OK, here is the start of 40K Vassel and Cincinnati Arsenal Gaming. In this post I will give what you need to get started playing this wonderful program and hopefully how to enjoy it. If you want to see what it looks like just click on the "Battle Report" link in my signature.

Let me start by saying that this will not replace going to the store and playing a few games. What I am hoping to do is get people involved so we can use it as a tool. With Vassal you have every available unit in the 40K universe at your fingertips. You can play test any army you like without having to by the models up front. All you need is the Rulebook, Codex, and someone else to play. I have also used it to generate some random battle scenarios to see how they may turn out with using one unit versus another. Being able to use it in a campaign situation is going to be HUGE. One reason we can not get a good campaign running is lack of time and schedules. Think about it you could in theory play a game 24/7. People like Matt who travel a lot or Wayno who lives far away could play with people they know just like they were sitting in the same room. They could play in the campaign here at home even being across the country. Now if that isn't community I don't know what is.

Vassal 40K is pretty easy to learn and it's lightweight on the computer for some worried that they may have older computers and such. I would also like to propose using Ventrilo. This is a on-line program that allows you to join a private chat server (owned by me) where just people from our gaming group can go to chill and talk just like you would if you were at the game store. To use Ventrilo you need either a desktop microphone with desktop speakers or a gamer style headset. This is usually the easy part seeing how 90% of computers come with the desktop version. I prefer a headset because it keeps down the background interference a desktop will pick up, but that is just personal preference.

This program has a variety of uses. If you are having a good game and have to go pick the kids up or its dinner time you can save your game and reschedule a time to come back and finish it you could also just let it sit there and take a 10, 15, or 30 minute break. One important feature I forgot is that you can Observe games. Say Matt and JTPitt are going at it in a game of Annihilation you can just hop on and watch them play. You can see the board, watch the moves, see the rolls and damage as it happens. If you are in Vent just join their channel and it's like you all are standing around the table at the store.

As you can see I like this program I want to use it and I think the more people that try it will like it also. I said earlier that it is easy to use I wasn't lying, once you get by how to manipulate the sprite and learn a few short cuts everything else is down hill.

If you want help learning to play or setting it up PM me and we can set something up to get you on board. Below is link to everything you need to get started. Just load it up, find a friend and go to it.

**Also as a courtesy please allow enough time to play a game just as you would if you were out. Games still take about 2+ hours depending on your skill level just like in the game store. It is easy to get distracted at the house so please be aware you are not the only one investing time into being there to play.

Summery:
1. I will help anyone who want to learn to play. Just PM me a time and we will work to get it done.
2. On your end, you need the Vassal Engine, 40K Module, Ventrilo, either a desktop microphone or a headset, 750 point 40K list and about 1 1/2 - 2 hours.

If anyone needs help setting up Ventrilo just PM me with questions and we will try to work it out. If you need help setting up Vassal we will get Ventrilo working and do it without all this damn typing.

LINKS:
Vassal Engine
Vassal 40K Module
Vassel 40K Install Guide <---READ THIS THOROUGHLY
Ventrilo (Download the latest Client version)

Ventrilo Server Information:
Server Name: Name it what ever you like
Hostname or IP: ventrilo4.va.powervs.com
Port Number: 5050
Password: no password

This server is currently unused so it will just be CAG players but there are still a few rules that apply.

Server Rules: Have respect for the other people in there, It can get as nasty and raunchy as you like, but if there are other people in the same channel as you you need to keep it clean especially if there are minors. If you have a problem with someone PM their username and I will talk to them, and if a warning is needed I will tell them. If it persists I will ban them.

The avanced setup is used to balance out all users. No matter what mic or adjustments they have everyone should be consistent to you.

Advanced Ventrilo Configuration:
1. Go to Setup
2. Hit the SFX button on the first tab.
3. Add Compressor

Compressor Setup:
Gain = 15 (adjust this if people are to loud or soft)
Attack = 0.01
Release = ~500
Threshold = -30
Ratio = 100
Pre Delay = 4