Two Tea Break cards

[Tom Ballou]

I’ve never tried this. How does it work, do you get all the affects of a tea break, but the end of the turn?

[Truscott Trotter]

IIRC you do not take a tea break until the second card turns up

[Archdukek]

It works exactly as TT says. The first Tea Break card is ignored. All the normal Tea Break rules apply when the second card is drawn ending the Turn.

Using a second Tea Break card means that the probability of any other Big Man, Platoon or Support card appearing in a Turn increases from 50% to 66% so you will have more activations and less friction.

John

[Tom Ballou]

Thanks guys, I was reading too much into it.

Not sure it buys you anything.

[Archdukek]

Thanks guys, I was reading too much into it.

Not sure it buys you anything.

Tom,
I've found it helpful to tempt people to play who find the friction of a single Tea Break card too much to swallow. On average you can activate more units each turn giving the player a greater sense of control.

John

[Tom Ballou]

Yeah but it’s an illusion, the first card does nothing.

[Truscott Trotter]

Erm the first card warns you the kettle is boiling

....... you now know the second card could be coming along whereas in the 'normal' game you would now be sitting down to a cuppa and a wad

[Tom Ballou]

Fair enough, I can it see from a psychological point of view. But the players should always be expecting a tea break.

From a demonstration game POV, better for one or two?

[Archdukek]

Tom,
Having 2 Tea Break cards does do something, it isn't an illusion. It increases the probability of any Big Man or Unit card being drawn from 50% to 66% so on average more units will be activated in a Turn if you use 2 Tea Break cards. Basically all the cards drawn between the first Tea Break card's appearance and the second card emerging can be played this Turn.

As for demonstration games, it comes down to how comfortable your players are likely to be with the friction caused by not being in full control of their units. One Tea Break card is easier to explain than two, but using a second card can be less painful for newbies. As TT says they get some warning that the turn may end soon.

John

[Tom Ballou]

I’m going to be using Command Flags, so it might make players decisions easier.