Campaign Idea Using AP games

[afilter]

I know some already do this, but wondering if anyone here has used Avalance Press Naval Games (GWAS or SWWAS) for a campaign.

http://www.avalanchepress.com/

I currently own most of the GWAS games that are currently in print and am slowly aquiring many of the SWWAS titles.

The concept is you use the AP strategic maps and movement rules to manuever your fleets on the strategic maps. When you have a meeting engagement the tactical battle would then be fought out using VaS or other rules.

With a GM you could even run it as a double blind with only fleets you have discoved being on the map.

Here is an example of some of the AP Strategic maps:

MED:

Pacific Crossroads:

Coral Sea:

Anyone currently doing this or have thoughts to share?

 

[Ben2]

Not come across this before. However it looks perfect. I would recommend you go with a GM'd campaign though, as it would allow you to have secret movement, random events, etc.

 

[rcbecker1]

you know Im allready interested but I need to learn the rules.

 

[thomaso827]

I'm certainly interested and will be looking for my first module shortly, but I also now regret my decision to sell my old AH Flattop game a few years ago. Many larger scale games would make good campaign games. Dont need to read the rules for combat as that will take place using your minis on the game table, but use rules for movement and spotting on the board game and place ships, task forces and fleets on the game table when they have spotted each other and start combat. Sort out spotting range from the game scale and determine what the initial distances are when transferring to the minis game so you now where to start the models. To get the game going a bit faster, you might consider setting up just outside of maximum gunnery range so the first turn, they might be able to start shooting, or if maneuver is important, allow them to start far enough apart to have a couple of turns of maneuver towards their first engagement. I've been a scenario and campaign game nut for so long this just seems to be a natural.

Tom

 

[thomaso827]

My wife was on Ebay looking at some things and at my request found a whole lot of the Great War at Sea products, and got the Cruisers module pretty cheaply, so I will get a chance to try this out much sooner than I had expected. Figured with a preponderance of cruiser models among my WW1 collection, this would be a good place to start tinkering. Remember to keep in mind retail and shipping costs when looking. I got this at less than half price, so will be happy to see it come in the mail hopefully late next week.

Tom

 

[afilter]

My wife was on Ebay looking at some things and at my request found a whole lot of the Great War at Sea products, and got the Cruisers module pretty cheaply, so I will get a chance to try this out much sooner than I had expected. Figured with a preponderance of cruiser models among my WW1 collection, this would be a good place to start tinkering. Remember to keep in mind retail and shipping costs when looking. I got this at less than half price, so will be happy to see it come in the mail hopefully late next week.

Tom

Tom,

I assume you are referring to "Cruiser Warfare"? If so it is a great game and what prompted me to model my WWI Falklands and Coronel fleets. The only issue is it it the one game that comes with a differnt map that covers the entre glob instead of a certain region.

Map does not probably lend itself to a specific campaign setting like the others. It is the only GWAS game that has a map like this.

It is the one game I have punched though and played. The scenarios and history is still great. Includes many OoB for lesser now fleets as well.

 

[thomaso827]

Yep, I read the reviews on Boardgamegeek and saw that. From great to mediocre reviews, they all came back to not liking the map. The style is something like the old AH Victory At Sea game, so I will sort it out. Heck, may even actually play it once or twice. But I find that, as I collect the Figurehead ships, I end up with tons of cruisers, so this looks like a good way to get lots of small games on the table while I build up for some of the larger ones. And some interesting what-ifs with the other nations that I hadn't thought of yet. Good start, though, for around $10.

Tom

 

[afilter]

Yep, I read the reviews on Boardgamegeek and saw that. From great to mediocre reviews, they all came back to not liking the map. The style is something like the old AH Victory At Sea game, so I will sort it out. Heck, may even actually play it once or twice. But I find that, as I collect the Figurehead ships, I end up with tons of cruisers, so this looks like a good way to get lots of small games on the table while I build up for some of the larger ones. And some interesting what-ifs with the other nations that I hadn't thought of yet. Good start, though, for around $10.

Tom

Most definately can be done...glad you were aware it was a different map...I was worried I had mislead you as it is the only one done that way.

 

[thomaso827]

Well, no idea what to think, except it looks like comments about ebay being hit or miss look prophetic. Got the Cruiser Warfare game today, and I can handle the damage to the box, I didnt ask for insurance so that is a small thing. But no rule book. I presume that is where the scenarios are. Only map, tactical map, 2 fleet cards and the 2 unpunched sheets of counters. Also cant tell if it was opened and taped shut or if perhaps the seller got it this way. We have filed the issue with the seller and hope to get something figured out. From photos of the game, I thought I saw more cards and stuff, but hard to tell what might be missing. :roll:

Tom

 

[afilter]

Well, no idea what to think, except it looks like comments about ebay being hit or miss look prophetic. Got the Cruiser Warfare game today, and I can handle the damage to the box, I didnt ask for insurance so that is a small thing. But no rule book. I presume that is where the scenarios are. Only map, tactical map, 2 fleet cards and the 2 unpunched sheets of counters. Also cant tell if it was opened and taped shut or if perhaps the seller got it this way. We have filed the issue with the seller and hope to get something figured out. From photos of the game, I thought I saw more cards and stuff, but hard to tell what might be missing. :roll:

Tom

I can give you an inventory when I get home.

Should have been two booklets...one the rules(standard with every GWAS game) and the other a scenario book (this is really why I buy these.

Other than that it sounds like you have everything??? I had that happen with my Med set, no rules or tactical map and it was sealed. The E-bay retailer who buys direct from AP made good. AP is kind of a small shop, so packing could have been in error. It should have come in a celophane wrap.

 

[afilter]

As promised here are the contents of my copy:

Counters are not pictured as this is the one game I have punched. There is only one rulebook/scenario book. Again cruiser warefare is the only one like this as the rules vary just a little because of the different map.

HTH,

 

[thomaso827]

Thanks. The log sheet is also missing, but is something I would probably make up on the computer anyway, so the biggy is the rules and scenarios. The box was taped shut, just a bit in two places on each side, so may have been opened. We are waiting to hear back. The seller has great feedback, so I'm hoping he can do as yours did. And for the price, I'd think he had to have some sort of inside connection to sell so cheaply. Just enough I hate to get ripped off, but not enough to start screaming about. And like you, the scenarios are the main interest. The ability to play the game itself is secondary. Worst case, if we cant get things worked out with the seller, I'll contact AP and see what they can do for me. I've had pretty good luck with manufacturers recognizing resale of their products with the same support they give their own customers if there is any question on the product having been shipped without all the contents in the first place.

Tom Oxley

 

[afilter]

Hopefully you get it worked out. I have bought a couple off E-bay mostly from one vendor, but I did have an issue with one missing a couple items.

I have since found this retailer that stocks them and offers them at close to the best deals on e-nay fi not as good. They are very reputable as well.

If you do not get the game fixed and get a refund or something I would suggest you give them a try.

http://www.trollandtoad.com/products/search.php?&search_category=1321&searchmode=basic&search_words=GWAS

Cross roads is also very inexpensice and has a nice pacific map for possible campaign use.

 

[thomaso827]

The seller found the rule book and is putting it out in the mail today. Lots of apologies. He had opened the game, taken a look at things, then taped the box shut before deciding to sell. So I just need to sit and wait patiently now. Like I know how to do that. :lol:

I'm passing on that website to the wife, as well as the Ebay search words to look up and asking for either the Med or the Jutland module (or both) for Christmas.

When I sold all my Europa games and a bunch of others around 12 years ago, I had a few cases similar, where I had looked at the game before making the final decision to let go of it, and there were a couple of times I made the same mistake. I still have the booklet from the old Battleline Air Force/Dauntless expansion module. Never heard from the buyer that he missed it and I ran accross it 4 years after making the sale, and have no record of who bought it. Moma taught me to feel guilty about that sort of thing, but not enough to really lose sleep for. Just glad we saw the problem and got it fixed so quickly.

 

[afilter]

Excellent...If you want a copy of the actual log sheet I will be happy to scan and e-mail it. Just PM me.

 

[thomaso827]

The Cruiser Warfare rules came in yesterday's mail and I am intrigued with the system. Now I'm thinkering with what Figurehead models I can use to represent the Dutch East Indies fleet. The rest seems to be represented by the line of minis. And at this scale, it isnt going to matter if they match exactly or not, just keeping the number of and relative locations of main and secondary turrets and superstructure should do it. Now to tinker with my Janes Navies of the Great War book and make up approximate ship data, comparing what we have and what we dont in AoD against the historical information provided.

Tom