doc1234 wrote:Both are interchangable i believe? The game boards the boxed set come with are pretty much all you need for that, the game units are the same. I think tactics is more for the "boardgame" players while warfare is geared towards "Wargamers" in terms of play.
Greetings,
What did she give you exactly?
I think starting with Dust Tactics is good, because the investment to play both is minimal. Thus, if she picked up for you the Revised Core Set with the rules, for example, you'd probably just want to get the Terrain Tiles (essential, the papery maps just don't cut it and they really are quite nice) and then expand from there.
The Board Game Geek Dust Tactics (or, alternately, Warfare) forums have tons of threads about what to expand with, buy later, etc.
So, I digress. Tactics is like bloody, brutal chess. it really requires you to think a few ticks ahead of the clock, use your abilities wisely, and count on a little lady luck.
It's fast, fun and very scenario driven. You must use scenarios and missions to stay within the spirit of the game.
It is an ideal way to learn the basics of Dust stat lines, shooting, weapon familiarity and ability concepts.
Some of that changes in Dust Warfare, however. This game is a natural progression to a more realistic and in depth type of conflict, and when I play it around
40K gamers they often either want to try or stare longingly as we finish a highly strategic large match in about two hours tops.
Warfare is command and platoon driven, and also heavily scenario based, and their ingenious Battle Builder approach which allows for fast but player -driven scenario creation is simply fantastic.
We like both games, however.
If she got you the core set, I'd pick up:
The Terrain Tiles for Tactics, followed by more units that you are keen on and then, when you cannot resist any longer,
grab the Warfare core rule book.
Play tactics first, then start envisioning taking over a large game board with the free measure system and far more detail and depth.
Both rock -- my girlfriend, her best female friend, and many of my game group love Tactics.
Warfare is a more thorough sell -- and it must be pushed by someone familiar with the rules -- but one taste of it recently and now my entire game group is coming over next Friday for a full on significant 2 on 2 demo game.
It is faster, more engaging, more interesting and far far more balanced than most wargames on the market.
It has it's flaws, and some don't like it, but we are eating up both at the moment.
Chow down.