Introductory Game - what ships?

[verdantgreen]

I may have the chance to introduce my wargaming group to A Call to Arms the next time we have an off-week between campaigns. For this first game, I would like to have a simple straight-up fight with some terrain thrown in to maneuver around.

Now, my question for you folks is thus: what ships are good for this introductory game? I would like to keep it to one ship per player so it would end up being something like 2v2 or 3v3.

For an introductory game, the ships should be pretty simple and use the more common rules (i.e., no Drakh (GEG), no Shadows (too maneuverable), and no Vorlons (don't use the normal damage chart)) and should be iconic ships easily recognizable from the show (i.e., no Dilgar). Finally, I would like to avoid abusing the first-time players with a powerful defense like Stealth. That being said, I don't think interceptors or fighters are too complicated.

So, what match-ups would you folks suggest? What would be easy to learn while giving a good first impression of the game? I have a few ideas of my own but I would like to poll my fellow players for things I might not have thought about. Thank you in advance!

 

[Da Boss]

I think there is a very similar post here already - the concensus is try a Narn vs Centauri battle - obvious enemies and a good chance to prove the inanate superiority of the latter!? :?:

I always like scenarios -even if made up for the game in terms of bit of background for the fight..................gives people a chance to get behind "their" fleet.

have fun

 

[H]

yup, Narn V centauri, maybe pick centauri without Interceptors at first as it can confuse people. For a multiple fight, assuing a few races, The Avioki is worthwhile as quite Iconic (although use the Kaliva), as well as the drazi (you do see them a fair bit in the show you know) and Avoid the ancients and elder races (by elder i mean Minbari and drakh). You can always try a small show scenario, show them a DVD of Sheridans Allied fleet approaching earth, and fighting clarks loyalists, then run a small game with a G'Quan, Kaliva, and perhaps a couple of whitestars against an omega or two and some Hyperions. Having watched the DVD it adds flavour, then you can recreate a small battle of the same forces.

 

[emperorpenguin]

well you want iconic ships from the show so ignoring the tricky ones you've got
EA: Omega/Nova/Hyperion
Centauri: Primus/Vorchan
Narn: G'Quan/T'Loth

So at raid I'd suggest Nova or Hyperion versus T'Loth versus 2 Vorchans

At Battle it'd be Omega versus G'Quan versus Primus

 

[verdantgreen]

Okay, I like these:

2 T'Loth vs. 4 Vorchan (lower priority)

For an EA civil war game...perhaps 2 Omega vs. 2 Nova/2 Hyperion

 

[Greg Smith]

2 T'Loth vs. 4 Vorchan (lower priority)

T'loth is an unusual ship. It has loads of damage and lacks weapons. It might not be the best choice for a starting game.

 

[H]

I agree with Greg, the T'Loth will leave a narn player very frustrated, as the vorchans can easily outmaneuvre them. Although the EA civil war ones would be an interesting battle.

 

[Chernobyl]

I prefer running a game with identical fleets on each side. Sice I have EA minis, I use those. Running identical fleets will give the players twice the opportunity to see how some ships work.

I've used : Omega, Hyperion, Oracle, Avenger, Atermis, and Olympus.

Chern

 

[CZuschlag]

You may want to try a fleet that uses as few Special Orders as possible. Many boresight fleets fit that bill, as you frequently lose the ability to do special actions if you need enough turning. The only Order that will get a workout is probably Come About, which is worth learning on the first go-round. Maybe also Close Blast Doors.

And, of course, the Drazi look cool.

Similarly, the Narn are also boresight-dominated (minimal use of special orders except the ones above) and without special defenses. They, if painted well, are eye-catching as well.

G'Quan is a nice, instant "Oh, I remember Babylon 5!" ship.

2-Battle (trying to keep it small and use Iconic stuff):

-- Warbird
-- Warbird
-- Stormfalcon
-- Solarhawk

-- G'Quan
-- Thentus
-- Ka'Tan
-- Rothan/Rongoth

You might want to give a newer players the Drazi. They'll get the "the Solar Cannon does What? Cool!!" moment.

Just a suggestion. This way, you can get to the more esoteric and downright necessary other special orders later.

 

[pwrserge]

At a local convention a bunch of my friends and I got in on a "White Star Fleet Goes Shadow Hunting" scenario. The game involved the GM running a pair of shadow ships versus a whole mess of white stars (about 2 per player). The fighters were left out for simplicity. It was loads of fun, and showed two of the iconic ships in the show face of. Great times.

SERGE

 

[Shadow Queen]

Download the "Escort Duty" in the senarios of the week 5 ships per side 1 EA Space Liner, 4 Furies

1 Rader strike Cuiser 4 Delta V's

 

[Destroid]

Did a demo for some friends once with Dennbok, it was a 1 on 1 with a vanilla Hyperion vs a Dargan. Given that they're familiar with other wargames, we were able to demonstrate the majority of the game mechanics, including movement, wpn arcs [Hyperion is v good for this], ship and wpn traits, fighters/aux craft, etc.

 

[Shadow Queen]

Just got my Strike Cruiser this morning