Games - Scenario vs. Points ?

[Hacksaw]

Do you prefer a "balanced" game, with each side having the same points, or a game scenario with a specific mission requirement/terrain/etc that allows one side to be significantly smaller than the other yet still provide a fun game that either side has a chance of winning if played well?

The balanced points game is easy, and quick. Nothing wrong with that at all. The scenario game requires a bit of forethought and usually some playtesting. How much of that is going on out there?

I like either one. How about you guys?

 

[The Old Soldier]

Why does it have to be one or the other? You can have a balanced points system game that is a scenario.

A rescue mission could be a hold a objective till the retrieval ships arrive at the end of the last turn. Points would be scored normally with the loss of the personal at the objective being a automatic loss.

A destroy the bug nest mission, could be as simple as probe with the idea of finding the right tunnel entrance and destroying it. Major victory is destroying it, minor victory is winning by normal means in points.

There is no need to have one or the other each can be handled easy.

 

[Mr Evil]

im with old soildier

 

[ianvancheese]

i like to play scenarios with a story behind them, then i play it a few times to balnace out who should have what points to make it fair

 

[Roughneck2zero]

I'm a fan of both. It's good to be able to set up a game quickly using equal points as a guide, but you have to admit that sometimes an off balanced game (Dirty Dozen style) is not only just as fun, but a better tactical challenge!

 

[Hacksaw]

Why does it have to be one or the other? You can have a balanced points system game that is a scenario.

A rescue mission could be a hold a objective till the retrieval ships arrive at the end of the last turn. Points would be scored normally with the loss of the personal at the objective being a automatic loss.

A destroy the bug nest mission, could be as simple as probe with the idea of finding the right tunnel entrance and destroying it. Major victory is destroying it, minor victory is winning by normal means in points.

There is no need to have one or the other each can be handled easy.

If you read my original statement, I specifically asked about scenario games where one side can be significantly smaller than the other. By default, any scenario with equal points to both sides is a balanced game. I'm well aware every balanced game is not just a cleanse/annhiliate mission..... 8)

 

[The Old Soldier]

Because many games will be a few marines verses many bugs, they by nature will be a few verses many and still be balanced. If you give the objective of the scenario big points, again you may run a balanced game in points yet one side or the other seem outgunned.

Just stating it doesn't have to be unbalance to work as a scenario. Also you can add some cool touches when the Campaign book for Planet K, comes out in the near future. Plenty of new ways to run the game I'll bet. :wink:

 

[xenopsyllus]

Both have their advantages. Scenarios tend to have more depth and therefore be more rewarding because there's a better story behind them. Points missions are simple and straight forward. They require no forethought, making them ideal for pick-up games.