I spotted the second edition of AirWar:1918 this evening as I was browsing through Wargame Vault, as you do, so my pocket money this week will be blown on yet another set of air wargaming rules. I actually have a copy of the original first edition that I've never got round to playing, so it will be interesting to see what changes have been made to the rules, although I suspect the core of it will be pretty much the same. The new edition does have a campaign system though, which is a big plus for me.
I like the fact that it doesn't require a hex mat for starters and is a fast play system, with logical mechanisms for movement and combat that would work for solo gaming with a bit of a wiggle. As a change from 1/72nd or 1/144th scale aircraft, I'm thinking of using it for 1/600th scale on something like a 3' x 3' area, which means I could pack a lot into a relatively small space and still have a good dogfight, artillery spotting or balloon busting game that would be very portable too!
And I was just to post the good news as a comment at your (previous) last post - which fittingly also was about WWI in the air. Anyhow, you beat me to it - as usual :)
ReplyDeleteI've eagerly been awaiting this release, and I have tried to hunt both Wessex and David with pleades :P. I like the feel, the amount of plane data, and not least - I want to have the same basic rules for all epochs (AirWar 1940 is also soon coming, from the news email). But I also wanted some more flavour then the otherwise nice and quick Wings at War-series gives.
Happy hunting!
Ooh I like the look of this matey. Would like to hear how you get on with it from a solo perspective.
ReplyDeleteI like the fact you can run a campaign with it and that it would probably work well for solo games. I'm thinking of using cm instead of inches to compress the space, but with 1/600th scale models so that it's still realistic.
ReplyDeleteThe only issue I see with solo play is the maneuver cards. But I think you can get around that.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the campaign looks like an interesting option.
Yes that's the only thing to be worked out..I'm sure I can devise a way round it.
ReplyDeleteJim,
ReplyDeleteWhat size table do you reckon the game (as written) intends? 6’x6’, 6’x4’ with the centreline being essentially 3’ from each player’s baseline?
The campaign system looks well thought out and ‘generic’ enough you can adjust as required.
I’m going to add in some airplane ‘quirks’ as not all machines were made equal…even with the variation allowed in AW1918. The game is simple enough a wee bit of chrome will add variety.
Eg the SPAD XIII was a superb diving aircraft…so I’m going to add that trait which will give it a +2drm on a ‘power dive’ manoeuvre roll. There are others but you get the idea…very simple that only applies to a number ‘specials’ thus making not all aircraft fit into the somewhat cookie-cutter approach of the AW system (which is why it chromes up so easily!)…this is a good thing, not a criticism. I’m a huge fan of the C21 system.
Hope you post some AW1918 stuff on the blog as not much is available online.
I’ve just finished up a playsheet for it if you are interested. I chatted to Dave M a few days ago and he confirmed no playsheet was done….unfortunately.
Cheers
Happy Wanderer
I would be very interested in the playsheet if you cared to share it publicly.
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