10 replies to this topic

[Fergle Fergleson]

Was wondering if anyone had some suggestions for good high-level/strategic-level Btech games? I was kind of interested in playing something at the same level as a game like Hearts of Iron or Civilizations, either as a computer game, table game or whatever-can-be-found. Something wherein the smallest unit I'm typically seeing is probably company-sized, and I'm also in control (to a certain degree) of things like production, supply lines, etc.

The closest I've come so far:

1) Battleforce 2 (out of print, but i've got a copy) - They have a planetary invasion mode, that's pretty close, but doesn't really cover some of the other aspects I'm interested in like production. Though it's potentially adaptable.

2) Succession Wars boxed set (looong since out of print) - This is the one Btech box I never got, though I've been able to see a partial pdf of some of the rules. It almost looks *too* high-level, but would definitely be closer (I think) to the model I'm after.

So... anyone have any suggestions? Thought? etc? I just want to be the leader of the entire Draconis Combine. It doesn't seem like too much to ask.

[Arctic Fox]

Combat Operations has a system called 'Inner Sphere in Flames', a Grand Strategy for simulating large campaigns and wars, which I think would be what you're looking for. It has a reputation for being utterly broken, from what I hear, but we are set to get an updated (or completely redesigned) system for it when Interstellar Operations comes out, along with updated rules for Planetary Assault.

I've wanted to try running an ISIF campaign online for a while, and was actually about to open a thread about it today. I have no idea if it would work, and the rules would probably have to be modified to avoid its infamous borkedness, but would anyone be interested in participating in such a game?

[Neovenator]

I have a copy of Succession Wars box set, and yes you do play it as the leader of a house faction, in fact you kind of need 5 players for the game. It is a board game on it's own and despite the setting and names it doesn't tie into any other products (mechanics are different), think more along the lines of axis and allies in space (Territories, Combat Units, Production, Cash, Tech Levels.....)

[Fergle Fergleson]

Thanks for the replies. Sounds like, except for Combat Ops and the upcoming Int' Ops, there just isn't much out there. Still, it sounds like Int' Ops will be worth keeping an eye out for.

As for trying to start some kind of online/play-by-email/play-by-chat/etc game... It sounds like you're better off waiting for the revised rules to come out too. But if you do decide to run something, definitely post up here. Will want to hear about it.

[Sarcastro01]

Strategic Ops has two options for you: Battleforce and Quick Strike. Battleforce allows for a single miniature to represent a lance of mechs where as Quick Strike is a super fast way to play B-Tech w/o all the book keeping. The Strat Ops book as a whole has rules to cover everything you'd ever want for running a campaign involving planetary invasion scale ops. You can make it as detailed as you like (if you like micromanaging things you'll love this book!).

Our group has played a few games of Quick Strike. To give you an idea of how fast it is, we did a company size engagement with one assault, one heavy and two mixed medium/light lances per side in an hour and a half. The half hour was spent teaching everyone the rules. It still has the flavor of B-Tech and really emphasizes the differences in mechs. My big dislike in the game is how powerful light mechs are. They spend most of the game camping in cover (because of how shooting mods work - different than B-Tech) rather than actually maneuvering to stay alive. Other than that the game play is smooth and worth a look.

[Kartr]

I would be interested in playing something online (since I doubt we all live in the same area) and I too have been trying to find something higher level to play. Personally I want to try and steer the Outworlds Alliance back from the brink and reform it through civil changes to bolster the economy and rebuild it into a powerful state. Once we've recovered our planets that went dark during the Succession Wars we'll return to the Inner Sphere to reclaim the planets the Star League stole from us and gave to the Draconis Combine!!

[Jimmy the Tulip]

it's not up and running yet but www.successionwars.com is a strategic level BT game in development. THe developer is a guy called Mendrugo.

Hope the Admins don't mind me posting this here. It shouldn't be a conflict with MW:O or Tactics development as it on an entirely different level. I'm registered there as jimmy the Tulip. Look me up if you head there.

Edited by Jimmy the Tulip, 11 June 2012 - 11:20 AM.

[FeederOfRavens]

A bunch of friends of mine concocted something like this years back. We'd found some large scale hex maps of randome continents and we used them to create planets, or at least parts of planets. We used BT minis to represent large units. Battles took place on large fronts, with massive armies.
Logistics was a huge concern, and I for one frequently raided enemy supply lines (I was a sneaky, underhanded *******).
If I can find the old rules I'll glady post them up here.

[Jimmy the Tulip]

I'd love to see these Feeder...

[Uller Phrost]

I am reminded of the Battle Force league. They were national Fasa that played and gencon and origins. Problem is they had crates upon crates of sheets and tables of what they had and what they build and the like. they were running around with more equipment then WoB jihad each as mercs. 2 players would require a dozen folks just to confirm their forces. then they would have to use a gym just for a battle of a few days. They finally had a FINAL battle to end that nightmare. It sounded like operation white. one big final wipe out to mark the end of FASA.

one of thse guys had a few 2.2 mil warships that had thousands of lasers in bays with a crew on each laser. I heard it could wipe out any drop ship and number of aerospace army just in point defence.

There were some merc management programs I guess too. I didnt run battlespace but one of my players did and he handed me this like 10 page accounting spread sheet on the party's Merc company

[macmerritt]

Played in two ISIF games online, the rules were terribly broken and even with some tweaks being done things got out of control very quickly. The concept and idea is great but until a better ruleset comes along Id avoid those games. Successionwars that is in development looks good as a previous poster mentioned.

There was a guy named RandomSyntax working on a Battletech/Master of Orion style Galactic strategy game that once you attacked a world it would shift in Battleforce rules. The concept was great and he had alot of work done with it but has since disappeared in the last few years.