Does CB Need a Hex-Surface ???

[Bluebear]

Does Colonial Battlefleet ("where MC²=FUN") require a hex surface such as shown in the After Action Report? Or can it easily be played on a non-hex surface?


-- Jeff

[TheDreadnought]

Well we find that the hexes offer precision and an additional tactical element to the game that open-board play cannot. To people who always like to play open board games, I generally invite them to play CB with the hexes a couple times and then decide which way they want to play it. They almost always choose to go with the hexes.

But that said, you can play it without hexes simply by turning all ranges and movements into 1" increments. However it makes the manuevering of missiles a lot less preceise - but if you're playing in a setting that doesn't use guided missiles - there's probably not much impact at all so long as you and your opponent can agree on which of the 6 shield facings is being hit by a given attack. (Again - assuming you're using a setting that uses shields.)

[Bluebear]

Okay, now what would be the minimum size (hexes, not inches) a hex surface would you recommend?


-- Jeff

[TheDreadnought]

Really depends on how big your miniatures are to be honest. But 1.5" hexes is probably "industry standard" for these sorts of things.

Really small miniatures might be able to get away with 1.25" or even 1". Really big ones might need more 2" or 3".

[Bluebear]

I wasn't clear enough since you misunderstood my question. What do you feel is the minimum number of hexes by hexes a surface should you play on? Obviously more would be better, but what number of hexes by hexes would you feel comfortable on?


-- Jeff

[kashre]

Speaking for myself, I have been playing on a hex mat that's 25x38 hexes, but so far I've only used about half of that real estate.

Compared to other games I've played (Full thrust, silent death, star fleet battles) ships tend to have lower speeds and not cover as much terrain. Especially if you use the max speed optional rule.

Although it should be noted that I have only played fairly small games so far (3-5 ships per side, max) with no fighters yet.

[Bluebear]

Thank you, kashre. That helps . . . but, of course, I'd still like an answer from Harry.


-- Jeff

[TheDreadnought]

Oh yeah. . . different question.

(Thanks Kashre for sharing your experience BTW).

Hmmmm. . . maybe 20x20 if you really wanted to squeeze it down and weren't playing a big fleet engagement.

The standard mat most people use is 4x6 marked in 1.5" hexes. So I think that's 32x48 - but even with fairly sizable battles, I've only ever used a portion of that space.

Maximum range for the longest range direct fire weapons (i.e. not missiles, or grapeshot, or other things on the tabletop) is going to be about 14 hexes with a maximum range to be truly effective of about 12 hexes.

Ships are typically going to be moving 5 - 9 hexes per turn, but thats very seldom going to be in a straight line unless they're making a run for the map edge or a warp point.

Playing on a really small map will constrain the utility of the missiles because as you get in closer, the direct fire weapons become more "efficient" as weapon systems. The big advantage of the missiles is their stand-off capability - which isn't really needed on a small map.

There is a 'floating map board' option which can grant you some extra maneuver room, but obviously you don't want to have to do a lot of floating all the time.

Does that help at all?

[warchariot]

I hope to mess with the game this weekend on a 6'x8' surface with a couple of ships with fighters. I ordered a mat with 3" hexs because of ship size-they are on 2.5" hex bases with small ships and fighters on 1.37" bases. I'll let you know how it goes.

[TheDreadnought]

Should be plenty of room. Let us know how it goes, and take pics if you can!

[warchariot]

My hex mat wouldn't arrive until Teusday, but I'll try playing without it just to get a feel. I plan to play a real game against real peopel next weekend.

[craftyshafty]

May 28, 2010 11:04:14 GMT -5 TheDreadnought said:

Hmmmm. . . maybe 20x20 if you really wanted to squeeze it down and weren't playing a big fleet engagement.

The standard mat most people use is 4x6 marked in 1.5" hexes. So I think that's 32x48 - but even with fairly sizable battles, I've only ever used a portion of that space.

Does that help at all?

I was noticing that the scenarios in the rulebook are on 20x25 hex maps (I believe), which is really quite reasonable.

You might want to emphasize that as a selling point - it's really a great feature of the game that you don't need a 4' x 8' tabletop to play the game.

[TheDreadnought]

Good suggestion! Thanks!

[craftyshafty]

Always happy to help. Now please get cracking on those BSG mods.