This post is probably going to have very limited interest, however, it is a follow on to my last post and incorporates all of my thinking of the last couple of days.
It probably is 'ALL' of my thinking. Wargamers....nothing else on our minds even when we are supposed to be working!
Anyway - I am going to share my thoughts and at least at some point in the future it might help someone who wants to improve their 'Blood Red Skies' experience - especially if they already like 'X-Wing' and have some interest in planes which fly like planes and not like spinning tops.
I have yet to play test the below amendments, but it already looks a lot more fun.
Blood Red Skies – Notes
Pros:
1.
The 3 tiers advantage/altitude is good
2.
The firing mechanism for fighters and Bombers is
good
3.
The head on attacks system is good
4.
The deflection shooting system is good
5.
The reactive dodge method is good
6.
The 5 level skill system is good
7.
The use of Advantage combined with Skill level to determine movement is good
8.
The use of Tailing to reduce advantage is good
9.
The use of Wingmen to reduce the tailing
advantage is good
10.
The option to burn advantage to dive at speed or
climb is good
11.
The boom chit system is quite good – prevents unrealistic
side ‘wipe outs’ mostly.
Cons:
1.
The manoeuvre system is hmmmmm …weird!
2.
The outmanoeuvre roll on a pilot action smacks
of being a desperate idea to actually get planes to shoot each other down
3.
Turning 180 degrees – see point one. It deserves
its own mention – The biggest weird bit.
4.
Manoeuver causes stale play – the system
encourages all aircraft to cluster in one area due to charging at each other and
the trying to 180 degree turn to disadvantage the opponent.
5.
The use of the Action Deck – why keep playing
the same cards turn after turn? The plane either has a powerful engine to
dive/climb well or it doesn’t. Why play a card?
6.
Multi-Engine planes – FAQ sheet helps in that it seems that Multi-engined planes do not appear to be
able to gain advantage so fly advantaged. Hits drop it to Neutral and then
disadvantaged when it will start to underperform (crew losses, damage etc.).
Then it takes one boom chit on each engine for hits (HE111 thus 2 engine hits,
Lanc is 4) before crashing. Those boom chits from engines only then given to
losing player.
Improvements:
1.
Do away with action cards completely. Just incorporate
traits as part of aircraft i.e. Climbing/turning/ robustness etc.
2.
Do away with whole manoeuvre system – Use X-Wing
movement. Initially use existing templates. Tightest turns only for Spit/Hurricane.
Planes with greater dive/climb move further/add on bonuses.
3.
Be rid of the out-manoeuver rule.
4.
Aircraft of equal footing advantage and neutral
may shoot at others of the SAME status as well as those of a lower status.
5.
Equally disadvantaged aircraft may not shoot at
equally disadvantaged planes – symbolises, stoppage/pilot
confusion/disorientation etc.
6.
Would like to incorporate damage effects on
fighters – i.e. Streaming glycol etc - plane avoids losing boom chit if it
makes it back off the table - but this
might be over-complicating (maybe use a different ‘damage’ dice to throw
alongside others?)
New Rules Playsheet Sequence:
1. Movement Planning Phase (X-Wing discs) – Select movement option for turn on disc
for each and every plane and reveal all simultaneously with other player
2.
Shooting phase
Shoot: Adv to adv or lower
Shoot: Neutral to Neutral or lower
Disadvantaged planes may not shoot
3. Move using X-Wing templates in order of skill level (advantaged first, then neutral then disadvantaged).
4. Choose whether to burn advantage to dive to lower level and further
5. Pilot Action:
Shoot Again if Possible
Climb one advantage level
6. End of Activation – place winged chit
