Home - Field Owners - Game Notes - Sniper (Observations & Suggestions)

Game Notes: Sniper

     This game is a great way to play with a small (3-6) player group, although the BFL codex reports that it's runable with up to 16. The trick with the game is having good snipers to control the pace of the game.

Observations

• Most players that are thrown in the role of sniper will hide forever and take half an hour or more to find. Make sure that you emphasize that it's the sniper's job to make sure that they kill hunters, not the hunters' job to find the sniper.

• Don't have as many guns as Australia? Neither do I. Sure, it's ideal if you can keep the long guns out of the hands of hunters, but don't worry too much if it does happen. If you end up putting anything bigger than a Commando in the hands of a hunter just make an announcement reminding folks that a skilled sniper might choose to open fire on that player from closer up. It encourages the players to think about the strengths and weaknesses of the gaming gun they're carrying.

• This seems to be a favorite game with players at our field, but people only request it if there are too few people to play a larger, more complicated game. Given the excitement that the games generate I think that this is less a function of liking Sniper less and more a function of wanting to play the biggest, most complicated game they can.

• The most difficult part of this game seems to be maintaining good formation as players pass through brush. Although BFS recommends using a patrol formation I find that a staggered box is often easier for players to maintain.

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Administration Suggestions

• Snipers and hunters both will push the limits in this game because they're either a) trying to hide somewhere new or b) wondering if the sniper hid somewhere new. Remind players of the play area limits. Encourage them to stay well within the boundaries for a faster, more fun game.

• Since you're probably playing this with fewer people, don't be afraid to be the first sniper yourself. Set a precedent for the sniper putting pressure on the hunters. The more intense you can make the first round the more likely they'll want to play the game a second time.

• If you have honest players you can let them respawn themselves. Set out two cups, one filled with coins, glass beads, etc. and let them transfer one counter from the full cup to the empty cup every time they respawn themselves.

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How do you run your FFA games? E-mail mike@mikescombatgames.com and let us know.