Federation Commander

Hi,

I am starting to wonder if it is at all possible to play some of the scenario using the larger map hexes.

A lot of the scenario requires starting requirement that are far too long for using bigger hexes maps.

Each of the map board is 8 hexes large and 9 hex long. Wich mean the basic 6 maps enable a playing area of 24x18, using 12 maps you got : 32x27.

By example: 8CM1 require a set up with 40 hexes between the starting ships and the capability to float 50 hexes away from the center. To be able to comply the total map should make about 50x50 hexes. Wich mean a 6x6 maps or 36 map board oO

If using fleet scale (15x14 map board) it is only a 4x4 so 16 map board (quite an hefty number but far more possible to get).

It seems the only solution is to divide by 2 the set-up distance requirement but as squadron scales units shoot as far as fleet scale it means every figth is a very close hand to hand action with no real place to manoeuver.

Makes me wonder about the usefullness of the 1 inche counter and map, as it is far more convenient to use miniatures rules at this scales so not to get impered by the mapboard counts.

First, I dont think they are called Squadron scale and fleet scale maps. Squadron and fleet scales refer to the ship card (the fleet version is a half sized version of the squadron version). Either scale can be used with either the 1/2 inch or 1 inch maps.

I generally play face to face using the smaller 1/2 hex maps and smaller tokens, because it does take up less real estate. But if we have the room, or like when I ran an even at a con, I used the inch map, one game with minis and one with tokens. When we do use minis, it is always on the 1 inch hex map, as the game flows faster than using the turn gages and so on (your mileage may vary).

In order to get those large layouts, I bought another set of panels. Here is the link to get them: http://store.starfleetstore.com/merchan ... ry_Code=02

However, I'd have to say it is still possible to use less maps on that scenario. You can easily pull a panel from one side and place it on the other side of the map to shift, little by little. However, having more panels means less leapfrogging.

In the end it is all about what you feel comfortable playing. If you feel some scenarios do not run well on the 1-inch hexes, then use the 1/2 inch size. The game plays the same with either size map.

You could also use a hex mat. I bought a 6ft x 4ft mat for about $30 at a con. It is plain black with white dotted hexes. It solves the map leapfrog problem

Quite often, you really dont need to have the whoile map set-up all at once. Set-up what you need to get your intial forces set-up, then just leap frog the panels you do have around as needed.

Another solution... many of the "Attack" products have an extra map panel in them to stiffen the package. Buy enough of those and you can field a fairly large map board:

Scoutdad wrote:Quite often, you really dont need to have the whoile map set-up all at once. Set-up what you need to get your intial forces set-up, then just leap frog the panels you do have around as needed.

That what I've done in the past. Pick a spot on the map, a planet, moon, asteroid, or put a counter there, and leapfrog the map in any direction necessary, but make sure that the spot you picked can never be pushed off the map.

I've run into the same problem with the large hex maps. They tend to work out if the dimensions are 5 boards across and 4 boards tall for a total of 20 boards. Just change all references to 4x3 to 5x4 and it will be pretty close.