Fleet Action scale figures!

[The Legend]

I've just gotten back into ACTA after a haitus. I've taken a break from the game after stopping the game for a while. Sold all my ships too!!!

What I was wondering whether anybody uses the old AOG Fleet Action scale figures? I used have a boat load of them but like I said I sold them all in one of my more lucid moments. The only thing I'm concerned about is the new models produced by Mongoose. I'm a very competent modeller and painter so I did have the Idea of scratch building an FA scale Drakh and the new EA models.

Does anybody have any pics of their figures used in ACTA games?

 

[Locutus9956]

goto the gallery on the main site Lots and lots of piccies

http://www.mongoosepublishing.com/gallery/player_series.php?qsSeries=28&PHPSESSID=30391dea02d6ed592acccfe169bb77a9

 

[Greg Smith]

I use fleet action figures. I know a couple of other folks on here who do too.

 

[B_Steele]

I personally don't like the Fleet Action stuff, I think they don't look anywhere as impressive as the ACTA scale. That being said, most folks would not fault you for using them, so I would get whatever you like best and start rolling dice.

Cheers,
Bry

 

[Greg Smith]

They aren't as impressive as Bry says. But they are cheaper, easier to assemble, easier to paint, easier to transport, less likely to get in each other's way in a close battle and all to scale.

 

[Tank]

Ditto Greg!!

I very much prefer the FA stuff and am just gutted that I cant get the Marathon in FA

 

[Hash]

I'd quite like a mix'n'match approach to suit scale - the Corvan for example just looks far too huge as a patrol level scout, it look more like a competitor for the Vorchan's spot as a skirmish(or even raid) level raider!

 

[CZuschlag]

There is a very solid argument that Fleet Action figures, because of thier smaller bases, give a competitive advantage over the larger-scale models, especially when fighting witht short-ranged races such as the Abbai.

 

[Shadow Queen]

you mesure from the stem if more than 1 stem you choose and stick with 1 stem

 

[prelude_to_war]

There is a very solid argument that Fleet Action figures, because of thier smaller bases, give a competitive advantage over the larger-scale models.

Indeed this was the case at GenCon Indy 06. FA-wielding Shadow player danced circles around everyone else. The dominant cheese lists at the time didn't help either.

 

[B_Steele]

There is a very solid argument that Fleet Action figures, because of thier smaller bases, give a competitive advantage over the larger-scale models

This is why I am a proponent of ACTA scale miniatures only, but I know that I am in the minority on that note.

Bry

 

[Greg Smith]

Mongoose have made sure that they do not alianate players of B5 Wars and Fleet Action, by allowing the use of previous models.

 

[CZuschlag]

You're nearly as much in the minority as you might think, Mr. Steele! There's a small corps of stateside folks who think the same way.

We don't have a problem with you using the Models. Actually, I think a well-plainted version of a Fleet Action Scale fig looks better. Seriously. So the problem isn the MODELS ... it's the BASES. One currently entails the other. That isn't necessary. We can mandate that certain figs can't be within such-and-such a distance from one another ... and, here's a lucky thing, the ACTA/Mongoose figures have the already sorted out for you with the current bases! Lucky you!

Include a stat for "Exclusion Zone" of 1" or 2" and you have:
-- still permitted the use of old miniatures
-- preserved the game's current stacking restrictions
-- created actual grounds for why the Mongoose figs are better than resold AoG figurines for marketing purposes

Voila!

 

[MarkNorfolk]

I'm also a FA player - having gained a fair load of them at a bargain price at Colours one year. The base size problem isn't that much of an issue in my experience, I don't fly that close to the enemy (except fighters).

Actually, I am planning on getting some B5W/ACtA scale ships as soon as Marc replies about how I use my MI credit so I can demo the game here in Oz.

Cheers
Mark

 

[Davesaint]

The problem is Four-fold.
First - ACTA does not allow you to overlap bases.
2nd - The FA scale minatures allow you to base on a 1" hex base
3rd - Most ACTA figs produced by mongoose come on 2" round bases
4th - There is no stringent basing guidelines

Where this really is a problem is when ships are close to one another. This does not mean when enemy ships are close to one another, but just ships in general. Since bases cant overlap, there is a significant advantage to having a smaller base. While people could put their ACTA scale minatures on small bases, many of them would be very unstable and tip over all the time.

A perfect example would be if you are just at the far end of your weapon range at the end of your movement, and there are only so many spots to place the figure on the table that puts you in range, then the more you can pack in that one area, the better.

If I remember, I will get some bases and take pictures to illustrate.



Dave

 

[Ripple]

Actually it's not how close you an come to your enemies figures that is often the problem, its how close you can come to your own figures.

Try lining up a squadron of three drazi ships where you have to make both 45's to line up the shot. All of a sudden that 10 inch gun can't make it from the third ship. Do the same thing with fleet action and the third ship ends up 3 inches closer.

Doesn't sound like all that much...until you start looking at the 3 to 5 inch range of most anti-fighter guns, or the 8 inch secondaries on many ships.

It might be the local preference for operating on the edge of range brackets to maximize the chance for a second shot before you overrun your target. Especially in fast ships that are boresighted as you cannot combine all stop with shooting. (we generally do not allow boresighting without making a turn, so unless he was crit stopped...no turns means no shot. Often referred to as the 'gentleman's agreement' on bores.)

I have seen folks play who do not take advantage of the pre-measure aspect of the game, that also really reduces the effect. But most folks around here check range at a couple of places and move to just slide over a range break. Fighters use it regularly to avoid anti-fighter guns on supporting ships.

Ripple

 

[MarkNorfolk]

I suppose I'm a victim of local conditions - with mainly Minbari and IA opponents I keep some distance to avoid AJP bombs.

Cheers
Mark

 

[The Legend]

I've just had a small game yesterday using some of my mates FA scale figures and I must admit they do seem to make more sense as far as trying to cram figs into the same area are concerned. The paint scemes on them are far more impressivce and I've always thought that the FA scale figures rival even the GHQ micronauts for the level of detail and accuracy you can get onto a small figure (just look at the Omega's). But I must admit I'm sold on these. No more counters and Standard scale for me.

As for the new ships I'm looking into a few alternatives to convert into. I'll post them when or if I get a chance to Build them! Not a huge rush at the mo as I'm mainly collecting an historical fleet for the EA and Dilgar.

 

[Green_Knight]

We have a simply workaround for this.

The FA Scale Models are simply mounted on cirlcular
pieces of cardboard that has the size of a ACTA Base.
You can glue it on or use duct tape for a temporary
connection.

 

[CZuschlag]

Exactly the kind of endpoint I'm (personally) hoping for! Well done.