FWC II - Drones

[Shedman]

+1 What Dr Evil says

[Andrew T]

The Ukraine era drones do seem to be quite small so probably not worth representing on the tabletop. My suggestions would be:

Suicide/Attack drones:

Treat as Booby Trap/IED. Declare as an Opportunity attack on an enemy unit that has just moved. Roll 6 attacks, hitting on 4+. Infantry/Cavalry/Soft skins are auto suppressed if hit by an attack drone ( to represent the psychological effect, sorting out casualties etc.)

Recce drones:

Used as an action by Recce units. Place a marker (such as a spare die) 30/40/50cm from the Recce unit. They can then perform a spotting action from that point.

Electronic Counter Measures:

All Electronic Warfare units have ECM capability. If a Recce drone comes within 20/25cm of an EW unit (i.e. the marker is placed within that distance of an EW unit) roll 1D6. On a 4+ the drone is jammed and lost. The Recce unit cannot use the drone action that turn or for the rest of the game.

Armies with a certain tech level can pay for an ECM upgrade to counter attack drones. All AFVs/vehicles (not infantry, basically) that come under attack from a drone - as well as any unit within 20/25cm of an EW unit - roll 1D6. On a 4+ the drone is jammed and the attack does not take place.

I am a firm believer in K.I.S.S. and reusing existing mechanisms wherever possible, rather than adding more rules to remember. These suggestions would hopefully add drones into the game as disrupters without them becoming absolute game changers, reflect the arms race of countermeasures and add more value and use to EW units.

[Big Insect]

The Ukraine era drones do seem to be quite small so probably not worth representing on the tabletop. My suggestions would be:

Suicide/Attack drones:

Treat as Booby Trap/IED. Declare as an Opportunity attack on an enemy unit that has just moved. Roll 6 attacks, hitting on 4+. Infantry/Cavalry/Soft skins are auto suppressed if hit by an attack drone ( to represent the psychological effect, sorting out casualties etc.)

Recce drones:

Used as an action by Recce units. Place a marker (such as a spare die) 30/40/50cm from the Recce unit. They can then perform a spotting action from that point.

Electronic Counter Measures:

All Electronic Warfare units have ECM capability. If a Recce drone comes within 20/25cm of an EW unit (i.e. the marker is placed within that distance of an EW unit) roll 1D6. On a 4+ the drone is jammed and lost. The Recce unit cannot use the drone action that turn or for the rest of the game.

Armies with a certain tech level can pay for an ECM upgrade to counter attack drones. All AFVs/vehicles (not infantry, basically) that come under attack from a drone - as well as any unit within 20/25cm of an EW unit - roll 1D6. On a 4+ the drone is jammed and the attack does not take place.

I am a firm believer in K.I.S.S. and reusing existing mechanisms wherever possible, rather than adding more rules to remember. These suggestions would hopefully add drones into the game as disrupters without them becoming absolute game changers, reflect the arms race of countermeasures and add more value and use to EW units.

Many thanks Andrew
Your suggestions are noted and much appreciated.
As we are due to go to print shortly - for the project launch at Salute'25 (in early April) - the main body of the text is already in for typesetting and lay-out. But I'll see what can be incorporate.
And like you I'm also one for trying to use existing mechanisms and rules, wherever possible.
KR
Mark