Slitherine

Recommendations and guidance please.
What table sizes should we use when battling with 1000-point armies?
6-foot by 4-foot seems cramped/overcrowded.
Thanks/Cheers

FWIW, come next March at Cold Wars we will be using 8x5 tables for the Doubles (1000 points).

Marc

Thanks
That seems a bit roomier.
40 sq-ft vs. 24 sq-ft. [67% more room].
Cheers!

In the UK we play 1000 points 15mm doubles on 6 by 4 tables with no problems but then we are used to 500 point DBM doubles on the same sized table.

For 15mm, 6x4 is big enough for 1000pts. When I experimented on an 8x4, I increased the "danger zone" on each flank from 6MU to 12MU to encourage light troop only flanks and multiple lines of troops.
For 25mm, which we play much more of, we do 6x4 for 650pts, 8x4 for 800pts and 9x4 for 1000pts.

Martin

Interesting set of opinions on 15mm game table size...
Am I mistaken, or is there a sentiment towards using the smallest table possible?

15mm bases just look too big on a smaller table, and a larger table may provide a better visual perspective while allowing more freedom of maneuver. Seems like some, perhaps traditionalist, players may like [?] the cramped conditions, with 2000 total points on the table, of 6-foot by 4-foot. Was 6 by 4 the preferred choice; or a choice dictated by the availability of space, the number of tables one could squeeze into a game club, philosophical considerations [i.e., smaller is more challenging], size of typical massed HF/MF forces, or some other practical reason [e.g., dining room table size]? Smaller table sizes also perhaps required the "Flanking Attack" rules to get the effects of forces swinging wide near the main battle.

In the US, 8 by 5 may be the preferred 2000-point size in the future, judging by the Cold Wars 2009 plan.
Interestingly enough, table tennis 9 by 5 tables are plentiful in the US.
In re-doing my garage, I have the delightful choice between:
1] Converting an old dining room set [4 chairs] into a gaming table somewhere from 6 by 4 to 8 x 5 in size.
2] Buying a 9 by 5 foldable table tennis table which would serve double duty as a 9 by 5 gaming table.
Either the 8 by 5 or 9 by 5 table size should allow ample room for flank/swing attacks, multiple lines, "Hun/Mongol" Cv and LH wave attacks/breakoffs, etc.

As a new player, I don't have years of DBM/A and other traditions or pre-conditioning. Sort of like getting phone service these days: I don't have to go thru the dial-up/rotary phone phase - but I can go right to the iPhones, with all their connectivity, bells and whistles, etc.. As such, the benefits of larger table sizes are obvious to me. Besides, in my garage it is house rules ... but only on table size.

Table size changes the dynamics of the game, just as the total points allowed does. Larger tables encourge moanouver armies, smaller ones Shock troops.

True, but what is wrong with varying the dynamics to broaden the gaming experience and enjoyment.
Seems like larger table sizes would affect the FoG gaming in some interesting ways.
For example, shock army players would have to be more mindful of their flanks, and their units' maneuver options and limits.
Maneuver army players might be more able to more fully exploit the movement capabilities of their armies.

[OBTW, the larger table sizes might be equipped with handy under-table shelves for figure storage, and FoG Rule and Army books.
And perhaps a small fridge for snacks, sodas, beer and/or wine rations for the player-commanders' enjoyment.]

The "diced" terrain distributions should tend to equalize the effects and restrictions [i.e., the real world has few edges to fall off] of table size. Maneuver armies could select more open terrain, and shock armies could select more closed terrain. In some ways, table size could offset the problem of armies having to fight in terrain unsuitable for them, in situations where experienced medieval/ancient generals would decline combat. As in nature, there could be open spots that maneuver armies could prefer, and choke points that shock armies might enjoy.

Cheers

what is wrong with varying the dynamics to broaden the gaming experience

I think its a great idea as it does vary and change the game giving new challenges.

equipped with handy under-table shelves for figure storage....small fridge for snacks, sodas, beer and/or wine rations

Please invite us around

Claudius wrote:
[OBTW, the larger table sizes might be equipped with handy under-table shelves for figure storage, and FoG Rule and Army books.
And perhaps a small fridge for snacks, sodas, beer and/or wine rations for the player-commanders' enjoyment.]

Why only a small fridge ...

In any tabletop wargame the best way to go is to utilize the biggest playing table you can find or fit in your house. Bigger is always better.

Probert wrote:In any tabletop wargame the best way to go is to utilize the biggest playing table you can find or fit in your house. Bigger is always better.

I am still trying to work out a way to justify digging out the other half of the cellar to my house to make a huge 30' by 14' games room. The trouble is it might just cost rather a lot of money

The idea of a Market Garden mega game on a 24' long table is very attractive.

Market Garden? Adam & I did that at Britcon on Thursday/Friday 3 years ago on 24 x 4 ...

This was the tiny version repeated later the next year http://www.madaxeman.com//game_reports/arnhem.htm

I have only been in one local indie tourny. They had 4 by 8 tables. Outside of GW stores 4 by 8 ft. are what I am used to seeing in use in stores. 4 by 8 (or larger) in basements/homes. I have seen and have myself......a 5 by 9 ft. pingpong/ table tennis table. So far for FoG we have just been using the 4 by 8 part of the 5 by 9.

Thank you all for your encouragement and support.
I will look into getting a larger fridge.
Cheers!