New to the game. Questions.

[GeekEGuy]

I want to give this game a shot. I figured I'd pickup a few figs and try a small historic battle in order to get a feel for the rules and introduce some friends to the game. I thought maybe the famous battle involving the KMS Bismark, KMS Prinz Eugen, HMS Hood, and HMS Prince of Wales would be a good start. I don't have the book yet, but I have a few questions.

1. How overpowered will the British fleet be? 2 BS vs 1BS and 1 HC. If it's too lop-sided does anyone have any suggestions to help balance it? For example, didn't the Prince of Wales have a green crew and some electrical problems preventing one of the main guns from firing? I can't remember.

2. The Bismark and the Prinz Eugen had a compliment of Ardo AR-196's. The Prince of Wales had some Supermarine Walrus'. I don't think the Hood had aircraft after 1932....I know these aircraft are observer craft. Are there rules for them? Would they have any impact in this 2 vs 2 fight?

Also, if anyone has any other helpful bits of info. I'd be much appreciative.

 

[Soulmage]

I don't know that you need to balance it. . . .

Statistically speaking, the Hood and Prince of Wales should dominate the Bismarck and Pinz Eugen. . .

But it seems every time I've ever had the Bismarck shoot at the Hood, the Hood generally winds up exploding spectacularly due to "random" fall of the dice.

It was just fated to happen I guess. Maybe if they'd wargamed it a few times beforehand a lot of lives could have been saved.

 

[GeekEGuy]

Just curious Soulmage....what game is that screenshot from on your website....I've been looking for a good WWII Naval sim.

 

[Soulmage]

Its from Battlestations Midway on the xbox 360.

Its a gorgeous looking game. . . but its really hard! Never got that far into it.

Supposedly Storm Eagle Studios is coming out with Jutland - their WWI naval combat game. If it ever comes out it should be awesome!! It was supposed to release last fall. . . I keep hearing 'soon' from the developers, but so far its just vaporware.

. . . but when it DOES come out. . . it will indeed rock.

 

[Draconis]

One thing to point out is that this is an 'historical scenario' and as such it will not be balanced - it's just there to recreate the actual participants.

There are modifications for the PoW electrics, detailed in the scenario itself.

You can use the standard scenarios to play balanced games with ease, so don't worry about that.

I introduced the game to my missus and a mate the other day, using the Bismark/Hood scenario.
Turn 1, Bismark suffered an engine out critical.
Turn 2, Both Hood and Bismark suffered Magazine explosions, unable to fire for 3 turns.
PoW maintained station and pounded the stranded Bismark from then on. Eugen fled (sensibly)
Quite brutal, but they both enjoyed it and ordered fleets of their own the next day.

As long as the players have fun, things dont always need to be balanced.

 

[GeekEGuy]

Very good point.

I'm off to order some figs....GHQ looks amazing, but probably a little too fragile. Panzerschiffe will do nicely I think.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Leadman]

The GHQ models are indeed a little to fragile for my taste as well as being very expensive. Panzerschiffe are very durable but have too little detail. You might take a look at CinC. Much cheaper and more durable than GHQ, and significantly more detailed than Panzerschiffe. Viking Forge also has some good models.

Dannie

 

[Soulmage]

Very good point.

I'm off to order some figs....GHQ looks amazing, but probably a little too fragile. Panzerschiffe will do nicely I think.

Thanks for the help.

I've got a ton of Panzerschiffe. While they are good value for the money. . . they are not what I would get if I had it to do over.

Viking Forge doesn't have any pictures on their website, but their models are excellent and only a little bit more than Panzerschiffe. I would use them for everything you can.

Not familiar with CnC.

 

[GeekEGuy]

Don't suppose someone has some pics of their Viking Forge models?