Where are the BRS AAR's being posted? I would like to read some.
Where are the BRS AAR's being posted? I would like to read some.
You Tube, BGG, does BRS have a forum, if so then there perhaps ?
Sapiens qui vigilat... "He is wise who watches"
I've been tinkering with BRS since my starter box arrived last week. Lasercutting tokens, range rulers, etc. to convert the game to 1/100th scale. (I have most of what I want for the BoB in that scale already, having collected a number of the old Axis and Allies Air Force minis.)
But while waiting for the laser to finish its merry dance this afternoon, I began to consider; How well would BRS work as a set of massed combat WW1 rules?
I've usually found WoW is great fun for small actions, and rightly so — its emphasis is on manoeuvre, rather than BRS's focus on morale. But I really would like to have a go at a big dogfight, 20+ machines, in a game that resolves inside of a couple of hours.
I'm enamoured with a lot of the mechanics in BRS. Through them, there's a feel that the game regards the aircrew as the most important component in a warplane, and that's an angle I'm really pleased to see in an air combat game. It also plays pretty fast, without much bookkeeping or turn-slowing procedures.
But... will it porte outside of WW2?
The first change that comes to mind is to limit Firepower: FP2 for twin MGs, FP1 for single mounts.
Turns could be up to 90°, rather than 45° in most cases...
That's as far as I've gotten so far. If anyone else has contemplated the same thing, I'd be delighted to hear their thoughts.
- Martin
Hi Martin,
!/100 planes WWI planes?
Hey there, Gary!
Not First World War, mate, but Second. The Axis and Allies Air Force series was entirely focused on WW2.
They're not the best minis ever made, but they are good enough to serve after some detailing, repainting and decalling.
All my WW1 machines are 1/144th. Mostly WoW, although I picked up a bunch of Shapeways SE5a's earlier this year. I like the idea of fighting the Squadron-level patrol actions that became more common in 1918. 12-18 aircraft a side would be a bit of a struggle with WoG, unfortunately.
By the way, I'll be running BRS at Garrison next Monday night, if you're free and fancy giving it a go.
That is Monday 4th at what time please?
I tried to resist that one, but finally bought the starter set here for a price just little higher than a price for a single Lancaster (and you surely know what I personally think about WoG Lancaster).
Some nice components and 12 minis plus three cardboard bombers (Blenheim/Do-17) seem to be more than acceptable. Have not played a game so far, but I like the way the game handles "altitude" issue. My concern was also the overlapping, but there can be nothing like that (ufff!, knowing how confusing it can be). The planes are very good gaming pieces, not models, but are ok.
Read the basic rules and they seem to be enough for casual gaming. You do not use virtually any cards and the gameplay shall be pretty fast paced.
I like the dice and rules for deflection shooting (easy ones) and tailing. They try to reflect real flying without annoying details.
Morale as a victory condition - a new concept, quite all right to me.
I do not think I will expand the system...until they publish Fw 190A...then will buy Yaks 1s...
"We do not stop playing when we get old, but we get old when we stop playing."
I've had my starter box sitting on a shelf for 2 months. No time to play
However i am a member of the FB group and people seem to talk really nicely about the game.
Warlord Games deserves a shout-out for this; After handling the graphics for the 'Beta' cards for the Blood Red Skies FB group, I cheekily asked if Warlord could pay me in aircraft! Well - they did! I only asked for a box of Zeroes, but they threw in Saburo Sakai and some decals, too. Very nice of them!
I think the following post from the BRS Ready Room FB page is interesting on multiple levels. First and foremost, I really appreciate Warlord Games transparency regarding process and choice. On a more macro scale, I find the explanation of the metal vs plastic production methods fascinating. If it takes a year for a basic plastic model think about how long it must take for Ares to produce a complete, ready to fly model (with clear canopy and propellers no less!). Finally, METAL WILDCATS, Woo-hoo!!!
Here is the quote (FB formatting is ugly):
Here is the next box of airplanes I am buying:Ok may be a good time to explain the difference between production in metal rather than plastic. (Caveat as I understand it) Once a master is made, which a talented modeller can do, or you can CAD 3d print a master, you make a master mould with silicone rubber, and duplicate the master a dozen or more times. That isn't a long process and crucially it uses skills and technology already available at Warlord HQ in Nottingham. Those copied masters are used to make a production mould - usually in a more durable silicon, and once that cures it can be used to spin metal models, I would guess at a dozen or more at a time. When casting you need to let the mould cool between spins but assuming you have several moulds going at the same time you can cycle through multiple times an hour. The whole process, from having the original master to having a production capable mould could (I cant do italics) be completed in a matter of days. The technology to do it is also well established - in fact most of us here could manage to spin cast in the garage with some limited investment. We would lack the skills needed to do it well, but it is doable. Warlord have literally decades of built up skill with spin cast metal, and all the machinery and equipment needed too. Metal is a medium they are comfortable with and have control of the production process - if a mould fails they get the mould squad to make a new one and 24 hours later theyre back in production. Plastic on the other hand requires a whole step change in technology and equipment. The moulds for plastic are steel, and very expensive. The process in creating a mould for plastic is long and fraught with the possibility of expensive cock ups. Actual production usually happens abroad (read usually China) which adds unbelievable layers of complication, confusion and delays due to communications and shipping issues to mane a few. Warlord don't have the capacity to produce plastic models on site - they have a partnership with Italeri to do most of the heavy lifting and actual production for their 28mm plastic stuff. All that taken into account means as a general rule of thumb a plastic model will take a year going from concept to stock. I prefer plastic, but that means waiting. I'm not good at waiting.
I welcome metal airplanes with open wallet.
To my mind BRS is a real challenge for our WGS system. I own it and plan to play it soon. Well, at least Warlord does not spend resources to produce useless models, like Lancasters.
I am sorry, Lancs lovers. It is a beautiful plane, but a waste of resources...
"We do not stop playing when we get old, but we get old when we stop playing."
Sounds like Andrzej is turning to the dark side. Having said that, another source of aircraft is always welcome, especially if they produce types that are not otherwise available. Metal is fine for smaller types (not too heavy) if converting them for WGS.
Was a bit disappointed that the last lot of new releases turned out to be Zvezda re-treads.
Run for your life - there are stupid people everywhere!
Don't worry, Warlord is just as likely to produce useless models as Ares. The Mosquito is a case in point, and the much commented inclusion of the P51D in the first wave of releases. Warlords's release schedule seems to be dictated in part by what the senior managers think is "Cool" and not really related to the needs of the player base
Yes, good stuff you wrote.
Curious about one thing. Why do you dislike the Mosquito as a choice?
First off, I love the Mosquito as a plane, in all its variations.
However, as a gaming piece in WoG, it's a non-starter for me. Its entire design, as a bomber, was to avoid fights, and not have to defend itself.
Within scenarios for WoG, that means bombing scenarios against AAA, and outrunning any scrambled fighters.
V1 intercepts? Possible, but not much more than a solo (one-sided) game, IMHO.
Nightfighting scenarios could be considered, but have playability issues for me.
And, as a Fighter-Bomber, or intercepter, you have the Beaufighter issue, with horrendous firepower in the front end, which will usually shred anything that gets in front of it. Again, playability come to mind.
As one of the fastest planes of the war, it needs an even bigger maneuver deck than the current 'Fast' planes, IIRC. However, that sets us up for the Me.262, so, not necessarily a bad thing.
PS: it will need a bigger box, like a heavy fighter or bomber, so a bigger maneuver deck will fit in that box. And it won't be produced as part of a series, but most likely as a 'Special Pack'. More production costs?
Mike
"Flying is learning to throw yourself at the ground and miss" Douglas Adams
"Wings of Glory won't skin your elbows and knees while practicing." OldGuy59
What he said!
I won't be getting any Mossies for WGS - they are as unusable as a Lancaster (which I also won't be getting any more of).
I laugh in the face of danger - then I hide until it goes away!
The FB page is interesting and instructive. Warlord Games still produces many/most of the specialized troops and teams for Bolt Action in metal. I had wondered why, since the
rational I had read about the switch to plastic/resin for wargaming figures was cost and obviously lead-free.
Same for Warhammer AoS/40K.
I am curious as to why you're excited about metal Wildcats, when you can buy resin (possibly cheaper; I haven't compared the price-point) from AIM?
You still have to paint them from BRS.
Karl
It is impossible for a man to begin to learn what he thinks he knows. -- Epictetus
The De Havilland Mosquito was slower than some Mustangs, so, they would not need extra large manoeuvre cards, just the fast fighter sized cards. Keith has already produced heavy fighter bases for them.
I take your point about finding combat situations for them within the game situation but they were such versatile aircraft that I feel sure some of the creative people here will come up with ideas.
I like the BRS metal Wildcats for three reasons:
-In regards to being metal, I think the Wildcat as the initial model in that medium is a great choice given the real airplane's toughness.
-Front of line service for an obvious gap in PTO support.
-Another bold move by Warlord that shows a willingness to think out of the box about what goes in the box, leading to more airplanes available to customers.
...and now BRS is expanded by ready to play Ju 88 3 minis box with all the stuff, bases, cards...
How come...
Bought.
If they publish a box of 6 Fw-190A the conversion to the Dark Side may be completed, I am afraid...
"We do not stop playing when we get old, but we get old when we stop playing."
Then sadly I have some news about Your Father.
FW190As in plastic due by the end of the year, or so I am told
Bring it to Prague next year, Andrzej. I feel a strong drug withdrawal syndrome...
...and sadness we are not supplied with our beloved game.
Mike
"Flying is learning to throw yourself at the ground and miss" Douglas Adams
"Wings of Glory won't skin your elbows and knees while practicing." OldGuy59
Not really- they're the old Academy 1:200 B17s painted up and based for BRS
Just got an update from Warlords today, they are releasing the Hurricane and the Skeeter as box sets next.
Warlord blew it from a sales perspective. They slightly staggered a PTO release right before this so people who are more carrier based already placed our orders and will be less likely to immediately purchase again. For my part, I will likely hold off on those Mosquitto's until Warlord releases something else of interest.
Warlords business model is based on near-continuous availability rather thsn the more chaotic "feast-famine" model that certain other companies follow, so this release plan wont hurt them, nor will it result in stupid prices being charged on eBay for OOP models in a few months
It may not hurt them in a major measurable way but there will be an impact because I know I am not the only person on this side of the pond who will not be buying again one week after their previous order, and before even receiving it! It is nothing personal, just business...
Only difference seems to be that they pack the models with different stands and cardboard for BRS and there are three models in a pack.
Depends on where you buy from but if you just want the models for WoG then it might work out cheaper just going for the Zvezda originals.
I found a copy of the BRS Starter used for a good price, so I ordered it out of curiosity and have been playing the first few scenarios out of the manuals.
It's a very different game from WOG, that's for sure. There are no fancy manuevers; you use a ruler to move general distances, and use the tilting base to indicate 'advantage' rather than try to track altitude. 'Advantage' can be traded off for tighter turns and manuevers, but then needs to be regained to get a shot on an opposing plane.
I think folks who like their aircombat games crunchy and detailed will hate it, but I like the trade-off - although concepts like altitude or difficult manuevers are abstracted, it keeps the game fast-moving.
The little 1/200 miniatures are pretty mediocre, IMHO. I wish they were painted and better quality, but then to sell a starter set with a dozen miniatures would cost so much no one would buy the game.
I'll play it some more, but I don't think it will be replacing WOG in my collection.
I agree about not replacing. I think of WoG as heroic (1-2 models) with me and possibly another lad in the cockpits while BRS is skirmish (4-7 models) and I am managing the squadron. I was getting pulled into BRS hard at first because it is more lively but now that I am learning to fly real aircraft my desire to be in the cockpit has completely evened things out so that I will equally play either depending on mood and the audience. Actually, if more people around were interested in WoG and Ares supported PTO it might be different.
. . . I have a fully painted set with several extras if anyone is interested . . . PM
Warlord are busy with their Cruel Seas MTB / PT boat game, but at their open day last month they did mention they were going ahead with more metal releases. Their first batch will be Soviets, as they have a deal with Rebellion who publish the 2000AD comics. Not sure if this is an accident or a piece of brilliance but that license also covers the "Johnny Red" comic strips from "Battle" dearly beloved by boys who grew up in the late 70s and early 80s in the UK. They're working on a mixed Squadron box of Ratas, Migs and Lags like in the comic to be followed by "real" Squadrons of the same types later. All in metal. All unconfirmed and no release date but if they do manage it there's plenty to be happy about. I've seen the render for the La5FN and it is much better than the AIM version, but of course that's just vapourware til something gets on the shelf of a store.
Just players wanting his planes for the game. Just like many of us who play Wings second.
Warlord created beta rules including graphic designed, printable aircraft cards for many planes. How long has it been, six months, and they already far exceed the totality of Ares non-model support of their game.
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