well i can see the logic, but strategic element in the grid based games like heroscape and heroclix are more precise rather than less strategic as you say. you said that by knowing what your range is, that it takes away from the risk factor.

not so for me....by having the whole game revolve around a set of constants (numbered range, movement, etc. and less margin of error because you arent measuring) it becomes more strategic because even after knowing all the numbers, you now have to really come up with creative ways of swinging the odds in your favor.

what happens if you are measuring, and accidentally move your figure 2 inches or so and its in a critical part of the game? you would move it back to the general area but its not going to be EXACT and when playing with tape measures, exact measurements are crucial to the game. however, when playing heroscape say, and you knock over a mini...he's still in the same hex, and your attack is not changed. your range is still "5" whether or not you are on the edge of the hex, or at the back of the hex.

i can see where measurements allow for a much less restrictive style of play because you can go over to someones house with just your minis and play on any flat surface imagineable...and use whatever terrain you feel like. with heroscape you have to bring your terrain with you, and with heroclix, you can play with flat maps but wwg 3d terrain is so much better.

so to me, tape measure games offer flexible strategy but movement and attack is only exact as long as you arent clumsy. heroclix and other games that use grids offer precise movements and flexible strategy but with less need to watch your opponents elbows.

Most games arent that critical for an inch or two. In Battleground WW2, shooting range can go clear off the table (especially tanks and anti-tank guns), but if I am maneuvering to get a good shot at somebody in some sort of concealment, using the larger range has no meaning. If I'm on the line between point blank and close range, and something happens, we can usually clear it up with a quick die roll, odds, its my favor, evens its yours. I played Warhammer Fantasy for several years, and never had any problems. Even the old Space Marine Epic stuff wasnt that much of a problem. If I have adequate and realistic terrain, most ranges have no relevance. When the troops get into a city fight, it's almost too close to toss a grenade, as the thrower is going to be in the blast area. Just give it a chance. You only limit yourself by not trying more of them. I'm looking forward to the upcoming Piquet fantasy module. Using the Piquet system that I enjoy, but with getting out all my old Warhammer figures, it should be great. I think it is somewhat a question between playing a game, and playing a simulation. Outside of points, you use the same basic tactics with Warhammer that you would with Napoleonic units. 40K would use similar tactics to WW2 skirmish gaming.

Taking a spinoff from an old Beatle song, What I am saying, Give war a chance!

Tom

well its not that i dont WANT to give it a chance, its that my wife...er...my wallet wont give it a chance! i dont want to dive into a new game without liking every aspect of it. i was actually look at that gangs of mega city game and that looked cool...plus i could play it on my SoM city...but then i saw the words "measuring tape" and i was immediately turned off.

i may give it a chance though down the road. my wife would kill me if she saw me bringing home yet another set of minis for another game. im getting to the point where i will need a seperate closet just to hold all of my gaming stuff.

IT's all 6 of one, 1/2 dozen of another.

My BIGs love both types of games, they love to play heroscape... and they love to play Warmachine. Each has it's own. I actually like playing Star Wars Mini's (just because it's the only "star wars" game around at the moment that is still supported). But games like Azhanti High Lighning, etc have grids and I love those.

So to me if it fits the game, then play it (as I've stated I have analphalactic responses to playing Heroscape so I bash it as much as I can) But it all depends on how the designers approached the mechanics.

Make love, not war... wait.... it's supposed to be Make War, then Rape and Pillage.

CCotD'

"Then there is "horizon" movement, something of a novel idea in the Piquet historicals game systems. This uses movement up to an obstacle (woods, river, etc.),"


We use that for our colonial siege games (small outpost like Rorkes Drift), the attackers move on trays in "sectors" until within 24"" where they disembark the trays and rush the walls. It works very well for that type of game.