Talking About VSF Skirmish

[Easy E]

So, what features of a game "define" VSF skirmish for you? 

Is it unit vs unit?  Model vs Model?  Model vs Unit? 

Is it certain units such as aeronefs, steam powered stuff, etc? 

Is it certain nationalities or "factions"?  Is it location such as Mars, the Moon, etc? 

Is it a mechanical flare that really captures that certain something? 

What do you think?

[Aethelflaeda was framed]

Pith helmets, kilts and power armour. Arts and Craft period ironwork on vehicles and gun sights.  Striped tights and  raised in the front hoop skirts.

[BaronVonJ]

Wiley Games will soon be releasing our VSF title. Using our tried and true mechanics, this volume will allow you to game everything you just mentioned from small groups of 5-8 miniatures with 2-8 players to massive games with dozens of units and contraptions. Completely scalable. You want your hero to take on a whole unit of Martian hill tribesmen, easy. Aeronef dropping bombs on the unsuspecting natives, very doable.
We'll have rules for underwater battles, Fleet scale air battles, dino hunts, all using the same mechanics.
We have rules for different planets, lost continents and inside the Earth's core. Technically you don't have to wait til launch. The small skirmish rules are based on Galactic Heroes while the larger Battles use the Bigger Battles rules, but these new rules will put them all in one spot.

[flatpack]

Sounds like lots of adventures to be had with the new rules Baron.

[has.been]

Looking forward to your new rules Baron (VSF and Gladiators) 

[The_Beast]

Thanks, fellows!

I saw an early playtest LONG AGO, didn't really get my head around using with the rules extant (sorry, Jaye), so no idea if it would ever see light of day.

But you've got a 'soon' out of 'im!

Frabulous day. Though it would be bittersweet if debuted at March to Victory, which I will miss again...

Doug

Edit: Sorry, back to the OP.

I am one of those curmudgeons who will rail against Steampunk, but get very vague when trying to draw a line.

Truth be, I can enjoy bits of, but not in a 'serious' game. I have a copy of Abney Park RPG I can thumb through, but never take as more than eye candy.

Fortunately, my actual knowledge of the period is limited enough I seldom come off as a pendant.

Particulars will be maddening. The most outrageous accent may be spoken, ridiculous firearms may be present, but describe an airship that can do a loop, much less, ascend rapidly, and my eyes simply won't uncross.

Can't tell what it is, but know it when I see it?

Doug

[BaronVonJ]

Doug, you were at Battle and Brews last year, and we had a "Black Hawk Down" game between Martians and British. So, you actually saw the rules in action.

[The_Beast]

Doug, you were at Battle and Brews last year, and we had a "Black Hawk Down" game between Martians and British. So, you actually saw the rules in action.

*facepalm*

Doug

[Sunjester]

I am one of those curmudgeons who will rail against Steampunk, but get very vague when trying to draw a line.

As the question was regarding VSF, are the two things in fact different beasts? Same genus but different species?

[Aethelflaeda was framed]

Steampunk might have “magic”, VSF just has “technology”.  Steampunk villains and heroes wear ornate laser monocle and goggles, stripy tights, and have baroque filigree ironwork on everything from weapons to waterbottles .  VSF heroes look just like any officer on the Northwest Frontier in 1870 but have aether flyers to reach Mars with, and fight apes with 4 arms.  Maybe a breathing mask.

[Sunjester]

In VSF ladies wear their underwear beneath their dresses?

[fred]

I’m probably very heavily influenced by In Her Majesty’s Name as to my view of VSF skirmish (with a bit of Dracula’s America thrown in)

I think you need the main European players, some far flung natives, all in fairly small gangs - 4-10 figures say.

Skirmish is a few figures a side to me. But multiple players in a game is super important.

Some supernatural elements mater. You need something to counter long range rifle fire.

Figure progression is good - but be careful that a figure with all the upgrades doesn’t dominate.

Flyers and walkers and vehicles and all good options - but not that likely to be seen on my table - as this is always a peripheral game era.

[Aethelflaeda was framed]

In VSF ladies wear their underwear beneath their dresses?

Not if she is Dejah Thoris she doesn’t.

[The_Beast]

Not if she is Dejah Thoris she doesn’t.

Actually, the declaration is defensible on many tacks.

Ms Thoris may not qualify either culturally or biologically, Princess or not.

What she wears are not undergarments, or in that image, undergarment.

Would I treat her otherwise? Neither my personal values, nor abiding survival instincts, should allow it.

Doug

[Metternich]

My first venture with VSF was Space 1889 and that remains my touchstone.  I like scenarios/games/rules where the majority of units/individuals are armed, dressed and equipped per the late 19th century, with one or two sci-fi elements thrown in.