GDA2
Moderators: Vis Bellica, Laffe, DCRBrown
Re: GDA2
So, let's open the debate on how to improve upon General d'Armee.
The original draft of GdA was penned way back in about 2014, it had it its final real play-test at the Wargames Holiday Centre in 2016, before moving onto publication in 2017.
What are we looking to do?
Well I've been on a few "management" courses - most were useless talking shops - but I did learn a few things such as the below suggestions thus we can either;
a) Do nothing. GdA is fine as it is.
b) Keeping the basic premise but altering various mechanics to improve decision making and game play.
c) Go in all guns blazing, kicking in all the doors and sorting out what remains afterwards!
Personally I'm looking more at option b) with the following three aims:
1. IMPROVE COMMAND AND CONTROL
2. SLICKER CHARGE PROCEDURE - MERGE CHARGES WITH MELEE.
3. USE THE SKIRMISHER FIRING SYSTEM FOR VOLLEY AND ARTILLERY FIRE AS WELL.
I'll update the thread as I progress through the process but I'd be very grateful for your views and comments throughout.
Cheers.
DB.
The original draft of GdA was penned way back in about 2014, it had it its final real play-test at the Wargames Holiday Centre in 2016, before moving onto publication in 2017.
What are we looking to do?
Well I've been on a few "management" courses - most were useless talking shops - but I did learn a few things such as the below suggestions thus we can either;
a) Do nothing. GdA is fine as it is.
b) Keeping the basic premise but altering various mechanics to improve decision making and game play.
c) Go in all guns blazing, kicking in all the doors and sorting out what remains afterwards!
Personally I'm looking more at option b) with the following three aims:
1. IMPROVE COMMAND AND CONTROL
2. SLICKER CHARGE PROCEDURE - MERGE CHARGES WITH MELEE.
3. USE THE SKIRMISHER FIRING SYSTEM FOR VOLLEY AND ARTILLERY FIRE AS WELL.
I'll update the thread as I progress through the process but I'd be very grateful for your views and comments throughout.
Cheers.
DB.
Re: GDA2
Can’t say that I’ve got a list of changes I think need to be made. Personally I’d stick with a) and limit any changes to clarifications and sorting out any edge cases. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it!
No strong views on resolving Melees immediately after Charges if that’s your preference. However, it opens up both the attacker and defender to being shot later in the turn in the Firing phase making the turn more sequential rather that as now which implies that melee and firing are happening at the same time, but just worked out separately.
Ok the volley and artillery firing means looking up a table, but it is one of the distinctive aspects of the rules. Using the Skirmish Fire system may be simpler but just replaces it with rolling more dice like many other rule systems out there. You lose a bit of GDA USP.
John
No strong views on resolving Melees immediately after Charges if that’s your preference. However, it opens up both the attacker and defender to being shot later in the turn in the Firing phase making the turn more sequential rather that as now which implies that melee and firing are happening at the same time, but just worked out separately.
Ok the volley and artillery firing means looking up a table, but it is one of the distinctive aspects of the rules. Using the Skirmish Fire system may be simpler but just replaces it with rolling more dice like many other rule systems out there. You lose a bit of GDA USP.
John
Re: GDA2
Personally, I'd also go with A. I like that charges and melee are separate, it makes the turn less linear and more fluid. I also love the firing tables, John is spot on, too many bucket of dice systems as is. I'm really curious to hear about the command and control piece. What's not ideal there and needs fixing?
Re: GDA2
Please don’t change. Our group love it just the way it is. Enough detail to get granular but not too much granular to slow the game down. Our games are slow because the outcome of decisions can be so uncertain which is great.
Ooh but please could you downgrade Cossacks a bit more as, with the exception of one of our group, we feel they are far too good.
Ooh but please could you downgrade Cossacks a bit more as, with the exception of one of our group, we feel they are far too good.
Re: GDA2
Ooh there is one thing. Poor quality troops don’t suffer a penalty when moving and firing. Wouldn’t it be better to introduce a penalty of -1 or 2 as with artillery and units retain their firing line on the table based on quality.
We play a lot of 1813/14 so the table is rammed with columns of conscripts on both sides who can move and fire at will. In fact why wouldn’t they move their firing is as good as any other moving unit whether they move or not?
This would increase the chance of loss of discipline for all troops.
We play a lot of 1813/14 so the table is rammed with columns of conscripts on both sides who can move and fire at will. In fact why wouldn’t they move their firing is as good as any other moving unit whether they move or not?
This would increase the chance of loss of discipline for all troops.
Re: GDA2
I agree with the guys above. I don't see anything that is broken.
I am not a fan of buckets of dice especially in a larger battle.
The dice could be overwhelming in a large battle and be everywhere on the table. I think it is different in smaller unit type actions like Sharp Practice or COC where it does work.
I agree the charge and Melee separate keep the game feel fluid.
I don't believe the system needs much more than some clarification and your thoughts on Command and Control.
This is the one rule set that made me take back up Napoleonic's after a number of years.
But I am always open to improvements even on a system that is this good.
Mark
I am not a fan of buckets of dice especially in a larger battle.
The dice could be overwhelming in a large battle and be everywhere on the table. I think it is different in smaller unit type actions like Sharp Practice or COC where it does work.
I agree the charge and Melee separate keep the game feel fluid.
I don't believe the system needs much more than some clarification and your thoughts on Command and Control.
This is the one rule set that made me take back up Napoleonic's after a number of years.
But I am always open to improvements even on a system that is this good.
Mark
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Re: GDA2
I'm with John, so A for me!! The best set of rules I've ever played, Napoleonic or otherwise. Agreed that if it ain't broke don't fix it!! You have these forums for clarification. No need to simplify or complicate, leave as is please.
Darren.
Darren.