Author Topic: Paper cipher wheels (Read 3146 times)

providence13 · « **on:** November 22, 2010, 03:06:33 PM »

A long time ago in the 1980's, Dragon put out a Combat Aid Paper Wheel.
Stack a few paper circles with cut out windows so different numbers can line up and you have circular tables and charts that take up less space. Push a pin in the middle and give to the players.

Has anyone used paper wheels for RM?
I print out tables for the group, but that's more for them to shuffle through while I want them to game. If I can combine a couple into a paper wheel, it might be easier to use.

Here's one for reporting epidemic outbreaks..
http://www.mobileactive.org/it-without-software-innovations-mobile-data-collection-guest-post-nicolas-di-tada

Kenzer & Co have one for the Hackmaster Line (IIRC this is almost identical to the 1980's TSR)
http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product_info.php?products_id=20997&it=1&filters=0_0_0_31811_0

I'm going make something and post pics.

Thom @ ICE · « **Reply #1 on:** November 22, 2010, 03:18:30 PM »

I remember those, and yes, they were cool. I look forward to see what you come up with.

markc · « **Reply #2 on:** November 22, 2010, 03:36:21 PM »

Believe it or not I still have mine in a box around here somewhere. I saw it about a month ago when I was doing some repacking.
MDC

Marc R · « **Reply #3 on:** November 22, 2010, 07:09:19 PM »

there was a time when those were real popular as the cypher key for copy protection for games.

DangerMan · « **Reply #4 on:** November 23, 2010, 06:38:48 AM »

I dont get it, and was in diapers in the 80's... How/why do you use these? At what function?

Marc R · « **Reply #5 on:** November 23, 2010, 06:44:51 AM »

It's like a round peice of cardstock, with another round piece on top. . .with a rivet in the center that holds the two sheets together, and allows them to be rotated.

The bottom sheet has stuff printed on it, the top sheet has little holes cut in it so as you turn it, different bits of what's printed on the back sheet are shown. Often you'd turn to match up markings around the edge, then read what's revealed. . .sort of a round version of a kinda slide rule.

Sometimes found, even now, in a cereal box, called a "Secret decoder". That clarify?

Marc R · « **Reply #6 on:** November 23, 2010, 06:47:34 AM »

Here's pictures, which might help:

Click Me

Thom @ ICE · « **Reply #7 on:** November 23, 2010, 07:41:43 AM »

For game purposes (using HARP) you could build that so that you set one wheel on your roll result (after OB, DB, modifiers, etc.) and then a second wheel on your attack type (Crush, Slash, Puncture, etc.). The windows would then show the strike results (concussion hits, stun, bleeds, penalties, etc.)

It removes the book and flipping through pages from the game.

yammahoper · « **Reply #8 on:** November 23, 2010, 07:50:50 AM »

For RM, would have to be a fairly big wheel.

Last one I remember was in CAR WARS.

Which means I will looking at wheelchairs soon enough.

Thom @ ICE · « **Reply #9 on:** November 23, 2010, 07:51:40 AM »

Wheelchairs and CAR WARS mentioned in the same post - now there's a new product idea!

DangerMan · « **Reply #10 on:** November 23, 2010, 08:29:46 AM »

Quote from: Thom @ ICE on November 23, 2010, 07:41:43 AM

For game purposes (using HARP) you could build that so that you set one wheel on your roll result (after OB, DB, modifiers, etc.) and then a second wheel on your attack type (Crush, Slash, Puncture, etc.). The windows would then show the strike results (concussion hits, stun, bleeds, penalties, etc.)

It removes the book and flipping through pages from the game.

Quote from: yammahoper on November 23, 2010, 07:50:50 AM

For RM, would have to be a fairly big wheel.

I see.. (mind boggles). Big wheel indeed!

Tolen · « **Reply #11 on:** November 23, 2010, 11:52:53 AM »

It would only be really large if you insisted on trying to include every weapon table on a single wheel. If, however, you made one wheel per weapon chart...(perhaps putting one weapon per side in a multi-wheel configuration)

It could be a handy little thing to have around for some.

While we're talking about it, you could make a wheel for the moving maneuver table and each of the static maneuver tables as well. If you took the idea to the extreme, anyway.

yammahoper · « **Reply #12 on:** November 23, 2010, 07:42:11 PM »

Perhaps...but I want the system to steer away from tables and deal with target numbers.

For example, all routine mnvs succeed at 40. Or GM simple anounces number. I'm open to debate.

Other rules could include "if within 10 of target number, near success occurs, if within 20 of target number, partial success occurs, missing target number by 21+ indivates failure. Failure by 50 or greater indicates spectacular failure..." Etcetera.

Less tables, less intimidating to new players is the idea.

Cory Magel · « **Reply #13 on:** November 23, 2010, 08:50:50 PM »

Quote from: Marc R on November 22, 2010, 07:09:19 PM

there was a time when those were real popular as the cypher key for copy protection for games.

lol... I remember that! I still think one of the best forms of protection was when there was a huge manual and the protection was "Page X, Line X, Word X".

Marc R · « **Reply #14 on:** November 23, 2010, 09:11:49 PM »

If I recall, my last cypher wheel game was a Zork game. . .can't remember which one.

Pirates. . ."in 1579, when did the silver train arrive in Panama? P43"

providence13 · « **Reply #15 on:** November 27, 2010, 12:59:19 AM »

OK,
I've made a cipher for the short bow.
AT 1-20 are around the outer edge of the largest wheel. Each block of AT takes up about 18 degrees of the 360 degree wheel.

Under each AT are the hit and crit results. Just like in the book.
The top wheel, facing towards user has a window cut out to reveal the specific results. To the left of the window are the 45 different results from the roll w/ mods. 148-150, 145-147, 142-144, etc. all the way down to the center of the circle.

Spin the top wheel to the AT and read down the chart.
It's nothing fancy, but I can't seem to load any pics.. they just display in my browser (Google Chrome).

Will try again later.
Eventually I'd like to put the Puncture crits on the back..

rdanhenry · « **Reply #16 on:** November 27, 2010, 01:25:24 AM »

It seems the wheel would be cumbersomely large (or the print eyestrainingly small).

Thom @ ICE · « **Reply #17 on:** November 27, 2010, 11:40:12 AM »

Quote from: providence13 on November 27, 2010, 12:59:19 AM

It's nothing fancy, but I can't seem to load any pics.. they just display in my browser (Google Chrome).
Will try again later.

There are some restrictions as to what can be attached to the forum posts. Your best bet is to use the vault to upload the file and simply post a link here.

ironmaul · « **Reply #18 on:** November 29, 2010, 03:00:15 PM »

What a fantastic idea! I look forward to seeing some pics, Prov.

providence13 · « **Reply #19 on:** November 29, 2010, 08:28:38 PM »

Having some trouble with the Vault.. I'm sure it's me.

These links should work to public access pics from FB.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=31598767&l=af16f5a1d1&id=1019664895

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=31598766&l=088c013429&id=1019664895

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=31606341&l=534eec52b1&id=1019664895

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=31606340&l=e8a68b6675&id=1019664895

These are just proof of concept designs. The shortbow table was first. Having 45 different die results was a pain. Has to be a better way.

The Fire/Icebolt Cipher worked out ok. I cut these out of folder stock using a wine tool. The transparent window is a comic book protector sleeve glued onto one side.

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Author Topic: Paper cipher wheels (Read 3146 times)