Author Topic: Ideal size of a VSF army??? (Read 5830 times)

Ray Rivers · « **on:** December 15, 2011, 11:29:48 AM »

Hey!

As I near completion of one more infantry unit for my American army on Venus, I was wondering what folks thought was the ideal size for gaming VSF battles?

Here is what I have been working on for my American Army:

3 Characters
6 Infantry units
1 Cavalry unit
2 Steam tanks
Artillery piece and Gatling gun
One large vehicle (aeronef)

What'ca all think? Too big.. too small... about right?

Thoughts? Recommendation? Comments?

Conquistador · « **Reply #1 on:** December 15, 2011, 12:07:18 PM »

Quote from: Ray Rivers on December 15, 2011, 11:29:48 AM

Hey!

As I near completion of one more infantry unit for my American army on Venus, I was wondering what folks thought was the ideal size for gaming VSF battles?

Here is what I have been working on for my American Army:

3 Characters
6 Infantry units
1 Cavalry unit
2 Steam tanks
Artillery piece and Gatling gun
One large vehicle (aeronef)

What'ca all think? Too big.. too small... about right?

Thoughts? Recommendation? Comments?

Sounds like a nice flexible force but how many angels can dance on the head of a pin? For VSFRPG, "Skirmish," "Battle," "Big Battle" or what?

That's a lot of support for a historical Victorian colonial force IMO but there certainly is a supply line issue in most VSF settings (Mars, Venus, Pellucidar.)

You need an one person contraption or wind-up robot I think.

Gracias,

Glenn

Alfrik · « **Reply #2 on:** December 15, 2011, 12:11:22 PM »

Seems your first question you should ask yourself is how large of a battle area do I have and what scale of battles I like to play, the old skirmish vs unit type of battles. Your forces seem quiet nice for unit actions though

Dr. The Viking · « **Reply #3 on:** December 15, 2011, 01:21:51 PM »

I like big VSF battles, so I definitely want to have that as a possibility for most of my armies.

I rarely game though and most often when I do game it is skirmish or 20-30 figs a side games.

Still even in such small games having a large collection is nice so it wont always be the same few guys on each side.

Ray Rivers · « **Reply #4 on:** December 15, 2011, 01:33:07 PM »

I have a fairly large playing area, so yes, I'm looking at unit battles.

The army does lack "contraptions" though.

Not easy to find.

As for the support, I was thinking the same... Of course, I don't actually have to have the full army on the table, so I could pick and choose support units based on the scenario, as the good Dr. points out.

I think I'm more interested in seeing what folks think about how many characters and infantry units make a "good battle."

Froggy the Great · « **Reply #5 on:** December 15, 2011, 01:35:31 PM »

Per side, 15-25 grunts, plus characters and vehicles is about what I end up with per game (VSF FUBAR). That said, all three of my VSF armies can support double that, because I am incapable of stopping building.

Ray Rivers · « **Reply #6 on:** December 15, 2011, 01:48:43 PM »

Quote from: Froggy the Great on December 15, 2011, 01:35:31 PM

I am incapable of stopping building.

Know the feeling...

Chairface · « **Reply #7 on:** December 15, 2011, 05:59:19 PM »

Quote from: Ray Rivers on December 15, 2011, 01:48:43 PM

Know the feeling...

MY Dutch VSF army numbers in the 100's now. And still more on the way

Ray Rivers · « **Reply #8 on:** December 15, 2011, 06:37:45 PM »

Quote from: Chairface on December 15, 2011, 05:59:19 PM

MY Dutch VSF army numbers in the 100's now. And still more on the way

My Yanks number around 80 now. I can cobble together about 80 for my Egyptians as well.

And I have received the first 25 minis for a proper British army which I expect to start on soon!

fastolfrus · « **Reply #9 on:** December 15, 2011, 08:19:52 PM »

Quote from: Conquistador on December 15, 2011, 12:07:18 PM

there certainly is a supply line issue in most VSF settings

Some supply vehicles/wagons etc might be handy for skirmishes against hostile natives.
Many natives might choose to avoid open battle, but supply lines would be a key taget for raids. They would also be a key target for rival colonial powers too....

Skrapwelder · « **Reply #10 on:** December 15, 2011, 08:28:32 PM »

I try to aim for somewhere between too much and not enough. Usually erring on the side of too much.

Sinewgrab · « **Reply #11 on:** December 16, 2011, 05:52:48 AM »

I try for about the same as a standard 40k Guard army nowadays - about 3-6 units of infantry, 4-6 vehicles, and support, with lots of cool character models. My Norwegians are overstocked on vehicles, but that's because I got too fired up on Aeronefs...