Rules Expansion Updated to v1.4

[Soulmage]

Made some updates to the VaS Rules Expansion based on feedback from dgraz. The modified torpedo rules are a little simpler, yet still preserve the tactical element of the game.

Get them here:

http://victoryatsea.pbwiki.com

 

[dgraz]

Cool. I've been doing this and it does certainly simplify it. However, I've been allowing shots that are out of range / fire arc and checking again at the start of the next shooting phase. This allows us to lead targets and allows targets to get out of the way - makes players really think about their shots.

I also added a rule to allow escort fighters to strafe the decks ahead of the bombers that suppresses AAA (1 AD per fighter - up to 3 fighters - 1 per bomber). And a rule to allow out of ammo aircraft to attempt to break-off from a dogfight.

I'm not too great with computers so I don't have my own site or anything but if anyone wants, I'll try to compress my rules and email them to you.

 

[Arleigh_Burke]

Soulmage,

I'm going to run a VaS game w/ your rules mods in New Orleans in August. It's a convention called Heat of Battle held at the National WWII museum.

Question: In your End Phase notes, you are still taking a Command Check on a 7+ to put out fires. One thing I like about your rules is the elimination of the command check. I'm going to say USN puts out fires on a 3+ and IJN on a 4+ to reflect national differences.

Once you simplify Damage Control and Fire Fighting to simple numbers, you've eliminated Command Checks entirely w/ your Special Action mods.

It makes Convention games go faster/easier w/ players who have never seen the rules before.

--Rob

 

[Soulmage]

Yeah that is actually how I explain it whenever I run the game at conventions. You need a 3+ to put out a fire (with a possible crit on a 1) and a 5+ to fix something.

Maybe next time I update the rules I'll just put that little tweak in there.

Let me know how your game goes! Take pics if you can!


FYI - Now on version 1.42 with minor little tweaks here and there. Shells splashes not being cumulative - just you either have one or not, that sort of thing.

 

[Arleigh_Burke]

Soulmage,

I posted on my club's blog the table setup I'm going to use. Took some nice photos, but it's a fake-setup just to help me get the 'feel' of it before the convention in August.

http://www.lshm.net

I put links to your home rules in the blog, hope you don't mind. I'm off to read your 1.42 mods right now...

--Rob

 

[AdmiralBob]

I just looked at those photos and....wow. How did you make all those islands and the other terrain? Or did you buy this wonderful terrain?

 

[Soulmage]

Wow! That's a gorgeous set up! Wish I could be there!!

I love it when people link to one of my pages.


I would love to know the specifics of the scenario you are running. Can you share them?

 

[Arleigh_Burke]

Answers:

The small islands are from WizKids PIRATES CC game. They work amazingly well for naval miniatures too. Made in China, pre-painted resin. I think they have two different boxed sets w/ 6 each. Look for them wherever PIRATES CCG is sold.

The large terrain piece is custom made by a buddy of mine in Katy, TX (suburb of Houston). He is quite skilled. It's MDF board w/ 1" foam for countours, w/ model Railroad ballast for texture, then drybrushed a series of brown/greens/yellow for the jungle look. The ocean is 'denim color' felt w/ Woodland Scenics 'snow' sprinkled about to look like breakers near all coast lines.

We go great lengths to make our games look visually stunning. More than just a blue table cloth w/ ships. It adds a lot to the game. I use splash markers and torpedo markers as well. The goal is to have no cardboard or non-model markers of any kind on the table. Join us in Houston or New Orleans if you live nearby.

--Rob

 

[Soulmage]

Any info on the scenario?

 

[AdmiralBob]

Do you buy your splash and torpedo markers or are these also scratch build. If you don't buy them, how do you make them?

 

[Soulmage]

I buy my splash markers from Litkoaero. . . their 'mini' splash markers are the way to go.

I buy my torpedo markers from Rattlehead games under the Ninja Magic - With Hostile Intent line of minis and markers. Litko makes some plastic torpedo tokens too.

 

[Arleigh_Burke]

AdmiralBob,

The shell splashes are both homemade and store bought.

For the homemade, I glued a 1/4" pice of 1/16 brass tube on a penny, and then gloped on acrylic filler to make a seasurface and spash of water. Painted the base blue and then dry-brushed white and hit the splash w/ white. Was very easy and I made about 20 in a day. They are the larger ones in the photos.

I also bought some from Feudal castings (the smaller ones in my photos). They are still available from LKM Direct Limited in the UK.

Item CM36 http://quickreactionforce.co.uk/catalog/index.php/cPath/373?osCsid=83287193f5480133772bf71a936bb7bd

If the link fails, look under their SeaWulf 1/2400 ships range in the webstore.

8 shell splashes for 2GBP.

The torpedo markers are by Houston's Ships, a 1/1000 Ironclads line.

http://www.greatendeavours.co.uk/ships/

Item FS-11 Torpedo Wakes
20 Torpedo Wakes for $4.00

It's buried in the Russian fleet section. I have no idea why, but they are great markers. I left them in spreads of 3-4 torps to look cool, rather than separate them into 20 markers. I have 6 spread markers which should be enough and looks cool.

Also you can get what appears to be the same splash markers as LKM in the Other section. Go figure...

--Rob