Pet Peeve - Why are the Germans/Prussians always the enemy in VSF?

[Franz_Josef]

One of my pet peeves is the portrayal in many VSF games/systems of the Germans/Prussians as the enemy of Victorian Great Britain.  That is 20th century and is not of this period.  Bismarck's foreign policy had always been one of isolating France and being conciliatory towards Britain.  Germany doesn't seem threatening till 1898, when the young, new kaiser, Wilhelm II, "fires" Bismarck as Chancellor and begins to build a modern high seas fleet.  If you asked the average Victorian gentleman to name the probable enemies of Britain, his first choice would be the Russian Empire (note the Great Game, where the Russians are seen as threatening India) and the second would be the French (e.g. check out the Fashoda affair).  Prior to the 20th century, there are many connections between Germany and Britain.  Also, the German and Austrian empires in this period are not congruent - they went to war in 1866 and weren't allied until the early 20th century.     

[Chairface]

I think that it has more to do with the Germans looking cool. And remember its VSF. My Dutch Army is way more threatening than its actual counterpart.

[Gary Mitchell]

They aren't. If it wasn't for the British Empire the solar system would be ruled by foreigners and natives.

[Mister Rab]

They aren't. If it wasn't for the British Empire the solar system would be ruled by foreigners and natives.

 

[The_Beast]

Being half Brit and half German, I both scoff and feel your pain.

That said, as my mother's family was mostly from Hannover(grandfather and grandmother were more fluent in German than English), I actually think it's perfectly true about the Prussians... 

Instead of complaining, re-write non-history! My stalled hidden dwarf wars, where VSF Brit and Prussian dwarves battle non stop in the shadows, my  stuntie Brits had a nefarious plot to transport a large missile to the peaceful mountains of Ruritania, and bomb the begeberzes out of uppity folk who wouldn't bow to the Queen (Gawd bless 'er!). Only thing standing in the way was the group of lads of the Giant Trooper mechanical walker (had a near proper German version of that, but misplaced same).

Doug

[Craig]

Perhaps strangely as the author of The Society of Thule I don't see them as the bad guys. You will note that they are not characterised as bad guys in their description, nor have they any particular enmity to Great Britain. It is true that Lord Curr and Count von Stroheim have their own personal feud, but that is because they both loved and lost the same woman (this may one day be explained in full...).
At this point Britain and Prussia/Germany had been allies for over two hundred years, with British troops frequently deploying to the continent to assist Germany, and Germany marching to rescue Wellington at Waterloo.
The Society is looking for full German reunification by any means, which makes the French in particular somewhat threatened by them. They are Germany's heroes 

[Bugsda]

"The Teutonic reputation for brutality is well-founded: their operas last three or four days; and they have no word for `fluffy'."

There you have it 

[HerbyF]

I don't know about that. I have Russians & French for opposition to my British. And of course a lot of native armies.

[Dewbakuk]

I agree with Chairface. I suspect the uniform has a lot to do with it. With regards to the 'traditional'enemies though:

Until recently, making a Russian force was not a very easy prospect and even I (who has a reputation for converted armies) was daunted by the prospect although I kept looking at it. There are now a couple of nice ranges to choose from so we may start to see more Russian forces.

As for the French.... well, they're French......
Seriously though, we've talked about it in our group and it was a simple thing of people not wanting to do a French force.

[Svennn]

I always prefer playing against the Japanese because their aeronefs are dead easy to shoot down

[Glitzer]

I'm Bavarian, tradition demands me to oppose Prussians and their like whereever encountered

I just wonder why there are so view Bavarian army lists in VSF. I demand to fight the Fritzs with my own people. 

[The_Beast]

I'm Bavarian, tradition demands me to oppose Prussians and their like whereever encountered

I just wonder why there are so view Bavarian army lists in VSF. I demand to fight the Fritzs with my own people. 

Again, don't complain about the lack, crank some out!

Anyway, we ALL know why you don't see them; they are also in the shadows. It was the Bavarian Illuminati that orchestrated the dust up twixt my peace-loving dwarves, don't you know.

Doug

[Craig]

I just wonder why there are so view Bavarian army lists in VSF. I demand to fight the Fritzs with my own people. 

Then write your own company Herr Glitzer! After all we could allow Lederhosen to count as a Lined Coat because of its distraction characteristic 

[OSHIROmodels]

I always prefer playing against the Japanese because their aeronefs are dead easy to shoot down

Piss off you 

cheers

James

[Conquistador]

Funny, I always make the Brits the "Bad Guys" in my VSF games    on Earth (Venus only involves natives and the Spanish "civilizing" forces.)  Something about being Spanish-Scots-Dutch-German Jewish and Irish-French-Cherokee in my heritage just delights in doing that.

Though the "Cherokee Illuminati" are lurking in the background as advisors to the non-reptilian natives of Venus (the reptiles think all Earth people taste good.)  Actually I just made that last bit up - but it seems to have potential...  Need to think on that a while...

Gracias,

Glenn