Free Agent?

[Omega]

I saw the Free Agent application on the site and have some questions.

1. Why join? I can't find any information on why one would join the program. Am I missing something?
2. Seriously they want a picture of you? That must be a joke. Right?
3. They ask you to have both starters for demoing and although I have lots of painted figures, I have only one starter. Does anyone still think the starters are the best way to teach this game? Now that the hardcover rules are available can't we just admit there are more balanced figs to demo the game with?

I have started an informal AT league/demo night and was looking for support on this site. I saw the Free Agent application and thought "Hey, that probably will give tips on demoing or help in some way". So I was a little disappointed at the lack of info.

Any Free Agents out there with tips on starting up a local play group? Or suggestions on tourney ideas for new players? I have nearly a dozen people interested and we have our first "painting party" next week. Nearly half of my group are new players and they need to get figs assembled and painted before we can play. But after that I want to start casual tourneys. I'd love to hear suggestions from anyone who has already learned the ropes.

[warlorddawg]

1. Why join? I can't find any information on why one would join the program. Am I missing something?
2. Seriously they want a picture of you? That must be a joke. Right?
3. They ask you to have both starters for demoing and although I have lots of painted figures, I have only one starter. Does anyone still think the starters are the best way to teach this game? Now that the hardcover rules are available can't we just admit there are more balanced figs to demo the game with?

1) FREE STUFF! If you're running demos, tournaments and promoting the game, we are compensated. 
2) I don't think I submitted a pic of myself, just my figs.
3) With more figures out since the game was started Joel may let you slide on this. You'd have to ask him.

I have started an informal AT league/demo night and was looking for support on this site. I saw the Free Agent application and thought "Hey, that probably will give tips on demoing or help in some way". So I was a little disappointed at the lack of info.

Any Free Agents out there with tips on starting up a local play group? Or suggestions on tourney ideas for new players? I have nearly a dozen people interested and we have our first "painting party" next week. Nearly half of my group are new players and they need to get figs assembled and painted before we can play. But after that I want to start casual tourneys. I'd love to hear suggestions from anyone who has already learned the ropes.

Actually you sound like you're off to a great start! Getting the a group together to assemble figs talk about the game, very nice.

I think the game plays best with scenarios, annihilation gets old after a while. Me and friends have made up scenarios on the fly, but capture the flag is a good one. There's also the Super Natural Weapon scenario found here:

http://phildeb.wordpress.com/world-of-gaia/scenario-1-the-supernatural-weapon-quest/

Also Free for Alls, 4 plays on a table at the same time. Objective of some kind in the center of the table.

200 pts is good starting point. At that point lvl people have a chance to get enough variety on the table as well get the mechanics down. 

Hope this Helps.

[Omega]

Thanks warlorddawg.

I also was thinking 200 points would be best for teaching the game at the beginning. I want to move to 300 ASAP so some of the players can use the leaders they bought.

So how does the Free for all Objective 4-way game work? I assume each player starts on one of the 4 sides of the map but what is the Objective worth? I guess you could play it like the "Nodes" scenario from the rules (pg 38) except that instead of 5 nodes there is just one.

And I love the "Scenario 1 : The Supernatural Weapon quest". Thanks! I will be trying that out will 4 players per table. That should be pretty crazy. Also is the miniature of the Supernatural Weapon (pictured at the bottom of that scenario page) a home-brew creation or is that for sale somewhere?

Thanks again for your help!

[Sallust]

What kind of teaching? For a friend or demos to strangers?

If you're demoing to strangers I would stick to 100 or 150 points in order to keep the pace moving quickly. This can allow people to see how half a game would go in half an hour with the elaborate explanations you may need to make.

[Omega]

Yes I am talking about teaching the game to people who have a vested interest in playing a full game and already own several figures. They aren't just looking for a quick demo. They want to know how all their figs work.

But I can see what you are saying about the demoing. Passerbys probably just want a  quick overview in the shortest possible time. I can worry about those sort of demos later as the retail space we are playing in opens officially later this month. For now its just about getting nearly a 8-9 people up and running with the new rules so they can use their figs.

Thanks!

[warlorddawg]

So how does the Free for all Objective 4-way game work? I assume each player starts on one of the 4 sides of the map but what is the Objective worth? I guess you could play it like the "Nodes" scenario from the rules (pg 38) except that instead of 5 nodes there is just one.

It really depends, We placed a piece of terrain in the center of the board, being on the terrain scored you points person with the most points win, pretty neat as Reinhold moved the terrain the marker was on closer to him! Node(s) also works. The goal is go give the players something to battle for in the center of the table. Supernatural weapon scenario would work there as well.

I used a WarMachine DoomReaver's sword to make my supernatural weapon.

[Kuro]

Dear Omega,

Here's my take on your questions:
 

1. Why join? I can't find any information on why one would join the program. Am I missing something?

I applied because I loved the game and wanted to introduce people to it, and by becoming a Free Agent you act sort of like the middle man between Cipher Studios and your local community: helping new gamers to get to know the rules, being available if they have questions about painting, setting up tournaments; those sort of things.

2. Seriously they want a picture of you? That must be a joke. Right?

Nope, they really want a picture of you. Now that I've grown a beard and have longer hair I look nothing like I did when I gave them my old picture though . Time to update!

Any Free Agents out there with tips on starting up a local play group? Or suggestions on tourney ideas for new players? I have nearly a dozen people interested and we have our first "painting party" next week. Nearly half of my group are new players and they need to get figs assembled and painted before we can play. But after that I want to start casual tourneys. I'd love to hear suggestions from anyone who has already learned the ropes.

Since the Netherlands still lacks the rulebook, I can't really give tips on that. Based on what I've read so far, I'd start out with the rules from the little rulebook accompanying the starters. this teaches them the basics and you can actually start playing within five minutes. From there on build up the game introducing the rules from the new rulebook. That way players won't get overwhelmed with to much new things at the same time. 150 levels would be great to start them out with, adding more levels as you work through the additional rules.

Hope this helps and with regards,

Kuro

[Omega]

Thanks for the tips Kuro. This community is very helpful!

I have been showing this game off to friends and fellow gamers since it first came out and never really thought about telling Cipher. So I was just curious what prompted others to jump through the hoops and actually sign up as a Free Agent. I didn't really see any benefits to myself or my fellow gamers so I just wanted to get some feedback from actual Free Agents.

[Farin]

I'm just starting to get into the game, I know the rules very well and have both starters and a few other figures. There isnt a big group in this area.  Is there an experience level needed for being a Free Agent?

[Sljee]

I just submitted the Free Agent App, but I'm not sure if it went through.  The first time I tried it said the pic files were too big.  Are we supposed to get some sort of confirmation email?  If so, when should I look for it?

***Update: My app went through, and I got a response super fast.  Now for non-stop Anima!