FOW Vietnam

[xGIxJOKERx]

One word: meh. I just don't think a Vietnam game would work at the scale of FOW. There are just too many men on the field. With a few exceptions (Hue City and some other Tet offensive battles in particular,) most Vietnam battles were fought at platoon level or smaller. I think it loses a lot by being played at that level. Vietnam only works at either pulled way out to where you are moving whole platoons and companies around or smaller, like at AE level.
One Detachment could represent a squad, play with up to three for a Platoon. It wouldn't be much of a stretch, rules-wise. Really, it could all be done in a supplement to the AE WWII with just new detachment lists, scenarios and weapons and vehicles.

[abbysdad]

That is a great idea! It would be cool to extend the rules set into that era. I think the two detachment option comes pretty close to the platoon level engagements your talking about, but it would be neat to think about a three detachment game.

Post some of your ideas.

Happy New Year,

Chris

[xGIxJOKERx]

Here are a few ideas:
Special Order: Agent Orange
At the start of the game, after units have been deployed, pick three 1'x1' sections of table. All sections must be connected to another by one edge. All plant-based terrain pieces in these sections are removed from the table.
As for weapons:
MG42 stats for M60's and Thompson stats for grease guns (which were still being used.) M16's and AK47's would be comparable to StG44's.
It may also be cool to have the Viet Cong troops all get hidden deployment, but they have to set up in cover. As for the American Army and Marines, the difference between Green and Regular troops would be guys fresh off the plane vs those that have been there for a while, so you don't have mixed units so much. You could still have Green Berets and Force Recon, but they would be reserved for Veteran choices.

[abbysdad]

Those sound like ideas that could definitely work.

I'd be pushing to do something like this soon if we weren't in the middle of the next few expansions, and resolving playtesting comments too. Meh...who needs sleep!

Keep posting ideas. You never know what'll pop up in future.

-Chris