Table/Battlefield Size for 25/28mm

Blathergut · Post by **Blathergut** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 5:31 pm

Am curious why people are finding the 4'x6' table too small. Am putting together a 700pt 25mm demonstration for HotLead on a 4'x6' table. It does pack in the troops! The Spanish MF do look very mobbish in 3 ranks plus rear support BG. And it does fill the battlefield from flank to flank.

But here's my point/question/pondering:

One thing I've objected to with previous rules sets was the manoeuvering around of small little units, esp. on the flanks, and very little solid battle lines actually connecting at all points. Even in many of the games on here that have photos accompanying them, BG often work individually, with space between them and their nearest buddies. What I've found nice about the 4'x6' table and somewhere around 700pts, is that you finally DO have two solid battle lines connecting...the flanks still have skirmish troops fighting each other...centres have the heavies...

But there is none of the wiggling/lining up of elements/units...basically...it's just fill the table (i.e., the actual space used by the battle lines in the battle) and go at each other...no more wiggling (i.e., no more zipping units around way out on flanks)

Maybe it's just this olde soul who likes to get all the troops connected and see how the combats work out, have units in a second line to deal with any probs, fly commanders hither and thither for a bit of fun...

Are those who like the larger tables (5' x 8') the types who like that manoeuvering around of BG on the flanks? Am curious what you don't like (be specific please) of the 4'x6' tables and 25/28mm...

And, whilst rambling, why the concern to go to 40mm MUs? For more movement on those flanks? To get your lines into contact sooner? Why go 5' width and increase movement rates?

Thanks,

Dan T.

hammy · Post by **hammy** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 11:19 pm

Most of the 25mm test games for FoG were played on 6 by 4 tables. Having the same MU for 15 and 25 was primarily so the game works on a table of that size in 25mm. There is a bit less maneuver in 25mm because wheels are relativley slower as bases are wider but the game works just fine IMO.

Some people don't like that javelin men are really very close relative to the figure height before they can shoot but if you have longer ranges for 25mm you end up with either having to have a bigger table or a very different game in 25s.

RichJones · Post by **RichJones** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 8:54 am

This is basically the reason we soon switched from using 28mm to 10mm (presume 15mm would give the same room as bases are the same) - in 10mm there is loads of room around the flanks and rear - in fact flanking marauding BGs of light cav have been causing havoc

Ironhand · Post by **Ironhand** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 12:21 pm

The consensus on the North American FoG mailing list is a 5 foot by 8 foot table with 1 MU = 40MM for 25/28MM. That's what I'm going to use to start with anyway.

pcelella · Post by **pcelella** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 12:39 pm

Ironhand wrote:The consensus on the North American FoG mailing list is a 5 foot by 8 foot table with 1 MU = 40MM for 25/28MM. That's what I'm going to use to start with anyway.

Ironhand - in your experience, would you use 800 points with this size table and 1 MU = 40mm?

Thanks

Peter

Blathergut · Post by **Blathergut** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 1:04 pm

Well..I will try to post a couple of pics as I put the scenario together..

I guess if just comes down to what type of game you like. If you like lots of roaming around on flanks then the larger table and moves. If, like me, you like the two battlelines hitting just as they are positioned, then the smaller table.

Will try posting a pic or two of the layout in a day or so.

Dan T.

korvus · Post by **korvus** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 1:34 pm

Dan,

I'm sorry I'm not going to be able to make Hot Lead...

Our main concern here with 6x4 here in Toronto is that the board can literally be lined edge to edge with troops in 28mm. This is not such a big deal for many foot interactions, but it artificially restricts the interactions between those armies and light horse armies. Foot armies had to deal with the very real problem of clouds of light horse flowing around their flanks, and had to use terrain and what not effectively to defend themselves from that threat. A narrow board makes that a non issue, and makes for a fairly unrealistic interaction.

Have fun!
Cole

hammy · Post by **hammy** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 9:04 am

In the UK it looks like 25mm comps will mostly be played at 650 points. Even on a 6 by 4 table that leaves plenty of scope for maneouver