Gents,
I need some advice on game size.
Type: Meeting Engagement.
Players: 4-8 (attendance varies)
Experience: DS2 experience - low, general gaming background and other
GZG games - very high (very adaptable, used to picking up new games and
just playing them, sharp crew)
What is an appropriate number of points/elements to deploy (I realize a
point value is only a guideline, so also suggest how many manouver elements
would be good to have). I want everyone to be involved, but I'd like the game
to be one we can finish in 4 hours.
I'm thinking (just a WAG) that something like 1 pltn of armour and 1
pltn of MICV-bound infantry per player wouldn't be too bad. That gives
everyone about 3 manouver elements (and a bunch of dice to roll at firing
time!).
Now, I'm not saying all I'd give is MICVs and tanks... but that might be some
reasonable idea of the magnitude of forces. Probably throw in a
flavour or two - maybe a unit of engineers, probably some light
artillery. Just something that lets people play move and shoot, with smoke, a
bit of arty, etc. Classic stuff. No fancy tacair or uberweaponry.
Is this about right scalewise? Or am I short of units? Or are my
eyes-bigger-than-my... nope... not gonna give Chris the straight
line.... lets try this: too many units?
Thoughts? Gotchas to watch for?
Thanks. We've only played DS2 maybe twice in four or five years, and we're
going to give it a go and see what we think.
This is pretty close to the kind of thing I have done for first timers. It
keeps it manageable for learning, but gives enough for them to do. The
infantry may be a bit awkward for some. I have also just gone with 2-3
pltns of armor. But overall I agree with your approach.
[quoted original message omitted]
> --- Tomb <tomb@dreammechanics.com> wrote:
> I'm thinking (just a WAG) that something like 1 pltn
Personally, I'm a _big_ fan of the Rule of Three.
Anything less than three subelements lacks tactical flexibility. The dismounts
from the MICVs don't really count. You might want to parcel out the support
units 1 per player (scout platoon, VTOLs, Engineers, mortars, etc) if you
don't want to just increase the number of maneuver elements.
Of course, for an intro game that's a lot less important than it may be
otherwise.
3 Units per player seems good (@ 3-5 models/stands per unit). The key is
to keep everyone busy. Especially if this is a "learning" game don't try to
balance.
Michael Brown
[quoted original message omitted]
I would suggest 2-3 maneuver units per person. With more even good new
players can bog down in keeping track of details while learning a new system.
I would also suggest trying to keep the units homogenous (same type of vehicle
in a unit). I would also suggest keeping away from options (VTOL, Aerospace,
Snipers, etc.).
You may want to skip artillery, or not. If you do not, I suggest giving
making it a few off-board tubes (2-4?) and limiting the number of rounds
for
the battery (1-3?). Aritllery can quickly become overwhelming.
If the players are more interested in playing than winning, you may want to
give one side more units or models in a unit at lower quality (FCS, Armor,
Weapon type) than the other. However, this may be better for a 2nd game.
-----
Brian Bell
-----
[quoted original message omitted]
Brian said:
> I would suggest 2-3 maneuver units per person.
I'd say at least three. With 2 units you have only four formations available:
line, column, echelon left, echelon right. Possible formations goes up
geometrically with number of units. I'd say 3 to start with, eventually
working up to 5.