Getting started in VSF - skirmish rules?

[leadfool]

aren't all these rules sort of a Do It Yourself??

[The_Beast]

aren't all these rules sort of a Do It Yourself??

More or less, some more, some way less.

Back to the question, for fifty figs a side, I would find several challenging, not impossible, but some give lovely texture that gets lost with larger numbers. IHMN seems one, though I am sure others would greatly take me to task.

GASLIGHT has a section called Battles by GASLIGHT, originalally a separate book, that makes adjustments for large fracas. Oh, there's supposed to be a period after each capital letter, but I couldn't be bothered.

FFOL doesn't have a specific VSF published, though it started as an Old West shoot out, but it has a play test add on somewhere. I assume it has been expanded since. So, for now, might require some of the work mentioned above.

MWWBK is an example of not being directly VSF, but with plenty of folk using and sharing their adaptions.

Anyone try When the Navy Walked?

Doug

[Easy E]

I would argue that the Men Who Would Be Kings would be a better fit than Xenos Rampant. 

Maybe home-bodge the two together?

[Aethelflaeda was framed]

“In Her Magesty’s Name” by the Ministry of Gentlemanly Gamers would be a good skirmish game in the FFOL range.  FFOL is really quite VSF if you want to use Galactic Heroes or the Big Battles supplements.  Most things are just reskins anyways, no real difference in the game mechanics.

[Easy E]

The "Problem" with In Her Majesty's Name is that is relies on Pre-made warbands, and does not really tell you how to make your own.  At least the Osprey version, perhaps the new version is different? 

Here is my thoughts on In Her Majesty's Name from Osprey:
https://bloodandspectacles.blogspot.com/2016/12/review-in-her-majestys-name-osprey.html

[The_Beast]

The "Problem" with In Her Majesty's Name is that is relies on Pre-made warbands, and does not really tell you how to make your own.  At least the Osprey version, perhaps the new version is different? 

Here is my thoughts on In Her Majesty's Name from Osprey:
https://bloodandspectacles.blogspot.com/2016/12/review-in-her-majestys-name-osprey.html

Okay, I'll start off by pointing out the omnibus review missed the Gothic book.

As many opposed dice systems already have multiple dice modifiers, and are oft stretched to 'roll to hit, roll to wound, roll to save,' I find that complaint at least YMMV, and, personally, weak sauce.

The lack of build-your-own may be more telling, but I would say the large number of pre-generated bands, with tweaking options puts it on a par with those with creation tables and a few examples. We end up doing some creative work anyway.

"I can make some sweeping assumptions.  For example, this game is a skirmish game with some heroic elements" is probably the most telling caution for the original post. I still think the delicious granularity will get in the way. For fifty figs per...

However, I also have not seen the second edition; I've owned three copies of the first, and they seem to evaporate in my hands.

Doug

[Sunjester]

The 2nd edition of IHMN does have a comprehensive points calculation system to build your own bands. Although it seems designed for smaller forces of a dozen or so per side, we have played games with 3 or 4 vehicles and 25/30 men each without too many issues.

[flatpack]

I’d like to throw my hat into the ring please…

I’m building up a collection of VSF figures and kit.
I’m going to go down the FFOL route.
We’ve had plenty of fun with these rules over the years, using them for tons of periods.

If you check out the barons blog for FFOL there are several played out examples of VSF games on there.

As was said earlier in this subject, there are no specific VSF rules from FFOL YET !
From asking questions, I think they might be on the horizon ?

My plan currently is to use FFOL Bigger Battles, along with add one from their sci-fi rules.
Fingers crossed we can have some fun with this period of gaming.

[Malamute]

There will be  VSF supplement for FfoL in the not too distant future 

[Easy E]

Okay, I'll start off by pointing out the omnibus review missed the Gothic book.

As many opposed dice systems already have multiple dice modifiers, and are oft stretched to 'roll to hit, roll to wound, roll to save,' I find that complaint at least YMMV, and, personally, weak sauce.

Doug

Thanks for reading!

I do mention the Gothic book at the end. 

As for the dice system, it was a preference.  I try to be upfront about my preferences though.  However, I do find a lot of the "1 roll to rule them all" come across very clunky in writing.  In action, they may work a lot better, but without a strong mentor it can be tough to figure out how it all works.  IHMN was the same for me.   

That said, I can see  IHMN would be a lot of fun, but I was left wanting as written.   


Back on Topic......

I think the word "skirmish" is doing a lot of heavy lifting in this thread.  For example, IHMN is clearly a model-vs-model game.  Xenos Rampant is actually unit-vs-unit.  That means they play very different and the requirement for play are very different as well.     

What are we looking for here?  M-v-M or Unit-vs-Unit? 

[leadfool]

We might also want man (hero) vs Unit action. 

[Easy E]

Not to hijack the thread, but what do you feel are the defining characteristics of Victoriana Sci-fi that you look for in a skirmish game?  Is it a certain mechanic?  Certain unit types?  A philosophy of play? 

Thanks for your thoughts!

[Paratrooper 42]

Not to hijack the thread, but

If you don't want to hijack the thread, then don't. 

 It's pretty Easy not to 

[Aethelflaeda was framed]

For VSF it is pretty easy to use re-skins of any Space opera.

[Easy E]

If you don't want to hijack the thread, then don't. 

 It's pretty Easy not to 

Fair enough.  I will start a new thread.