tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post8526123113596193888..comments2024-03-24T00:19:48.310-07:00Comments on Delta Vector: Song of Our Ancestors (Quar) Skirimish Rules ReviewevilleMonkeighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11998198938697175335noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-8676110356880678932015-11-25T13:08:28.163-08:002015-11-25T13:08:28.163-08:00TL:DR = "to long; didn't read"
A sum...TL:DR = "to long; didn't read"<br />A summary for those who couldn't be bothered to read the original post. <br /><br />Also I note I should use a ; not a : .....oops!<br /><br />------------------------------------<br /><br />"....the conflict between a super-simple base system and the inherent complexity of modern combat..."<br />Pretty much this. Base SoBH worked fine, but many of the variants have tried to do too much with the core system. I like the risk-v-reward activation and use it in my homebrew rules, but I've thrown out most of the rest in order to use it for modern combat. <br /><br />---------------------------------<br /><br />I'll have another look at your Shakespeare post, but I think it was clarified to so it no longer appeared to be some sort of logical fallacy. I think it was that Shakespeare was mentioned in different contexts in different comments and then these comments were combined so it muddied the waters a lot.<br /><br />We seldom debate much on this blog, but if you like an argument the "Naked Miniatures" post and the recent http://deltavector.blogspot.com.au/2015/10/weird-wild-west-basing-dilemmas.html generated a bit of discussion about the painting (or not) of miniatures. <br /><br />--------------------------------<br /><br />Email Blue Moon and ask them for an exact quote. I did, and it turned out the postage was more like $20 not $60. I've since bought from them a few times (lovely 15mms they have; great for pulp) and last time postage came to around $20, for about a $120 order. <br /><br />Rebel Minis (15mm) also have great P&P. Either Artizan or Copplestone (can't remember which one I bought from last) also have a "humane" rate. evilleMonkeighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11998198938697175335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-53048249217508168912015-11-25T12:43:54.837-08:002015-11-25T12:43:54.837-08:00To use an analogy: deciding between FL and Song of...To use an analogy: deciding between FL and Song of Our Ancestors is like deciding whether to buy a black cat or a grey cat, as opposed to getting a cat vs getting a dog. Differences aren't drastic. <br /><br />One is a solid ruleset which is designed to fit the quirky Quar-WW1 universe, which has no competitors.<br /><br />The other is a solid ruleset designed to fit any generic modern firearm setting, which has quite a few competitors. evilleMonkeighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11998198938697175335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-70980517758655725772015-11-25T12:35:33.517-08:002015-11-25T12:35:33.517-08:00Thank for the prompt and informative response (I l...Thank for the prompt and informative response (I look forward to your rebuttal - or, preferably, humble acceptance - of my admittedly text-heavy answers to your questions re Shakespeare).<br /><br />I've not played any of the SoB&H games yet. As mentioned elsewhere, I recently bought the Horror & cheesy SF versions, but have owned Song of Arthur and Merlin for a few years. I intend to buy the advanced SoB&H rulebook when it is released next year, but in the meantime am intrigued by Samurai Robots Battle Royale, though much less so by the new Fightin' Fungi set (which, as you may know, has its own set of miniatures - something of an extravagance, to my mind, as if I were really determined to plunge into the underexploited world of mushroom mayhem, I'm pretty sure even I could sculpt or at least convert my own fungoid warriors). The trouble is, it's very hard to find detailed information on many of the 'small press' rule sets. Most have an entry on Board Game Geek, but often there is little actual content. I do recall, however, that of the few posts on Flying Lead, the most detailed one concluded that much of it simply didn't make sense, possibly due, as you point out, to the conflict between a super-simple base system and the inherent complexity of modern combat.<br /><br />Incidentally, there is a Ganesha game which doesn't use the SoB&H system at all: Battlesworn - Bid for Victory. It has had some coverage on BGG, including the rather damning conclusion by one reviewer that it doesn't appear to be a finished product.<br /><br />As for Songs of Our Ancestors, I'm definitely going to get it, hopefully fairly soon. I'm also attracted to Zombiesmith's Shieldbash system and figure range (again, totally ungeneric and very characterful, to judge by the pictures). Another point to be made in Zombiesmith's favour is their humane approach to foreign customers: it seems they charge $20 US for all overseas orders, regardless of size. If they can do that, one really has to wonder why other companies charge such prohibitive sums. To give a very recent example, having read your review of Chaos in Carpathia earlier today, I registered at Blue Moon Manufacturing's site and put one rulebook and a pack of figures in my shopping basket, just to get an idea of the rates. The shipping figure which came up for the UK was $63.95, which was only reduced by $2 when I removed the figures. This is utter madness. Or Sparta. Either way, it stinks.<br /><br />BTW, I'm really embarrassed to ask, but what does TL:DR mean? Clearly it's your shorthand for a summary, but I've never encountered it elsewhere, and it's driving me mad.<br /><br />Jon Snow?https://www.blogger.com/profile/18349064979919474482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-60974752532141322252015-11-25T11:45:46.824-08:002015-11-25T11:45:46.824-08:00I don't know if they are "better", s...I don't know if they are "better", so much as they are adapted to fit a very beautiful game universe. Whereas there are plenty of options apart from Flying Lead if you want a generic skirmish set for the modern era. <br /><br />Song of Ancestors rules is a characterful 'coffee table' book - I'd recommend it even if you have no intention of playing it... I wouldn't recommend it to make it your benchmark "generic modern ruleset" as it is rather Quar/WW1 specific.<br /><br />Likewise there is no reason not to get Flying Lead if you have your heart set on it. I just feel it complicated the SoBH system to the degree it makes it more directly comparable to any other ruleset, where its flaws (lack of stats, reliance on d6 etc) are more evident. <br /><br />I just tend to think there is no "one game system to rule them all" - i.e. a system which works best for all eras, despite what 2HW or Ganesha might reckon. <br /><br />Ancestors and Flying Lead will be so similar that any minor differences could be adjusted by house rules, in which case you might as well get FL for the generic weapon selection. You aren't buying either for the gritty realism or historical tactics. <br /><br />TL:DR - Not worth agonising over. Buy Ancestors for an awesome rulebook and cool universe, and some Quar cos they are fun to paint. Then buy FL if you like the system and are not interested in the many other alternative rule sets. (IMO the one of the best modern skirmish rulesets is the free quickplay rules for Infinity the Game - try that for a completely different flavour of game).evilleMonkeighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11998198938697175335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-5952900795678575782015-11-25T08:44:42.447-08:002015-11-25T08:44:42.447-08:00I'm very intrigued by this and intend to inves...I'm very intrigued by this and intend to investigate when other projects & commitments allow. I am however somewhat curious about how the SoB&H rules translate to modern warfare, given your comments elsewhere about the limitations of the system in gunpowder settings. I've seen some indications that both firearms and vehicles are better handled here than in Flying Lead and other modern versions, but don't see much in your review about these aspects. I appreciate it's been a long time, but are you able to clarify this from memory?Jon Snow?https://www.blogger.com/profile/18349064979919474482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-41564241495160788112012-06-25T17:12:28.842-07:002012-06-25T17:12:28.842-07:00You won't regret it. The rulebooks and minis a...You won't regret it. The rulebooks and minis are characterful - a polar opposite to GW "skullz and bitz" - and the game rules are solid as well.evilleMonkeighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11998198938697175335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8394074963215462822.post-42445058410647333222012-06-25T11:48:44.755-07:002012-06-25T11:48:44.755-07:00I've been meaning to pick up some of these min...I've been meaning to pick up some of these miniatures and the rules if for nothing else but because they are so compelling. Your review clinches it and I'll be sending an order soon. Thanks!Curthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03202047917371080576noreply@blogger.com