FFoL:BB for Vietnam

[NurgleHH]

Hello,
Looking for some ideas for [size=78%]FFoL:BB for Vietnam. Is someone using it?[/size]

[CapnJim]

Like with any ruleset that gives leader/units traits or characteristics, it depends on what kind of leader, hero, or unit you want to portray.  The list of possible traits in FFoL:BB is pretty comprehensive, but there is also room to make up some if you can't find something you think is appropriate for what you have in mind.  For example, Smoke Grenades could be a Trait.  On an easy task roll, a 3" smoke marker appears in front of the commander/hero/unit.  At the end of each turn after it is deployed, on rolls of 8+, 5+ and 3+ each successive turn, it dissipates.

Let me ponder it a bit more though - I'll add some more thoughts a bit later, but here is a possible example of a US Army platoon:

Platoon Leader (Commander) (Encouraging, Smart)
Platoon Sergeant (Hero) (Cool-headed, Encouraging)
RTO (with Plt Ldr) (Smart - i.e. for calling in reinforcements, artillery, or an airstrike on an event card)
Medic (Hero) (Medics)
1st and 2nd squads (Skirmishers, Squad Support - an M60 or LAW)
3rd squad (Green - this is the squad with the FNGs, Skirmishers, Squad Support)
If they have flak jackets, they would be Armored (8+ Armor save).

Possible traits for VC are Infiltrators and Rangers.

Montangards could be Loyal and Rangers.

These are just quick thoughts.  I'll ponder it more and post more thoughts later...     

[BaronVonJ]

Sounds cool

[carlos marighela]

“Platoon Leader (Commander) (Encouraging, Smart)”

Never met one who fit either description. I’d add ‘Unicorn’.

Platoon Sergeant (Long suffering, resigned) seems apt.

 

[has.been]

Interested in ideas for this.

[CapnJim]

Interested in ideas for this.

Crap.  I forgot to add more of my thoughts on this like I said I would.  I will do that yet today (hopefully...).  In the meantime, look on page 5 of this thread for a FfoL:BB Vietnam report...   https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=131495.60

[CapnJim]

Okay.  Here we go...

For the scenario about which the report in the above link is written, here's what we did...

As also mentioned, the scenario was the Dak Po scenario included in Force on Force's original Ambush Valley supplement.  I then FfoL:BB'ized it.

Terrain rules were pretty straightforward.  Nothing weird there.  We did use the Tunnel Spots rules from Ambush Valley.  The PAVN player placed 5 numbered Tunnel Spots around the board.  They were used as randomly-determined spawn points for PAVN reinforcements, as well as the PAVN player be able to use them to moved undetected around the board.

As mentioned in the report, we put both jokers in the card deck.  If/when drawn, they acted as an ace.  AND, the player who, well, played the joker then picked a Fog of War card from the Ambush Valley deck.  We translated it to FfoL:BB terms, and played it as appropriate.  Any reinforcements from the Fog of war cards were drawn from my available figure collection.

In terms of units involved, here's what we did:

Each bullet point below got a card dealt for it each turn.

US Forces

In this scenario, all US troops had regular body armor, except the Kit Carson Scout.

     *  Platoon Leader.  He had the Encouraging trait.  His unit also included his RTO (who could call in 3 tubes of off-board mortars), and a Kit Carson Scout (who could be attached to any unit, the LT saw fit).  The Kit Carson Scout could see any hidden booby traps from the Fog of War cards at one Task Roll difficulty better than regular troops.
     *  Medic.  A Hero, with the Medic trait.
     *  Platoon Sergeant.  He also was a leader with the Encouraging trait.  His unit included the mortar FO.  He could call in 3 tubes of mortars each turn on successfully passing a medium task roll.  The US player then placed 3 aim point on the board with in 3" or each other.  A d10 was rolled for each of the 3 rounds for scatter.
     *  1st Squad.  This unit included 4 M16s and an M79.
     *  1st M60 team.  This unit had 3 men.  The M60 was rated as a 3d LMG, so used the Ammo Hog feature.  The 2 M16s could fire as well.
     *  2nd Squad.  This unit included 4 M16s and an M79.
     *  2nd M60 team.  This unit had 3 men.  The M60 was rated as a 3d LMG, so used the Ammo Hog feature.  The 2 M16s could fire as well.

PAVN Forces

In this scenario, all PAVN troops had the Rangers trait.

     *  Platoon Leader.  He had the Encouraging trait.  His unit also included his bugler, a an AK, and an M79.
     *  1st Squad rifle team.  This unit included 4 AKs.
     *  1st Squad RPK team.  This unit had 1 RPK and 2 AKs.  The RPK was rated as a 2d LMG.  The AKs could fire as well.
     *  1st Squad RPG team.  This unit had 1 RPG and 2 AKs.
     *  2nd Squad rifle team.  This unit included 4 AKs.  It also included 2 pack mules, who needed tenders from the team.  This team was restricted to one 5" move per turn. 
     *  2nd Squad RPK team.  This unit had 1 RPK and 2 AKs.  The RPK was rated as a 2d LMG.  The AKs could fire as well.
     *  2nd Squad RPG team.  This unit had 1 RPG and 2 AKs.

     That's the gist of it.  With larger battles (say, with full platoons and attachments), I'd have one card drawn per squad, vehicle, and heavy weapon team (i.e. M60, on-board mortars, etc.).  That's what we do for WW2.  Other possible traits would depend on the nature of the scenario and troops one might be using...
   
     Hope this helps...