• Registered: 2005-10-27
  • Posts: 18

Topic: Max fleet sizes

Hi All,

I was wondering about a rule of thumb that you guys may have regardinhg the number of ships per side for any given engagement. I'm targeting a 2~3 hour game length, and I was wondering how many ships per side would be considered average for that kind of encounter before it gets unweildy.

A dozen per side max?or would that be too many? (I'm not considering fighter complement at this time) What is the major factor which would slow down a game (aside from analysis paralysis wink )

Thanks,
Sir Didymus

  • Registered: 2005-03-28
  • Posts: 287

Re: Max fleet sizes

I would say 8-10...
Though battle length will be greatly affected by the number of fighters/drones or other special situations... mines, etc.

The strength of the ship defenses will also greatly affect things. The higher overall shield levels will tend to stretch out the fighting.

  • Registered: 2005-10-27
  • Posts: 18

Re: Max fleet sizes

Yes we noticed that fighters and mines greatly lengthen the game. We played recently a 4 ship per side battle which lasted 2~3 hours. I had an 8 fighter flight CVL on the table (plus battle sattellites, and marines) and 3 of his 4 ships were launching 10 mines each! See It Here

Thanks for the quick reply, it'll greatly help in scenario design.

Sir Didymus

  • Registered: 2005-10-27
  • Posts: 18

Re: Max fleet sizes

Is there any way that you would know of to "fleet-ify" SX? I'd love to throw move ships at an enemy, since I worked out my FT Japanese fleet OBB (777 ships divided into 8 fleets). I'd be happy to mobilize a battlegroup of 24 ships (4x 6-ship squadrons) if I could, but I don't want to spend a 12 hours playing the battle.

Any semi-official squadron movement rules out there?

Thanks again. (off to bed for me)
Sir Didymus

  • From: Denver, CO
  • Registered: 2005-03-27
  • Posts: 3,578

Re: Max fleet sizes

Didymus13 wrote:

Is there any way that you would know of to "fleet-ify" SX?

I have considered doing just such a thing, but I didn't know if it would be worthwhile. If there are enough people interested in "fleet level" Starmada, I can start sparing some brain cells for the project... smile

Daniel Kast
Majestic Twelve Games
cricket@mj12games.com

mj12games's Website

  • Registered: 2005-10-27
  • Posts: 18

Re: Max fleet sizes

Hi Dan,

Well I may not be the typical miniature gamer, but for those who buy the GZG fleet deals and carrier deals (Which makes for 36 off ships I think) total,  plus fighters and other small craft, it might be interesting.

It also might attract the BFG people since they field LOTS of ships at a time (my 1500 point Dark Eldar Fleet has 15 ships, and the "medium" battle points are at 2000 if memory serves)

All this to say that yes, please free up the brain cells smile Even just a squadron structure/movement ruleset would be beneficial for nuts like me with too many ships smile

Sir Didymus