Space fighter rules

[Snowdogs]

Hi,
I have just ordered some of the eM4 Silent Death ships. I'm considering a small-scale fighter game with the occasional larger armed merchant ship, with pirates attacking merchants who have mercenary fighter escorts. However, I'm stuck on the rules I should be using. Quick, not too complicated, more space opera than realistic and easy to teach and play.
Does anyone have any suggestions, please?

[OSHIROmodels]

Starfighters from Wiley Games would be perfect for this. It's got everything you mention.

[Malamute]

Starfighters from Wiley Games would be perfect for this. It's got everything you mention.

Seconded, easy to learn and great fun to play

[Rick]

I have to admit I'm still enjoying the older 'Silent Death the next Millennium' rules - I played the first edition and this one; they still set a high bar that many rules just don't clear. I would rate them as fairly simple to learn (and teach) with a lot of tactical thinking and additional rules (and add-ons) providing something for everyone. I still consider them to be THE space fighter rules to beat.

[Dice Roller]

I always had good fun with the Tacship rules.
Best of all, they are free:
https://www.sfsfw.org/a/03/tacship.php

[Snowdogs]

Starfighters from Wiley Games would be perfect for this. It's got everything you mention.

Is this available in the UK ? I can only find it direct from the states.

[Snowdogs]

I have to admit I'm still enjoying the older 'Silent Death the next Millennium' rules - I played the first edition and this one; they still set a high bar that many rules just don't clear. I would rate them as fairly simple to learn (and teach) with a lot of tactical thinking and additional rules (and add-ons) providing something for everyone. I still consider them to be THE space fighter rules to beat.

This was my first thought, but getting a copy of the rules and expansions can be hard.

[Rick]

This was my first thought, but getting a copy of the rules and expansions can be hard.

In this, pdf's are your friend! I have most of them in original printing but they are available (plus a few extra's) from Wargame Vault.

[BaronVonJ]

Caliver carries most of our titles in the UK, but here’s the link to our store: https://wiley-games.myshopify.com/collections/galactic-heroes/products/fistful-of-lead-starfighters-downloadable-pdf-preview-only-on-sale-any-day-now
$6. Cheaper than a coffee.

[The_Beast]

Have both of the above, and cherish same.

Actually, I find SD's damage path a bit fiddly...

I will suggest using Full Thrust in whatever-iteration-you-like, and kitting out small ships firing forward, ignoring most other systems, as a quick and dirty option, though.

Doug

[Snowdogs]

Caliver carries most of our titles in the UK, but here’s the link to our store: https://wiley-games.myshopify.com/collections/galactic-heroes/products/fistful-of-lead-starfighters-downloadable-pdf-preview-only-on-sale-any-day-now
$6. Cheaper than a coffee.

Many thanks

[Snowdogs]

Have both of the above, and cherish same.

Actually, I find SD's damage path a bit fiddly...

I will suggest using Full Thrust in whatever-iteration-you-like, and kitting out small ships firing forward, ignoring most other systems, as a quick and dirty option, though.

Doug

That's actually a pretty good idea 

[Ultravanillasmurf]

I will suggest using Full Thrust in whatever-iteration-you-like, and kitting out small ships firing forward, ignoring most other systems, as a quick and dirty option, though.

Doug

https://shop.groundzerogames.co.uk/rules.html

[The_Beast]

That's actually a pretty good idea 

Oh, geeze! Now people may actually listen to me for a change. The horror!

FT has had some fan re-writes, Compendium being the most recent, I think, mostly with Jon's blessing, but either FT2 or Fleet Book 1 would be good.

Lastly, Starfighters IS awesome. Given the number of vacchead rulesets I own, the fact I have played it is the highest praise!

Doug

[Grimmnar]

Silent Death is my goto spaceship combat rules, but I might be biased.

Actually, I find SD's damage path a bit fiddly...

Doug

How so please?

This was my first thought, but getting a copy of the rules and expansions can be hard.

I don't agree there.

I have to admit I'm still enjoying the older 'Silent Death the next Millennium' rules - I played the first edition and this one; they still set a high bar that many rules just don't clear. I would rate them as fairly simple to learn (and teach) with a lot of tactical thinking and additional rules (and add-ons) providing something for everyone. I still consider them to be THE space fighter rules to beat.

Agreed.

Grimm