What's on your table right now?

[GJK]

Very nice looking game.  What would you say the complexity level is of this series?

[panzerde]

Very nice looking game.  What would you say the complexity level is of this series?

I'm only a couple of turns into it, but I'd say it's a medium complexity game. It seems more complex on the surface than it actually is, once you get playing.


It is very much an Operational scale game, but right down at the point where it could be seen as Grand Tactical. I think that can be confusing for players because the combat results are not tactical in outcome at all - lots of DR results unless you bring overwhelming force or maneuver to cut retreat paths, for example. The CRT is pretty bloodless.


But man, the maps are great and the OOBs and scenarios are about as accurate as they come.

[GJK]

It's very nice looking.  Looks to be about brigade level it appears.  I'll have to look in to this- I've heard a lot of good things about this series so it may be my entry level in to Napoleonics some day.

[panzerde]

Correct, most units are brigades. I've noticed a couple of division-sized units, but those tend to be light cavalry or other more specialist type units.

I think it's probably a good introduction to Napoleonic warfare for someone like you that has a lot of experience with similar games. You won't find it terribly different from the Civil War Brigade Series, I suspect. For someone completely new to it, I'd probably steer them toward the Napoleonic 20 series from Victory Point.

[GJK]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking- it seems very reminiscent of the CWBS games which I very much enjoy so this one would probably be right up my alley.  Cool!

[Barthheart]

One of my gaming buddies just took delivery of Halo Fleet Battles: The Fall of Reach







Looks pretty frakkin cool!  :D

[panzerde]

Wow. That is impressive!

[Barthheart]

Wow. That is impressive!

So's the price... $120 USD plus shipping.... glad he paid fer this one...   O0

[Nefaro]

Hope you guys have plenty space for mini battles.  Judging by the size of those ship minis and cardboard planets, you'll need it.   :o

[LongBlade]

Hope you guys have plenty space for mini battles.  Judging by the size of those ship minis and cardboard planets, you'll need it.   :o

I don't know about this game, but most of Spartan's games are designed for "standard" minis tables: 4' x 8'.

Let us know how it plays!

[Barthheart]

Hope you guys have plenty space for mini battles.  Judging by the size of those ship minis and cardboard planets, you'll need it.   :o

I don't know about this game, but most of Spartan's games are designed for "standard" minis tables: 4' x 8'.

Let us know how it plays!

With pics even!  O0

[Nefaro]

Hope you guys have plenty space for mini battles.  Judging by the size of those ship minis and cardboard planets, you'll need it.   :o

I don't know about this game, but most of Spartan's games are designed for "standard" minis tables: 4' x 8'.

Let us know how it plays!

Doesn't sound too bad, then. 

The components look pretty big in the shots above, but it all depends on the rules doesn't it?  Speaking of... the "Core Rulebook" looks pretty hefty.  I'm intrigued as to how much depth this has.

[LongBlade]

The components look pretty big in the shots above, but it all depends on the rules doesn't it?  Speaking of... the "Core Rulebook" looks pretty hefty.  I'm intrigued as to how much depth this has.

I don't have any info on Halo, but if history is any guide, Spartan uses similar rule sets between its games. If you've played Dystopian Wars, Firestorm Armada, or Uncharted Seas I suspect you'll find a family resemblance.

These are all solid games. Weapons sometimes have arcs but at other times act like beams which only have the width of the side being shot from. So you may get a quarter of an inch going forward or a couple of inches from the port or starboard sides.

There's also a cool mechanic of "exploding dice." Not unique, but it does add some excitement to the game. Attack rolls use a d6. If you roll a six you score a hit (or do damage, there are two rolls) and then you get to roll again. I cannot tell you how much fun it is to toss a bunch of dice, see sixes turn up, and then start rolling again to produce more sixes. That may be half the fun, actually. Makes the game very social and conducive to trash talk. 

[Barthheart]

I've read that the rule book is 128pages, but the first 60 or so are background story, history and pieces description. The actual rules are also full of pictures so it's not as heavy as it seems.

I'm trying to arrange our first session soon. :D

[LongBlade]

I've read that the rule book is 128pages, but the first 60 or so are background story, history and pieces description. The actual rules are also full of pictures so it's not as heavy as it seems.

Sounds familiar.

Keep us posted after you get a game in.