ViDe Sci-Fi!

[Marauder]

So, lets talk about generic sci-fi ViDe style:

http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=36234.0

What are people hoping it will cover?

My wishes are that it does justice to my collection of AT-43, DUST (technically weird war but hey its close) and Star Wars minis - and lets my buddies who have 40k models still join in on the fun (but not in a way that makes it a GW clone or infringes on GW IP).

I really feel ViDe is a good system for Sci-fi, as it seems quite capable of handling a variety of different weapon types - and WWII has barely let it scratch the surface on infantry armour (i.e. saves) - so we know it can do more of that.  I think too that jump packs and jet bikes need to be added to the mix for infantry.  Droid troops would be great too!

For vehicles I think we'd want some more movement types - like skimmers and walkers.

I also think it would be great to have individuals with exceptional powers - these could represent a number of things from different settings (like the force in starwars, subroutines for the therians in AT-43 or psychic powers from 40k).  Definitely a bit difficult to balance - but I think they could be structured in much the same way as command has been done in ViDe.

Anyway that's just my starting ideas - love to hear what others are interested!

-Tim

[Agis]

Thanks for starting the discussions, please let some ideas fly around.
 
ViDe SF is still in its very early stages (right now I paint the final minis for the initial Pacific War releases and make the last layout adjustments), so now is the time to get your input. 

[dijit]

One thing would be lots of different alien types, kit and weaponry and the ability to mix and match different units together within the same platoon.
Heroic individuals as mentioned by Marauder would be good too (peerhaps even necessary) to get a nice space opera type feel.
Duncan

[Marauder]

To do space opera or space gothic you really do need some superior hand to hand weapons. 

[basaint]

I love my VOR/Void minis so definitely rules to make use of them.  Vor had a unit creation section but everyone said it had flaws so that is a def plus for a game (for me).

[Agis]

Keep it coming guys...
 

[Penchour]

A set of rules that would be 'imagination friendly', rather than rely on a set of races/armies you can't modified would be a excellent starting point

[NurgleHH]

For SciFi it is only necessary to do a supplement. In this book should be:

• Weapontables
• expanded Armour-Rules
• Rules for flyers/Gliders
• Special rules for Aliens with different Anatomy (more Legs/Arms, Tentacle, and so on)
• Maybe rules for Indoor-fights like Spacestations
• Zero-G and other Atmospheric Extravaganza

Nothing more is really necessary.

[dijit]

Probably generic alien 'types' rather than races would be better (though maybe with an example race or two for each type). That way people can take whatever minis they have then apply the best alien type or archtype to them. Hvaing a galaxy filled with loads of weird and wonderful races would be far more interesting and allow far more imagination on behalf of the players than the usual 4 or 5 races. Factions or whatever would be more based around political ideals (ala the Culture books) or the defence forces of system lords/governors/barons (ala Dune).

[Dewbakuk]

I'd like the ability to have 'off table support'. One of the sci-fi forces I'm slowly building up is a special forces type group with lots of light, fast vehicles. If you think of it in a modern situation, such a force would have access to support from artillery/ships/planes etc as well as satellite imagery and support teams. It'd be nice if this could be represented by calling in barrage attacks, interfering with enemy 'reserves' and other such things.

The other force that I'm building up (very slowly after a couple of disasters with a scratch build) is a desert/wasteland colony/convoy group. One massive vehicle that transports and houses everything like a ship, think Jawa Sandcrawler or Dune Spiceharvester which carries buggys and bikes etc to deploy as outriders and against raiders. I've always figured I'd have to use the big vehicle as a piece of scenery but having a way to make it part of the game would be good.

But that's just my opinion, I might be alone 

[Penchour]

Campaign rules would be an excellent point, in addition to quick engagement possibilities 

Not sure on what's best way to define weaponery : 1) have a tech level defining what an army may access, and at what cost, 2) leave it free, only considering cost, 3)define a primary source of weaponery for each army with extracost for buying weapons out of this source ?

[Marauder]

Lots of great suggestions here guys.

IMHO I think that this book should be a stand alone book.  There may be lots of people interested in it that are not interested in the WWII main rulebook.  Plus, if the sci-fi version needs to modify/add to any of the core game rules it would be more clear if presented unto itself.

For alien races I could see there being a list of "alien traits".  All infantry units in your army would have to take the same alien traits (unless of course you had some mixed race army).  I don't see the need to have different unit templates for different alien types - but there could be lots of traits.

I'm not sure how I feel about tech trees.  I think they are a great thing for space ship games - where WYSIWIG only really applies to ship size and not weapons or other systems.  In a 28mm game though you can see what is on the miniatures and in general (most players) will just want rules to represent what the model is carrying.  So I think I would go with #2 above - just have points cost for weapons and don't worry about tech.

-Tim

[A_Train]

I'd just like to state that I have never played any ruleset of SciFi (that includes 40K), and yet, I am interested in starting.  To me, my  desire is to buy figures I like (I am looking at WargamesFactory ShockTroopers and UrbanMammoth VASA troopers) and be able to play games with them.  I think what is necessary is a basic guide to creating armies, without being dictated what is required.


As for campaigns, I'd really like to see something that includes a map, where each batter you fight is for control of a territory, that will be captured by the winning team.


I am really excited about this idea, what sort of timeline is it on?

EDIT TO ADD:
Also, Solo rules would be cool.  Maybe not as full as the main game, but maybe you could dumb down a bug race, or primitive aliens into a set of automated moves.  That would be cool

[Marauder]

Well I had a day without internet (meetings!) so instead of reading I just came up with all sorts of ideas and questions.

First a few more wish list item:
1) Mechanics (as seen in Dust and AT-43 - I know its not very realistic, but it can be pretty fun!)
2) Tactical power armour and/or large infantry models (terminators, at-43 big power armour or karmens, tyranid wariors etc)
3) Electronic warfare specialists (as seen in the red blok - maybe they have a way of interfering with initiative checks, calls for artillery/airstrikes, or other command functions)

And some questions for Agis:
4) Will players get to design their own weapons or will you have a list (big) of weapons to pick from when making units/vehicles
5) Will you be adding d8's into the mix for some weapons (say like a plasma gun that is primarily anti protected infantry but could also damage lighter vehicles) - or is d6+x sufficient?
6) How will the sci-fi game scale with the WWII version?  Will everything in the sci-fi be stronger, tougher and more expensive or will they more or less have the same power level but just feel more futuristic?
7) How will vehicle design be handled?  I have a bucket of ideas but just wanted the gist of what you are thinking cause left wide open I could write essays on it 

-Tim

[twrchtrwyth]

• Special rules for Aliens with different Anatomy (more Legs/Arms, Tentacle, and so on)

And wings.