"Using Challenge Coins in Games" Topic

Challenge coins are unit identifiers for people who've been part of a close-knit group. Unit leaders will often reward members who've accomplished something by putting a challenge coin in their palm, and shaking the recipient's hand, turning their palm over to transfer the coin.

Some people keep them in their pockets as good luck charms or as "pocket bling." Others put them on their desks in holders.

In groups that tend to meet up regularly in bars, challenge coins are used for a "coin check" ritual: someone can call "coin check" and put his coin on the table. Everyone who has a corresponding challenge coin puts theirs on the table. If someone is supposed to have a coin but doesn't present it, they pay for the next round of drinks. If someone does a coin check and everyone presents, they pay for the next round of drinks.

One tradition that we want to start at Ad Astra Games is to use custom challenge coins as Mulligan chits with style. If, at any time, your opponent notices that you've been left hanging by a bad die roll, you can shake your opponent's hand, pass the coin, and re-roll that set of die rolls. You can only use each coin once per game, and your opponent can't pass the coin back to you: they've got to pass it on to someone else.

We'd also like to start a game demo tradition with the Ad Astra Games challenge coins. When you give a demo, pass on your challenge coin to a player who's very enthused about the game, and likely to go on demo the game themselves. The goal is that the coin gets passed from teacher to pupil as the game audience grows, so be sure to get a few extra to pass on.

This is the reason for the 3 coins for $50 USD level backer reward – so people who do demos can have a few extra to pass around to promising students and get the tradition going.

Here's the proof image for the Kickstarter challenge coins:

We thought some folks in the industry might be interested in the concept.

Find out all about the AVID Assistant app Kickstarter by Ad Astra Games!

What a crazy idea.

Not that crazy. Privateer Press has coins for all the Pressgangers (demo team members).

I keep one 'winged' SUBRON 19 coin in my wallet, and got handed several "attaboy" coins from other commands.

I'd love to start a Corvus Belli/Infinity coin, but I don't have the graphic design skills to design one.

Challenge Coins? Really…. This is a concept whose time has never come, and never will…

To the stars through difficulties? The motto of Kansas, though I'm starting to think NASA might want to adopt it.

By the way, I have three USAF Challenge Coins, though I refused to buy the one for my current organization, since I don't want to be identified with them.

Their design is rather elegant. Hmmm.

Grelber

"Per ardua" is "through difficulties"
"Per aspera" is "through our aspirations" or "through our endeavors"

And I had fun putting these together. I should do a tally to see if there are enough coins requested to make it worth doing a Ten Worlds design…

It all seems a bit silly or, worse, elitist to me.

Silly I'll grant – but how is it elitist?

You're buying something that you're going to give away to someone who's enthused about a game you taught them.

It's elitist in that it can be pointlessly exclusive.

It's also a silly, pointless, but also effective way to show gratitude or respect, even instill camaraderie or rivalry, without actually spending or doing anything worthwhile or meaningful otherwise.

I don't buy into them, I think they're cool to have overall, I like the Warmachine ones I have, but I don't go out of my way to get them. I will never participate in the dumber activities related them them either.

I don't know if this quote is accurate, but Napoleon put it best: "I have made the most wonderful discovery, I have discovered men will risk their lives, even die, for ribbons!"

In this case, it's a hunk of metal. That humans assign more meaning to than they're worth, and it's usually harmless, so I'm not concerned about it. But, in many cases those who have power and control can use that to get more out of people than they're paying them for.

Never heard of it. Must be an American thing ;-)

Seriously, it strikes me as something that has some value in close groups such as the military, with a certain spirit of "brotherhood" instilled.
But in the gaming community, which is widely dispersed and balkanized?

Might work well in gaming clubs or tournaments centered on a specific game system.

My P.P.C.L.I. coin has not left my wallet in over twenty years. Phil seems to have the right of it.

Whatever floats your boat.

I do not go to equestrian events that are judged. I only go those that are scored.

So far from what's described all it means is your friends with some guy who likes you and gave you a token= that is judged.

It's also a silly, pointless, but also effective way to show gratitude or respect, even instill camaraderie or rivalry, without actually spending or doing anything worthwhile or meaningful otherwise.

Challenge Coins cost the command about $5 USD each, depends on how many you get made in one batch.

Doing the paperwork for an award takes no money, just time.

And handing someone a command coin (say, at the Navy Birthday Ball) gets EXPENSIVE. Because you only carry one coin on you. See Ad Astra's comment about "coin checks" and who pays for the next round of beverages.

So the folks who already like the game enough to demo it, have to pay $50 USD for the honor of three coins to give away?

So the folks who already like the game enough to demo it, have to pay $50.00 USD for the honor of three coins to give away?

Like I said, a crazy idea!

My experience has been with unit (military) coins. They are given out to people outside the organization when you want to recognize that person for an outstanding contribution to the unit. Usually the commander of the unit gives them out. In gaming its just silly to give out coins.

On a slightly different note. When I run any of my Zulu War games at a Convention I give each player on the winning side a miniature version of the Victoria Cross. They cost about $5.00 USD each and I usually have about half a dozen on hand to give out.
I give them out as an atta-boy and something to remember the game by. Nothing more.
As far as military coins go, I have both given and received several during my years in the infantry. In my personal experience it is an incredible motivator when a high ranking officer watches a private bust his ass during training and then comes foreward to tell him he is doing an outstanding job and that he matters, and then hands him a coin with a hand shake. Just Sayin.

Jim

I remember in the army, this was back in the 80's, you always had to have your unit coin on you – at any time an nco could yell coin check! and if you didn't have it within arms reach you had to drop and knock out 50 push-ups, or if you were in a bar you had to buy a round. I had about 6 different coins I had been given in the 8 years I was in. Still carry a coin in my wallet and still have coins from 1/509th Vicenza, 4/325th ABCT, 2/325th ABCT and 82nd Abn Div.

On a slightly different note. When I run any of my Zulu War games at a Convention I give each player on the winning side a miniature version of the Victoria Cross. They cost about $5.00 USD USD each and I usually have about half a dozen on hand to give out.
I give them out as an atta-boy and something to remember the game by. Nothing more.

The Wargame Developments team do something similar at UK shows. Only their medals are made of paper. Still the same kudos, but at a fraction of the price!

As an item within a framework of formal appreciation or award, even limited only to the personal, I get it. I fully understand Legionairre 22's efforts with the miniature medals. It is a very nice thing to do and highly appreciated. At the HMGS cons I used to give out a Society of Daisy Medal (awarded for whimsy and humor in a game) the GM, and such as Howard Whitehouse and Walt Ohara got one.

I like to give out thank yous to gamers who play the game and attempt to do well. I once gave out certificates and the like. Still look for things to give out. It's fun and doing something nice for people is sui-generis a good thing.

I don't get the "fall down and give me 20 or 50" and some of the other mumbo-jumbo people talk about.

I always give out copies of the rules and game materials.

I'm going to have to say this has gone way off topic.

Personally, while I've no interest in the coins, they don't offend me, even if the company is floggin' them. Well, I suppose at a full profit they might, a bit.

Still, I'm going to start another thread, and suggest you all take everything not about Ad Astra's promotion there.

Doug

Edit: I'll leave off the 'crowdfunding' board, as that doesn't seem appropriate in the tack this conversation is taking.

Note that the "full profit" here is as a backer reward for a crowdfunding program – I'm using the "profit" here to make other things.

I don't get the "fall down and give me 20 or 50" and some of the other mumbo-jumbo people talk about.

That would be "Drop and give me 10…"

Me thinks you never humped a ruck, or busted track, etc….
If you did, then you would understand….

I do recall that my old NG armor unit tried to resurrect the challenge coin idea (and dumped it after everybody said 'stuff it' (or words to that effect)). With nearly everyone being prior service, the concept was well known and NOT welcomed… (And yes, I've muscled more than my share of busted tracks…)

Given the context, they seem rather silly to me.

I have my stack of coins from being in the military and coins in the military are one thing but in gaming I just don't see it sorry.

Too pricey. Make them hexagonal and out of plastic and turn them into miniatures stands. Give them away as bonuses with a purchase. If you have one, the mini gets a once per game 'do over' on a die roll or something.

I'm with War Monkey--my military career turned me off of these tokens, as a matter of fact (but there are certainly others who feel otherwise).

I repeat, instead of resurrecting this thread, find/start another and make alternate suggestions for engaging demos for new players.

Be the glass half full!

And, yes, I'm a bleeding-heart liberal…

Doug

Okay, I'll go with the half full concept, How about special figures that one can only get for actually gaming at such events. New players gets into the game and when he/she finish the game win or lose they get the figure, that would help set the hook, Now they have something they could really use in gaming or inspire them to look further into the game.

I know manufactures of figures give out free stuff from time to time Ion Age for example for just buy from them why not this concept if your trying to get new gamers involved at events.

Yup, silly elitist idea.

Here's an idea. Put on a nice game. Be inviting. Be informative. Maybe that would engage new players…

Got coins, earned them all over Europe, the US, and south Central Asia (Afghanistan)…. Me, I'd rather have a bottle of a good vintage. Nothing says I'm having a good time better, than a glass of good wine.

Challenge coins have arrived!

Sorry for the bad photography. Ken says that he's still learning how to use the camera on his phone.

Regarding the rewards for the Kickstarter, Ken is most of the way through the backerkit setup, but he's got a bunch of challenge coins waiting to be mailed out.

Ken will also be at BaltiCon this coming holiday weekend and will deliver backer rewards to two backers while he's there. If you're coming, reply to this update and we'll see if Ken can deliver more goodies while he's out there.

How about special figures that one can only get for actually gaming at such events.

Sorry I missed this comment before. I do remember that was one of things that made me kick myself when I didn't get into Silent Death con game where they were giving away figs.

Even them later being available for direct purchase didn't stop me wishing I'd got them sooner.

Doug

How about special figures that one can only get for actually gaming at such events.

Event exclusive miniatures are not going to encourage participation to any statistically significant degree, but *are* quite likely to annoy those who cannot attend. For a niche game that only has these events at one or two shows, the pool of potentially annoyed and now formerly-potential customers becomes quite large. I've seen several arguments about whether this "sweetens the pot" or "poisons the well", but only the market can truly decide.