Pendraken Miniatures Forum

Wider Wargaming => Rules => Topic started by: GrumpyOldMan on 09 September 2013, 02:09:11 AM

Title: Do I need Future War Commander?
Post by: GrumpyOldMan on 09 September 2013, 02:09:11 AM
Hi all

I have BKC2 and have just got my hot little hands on somebody's dog-eared copy of Cold War Commander. I was thinking do I need to get a copy of Future War Commander or not.

Are there any basic differences in mechanics that would require me to get FWC. I don't play many games of Sci-fi and can come up with lists and house rules. I'm just wondering if there is any compelling reason to get FWC, apart from the momentary joy of a new wargaming rules fix  :D.

Appreciate your thoughts on this.

Cheers

GrumpyOldMan
Title: Re: Do I need Future War Commander?
Post by: Steve J on 09 September 2013, 06:05:51 AM
I bought it to complete the stable of books, but to be honest it never really grabbed me as a game. I think the problem being that there was so much choice in some lists and dare I say it the ability to come up with completely beardy battlegroups (see some of the posts on the FWC section of the BKC forum). However I did like some of the weapons ideas contained therein, for possible use with WW2.5 style games. I think you could very easily convert BKCII to a sci-fi  type game if you wanted.

In the end I sold my copy and for my sci-fi fix have been using Michaels rules on his website:

http://angelbarracks.co.uk/Rules/rules.html

They give a nice,fun game and all on a small table. Hope this helps?
Title: Re: Do I need Future War Commander?
Post by: sunjester on 09 September 2013, 07:37:49 AM
I have all 3 Commander rule sets. I did play one game of FWC about 2-3 years ago and to be honest I haven't looked at it since. You should be able to adapt CWC to do the job.

I'm probably going to try TFL Quadrant 13.
Title: Re: Do I need Future War Commander?
Post by: GrumpyOldMan on 09 September 2013, 07:48:25 AM
Hello Steve J and Sunjester

Thanks for your replies. The reason I asked is that I had read reviews and comments and found it hard to cut through the chaff.

The reason I was asking was I found some small scale sci-fi planes and vehicles for peanuts at the local 'not much' store and was looking at what I could do with them.

Yes I was also thinking of looking at the TFL rules being a fan of their rules. Sit down and have to think how much money I'll now look like spending to get stuff to go with my cheap sci-fi stuff  ;D ;D.

Cheers

GrumpyOldMan
Title: Re: Do I need Future War Commander?
Post by: Shedman on 09 September 2013, 07:51:33 AM
FWC is the most flexible of the 3 rule systems which means it's open to interpretation in certain areas. At Berkeley we tend to push it's envelope which can lead to some debate about rule mechanisms.

It also has it's own annual gaming weekend - FWC Bootcamp

At the club we only use it for sci-fi.

But in the comfort of my shed I use it for the Russo-Japanese War (1905), the Franco-Austrian Italian War of Independence (1859) and to refight the battle of Chalons (451) - all straight from the box

If I was limited to one rulebook ever then it would be this one

Alan
Title: Re: Do I need Future War Commander?
Post by: Jim Ando on 09 September 2013, 07:02:50 PM
Hi

In my honest opinion I would say they are the best set of the three.

I play BKC and CWC because they are a fun set but will drop them like a hot stone when something better  and more realistic comes along.

Jim
Title: Re: Do I need Future War Commander?
Post by: Steve J on 09 September 2013, 09:52:40 PM
QuoteIn my honest opinion I would say they are the best set of the three.
I play BKC and CWC because they are a fun set but will drop them like a hot stone when something better  and more realistic comes along.

IIRC there is no difference between BKC (first version), CWC and FWC in terms of game mechanics. Personally I thought FWC just didn't work as a game.
Title: Re: Do I need Future War Commander?
Post by: Last Hussar on 10 September 2013, 06:53:53 PM
QuoteDo I need Future War Commander?

No.
Title: Re: Do I need Future War Commander?
Post by: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 11 September 2013, 07:08:19 AM
Quote from: Last Hussar on 10 September 2013, 06:53:53 PM
No.

YES
Title: Re: Do I need Future War Commander?
Post by: O Dinas Powys on 11 September 2013, 08:00:28 AM
Quote from: ianrs54 on 11 September 2013, 07:08:19 AM

Quote from: Last Hussar on 10 September 2013, 06:53:53 PM
No.

YES

Maybe?!
Title: Re: Do I need Future War Commander?
Post by: Duke Speedy of Leighton on 11 September 2013, 08:12:14 AM
Quote from: O Dinas Powys on 11 September 2013, 08:00:28 AM
YES


Maybe?!
Why?
Title: Re: Do I need Future War Commander?
Post by: Fenton on 11 September 2013, 08:19:26 AM
Quote from: mad lemmey on 11 September 2013, 08:12:14 AM
Why?

possibly
Title: Re: Do I need Future War Commander?
Post by: Steve J on 11 September 2013, 09:07:53 AM
What :-/?
Title: Re: Do I need Future War Commander?
Post by: fsn on 11 September 2013, 01:21:44 PM
In the sense of Maslow's Hierarchy of Need, Future War Commander I would humby suggest, is to the pinnacle of the Self Actualisatuion section, so in balance you probably do not "need" FWC in the same way you need food, shelter and air.

However, you may find that without it you are in some way inadequate and may be laughed at and scorned by your peers, so in a sense it becomes like a breast augmentation, a boost to your self confidence, and a way into social circles that would otherwise be closed to you.

As just another set of wargames rules, no you don't need it.

Title: Re: Do I need Future War Commander?
Post by: Last Hussar on 11 September 2013, 04:08:31 PM
Alternatively you may be laughed at for having it, with questions such as 'Why are you using a modified ancients set to play moderns/SF?"
Title: Re: Do I need Future War Commander?
Post by: Dave Fielder on 13 November 2013, 10:26:35 PM
Using Maslow ... I would put rules at the base of the pyramid, above food and water. After all before anything happens the first item to discuss is "What rules do you use?" followed by "What scale?" and then "How do you base your little guys?".

No one ever bothers with ... "Fancy some water or a sandwich?" .. but they might say "Pint and curry?"

Therefore YOU NEED FWC, even if only to put them on the shelf and never use them ... just like all of us.
Title: Re: Do I need Future War Commander?
Post by: Ithoriel on 13 November 2013, 11:21:23 PM
Quote from: Dave Fielder on 13 November 2013, 10:26:35 PM
No one ever bothers with ... "Fancy some water or a sandwich?"

Tuesday and Friday groups pretty much the first question asked is "Water?" followed, to be fair, on Fridays rather quickly by "Red or White?"
Title: Re: Do I need Future War Commander?
Post by: Luddite on 14 November 2013, 04:25:08 PM
Quote from: Dave Fielder on 13 November 2013, 10:26:35 PM
Therefore YOU NEED FWC, even if only to put them on the shelf and never use them ... just like all of us.

;D ;D

Indeed.

They're a good idea that just don't quite work on the table.

Title: Re: Do I need Future War Commander?
Post by: Jay Arnold on 06 December 2013, 04:24:28 AM
Plus, it's got a purple cover. Purple books look good on yer shelf.