to do a combo of mini/battle with RPG and thus was looking for something that fit the bill, which brought me to this. Has anyone tried the rpg combo with this? Also, availability is scarce - i've found a few on ebay now and then but they are asking ridiculous prices. I stumbled across a site that had both for approx $20 a piece, but I forget where I spotted that. Any suggestions?

I've also just recently become interested (probably because of Mark's photos), so spent a while trying to find a copy of Gaslight. There are copies available from Amazon.com, I found one for $13. Sadly I'm in the UK and the postage almost doubled the cost. Eventually I found a games shop in the UK that is sending me a copy for a reasonable price.

Reply: Gaslight:: General:: Re: Dinosaur hunt?

Yugblad — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 08:55:36 +0000

by Yugblad

Nobody seems to make appropriately scaled Velociraptors, though. Even on eBay, home of all wondrous things, I have not seen anyone part with their Raptor collection. Mind you, I'm not about to let mine go either, so it's not a huge surprise.

Reply: Gaslight:: General:: Re: Dinosaur hunt?

Bakelite — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 02:14:46 +0000

by Bakelite

cdwalkley wrote:

Further to the above link, I found that the Natural History Museum (UK) has some neat looking dinos

http://www.nhmshop.co.uk/dinosaur-models/category.html

I don't know how well they scale with 25/28mm miniatures, but seeing as I want to hunt plastic dinosaurs with little metal victorian dudes I'm not goign to be too picky...

Several of the NHM dinos are excellent for VSF/Pulp skirmish/roleplay. And they paint up really well too!

Reply: Gaslight:: General:: Re: Dinosaur hunt?

InnsmouthMedic — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 16:16:40 +0000

by InnsmouthMedic

I've been lurking the G.A.S.L.I.G.H.T. topics here and thought I'd peek my head in and say, 'Hello!". I'm very interested in the system - I' a huge fan of mini games. I'd like to do a combo of mini/battle with RPG and thus was looking for something that fit the bill, which brought me to this. Has anyone tried the rpg combo with this? Also, availability is scarce - i've found a few on ebay now and then but they are asking ridiculous prices. I stumbled across a site that had both for approx $20 a piece, but I forget where I spotted that. Any suggestions?

I should add that i'm talking about miniature/rpg in the Steampunk style...

Reply: Gaslight:: General:: Re: Dinosaur hunt?

Yugblad — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 09:35:56 +0000

by Yugblad

cdwalkley wrote:
Great! I was going to spend ages looking for dinos on the net, I think you have saved me the trouble.

Also I note that, as of 13.15 on 1st June 2009, Gaslight is #6 on #The Hotness" list.

Rocking! :)

It rose to #2 when I had uploaded about six or so photos, and there was only ten on the game's gallery. I'm surprised that it's shot back up.

Reply: Gaslight:: General:: Re: Dinosaur hunt?

cdwalkley — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 15:21:45 +0000

by cdwalkley

Further to the above link, I found that the Natural History Museum (UK) has some neat looking dinos

http://www.nhmshop.co.uk/dinosaur-models/category.html

I don't know how well they scale with 25/28mm miniatures, but seeing as I want to hunt plastic dinosaurs with little metal victorian dudes I'm not goign to be too picky...

Reply: Gaslight:: General:: Re: Dinosaur hunt?

cdwalkley — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 12:15:09 +0000

by cdwalkley

Great! I was going to spend ages looking for dinos on the net, I think you have saved me the trouble.

Also I note that, as of 13.15 on 1st June 2009, Gaslight is #6 on #The Hotness" list.

Rocking! :)

Reply: Gaslight:: General:: Re: Dinosaur hunt?

Yugblad — Sun, 31 May 2009 09:15:51 +0000

by Yugblad

cdwalkley wrote:
I'm feeling more than a little inspired by the amazing pictures posted by Yugblad...

How well does Gaslight handle dinosaur hunting scenarios? I have found plenty of free rules on the net for dino appearance and movement which I'm sure could be used, but does Gaslight have anything specific in the rule book?

That said, I think I would enjoy using these rules as a 'base' and house ruling anything not covered. That kind of DIY approach seems to fit well with the spirit of VSF gaming, I think!

Thanks
Chris

The rules for beasts are a catch-all, with everything from elephants to dinosaurs covered by a series of "animal" charts. The writers encourage you in this department to explore your own rules - which I've done by giving most dinosaurs extra hit points and higher save rolls.

Thanks for your comments. I'd also hugely enjoy it if others starting more regularly posting pictures of their own Gaslight adventures.

BTW, if anybody's interested in purchasing quality plastic/rubber pre-painted dinosaurs, they should check this website out:

http://www.everythingdinosaur.com/models-and-inflatables/car...

The owners, whom I've spoken to a couple of times, are very knowledgeable, and their range is much better compared to what you'd find at a common toy store.

Though, if you want to use a T-Rex like mine, you will have to find yourself the out-of-production Ral Partha lead model. Also, my Raptors were crafted by Copplestone Castings, but I don't think they make them anymore.

Reply: Gaslight:: General:: Re: Dinosaur hunt?

cdwalkley — Sun, 31 May 2009 06:33:11 +0000

by cdwalkley

I think I answered my own question after more internet searching.

Also found this: http://home.dejazzd.com/broadsword/Rivets_N_Steam/RS_Gasligh...

This might also be adaptable: http://www.perilplanet.com/web_images/Big%20Game%20Hunt.pdf

Chris

Thread: Gaslight:: General:: Dinosaur hunt?

cdwalkley — Sun, 31 May 2009 06:16:53 +0000

by cdwalkley

I'm feeling more than a little inspired by the amazing pictures posted by Yugblad...

How well does Gaslight handle dinosaur hunting scenarios? I have found plenty of free rules on the net for dino appearance and movement which I'm sure could be used, but does Gaslight have anything specific in the rule book?

That said, I think I would enjoy using these rules as a 'base' and house ruling anything not covered. That kind of DIY approach seems to fit well with the spirit of VSF gaming, I think!

Thanks
Chris

Reply: Gaslight:: General:: Re: UK availability?

cdwalkley — Sat, 30 May 2009 16:53:35 +0000

by cdwalkley

Great, thanks, Steve.

Chris

Reply: Gaslight:: General:: Re: UK availability?

SteveK2 — Sat, 30 May 2009 09:39:57 +0000

by SteveK2

Someone in the UK is selling a new copy on BGG marketplace. Go to the game page and expand the BGG Marketplace heading.

Thread: Gaslight:: General:: UK availability?

cdwalkley — Sat, 30 May 2009 09:27:13 +0000

by cdwalkley

Does anyone know where i can buy these rules in the uk? I can't find them on the usual websites i buy from, or after more extensive searching. It would be great if someone could point me in the right direction, or let of know if they have a copy for sale.

Thanks.