In one of my games, players have an awful lot of information to work with. Yet surprisingly easy to learn, if they take the time. (I got simple designs and missions for that, please don't worry)
I use tables to keep track. But I want to add more units to the game. To do this, I want to use unit symbols. These are connected to a new design.
Players play with the unit symbols. And where one player has an infantry symbol for a simply rifle man. Another player might choose to place this symbol on a marine design instead. Players also could share the same design.
In a way, all players would be using the same pieces on the board, but each player would have their own piece with different strengths.
I was thinking in using cards with all the information for one unit design each. Then a symbol is placed on this card. And players know who is using that design.
However, I have perhaps to much information to place on a card?
Perhaps making bigger cards? What would be a right size?
The cards themselves are only information cards. There is no other handling with them.
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The following is all the possible information that a card would hold.
Unit name
Picture of the unit
Group of units
Number; ###X/###X
Costs; #####
> Stats; #####
> Size ; #####
Armor; ### XXXX
Health; ####
Durability; #
Speed; ## XX
--> Multiplier; ## XXX
--> Accuracy; #
--> Damage; ### XX-X
--> Range; #
XP-Health; #####
--> XP-Weapon; #####
XP-Speed; #####
--> XP-Range; #####
Here, # are numbers.
And X are extra characters used on rare occasions.
> Are also rarely used. These 2 pieces of information are perhaps better fit for a special box of information instead?
--> Can be duplicated and contain different additional information! This when an unit has 2 (or more) weapons. I also though of putting these in one clean line any way.
I have a colourfull dirty prototype. That slowly has been build up. Each aspect tested. And now I Try to get rid of something clumsy. The table with these numbers.
I am not introducing new mechanics. If that is what you think. It wont get harder either to learn. Once a player knows how range and speed and paying xp works. They can use any number to work with?
And the only new stuff would be different numbers in a table.
I only thought to make things easier by replacing the information table with cards.
Does it help picturing that a player will be having about 12 cards on the table? Instead of 3 lists to search in?
Adding no more units? Tell that to MtG :)