Since I played at my FLGS once with the sandstorm scenario, I've been thinking of other possible arena effects
Obviously, the likes of Hoth, etc. present many opportunities for things like hailstorms, etc. Could probably spice up the scenarios using these
The following suggested arena effects are to be used along with a roll before/after initiative, which can be left to the players' discretion.
You could also rearrange the roll sequences to introduce some variation
* All movement changing situations apply in addition to the existing rules for difficult terrain and low objects---
Hailstorm (for snowy scenarios such as on Echo Base)
- Roll less than 6: Mild hail and sleet (Characters moving more than their speed must move two extra squares at the end of their turn, and the extra movement is dictated by one of the opposing players).
- Roll of 6 to 10: Moderate hail and snow (All character movement ranges are reduced by two squares; that is, if a character with Speed 6 is moving and attacking, it can only move four squares)
- Roll of 11 to 15: Hailstorm (All characters may only move up to their speed, no targeting characters further than twelve squares away, and all characters not in buildings at the end of the round take 10 damage each, save 11)
- Roll 16 and above: Severe hailstorm (All characters may only move up to half of their speed, no targeting characters further than 6 squares away, and all characters not in buildings at the end of the round take 10 damage each, save 16)
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Meltdown (for damaged reactors or other such scenarios)
- Roll less than 6: Minor malfunctions (No effects)
- Roll 6 to 10: Random electrical discharge (Each time any character uses a non-melee attack, or the special abilities Grenades/Missiles/Flamethrower, they must roll a save of 6. Failing the save causes them to take 10 damage)
- Roll 11 to 15: Ionic interference (Each time any character uses a non-melee attack, or the special abilities Grenades/Missiles/Flamethrower, they must roll a save of 11. Failing the save causes them to take 10 damage. All droids take 10 damage at the end of the round, save 11)
- Roll 16 and above: Radioactive hazard (Each time any character uses a non-melee attack, or the special abilities Grenades/Missiles/Flamethrower, they must roll a save of 11. Failing the save causes them to take 20 damage. All living characters take 10 damage at the end of the round, save 11)
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Bog (for swampy scenarios, maybe JC's Felucia map)
* Characters with Flight are exempted from the following restrictions.
- Roll less than 6: Muddy terrain (No effects)
- Roll 6 to 10: Morass (All character movement ranges are reduced by two squares; that is, if a character with Speed 6 is moving and attacking, it can only move four squares. All characters with Wheeled or that want to use Wheel Form must make a save of 11 to move)
- Roll 11 to 15: Quicksand (All characters may only move up to their speed. Characters with Wheeled or Wheel Form may not move, Levitate has no effect)
- Roll 16 and above: Inland swamp (All characters may only move up to half of their speed. Characters with Wheeled or Wheel Form may not move. Levitate has no effect. Droids take 10 damage at the end of the round, save 6)
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Chemical leaks (can fit a wide range of scenarios)
* If you want droids to take damage also, you could use corrosive agents instead of poison for the scenario
- Roll less than 6: Normal atmosphere (No effects)
- Roll 6 to 10: Mild contamination (All living characters take 10 damage at the end of the round, save 6)
- Roll 11 to 15: Moderate contamination (All living characters take 10 damage at the end of the round, save 11)
- Roll 16 and above: Severe contamination (All living characters take 10 damage at the end of the round, save 16)
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So those were just some of the elements that I could think of, to make the games a little more fun
Imagine if say, the arena itself killed off all the Mouse Droids and Ugnaughts - would throw a wrench into EVERYONE'S plans XD
Of course, it'd make the game even more random and dice-dependent, but I figured we're all here for the fun of it, anyway
Thoughts?