How to play ACTA using Vassal?

[polemarch]

OK

I have downloaded Vassal and the ACTA module.

I can get the map up and the different fleets up. But I have know idea on how to get game going... talking about playing myself until I know enough to play someone over the net.

So how does it work. Does anyone have a user guide or walk through?

Also does the map have any grids or markings for deloyment zones etc...

I have managed to get ships on the map and move them around, but how do you initial turns from the other side and firing etc...?

 

[JoeSmokem]

my search-fu is strong, Check this out

 

[polemarch]

Thanks Joe, however this doesn't actually tell you how to play using Vassal, only how to get it up and running.

Can anyone help me out in progressing to the next stage.

Cheers,

 

[tneva82]

Thanks Joe, however this doesn't actually tell you how to play using Vassal, only how to get it up and running.

You move ships either by drag and drop(very bad idea since it's hardly going to be straight line as required :lol or via vassals move command which you can get either from menu you get when right clicking ship or via keyboard shortcuts(control+number where number is between 1-8).

Ships can be rotated with control+r keyboard shortcut and then using mouse to rotate it(this is positively THE hardest thing in vassal. Be carefull with this and double check the heading. Sometimes it can suddenly make 180 degree turn so when you move it moves backwards. Thank god for undo button ).

Dice rolls are done via buttons on up and damage is recorded on ships sheet(again you get to them via right click menu. Choose properties).

Generally the right mouse click menu is something you should study hard. Most of the stuff is done there.

Then it's just normal ACTA playing. Vassal has very little automated functions in it.

 

[Locutus9956]

The most important thing to note is that Vassal is just a virtual tabletop and whith virtual dice and tape measures. It WONT do any of the rules for you, it mearley lets you move stuff around and roll dice. The rules you need to keep to yourself.

Vassal wont do anything for you that a bunch of miniatures sitting on a table with a pile of dice wouldnt.

Don't think of Vassal as a computer game, its not, its merely a tool to let you play table top games on a computer monitor rather than a table.

 

[tneva82]

The most important thing to note is that Vassal is just a virtual tabletop and whith virtual dice and tape measures. It WONT do any of the rules for you, it mearley lets you move stuff around and roll dice. The rules you need to keep to yourself.

Sums it up very nicely.

It's effectively just virtual tabletop with built-in ship sheets(handy to record damage and see ship stats without having to use papers).

Still pretty good tool though albeit lack of automation does mean lots of "lasers shoot. 4AD, need 4+" etc types of messages and these slow down things a bit.

 

[Locutus9956]

If you have access to some kind of voip software like teamspeak, vassal or even voice chat over msn etc (and a microphone of course!) this can make gameplay immeasurably quicker

 

[tneva82]

If you have access to some kind of voip software like teamspeak, vassal or even voice chat over msn etc (and a microphone of course!) this can make gameplay immeasurably quicker

Until you find yourself having to repeat what you said dozen times :lol:

My english speaking ability is NOT good :wink:

 

[polemarch]

Thanks for the information, I think that I am going to going to have to right click on everything to see what the options are.

Since we can measure to everything in ACTA, is there any reason why we can't have a grid or something overlaid on the map or maps with the deployment zones for the different scenarios?

Also, are any of the VOIP that people use Mac compatible?

cheers

 

[Locutus9956]

Well if you have access to a server, I know for a fact there is mac version of the Vassal client

 

[tneva82]

Since we can measure to everything in ACTA, is there any reason why we can't have a grid or something overlaid on the map or maps with the deployment zones for the different scenarios?

Grids, atleast common deployment ones, would be lovely yes. That range measurement gets bit of annoying at times. Especially when measuring deployment zone. Lots and lots of ship moving.

Dunno if it is possible in Vassal. If it yes good improvement suggestion for mod maker for sure!

 

[polemarch]

Downloaded the Mac version of Vassal, hence all the Mac related questions?

 

[Locutus9956]

Argh sorry I mean Ventrilo, theres definitely a mac version of that (voice coms software). But you will need someone with a server as with teamspeak (you can try setting up your own but I cant help there Im afraid)

 

[Locutus9956]

A good trick for deployment btw:

Take one ship, move it to the edge at the limit of your deployment zone and then simply drag it to the other corner of the deployment zone. Hey presto instant line marking deployment zone

 

[tneva82]

A good trick for deployment btw:

Take one ship, move it to the edge at the limit of your deployment zone and then simply drag it to the other corner of the deployment zone. Hey presto instant line marking deployment zone

Problem is getting a) the line straight b) measuring it in a first place c) what happens when you can't deploy within 12" of edges...

Yes I can do it but it's lengthy process with lots of zig-zag lines

Pre-made templates would be nice addition if it's possible.