WW1 Naval newbie

[old smokie]

anyone got any suggestions for some simple and easy to use WW1 Naval rules, preferably without to many charts etc.
also anyone got suggestion for company's that do the ships and what scale is best

TIA

[toxicpixie]

The WW1 variant of General Quarters looks good - I've only played the ww2 version which is excellent fast fleet action based but the Ww1 is basically the same...

[Fenton]

I haven't played 2nd edition but first edition is fun though you do need a hex mat for it
http://www.mj12games.com/grandfleets/mjg0710.html


Edit: Seems you can play without hexes for 2nd edition

Another edit: Third edition seems to be out

[paulr]

I would also recommend General Quarters but the older version not Fleet Action Iminent

GQ III & FAI add a lot more detail and cater for difference between navies and are still fairly fast play. The earlier versions has all the detail we need and plays a lot faster.

We typically have twice to three times as many ships in a game and finish the games compared to the GQ III games we have seen / been involved in that sometimes run out of time

[Last Hussar]

I'd say GQII as well - 3 looks a bit much. I've got it, and not sure how the version number works, but there is the WW2 basic game with the added on one that had slightly more complicated rules and WW1 mods

[old smokie]

thanks for the info, any recommendations on ships

[Ithoriel]

For cost, size of range and for space required for play it's hard to beat the Navwar 1:3000.

£12.50 will get you a dozen British battleships/ armoured cruisers, 4 cruisers and 4 destroyers, for example.

Ordering is done by post (or fax! does anyone still own a working fax machine in this day and age!!??) but turnaround is quick.

Down side is that, for those of us of a certain age, they may be hard to distinguish with ageing eyes and to handle with fat fingers  

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

But as long as you write on the base what they are, they're great!

[paulr]

For cost, size of range and for space required for play it's hard to beat the Navwar 1:3000.

£12.50 will get you a dozen British battleships/ armoured cruisers, 4 cruisers and 4 destroyers, for example.

Ordering is done by post (or fax! does anyone still own a working fax machine in this day and age!!??) but turnaround is quick.

Down side is that, for those of us of a certain age, they may be hard to distinguish with ageing eyes and to handle with fat fingers  

Thirded

Clear labels on good bases address both of those concerns 

Some pictures in this campaign report http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,10531.0.html

[paulr]

And some WWI pictures here http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,10520.0.html

[GordonY]

Age of Dreadnaughts, simpler than GQ, and coming to an E-bay near you for a fiver, also a massive amount of ships that will be going as cheap as chips. Or just PM me and pick them up next time your in town.

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

If you can find a copy the old TableTop Micro Fleet WWI works well.

IanS

[old smokie]

thanks for all the help 

@ GordonY

sent you a message

[John Cook]

thanks for all the help 

@ GordonY

sent you a message

Not mentioned here are Hallmark 1:6000 WW1 and pre-dreadnought range, available from Magister Militum, which are ideal for fleet actions given the range of the main guns.  Anything bigger then, frankly, you need a tennis court.  The only drawback is the size - a destroyer, for example, is about a cm long, if that, but my 68 year old eyes managed them OK.

I gave up paper rules for this period (and most others) some time ago and have been using Computer Strategies Desert Column software, which is WW1 (the title alludes to Palestine) despite the title and includes naval.  Very easy to use and the computer does all the calculations for you - no dice, no pen, no paper.  The author, Clinton Reilly, is also very approachable and helpful. 

Perhaps more importantly, the play and outcomes tick all the boxes.  I can't recommend them enough. 

[Fenton]

I have a couple of his ruksets. Sadly they are the older versions which don't get updated anymore. Must invest in some new ones