One Player - One plane?
Is expected that each player only controls one plane? It seems that a single player controlling two planes is better able to coordinate them than two opponents controlling one plane each. Or are the two players able to openly discuss moves in the planning phase? Co-ordinating would seem to be unrealistic but preventing it would seem to be difficult (without stripping all the fun out of the game) or impossible to avoid for a single player with more than one plane.
Thoughts welcome.
Mostly depends on the players there, or the person running the game. It's harder to coordinate 2+ lanes than you mighty think.
I regularly run 2 planes when I play, if needed, and have done up to 4 (hard).
Nothing in the rules about it.
Karl
It is impossible for a man to begin to learn what he thinks he knows. -- Epictetus
If the players are willing (and up to it!) I like to limit player communication to hand signals only. No radios, no discussion!
There's plenty of fun to be had when players are left to gesticulate wildly at each other, only to have their planes converge and then collide!
I do find that an experienced player can coordinate several aircraft, resulting in a marked increase in effectiveness, though it is hard on the brain! and can slow the game down during the planning phase.
Watching your wingman scoot off into the distance unexpectedly can be a lot of fun, and can force a player to "up their game" in order to survive until his return.
I laugh in the face of danger - then I hide until it goes away!
hand signals only sounds like a balanced approach, I might see if that works for me and the kids
One experienced player with two planes has a distinct advantage over two players with one each.
I like Tim's hand signal approach. I'm glad he doesn't let players fire flares in the gaming hall!
Good post. Each to their own but I like the 1 for 1 approach myself perhaps with respawns allowed depending on the scenaro. Hand gestures were the R/T of WWI, but once in a battle it usually ended up in a series of individual fights. Bombers are different of course as they used to fly in formation for mutual protection. You could try using the WOG auto movement app for some wingman antics. That would certainly make a game unpredictable.
Not for me. I play usually against 1 opponent we both run between 4 to 6 planes apiece. Tactics were discussed and practiced regularly during the war.
3 to 5 planes each for me and my regular opponent. We regularly collide with our own planes etc, normally because of red mist!
I only allow the Flight Leader to use flares. Coloured pipe cleaners work well and if any of the pilots miss seeing the flare, it is the luck of the game. I have had the whole Flight save one turn for home, and leave him hanging out to dry because he missed a red pipe cleaner. He was too busy sorting his cards, and being renowned for his slow play it caused much merriment amongst his co pilots as he beat a hasty retreat with the whole enemy Jasta bearing down on his tail.
Rob.
"Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."
Originally Posted by Teaticket
One experienced player with two planes has a distinct advantage over two players with one each.
I like Tim's hand signal approach. I'm glad he doesn't let players fire flares in the gaming hall!
yes, very true. much easier to maneuver a target into a trap. i dont care for running more than 1 myself.
Steve do you play with 2 mats or 1. At times I use 3 mats.
I try to avoid flying more than a single plane apiece. Flying 2+ means headache and decreased fun to my mind.
"We do not stop playing when we get old, but we get old when we stop playing."
One of the reasons I have not flown the Solo missions over the last year or so Andy. Age and infirmity make it more difficult to handle a lot of aircraft at once and remember what is what!
How are the mighty fallen.
Rob.
"Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."
I'd put that down to Gin, Wingco
Sapiens qui vigilat "He is wise who watches"
It's the Gin that keeps me going Squadron Leader.
Kyte.
"Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."
I had already added this app to my ipad (so far it seems to put up a good fight) but I've only used it for controlling the enemy and hadn't thought of using it control a wingman, I'll give it a go, thanks.Good post. Each to their own but I like the 1 for 1 approach myself perhaps with respawns allowed depending on the scenaro. Hand gestures were the R/T of WWI, but once in a battle it usually ended up in a series of individual fights. Bombers are different of course as they used to fly in formation for mutual protection. You could try using the WOG auto movement app for some wingman antics. That would certainly make a game unpredictable.
It can be great fun.
I used it extensively in WW2 scenarios for wingmen when I was controlling a solo hero character, even though they would have had Rt communications.
Rob.
"Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."
Muscle memory, use it or lose it!
Hand signals are only visible when planes are flying close to each other.
There is a Biggles story in which he sends a short Morse code message to another plane by waving his arm to indicate dots and dashes when they are flying side by side but I have never heard whether that was used in real life.
There are some suggestions for using flare signals in the Files section.
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