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Dystopian Wars vs Unchartered Seas
http://www.tacticalwargames.net/taccmd/viewtopic.php?f=132&t=23445
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Author:  wargame_insomniac [ Sat Jun 16, 2012 5:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Dystopian Wars vs Unchartered Seas

Hi

I have never played any of the 3 Spartan Games ruleset. I gather that the core rule mechanics are common to all and thus they play very similarly. I am looking for a quick fun ruleset for midweek gaming and was wondering how Dystopian Wars stacked up vs Unchartered Seas.

(I am not convinced about Firestorm Armada just based on the ship designs. I have lots of Spaceship models from Star Trek/Star Wars/BSG/B5 and GZG/Brigade Models. So if I did a space combat game I would want to be able to use these models).

Unchartered Seas has the advantage that it fills a niche unclaimed since Man O'War and somewhat cheaper!

Dystopian Wars has the attraction of including Land, Air & Sea.

How do they differ in rules? If you could only buy and play one, which would it be?

Cheers

James

Author:  wargame_insomniac [ Mon Jun 18, 2012 11:42 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Dystopian Wars vs Unchartered Seas

I take it that no one has played both games and can provide an objective comparison between the two?

Cheers

James

Author:  Mephiston [ Mon Jun 18, 2012 11:44 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Dystopian Wars vs Unchartered Seas

Never played US but the rules (once you've got your head around them as the book isn't the best) to DW are certainly at the game end of the complexity level.

DW is a really fun game with cool models and a background that could become very rich if fleshed out by Spartan.

Author:  wargame_insomniac [ Mon Jun 18, 2012 4:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Dystopian Wars vs Unchartered Seas

Thanks Meph

Author:  jimmyzimms [ Mon Jun 18, 2012 6:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Dystopian Wars vs Unchartered Seas

wargame_insomniac wrote:
(I am not convinced about Firestorm Armada just based on the ship designs. I have lots of Spaceship models from Star Trek/Star Wars/BSG/B5 and GZG/Brigade Models. So if I did a space combat game I would want to be able to use these models).


Not to be tangential, but find this an odd line of thought. Why wouldn't you be able to use your existing fleets? Proxying goes both directions! :D

Author:  Onyx [ Mon Jun 18, 2012 11:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Dystopian Wars vs Unchartered Seas

The bases in Firestorm Armarda are the most important part (you can buy them from Litko). The size and shape of the space ship miniature is basically just for asthetics.

I've played the original US rules and FA but not DW. I like the basic mechanics but some lucky dice rolls can really effect a game (rolling 6's is fantastic in these games). This isn't a bad thing but it can lead to some amusing situations.

Author:  wargame_insomniac [ Mon Jun 18, 2012 11:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Dystopian Wars vs Unchartered Seas

jimmyzimms wrote:
wargame_insomniac wrote:
(I am not convinced about Firestorm Armada just based on the ship designs. I have lots of Spaceship models from Star Trek/Star Wars/BSG/B5 and GZG/Brigade Models. So if I did a space combat game I would want to be able to use these models).


Not to be tangential, but find this an odd line of thought. Why wouldn't you be able to use your existing fleets? Proxying goes both directions! :D

Because if I am using a model for a Galaxy class cruiser or an Imperial Star Destroyer I want it to represent that ship and not some ship from the Sorylian Collective or Dindrenzi Federation that I have never heard of.

If I play a starship game I want it to feature at least one of the universes that i mentioned and ideally allow for cross-over games between- i.e. something like Full Thrust or Starmada.

Kind regards

James

Author:  wargame_insomniac [ Tue Jun 19, 2012 12:07 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Dystopian Wars vs Unchartered Seas

Onyx wrote:
I've played the original US rules and FA but not DW. I like the basic mechanics but some lucky dice rolls can really effect a game (rolling 6's is fantastic in these games). This isn't a bad thing but it can lead to some amusing situations.

Thanks Onyx- yes have heard about exploding sixes. I was a bit concerned about whether the complexity of DW having Land/Sea and Air combat might make it too clunky when compared to US. I have been assured that not the case. It sounds it will be fine for a beer and pretzels midweek quick evening game.

After checking out interest at my local club, we have 1 person for FSA, 2 for US and at least 5 for DW. So that definitely swings it in DW favour for me- reasonable chance of getting game in at my local club.

Only 1 person has DW land force, but all 5 have DW Naval force. Fleets include Brits, Prussians, EotBS, and CoA. I was liking the Brit Land force but for Navy I was torn between FSA and French. So the good news is whichever I choose it would be a Fleet not currently played at club, thus giving me good variety of games. I will check out Naval Starter packs for those two and decide which one I prefer the most.

Thanks

James

Author:  Moscovian [ Tue Jun 19, 2012 12:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Dystopian Wars vs Unchartered Seas

The new Russian Fleet will be out soon, and the Ottomans will be available probably by the end of the year. Dystopian Wars is a great game. I like it because it is a good thinking game, but without the intensity of Epic. Maybe its just me but I take a fast and loose approach to DW. Exploding sixes preclude any seriously complex planning. I can fire 6 dice worth of rockets, land 14 hits because of 6's, then watch my opponent shoot 2 AA and make 5 counter-hits to my rockets because of 6's.

The best thing about DW are the models which are stunning. Fantastic detail on great designs, and the prices aren't bad at all. Sometimes I struggle to understand how one ship is priced higher than the other when it used less material and a similar mold, but overall I think Spartan Games are quite fair.

Dystopian Wars is definitely a big distraction from Epic, for better or for worse.

Author:  wargame_insomniac [ Tue Jun 19, 2012 1:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Dystopian Wars vs Unchartered Seas

Hi Mosc- initially I was dismissive of DW when chatting to other local club members as I was set on EA as main mass combat game. However rather than Land forces it is the Naval forces which people have gone for locally. I don't any other naval fleets so that actually fits in better, whilst still giving me the option of doing Land force at some point in the future.

Also the other thing that swung it for me was the more recent flyer models- some great looking airships.

From your comments DW will fit with what I want for a midweek game. I prefer playing EA at the weekend when have got more time to play a proper 3000-4000 points game. For midweek I need a game that can get the tables out, set up any scenary, deploy armies, play the game and pack up, all in 3 hours.

The big Russian ships do look amazing. however i can stand the small round Russian escorts, which you get 9 of in Russian Naval Starter Set. Have been reading up more about French- they do look amazing and consensus seems to be that all of the ships in Starter are worth having and using. So at the moment that is the way i am leaning.

Cheers

James

Author:  Moscovian [ Tue Jun 19, 2012 1:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Dystopian Wars vs Unchartered Seas

French ships are beautiful. I personally went with the Federated States of America. Rough, bulky, exposed shells in their primary guns, and (best of all) advanced paddlewheel technology. You gotta love it! And the flyers are hilarious for FSA as well. If it ain't a John Henry robot, it's a bunch of dirigibles that they welded together to make it as big as possible. The whole thing screams America from the 1800s.

We haven't done land either because one of our players insists that Epic is our 'land' game, although I have been stealthy in my introduction of the land pieces by including the Washington Class Amphibious Lander. I rolled that thing out of the water and up onto an island on our last game which brought the immediate response of "What the f--- is that?" Heh.

But to your end, naval is great because there is little terrain to set up. You'll have an excellent time.

Author:  wargame_insomniac [ Tue Jun 19, 2012 2:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Dystopian Wars vs Unchartered Seas

FSA would be my back up choice.

I am not keen on look of John Henry robot, but I do really, really love the look of FSA Valley and Savannah Airships, for the reasons that you noted. I quite like the FSA Naval ships (although the turrets do look odd with only one gun- although I realise that is a nod to historical monitors). but am not a fan of FSA Land designs.

For RoF, their aerial forces are almost as nice as the FSA- love the Tourbillon. And the Magenta Mk 1 BB and Marseille class cruiser are the epitome of VSF skyships- beautiful. The clincher is that i quite like the RoF Land Forces. The Bastille Land Ship looks almost as good as the Soveriegn IMO.

Cheers

James

Author:  Moscovian [ Wed Jun 20, 2012 10:14 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Dystopian Wars vs Unchartered Seas

With all that said, I will say two of the best pieces in the entire game belong to the Prussians. The Land Carrier and the Air Carrier are just magnificent, with the former looking like a Prussian Cross from the top. The designers wowed the big bosses at Spartan so much they actually changed the stats on the piece to accommodate the model.

Author:  Blindhorizon [ Fri Aug 10, 2012 11:37 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Dystopian Wars vs Unchartered Seas

Dont want to hijack saw all the talk about FSA and rolling 6s figured i'd ask here since theres a lot of response from people that are familure with he game. is FSA,s game engine the same as full thrusts?

Thanks
Blind-

Author:  wargame_insomniac [ Sat Aug 11, 2012 11:47 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Dystopian Wars vs Unchartered Seas

No- FSA game engine is similar to and derived from DW and US. IIRC Dpartan games have just released 2nd ed of FSA. Not played either version yet- I would e more interested in an updated Full Thrust ruleset.

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