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A current trend is grid-based wargames like Arrowstorm, To The STrongest, Space Battles by Priestley, etc. However, grids are nothing new in wargame design. They have been around since the beginning. The classic example is Battletech but also Hex and Chit wargames.

How do you think and feel about grid-based wargames? Do you have a preference for hex vs grid? Are there genres you prefer it and genres you prefer not to have it?

Thoughts?

There are numerous ways to use the grids. I have played games which have foot square grids, and ones with 3 inch ones. They all have different uses. Typically it works when matched to rules sytems that take advantage, and doesn't when its just to make measuring quicker.

I generally prefer hexes to squares. Feels more natural for some reason. Less issues with how do we deal with diagonals.

They play faster then free measured systems. Quick count of hexes for range, no measuring tape needed. But you are also locked into fixed spaces/directions.

I have no problem playing any sort of system though. I did grow up in a more rules crunchy era though, so add a grain of salt.

Not a fan of grids in general.

However, they work well for board Wargames. Battlelore, Imperial Assault and Halo are all great games on my shelf that I'd love to play more of.

In token based games I'm happy with grids & prefer hex to rectangles (grew up with hex).

For miniature based games I prefer terrain which appears more "realistic" to the visions in my head.

Obviously grids are more precise and faster. They also look like ass and result in rigid, unnatural terrain, arcs and movement.

That said, two of my top 3 best games of all time have grids (Monsterpocalypse and Deadzone)