Couple of unrelated comments and observations...
I've noted that in DS rules units only fire one weapon per activation. This
makes sense for an AFV, but I recently picked up a pair of MicroArmor River
Patrol Boats from their Vietnam line. Looks to me
like a pair of dual-mount gun turrets, plus two more MGs (or RFAC-1s)
along the side. What would be a good rule of thumb for allowing larger
vehicles with larger crews to fire multiple weapons?
Anyone got any good ideas for demo/intro games for Dirtside? I'm
trying to restart some sort of playing group at one of the larger game
shops in my area, and have decided to begin with an every-thing
provided demo, and proceed by poaching Epic players. So anyone got ideas on
how to run a demo game with multiple newbies, one umpire, and a set of figures
that was never intended to provide both sides?
What comes in a Stargrunt Command section blister pack? How about a Heavy
Weapon command section? I'm looking primarily at the NAC Marines to provide my
light infantry, and NSL to provide my mechanized troops.
For scout platoons/cavalry dismounts, however, I havn't decided.
Anyone got suggestions for figs that aren't wearing body armor and look like
they could qualify for the 8" move rate?:) I'm working off the
black-and-whites in the Geo-Hex catalog.
> Anyone got suggestions for figs that aren't wearing body armor and look
> like they could qualify for the 8" move rate? :) I'm working off the
I like to use some of the PAU troops - standard BDUs, moderate to heavy
packs,
most with no helmet - they kind of scream Selous Scouts, LRRP,
what-have-you
light forces. Personally, I'd like to see some of the PAU troops in combat
shorts. That would add something, I think.
> So anyone got
Having run things like this before, the best solution that I've found is to
take 2 sides, divide up whatever forces you have as evenly as possible (armor,
infantry, arty, air, whatever), even if this comes up with some silly unit
composition, and have a meeting engagement with a lot of varied terrain. Avoid
buildings unless you know the urban rules real well. Have lots of hills &
woods. Start both sides on either far edge of the table (about 12" from the
edge), maybe set a few objectives, but _make_ them engage - that's what
the newbies want to do. If somebody wins just by better manuvering, it may be
a great victory as far as a regular player is concerned, but especially if
you're poaching from Epic, they'll want lots of combat. This also gives them
a taste of the DS morale/command system - one of the best aspects of the
game.
Another, very useful, sneaky trick - use some Epic minis if you're going
to be competing directly with the GW monster. This will spark interest, and
draw people to your table. I have a lot of old (1st ed) Epic stuff, and it
sees
use in DS2 regularly - representing a military culture with very little
money, brains or technical innovation. Great Bad Guys for newbie games.
I'll have to re-check in DS2 for the multiple firecon rules. It's been
a
while - last time was when I converted my Ogres (Flee! Run
awaaaaaaaaaaay!).
> You wrote:
> Having run things like this before, the best solution that I've found
So each newbie has a company or so out of a larger force, rather than a
multi-sided free-for-all?
> composition, and have a meeting engagement with a lot of varied
I just bought some hills. Will hit up a craft store for green felt, and buy a
dozen little trees to indicate density (many=thick woods, one or two=light
woods). Am considering black felt for blacktop and blue for rivers.
> edge), maybe set a few objectives, but _make_ them engage - that's
Bought and have begun painting a GZG 'Tramp' class Lt. Space Freighter. I
figured a decent scenario would that this is a supply shipment
slipped through the Imperial blockade--given identical designs and
paint schemes, it's gotta be a civil war--and both sides are trying to
take it intact.
> Another, very useful, sneaky trick - use some Epic minis if you're
Might buy some. I already use normal Space Marines as PA infantry, and their
missle teams as GMS teams. Have been considering one of their Imperial Guard
superheavy tanks as Bolo.
> You wrote:
> multi-sided free-for-all?
> or two=light woods). Am considering black felt for blacktop and blue
I would suggest also getting some smaller pieces of felt of a different shade
than your base sheet. Cut it into irregular shapes to clearly indicate the
extent of a forested area. This will reduce confusion and
"I'm in cover"/"No you're not" arguments. But still use the trees; the
felt doesn't give the right effect.
Re: firing multiple weapons, see Multiple Mount Weapons, on p. 32 of the DSII
rules.
- Sam
[snip]
> I just bought some hills. Will hit up a craft store for green felt,
A plug here for GeoHex's very pretty "Forest Floor" printed sheets, which
can be cut into irregular-shaped pieces for woods - with just a couple
of trees and a little bit of lichen placed on them the end result is both
effective in play and very decorative. One pack will give you enough small
wooded areas for an average 6mm battlefield.
In a message dated 98-05-17 14:17:59 EDT, lot's o' folks write:
[snip]
<< >>I just bought some hills....
> and buy a dozen little trees to indicate density (many=thick woods,
> A plug here for GeoHex's very pretty "Forest Floor" printed sheets,
[snip]
OK, I must add to this - for really neato effects, I'd go GeoHex all the
way.
If you play DS2/SG2 at all regularly, a GrassScape(?) mat will set you
back
about $35 - worth every darn penny. Looks a lot better than green felt,
IMHO. For a neat effect, pick up their Forest Floor sheets (cheap!), and put
your trees on those. As mentioned above, this clears up the 'in
forest/forest's
edge/out of forest' arguements. Those forests lok great when they
border on of...GeoHex's Farmland Sheets, available in all seasons! I prefer
the brown
Fall/Harvest color - really sets off against green grass and trees.
This
really gives the battlefield a 'lived-in' look. Add a little farmhouse,
and Voila! A boring grass plain, lightly forested, is transformed into the
Smith Farm and environs! Something worth fighting over! We did this a few
times,
and with enough of the stuff and a few gravel &/or paved roads (GeoHex
has paved roads, too!) our tables were a pretty good representation of rural
northern Indiana (to simulate southern Indiana, add hills). Noah V. Doyle
On Sun, 17 May 1998 19:16:39 +0100, Ground Zero Games
<jon@gzero.dungeon.com> wrote:
> A plug here for GeoHex's very pretty "Forest Floor" printed sheets,
I'll admit that I'm not crazy about the forest floor pack. It's just an
aesthetics thing, but I prefer to use felt. My local craft stores have various
shades of green intermixed with black and look pretty good.
However, I FULLY endorse GeoHex's river and dirt road printed sheets. They are
the most inexpensive roads and rivers you can find, and they look pretty good
on the table. Sure, I've seen rubber rivers and river banks that look nicer,
but they cost about 8 times as much. I plan to get more of these at GenCon.
Likewise, the farm field and 6mm road packs are great buys.