tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post5683548220576923294..comments2024-03-24T00:19:48.310-07:00Comments on Delta Vector: Why do Aerial Wargames Suck?evilleMonkeighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11998198938697175335noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-56885545799730269842023-07-31T03:52:20.730-07:002023-07-31T03:52:20.730-07:00Perhaps Air Scarmush might be of interest to you, ...Perhaps Air Scarmush might be of interest to you, given that it at least ticks the realism and speed boxes. You may also be interested in other aspects. I can send you a download link if you like! Just let me know.<br />www.airscarmush.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-8089947732266317372019-06-21T12:03:19.432-07:002019-06-21T12:03:19.432-07:00This post is a keeper - and I am reading your post...This post is a keeper - and I am reading your posts on your own game design with every intent to try them out!<br /><br />Very interested in the Phantom and Phantom Lite, and Missile Threat rules being reviewed. Hope you have time for that.ECW 40mm Projecthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16170190784599775214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-47688789011398160942017-09-28T14:07:42.563-07:002017-09-28T14:07:42.563-07:00Warlord Games launched a starter for a game called...Warlord Games launched a starter for a game called Blood Red Skies.<br />I couldn't figure out which of the "packs" was needed, so (downloaded the free starter PDF and had a few fights with my existing 1/600 models.<br /><br />It handles about 6 a side in 45 minutes to an hour.<br />Aircraft are modeled very simply with 3 stats (Movement, Firepower and Agility) with the variable of "Pilot skill".<br /><br />Altitude isn't explicitly modeled, but there's a 3 step status called advantage that seems to account for altitude plus a few other factors.<br /><br />Aircraft can manoeuvre against each other to reduce enemy advantage.<br />They can burn a step of advantage to gain a tight turn or longer move.<br />I seem to remember they can only shoot at enemy with lower advantage, and can only shoot down aircraft with the lowest advantage.<br /><br />Advantage, speed and pilot skill all contribute to which aircraft goes first (action is usually interleaved and going first seems to be a very good thing - who wouldn't want to be an ace in a fast advantaged aircraft).<br /><br />Anyhow, I tried the basic rules and it was fun for 2 or 3 games.<br />Play was lightning fast, and a 3 v 3 dogfight could be over in 15 minutes.<br />After that the game was "solved" - throw groups of aircraft at the greenest enemy fliers (preferably before they move), then win the game with your numbers advantage.<br /><br />Rather a shame since the rules look very innovative, and had tossed out much of the chaff that slows down traditional games.<br /><br />I have not tried the full rules, which include special rules and tactic cards.<br />I really hope the full set prove to be the real deal.<br />SteveHolmes11https://www.blogger.com/profile/17392212343858957364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-68663985812859778572017-09-28T09:45:08.761-07:002017-09-28T09:45:08.761-07:00What about Flight Leader by Avalon Hill`
Great ene...What about Flight Leader by Avalon Hill`<br />Great energy management system.<br />Hex based, with different trerain altitude, cloud cover etc.<br />hard to get I guess but the greatest air to air game I have ever played.<br />https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/3711/flight-leaderAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14473404781357607232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-46734051899654825332016-12-05T05:44:10.385-08:002016-12-05T05:44:10.385-08:00hmm...try this again.
I put a link to an old site...hmm...try this again.<br /><br />I put a link to an old site in my name...dunno if it works?...and put application in to join the group.Don Glewwehttp://www.glewwe-castle.com/brawl-factory/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-81814783034416744022016-12-05T02:39:31.407-08:002016-12-05T02:39:31.407-08:00I think I've come across one that used a simil...I think I've come across one that used a similar method (i.e. melee combat style) that used dice pools allocated in various ways to simulate the combat. <br /><br />Feel free to link through to your rules or post up on the Delta Vector google group if you want feedback, though. The rules can be pretty "alpha" or "beta". evilleMonkeighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11998198938697175335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-17645970963601680662016-12-03T06:34:03.158-08:002016-12-03T06:34:03.158-08:00Late to the party. Avid airgamer for 40+ years......Late to the party. Avid airgamer for 40+ years...tried lots...disappointed lots.<br /><br />I've been working on an aircombat system that is, to my knowledge, completely different in that it does not use the moving/positioning of the models to determine combat (ie: point and shoot) but instead treats combat like a hand-to-hand fight in the way many RPG rules do.<br /><br />It is nowhere near being a completed project (and what you can see online is a years-old version) but may be heading towards something that would tick off some of your boxes?Don Glewwehttp://www.glewwe-castle.com/brawl-factory/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-75703220805252805472016-11-08T04:58:35.230-08:002016-11-08T04:58:35.230-08:00Have you tried GMT Wing Leader? Wierd 2D side repr...Have you tried GMT Wing Leader? Wierd 2D side representation, but wonderfull boradgame. <br /><br />AlejoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-87216540431170916472016-01-05T13:42:25.942-08:002016-01-05T13:42:25.942-08:00I don't mind it if people are agonising over t...I don't mind it if people are agonising over their move - it may indicate GOOD game design where players have many gripping, important decisions. <br /><br />Like in Chess, some people naturally take ages, some play quickly - I don't know if we can "solve" their personality quirks.<br /><br />All we can do is keep the things that physically slow the game - like having 8 dice rolls to resolve an action, and recording 101 hit locations - to a minimum.evilleMonkeighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11998198938697175335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-3785013491714774292016-01-05T07:29:03.611-08:002016-01-05T07:29:03.611-08:00It's awfully dang difficult to put on the tabl...It's awfully dang difficult to put on the tabletop something like this, and as you said a good dogfight game is best played on the old computer. Trying to capture all of the nuances with miniatures ends up either too complicated or overly simplified. For instance, I love playing Thud Ridge which has a pretty simple dogfight system with energy management, but it's more for the tactics of the attacks and trying to out think the VN player as opposed to the actual air combat action. <br /><br />How can you limit this planing time though? I've tried games where each plan had a timer limit, which still ended up with players going later having a lot of planing time. Might be appropriate for those with more "awareness", but still lends to a slow game.Darkest Star Gameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01751148876023202278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-26259049789096620372016-01-04T15:23:46.835-08:002016-01-04T15:23:46.835-08:00"I find my biggest problem with most aerial g..."I find my biggest problem with most aerial games is that they are very "head down", you're always looking at charts or rules or counting hexes, but you're not really "flying" your planes."<br /><br />Nail on the head. For a fast paced type of warfare there tends to be an awful lot of "resolution" time i.e. chart consultation, order writing and recording. evilleMonkeighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11998198938697175335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-14945894075773523432016-01-04T14:03:48.808-08:002016-01-04T14:03:48.808-08:00I feel your pain in trying to find a good air war ...I feel your pain in trying to find a good air war game! CY6 seems to be my buds go-to. It's not a horrible game, but not very exciting either.<br /><br />I find my biggest problem with most aerial games is that they are very "head down", you're always looking at charts or rules or counting hexes, but you're not really "flying" your planes. Not that long ago I tried to develop a more "heads up" type game where players were constantly involved in the action and almost never had to look at charts and whatnot, only their plane's stat card. Performance was based on wing-loading and engine performance and research on actual historical performance. Whole problem boiled down to that it worked great for early to mid WW2, but broke down late war when a plane's technical readout didn't really match up with how it actually flew. This led to more stats, which lead to a breakdown in the intended playability. Back to the drawing board!<br /><br />Darkest Star Gameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01751148876023202278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-59008198102588132902016-01-02T16:29:03.617-08:002016-01-02T16:29:03.617-08:00You try downloading a copy of the Phantoms jet rul...You try downloading a copy of the Phantoms jet rules at http://www.wfhgs.com/downloads.html. They are based on the old Avalon Hill Mustangs rules (which can work pretty well for WWII games). They aren't perfect and have some limitations, but they can be pretty fun and the price is right. Dave S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/02165409020913057971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-81045110444351754082015-12-30T03:47:54.370-08:002015-12-30T03:47:54.370-08:00Nice read. Best (most fun) air-to-air game i ever ...Nice read. Best (most fun) air-to-air game i ever played was Blue Max by GDW.<br />There seems to be an updated variant free on the net: http://www.maxeagles.com/Bobnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-81636672435285926822015-12-29T13:28:44.604-08:002015-12-29T13:28:44.604-08:00Duh, yes.
Havoc = very clever but obscure fantasy...Duh, yes.<br /><br />Havoc = very clever but obscure fantasy skirmish<br /><br />Mayhem = clever AND readable mass-battle mix. It's DBA+++evilleMonkeighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11998198938697175335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-62727045430617328352015-12-29T10:45:31.199-08:002015-12-29T10:45:31.199-08:00Thanks for those points (and the understanding, th...Thanks for those points (and the understanding, though I am neither youthful nor affluent, simply irresponsible). I've read the reviews of both CY6 & BtH, but will return to both. I recall the comment about the lack of differentiation in late-war aircraft in BtH, almost as if their inclusion was an afterthought, which was another factor which put me off it. I suspect it could do with a thorough overhaul to realise the potential it obviously has. CY6 is looking like an impending purchase, however, and I'll definitely be interested in your amendments.<br /><br />I'm a bit surprised by your caveat regarding Mayhem: are you sure you don't mean Havoc? I've already bought that, but rather regretted it, for the very reasons you describe. I've read most of it, but found it very difficult to absorb, as well as having some philosophical objections (e.g. a javelin is identical to a pike, a catapult to a cannon). I haven't started reading Mayhem yet, but it certainly looks vastly better. I still need to get Rogue Planet and The Battlefield.Jon Snow?https://www.blogger.com/profile/18349064979919474482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-11959673505685519152015-12-27T01:38:03.579-08:002015-12-27T01:38:03.579-08:00Also, BtH works better for early war games. It...Also, BtH works better for early war games. It's late war it seems a bit samey.evilleMonkeighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11998198938697175335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-56898242648384045602015-12-27T01:21:25.616-08:002015-12-27T01:21:25.616-08:00"This has prompted me to, shall we say, fill ..."This has prompted me to, shall we say, fill in 'gaps' in my collection...? (Though as many of those gaps were previously unidentified, or even suspected, another term may have to be found before long."<br /><br />--This makes perfect sense to me. In my more affluent youth I used to collect rules for periods I only had superficial interest in playing...<br /><br />--Coincidentally, I have recently been looking at Copplestone 15s for a "caveman riding dirosaurs" game prompted by playing with my 2 year old's toys (I..e "hey this T rex is in 15mm scale...")<br /><br />--TFL have improved a lot from their chaotic style - I found thier recent "Chain of Command" very readable in comparison to their usual<br /><br />--CY6 is a refined version of the "traditional" air war game. If you belong to the google group, odds are I'll post up a "order-less" version I am experimenting with. That said, I find orders do not exclude solo play. I just hate writing stuff down when I should be swooping models around making pew pew noises.<br /><br />--BtH is very different from traditional air games, and worth having if you are a true collector. <br /><br />--Word of warning: Mayhem, is, possibly, amongst the worst laid-out books I own. Ingenious design, but terrible layout (not shared by the later Spivey rules which are 100x better). I'm willing to forgive that, but for me the lack of unit builder puts it behind rules it is superior too, gameplay-wiseevilleMonkeighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11998198938697175335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-9909031215482471352015-12-27T01:01:26.601-08:002015-12-27T01:01:26.601-08:00No reason it won't work solo.No reason it won't work solo.evilleMonkeighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11998198938697175335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-78700174657620509912015-12-27T00:52:36.988-08:002015-12-27T00:52:36.988-08:00A quick note on the dangers of inattention: of cou...A quick note on the dangers of inattention: of course, CY6 is hardly likely to be viable for solo play, with its written orders & simultaneous movement, it it? I knew there was a reason I'd dismissed it. On the other hand, I own plenty of games which are equally unsuitable for that purpose, bought and retained in a mood of as yet unfulfilled optimism...Jon Snow?https://www.blogger.com/profile/18349064979919474482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-3918812491132301482015-12-27T00:04:23.834-08:002015-12-27T00:04:23.834-08:00Bag the Hun sounded a bit messy from my reading of...Bag the Hun sounded a bit messy from my reading of your review, and I believe you mentioned a lack of differentiation between aircraft types, which really killed off my interest in it. I haven't really got on with the TFL rules I've read, or attempted to, Sharpe Practice being a case in point; for some reason it just didn't come together in my head as I read it. (I've just discovered a revised, 'streamlined' edition is due next year; whether this will help matters in my case remains to be seen). <br /><br />I may well consider CY6, if it's playable solo. As I also buy board games on occasion - I own Air Force, the Avalon Hill game of 1970's vintage, but haven't played it - I have more choice in theory, but the only relatively recent design for WWII which has caught my interest is the Fighting Wings series, and I've strongly considered the latest iteration, Whistling Death, but some of the rules discussion I've read on BGG suggests its complexity might not appeal to me in practice. (I used to own - and play, to a limited extent, the same designer's first jet warfare game, Air Superiority, so I ought to be able to handle his other designs, I suppose, but then I'm a lot older now). <br /><br />The last air game I bought was GMT's Night Fighter, quite recently, but as yet unplayed. The designer, Lee Brimmicombe Wood, is an air warfare specialist, but has not, to my knowledge, designed an all-purpose tactical game (I'd be most interested to know why). His latest game, Wing leader, as you may know, represents large formations of bombers and fighters in side-on perspective to emphasise altitude. Each counter represents a squadron, I believe, so the manoeuvres of individual aircraft are not relevant. It appears to be an excellent design - as all his games are, as far as I can see - but, as with the others, it occupies a specific niche, leaving the field for fighter v fighter games still open.<br /><br />As for my recent rules purchases, this is a highly pertinent question, I must admit. I was going to discuss it with my therapist, but you'll do, particularly as you are partly responsible, as I've discovered a lot of rules here, and - still better - much useful discussion of both the ones that were new to me and others I was already aware of to one degree or another. This has prompted me to, shall we say, fill in 'gaps' in my collection...? (Though as many of those gaps were previously unidentified, or even suspected, another term may have to be found before long. I don't believe I've mentioned my most recent aquisition, Mayhem, which was entirely attributable to your review, though I seem to recall that I found this blog while searching for reviews of The Battlefield, which I have yet to buy, but fully intend to). <br /><br />I've also bought a few RPG books, apart from Solomon Kane, which have even less likelihood of being put to any practical use than the wargame rules. (I lack not only gaming friends or potential opponents / collaborators but people who even remotely understand my obsession). <br /><br />And that's without mentioning the figures. The rules purchases will have to slow down for a while as I'm committed to a large purchase of fantasy figures, primarily more Zenit (for Nemesis rather than Kensei, but usable in other settings, or so I tell myself. Probably not Mayhem, though - for that I'm thinking of Copplestone 15mm, though I normally don't care for the scale).<br /><br />To summarise, if I had a personal stat card it would be rather skewed. Enthusiasm: high, perhaps excessive. Discipline: low. Practical application: almost non-existent.Jon Snow?https://www.blogger.com/profile/18349064979919474482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-34619605135219199072015-12-26T23:04:08.326-08:002015-12-26T23:04:08.326-08:00My 10c - If you can be content with 2v2, I'd g...My 10c - If you can be content with 2v2, I'd go CY6. If you want to use more (and don't mind the TFL style) BtH probably best.<br /><br />You seem to get getting a lot of rulebooks of late. Is this a recent spurt of wargaming enthusiasm? evilleMonkeighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11998198938697175335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-24264872680478402412015-12-26T21:56:49.122-08:002015-12-26T21:56:49.122-08:00There are half a dozen traits (aka special abiliti...There are half a dozen traits (aka special abilities) which allow some pilot customisation but it does not pervade the rules like say CY6, BtH or pretty much every other rule setevilleMonkeighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11998198938697175335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-38286508970187578992015-12-26T17:27:36.026-08:002015-12-26T17:27:36.026-08:00Black Cross / Blue Sky is actually even more expen...Black Cross / Blue Sky is actually even more expensive than I thought, at over £75 plus postage (and, at that price, insurance). I'd almost made up my mind to finally bite the bullet, but on reading the Luftwaffe 1946 review, I see there is no provision in the system for pilot quality, which seems a curious omission. I remain on the fence for the time being.Jon Snow?https://www.blogger.com/profile/18349064979919474482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-8910200847891929542015-12-26T13:53:28.423-08:002015-12-26T13:53:28.423-08:00"Check Your Six! would be great but without t..."Check Your Six! would be great but without the written orders."<br /><br />Thanks for this! I'm actually going with this idea.<br /><br />I'm using the 'theory' behind it (stripping out charts, and written orders - surprisingly easy) as it is in a way similar to WaW with how it models energy.<br /><br />evilleMonkeighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11998198938697175335noreply@blogger.com