I've been pining for something like Dreadfleet, with something tangible to play with (read: cool toys) but more realistic, although not quite a simulation. Something that has direct fire, carriers, cruise missiles, but maybe not to the point of sonar nets, bingo fuel alerts...not Harpoon, but not Torpedo Run! I guess I'm saying (although Torpedo Run rawks).

Any suggestions? I was thinking Man-O-War, and I've played that a bit, it's fun, but I'm not really thinking fantasy. I'm thinking more something where me and ol' Mickey can prove out whether his old ship, the Chucky V, could take on a Chinese battle group.

The chits from the Fleet series make great toys.

Sails of Glory is due out "Late Summer/Early Autumn" but I'm afraid it's set in 1812. There's very little promotional material out on it which makes me think it will delay. It's also not on Alliance's order sheet. No preorder, no coming soon, no placeholder. So you may have to wait.

Wooden Ships & Iron Men is the traditional go-to title for this era and its basic rules can be learned in 30 minutes. Advanced rules can be added in piece-meal and each is a simple task. No stunning tchotch though. Buying a few packages of Pirates of the Spanish Main could spiff things up a bit.

S.

I knew you'd be the one, Sag!

I saw Sails of Glory and it looks like "Wings of War: Ships" with that ruler mechanism. Kind of neat. Missing a key ingredient, though: toys.

WSIM is again, missing the big ships.

Am I to understand that Man O War, Dreadfleet, or Axis And Allies War At Sea are the only viable options for games with actual ships rather than chits?

Ugh!

Have a look at Dystopian Wars as well. I haven't played so I can't give you an opinion.



S.

I wanted a game to fill this niche and picked Flying Colors. It does look pretty good, but it's never actually made it to the table.

MattDP wrote:


No good -- it's a 7.5 and doesn't have an Australian accent.

S.

I think Dystopian Wars even has carriers and small airborne units.

based on the sophistication of your e-mails, I'd say Battleship is right up your alley. It'll keep you up at night wondering which tactical misteps you took to cause your carrier to be sunk.

I'm changing my avatar, you dick.

Matt: Flying Colors doesn't work...it's got sails. I'm looking for something more contemporary, but thanks.

I've been eyeing Dystopian Wars too. It looks like ManOWar+, and I've heard a lot of talk about it. I saw it once, and it looks pretty, but who knows if it talks like Fran Drescher or not.

I've looked at Modern Naval Battles as well as others, and they all fall short. It appears that there's plenty of rules sets that allow you to spend countless hours making models to play on giant 20x20 foot tables, but that's too much.

It appears as though there's not many naval aficionados who want toys in the box :(