Messages

496

Dystopian Wars / Re: Ideas for other subforums...

« on: April 13, 2012, 11:40:30 am »

Maybe a subforum for reporting campaign stats?  We're just starting an X-Cam here in VA and need a place to post wins, losses, accumulated Recon Points, etc.

497

Dystopian Wars / Re: Empire of the Blazing suns Navel Tactics

« on: April 12, 2012, 10:31:49 pm »

I tried using an Ika for the first time, properly, the other day, and it worked quite well at sneaking up to the enemy (laying mines along the way), and then surfacing to attack and make derelict an enemy ship.  Until recently, I have followed the tactical doctrine of keeping to longer range bands until those rocket batteries start to damage the enemy (I fear boarding actions like nothing else), even when it has led to my opponent's ships chasing mine all around the tabletop.

I think matching my EBS fleet against orangetom's fleet might be a good learning experience on fleet tactics for both of us.

498

General Discussion / Re: What are you reading?

« on: April 12, 2012, 10:08:15 pm »

That's the book I've been looking to read!  I've been interested in how fast the Japanese navy developed at the end of the 20th century, noting references in books about the British navy and how the Japanese built a navy from scratch largely based on British conventions along with some warships built in British shipyards.  Everything I've read, however, focused mostly on the years immediately prior to WWII and then the War in the Pacific.  Thanks for the link!

499

General Discussion / What are you reading?

« on: April 12, 2012, 06:16:51 pm »

Atlantic: Great Sea Battles, Heroic Discoveries, Titanic Storms, and a Vast Ocean of a Million Stories by Simon Winchester

A broad but interesting bio of the Greatest Sea on the planet, starting with the geological and ranging from the ecological to the mythological.  It has been out since 2010 (reviewed here: http://www.powells.com/blog/review-a-day/simon-winchesters-well-navigated-atlantic-by-review-a-day/ ), but I checked out an audiobook version from my local library last week and I'm enjoying the experience.

500

Uncharted Seas / The Uncharted Seas

« on: April 12, 2012, 06:10:58 pm »

The Uncharted Seas was my first beloved game from Spartan Games, and I remain convinced it is still the best (I think Dystopian Wars certainly features more bells, whistles, and steampipes but is not necessarily better).  New versions of the old models were released late last year, and I recently picked up a box of the new Imperial Human starter fleet.  These second generation models are very beautiful indeed, and certainly affordable (especially when compared to other naval miniatures, most of which I can't even find this side of the Atlantic).  And I'm looking forward to buying and painting even more sailing ships.

Today I noticed a post on the Spartan Games forum from Neil himself that a revised rule book, in hardcover, is on the way this month, followed by a campaign book and some new models.  I'm certainly pleased....

501

News and Rumors / Re: Spartan May Releases Announced

« on: April 12, 2012, 06:06:32 pm »

Just saw a post by Neil that a revised, hardcover rule book is coming out this month for The Uncharted Seas!

502

Find a Game! / Re: Member Locations

« on: April 09, 2012, 07:50:32 am »

I'm in Culpeper, VA where I fortunately have one usual opponent willing to play any sort of naval game for which I can provide rules and models.  But I often play Dystopian Wars and Uncharted Seas at the Game Vault in Fredericksburg, and I have gone as far north as Alexandria and south to Alexandria to run demo games.  I'm ready to try some space naval games, like BFG, but any age-of-sail game is my preference.