Airship Combat Rules of Choice - Poll

[Splod]

Hi all,

I've been tempted for many years by Brigade's old Aeronef line, and with the Brigade website refresh and some lovely new releases. somehow it seems now is the time to follow those long-term urges. I'm a bit torn as to what rules to try though. I'm a long-term Full Thrust gamer, so I'm no stranger to giant sci-fi warships, but I feel that a simple reskin of Full Thrust may miss some of the VSF elements present in dedicated airship combat rulesets.

For those of you who enjoy VSF airsihip battles, what is your ruleset of choice and why?

Aeronef - Wessex Games!

Castles in the Sky - Osprey Games

Imperial Skies - Rottenlead Publishing

Other - Explain your ruleset of choice below.

[Captain Darling]

FUBAR VSF.

I simply adapted vehicular combat/movement for flying contraptions, included altitudes which are landed, low, medium and high.

 

[MaleGriffin]

I really enjoyed Sky Galleons of Mars with the expansion set Cloudships and Gunboats. We took the deck plans and made 3D models to play with. Think of it as more skirmish than fleet action.

[ecwcaptain]

I really enjoyed Sky Galleons of Mars with the expansion set Cloudships and Gunboats. We took the deck plans and made 3D models to play with. Think of it as more skirmish than fleet action.

I 110% agree with the above from MaleGriffin. And I am unanimous in that! ;-)

[The_Beast]

Not voting as I assume I can't vote for all, and they all appeal in varying amounts.

Now, I'll suggest a few questions as to what YOU'RE seeking in a game.

How do you feel about hex-based? Sky Galleons is, and Aeronef with movement units and all sixty degree turns is as good as, though I've played both without a hex map.

Do you follow 'VSF aerial games are predreadnoughts in the sky' dictum? Castles in the Sky and the scarce but occasionally available Leviathans(hexed) are both more towards the Edwardian timescale of BIG ships.

I think Imperial Skies is somewhere more in between. Robin will probably want to kill me for suggesting such, but I really do think IS owes much to 'nef and add-ons put together by David Manley and others, but the movement system is VERY different'.

Lastly, even the 'out of print' stuff is mostly available for download on Wargame Vault and the like. Few others I've only seeen there, but not sure I'd recommend any.

Personally, I rather like Aeronef, though I think its organization is 'challenging', which has meant my fiddling with the rules, first reorganizing , then fiddling with my own additions makes me rather biased.

Doug

[Cat]

For fleet action games, I prefer Imperial Skies for ease of play
 
For squadron action, I prefer Sky Galleons of Mars for grittier detail.  Actually, the Cloudships of Mars fan upgrade rules that were published in Miniature Wargames, May 2017 issue

[Easy E]

I am biased.  I like Castles in the Sky! 

You can find some helpful resources for the game here:
https://bloodandspectacles.proboards.com/thread/191/castles-sky-resources

[Deratt]

 I prefer Aeronef for fleet battles. Fairly simple systems, inexpensive, and quite easy to learn. A supplement, Captain's Handbook is also quite useful. Aerial torpedoes, ramming, boarding, and other fun stuff are covered in the supplement, as well as a section on Martian ships and weapons. I still use Sky Galleons of Mars for very small actions, however. Cheers, Jeff

[OSHIROmodels]

Wiley Games Starfighters which although is meant for sci-fi space combat it works perfectly well for VSF in the air (and sea, with a few movement mods).

[The_Beast]

Wiley Games Starfighters which although is meant for sci-fi space combat it works perfectly well for VSF in the air (and sea, with a few movement mods).

Thanks for that, James!

Jaye's initiative card draw system, what I call 'inverse Piquet', is not everyone's cuppa, but I generally enjoy.

I even think I have a copy at Wargame vault.

If not, I soon shall. One should support fellows in your own locale.

Doug

[VonAkers]

I quite like the Original Space 1889 Rules