WW2 Observation Aircraft

DM

Mongoose
Knocking up the stats for the Guiseppe Miraglia got me thinking about the role of a ship like that in a WW2 VAS game. As it stands, in a "one off" its pretty redundant, since its observation aircraft play no role in an action like that (of course in a campaign setting a recce carrier like this is worth its weight in gold). The ship's raison d'etre was to provide aerial reconaissance cover, so that got me thinking that the "Pre Game Scouting" rule from OOB could be usefully adapted to a one-off WW2 game setting. Take a look at this and let me know what you think:

Pre Game Scouting

Before the start of a game players can detach some or all of their scouting forces to form a scouting screen. A screen may include battle cruisers, cruisers, destroyers, and aircraft and sea planes launched from seaplane carriers, aircraft-capable ships and aircraft carriers.

  • Each ship detached to the screen gives 1 Scouting Point.
    Each ship detached to the screen that carries aircraft adds 2 Scouting Points
    Each air capable ship in the task group gives 1 Scouting Point.
    Each seaplane carrier or aircraft carrier in the task group gives 4 Scouting Points.

Roll 2d6 and add the number of Scouting Points. If one side scores 4 or more than their opponent they have outscouted the enemy – the enemy must deploy first and the initiative winner has a +2 to initiative die rolls from the start of the game (although this effect may be lost; roll a d6 at the start of each turn – on a 6 the bonus is lost).

Only one ship that was detached in the scouting screen may begin on table. Others may arrive later. Roll a d6 at the start of each turn. On a 6 one ship (or 2 destroyers or smaller ships) may enter at any point along the owning player’s table edge and within 6” of either table corner. NB this applies only to ships detached to form the screen. It does NOT include aircraft carriers, seaplane carriers or air capable ships, since they are assumed to be remaining with the task group and flying th
 
I believe the rules allow the observation aircraft to be used in the ASW role. So the ship would be semi useful as a convoy support vessel.

Just thinking outside the box sightly.
 
Yes the rules allow ASW to be done that way. this would be great in a heavy sub game or as you say when your tryng to keep the Auxillaries alive.
 
DM said:
Pre Game Scouting

Before the start of a game players can detach some or all of their scouting forces to form a scouting screen. A screen may include battle cruisers, cruisers, destroyers, and aircraft and sea planes launched from seaplane carriers, aircraft-capable ships and aircraft carriers.

  • Each ship detached to the screen gives 1 Scouting Point.
    Each ship detached to the screen that carries aircraft adds 2 Scouting Points
    Each air capable ship in the task group gives 1 Scouting Point.
    Each seaplane carrier or aircraft carrier in the task group gives 4 Scouting Points.

Roll 2d6 and add the number of Scouting Points. If one side scores 4 or more than their opponent they have outscouted the enemy – the enemy must deploy first and the initiative winner has a +2 to initiative die rolls from the start of the game (although this effect may be lost; roll a d6 at the start of each turn – on a 6 the bonus is lost).

Only one ship that was detached in the scouting screen may begin on table. Others may arrive later. Roll a d6 at the start of each turn. On a 6 one ship (or 2 destroyers or smaller ships) may enter at any point along the owning player’s table edge and within 6” of either table corner. NB this applies only to ships detached to form the screen. It does NOT include aircraft carriers, seaplane carriers or air capable ships, since they are assumed to be remaining with the task group and flying th


Can you define this from a carrier? Is this like the ISE?
Each air capable ship in the task group gives 1 Scouting Point.



Others may arrive later. Roll a d6 at the start of each turn. On a 6 one ship (or 2 destroyers or smaller ships) may enter at any point along the owning player’s table edge and within 6” of either table corner

I think a 6 is to strong maybe 5-6.
I also think they should be able to come on any side but randomly.

  • 1.Owning players side.
    2.Enemy side.
    3.Left of players side.
    4.Right of players side
    5.Left of players side.
    6.Right of players side
 
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