Switch Theme:

Model independent space fleet combat games  [RSS] Share on facebook Share on Twitter Submit to Reddit
»
Author Message
Advert


Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you:
  • No adverts like this in the forums anymore.
  • Times and dates in your local timezone.
  • Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance.
  • Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely.
  • Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net.
If you are already a member then feel free to login now.




Made in ru
Death-Dealing Devastator





Since I'm going to soon come into possession of a small fleet of miniature spaceships (both capital ships, smaller escorts and fighter stands), I want to ask anybody with experience in this field what space (or lower orbit, hovering over terrain from afar - something akin to far future Dystopian Wars; stars in the background are not necessary) combat wargames they can recommend and what advantages and flaws these systems may have in relation to each other. I'm looking for for a system that is model agnostic (use whatever ships you have, it's preferrable if the scale also doesn't matter) and centered around fleet-scale engagements, not single fighters or fighter squadrons like X-Wing.

I've heard a lot of good about A Billion Suns, but after reading the rules I have an impression that player interaction is pretty limited and it's possible - depending on which contracts you get - to primarily be occupied with the board and managing your resources instead of your opponent. I adore PvPvE aspect in Zona Alfa, but it's still a competition game where you constantly have to maneuver around dangerous terrain and be weary of hostile creatures and your opponent's scavengers. I'm not sure there is enough incentive to actively engage your enemy in ABS, but I have no experience and would like to hear anybody else's opinions.
   
Made in gb
Longtime Dakkanaut



London

Traditionally that agnostic system is full thrust (many reviews online).
   
Made in us
Fixture of Dakka





West Michigan, deep in Whitebread, USA

OnePageRules has a fleet game called Warfleets: FTL. I like it.

https://onepagerules.com/portfolio/warfleets-ftl/

It's free and model agnostic, with both a generic fleet list and some faction-Specific ones, with the added benefit that the Faction-Specific lists can also use ships from the generic list. You take a basic ship profile of three different sizes and plug your own choice of weapons/equipment into them for free (upgrades amount depends on size), with the addition of ship titles and crew "Heroes" which are added as points increases.

You can either play with the free rules/lists, or pay a little (5 bucks) for the full rules, which add more things like campaign games, or optional rules to make the game play different. Essentially making the base game play more like old-school Battlefleet Gothic, or Star Wars Armada, or Dropfleet Commander.

In a nutshell, it's an old-styled fleet combat game, where each player has a fleet of assorted ships, and you maneuver and plug away at each other among various space terrain elements. I am probably going to use it with all my Star Wars Armada models for a more rules-lite experience.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2022/06/25 19:37:22




"By this point I'm convinced 100% that every single race in the 40k universe have somehow tapped into the ork ability to just have their tech work because they think it should."  
   
Made in ru
Death-Dealing Devastator





Warfleets looks interesting, thanks. I hope to try it out in the near future.
   
Made in us
Thrall Wizard of Tzeentch





Astral Empires Battleshift:

https://www.wargamevault.com/product/88213/Astral-Empires-Battleshift

Fairly high-level rules that let you get a lot of ships on the table. Ships have relatively simple stat lines, but there is enough detail to differentiate different classes within the same size category. Ships are grouped into squadrons, and you can mix different ship types in the same squadron.
   
Made in gb
Hardened Veteran Guardsman






Lost in the Warp

Full Thrust by GZG would be my first choice. It’s simple yet comprehensive and allows you to create your own fleets very easily. I’ve played it with everything from miniatures on a tabletop to massive blocks of timber and shopping boxes (detailed with Sharpies) on a tennis court.

DwS

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2022/07/01 21:02:09


lord marcus wrote:I resent that sir. Orks most certainly do have ding dongs.






 
   
Made in ru
Death-Dealing Devastator





Just got first game in using Warfleets FTL. Ruleset is indeed pretty simple, but still makes you think about maneuvering right. Played Breakthrough scenario with planetary assault orbital layers rules tacked on, Marauders ended up winning. What surprised me is relatively low lethality of weapons, Marauders only lost one squadron and one cruiser, Imperial side lost one squadron and one light ship. Will definitely try to get another game in in the future, preferrably in space.

Spoiler:

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2022/07/24 17:13:55


 
   
 
Forum Index » Other Sci-Fi Miniatures Games
Go to: