"Design Your Own Starter Pack" Topic

If you could design your own Starter Pack for a particular period, genre, ruleset or manufacturer, what would you put in it?

For the benefit of discussion, assume that there's a cost break for buying everything in a set.

I wonder if there is value in working out the minis needs to play a board game (such as Command and Colors Ancients) and packaging it up (are you listening Peter Berry).

I also wondered if a 1/72 manufacturer might provide the right combation of sprues to make DBA armies. HaT, Zvezda and Italeri might have the sprues for this sort of army.

I'll go with the starter set I'd most like to buy myself: 'Napoleonique': A starter set for the Napoleonic period, complete with plastic soldiers for both French and English, cardstock buildings, a basic set of rules (that include a brief history of the period), and a 'Napoleonics to English' translation guide!

The add on to this question is – how much would you pay for your starter set of choice?

I've been reading Ganesha's "Song of Drums and Shakos", and would love Napoleonic skirmish set to play the four scenarios.

The most useful generic "starter set" would be a one-of-everything set.

Okay, I'll toss this out there. We're trying to think of a way to create a Gutshot Starter Set that includes the book, minis, dice, and a few buildings or terrain pieces. Enough to get you started on some basic Western skirmish gaming. Ideally we'd like to keep it at $100, but we have no idea if that's even remotely possibly unless we provide the buildings on cardstock (Whitewash City, for example).

Right now it's just a notion and not a plan. Just something we mull over every now and then.

mmitchell

Pinnacle offered a beginning box set in their horror in the old west, several years ago. They used card stock buildings. It was pretty nice way to start.

Brian

We already do it. Starter sets (two armies, rules, painting guide, buildings, flag sheets and bases) for Ancients, ECW, WSS, GNW, Napoleonics, ACW and FPW. Costs range from £77.00 GBP to £85.00 GBP

"HaT, Zvezda and Italeri might have the sprues for this sort of army."

The HaT 'army' boxes are pretty well DBA armies in a box already.

But in general, I'd just copy what Baccus do. Including the flags and bases as well is a stroke of genius.

The Baccus starter boxes are nicely put together. First, they come in a box. They include troops, bases, buildings, flags and even painting guides. They also include a Polemos rule book.

The Black Hat FoG army packs include all the troops and bases you'll need, plus an appropriate piece of terrain or two to act as your camp/BUA.

I think I would go with a generic 10mm plastic fig set, cavalry, Infantry and artillery and generals on horses with a few buildings, forest pieces, lake/pond pieces, 10-sided dice. Play anything from Marlborough through the Franco-Prussian War and see what you think.

Then move onto the specific period you prefer all buy them all and paint like heck!

Craig

I've never been a fan of starter kits, usually you end up paying more or you get stuff in the starter you'd not use nor need nor like.

I understand them from a commercial point of view but I would not bother designing them. Of course this is just a personal preference.

Look at GW's efforts along those lines. Their approach seems to work well for them.

I agree, starter sets are a good draw in. I've been suckered in many times.

Many people, not fully aware of the game, want everything in one box to get play upon opening. Also parents and those shopping for gifts are more comfortable purchasing a starter set than buying a collection of rulebooks and minis. Large army boxes, with 2 sample armies (like most GW) are nice but limited. Smaller faction starter boxes (like Warmachine or Rezolution) are more desirable as they allow players to pick the faction that appeals to them.

I'd say the following:

Rulebook – should include full rules, however a smaller pocket version with no fluff or army lists is acceptable.

Quick Start Rules – a quick step by step basic walk through of the rules.

Miniatures – 2 armies of a popular, but opposed, factions are desirable. A single faction, provided that each faction is represented in a starter set, is probably more desirable and might be economical. Should be functional as an official sized army with a good selection of the unit's strengths and serve as an example of the army. Models should require very little assembly. One piece models or snap together would be desirable. Pre-painted is dependent on market you wish to sell to and cost structure.

Terrain – Terrain is desirable. A few hills or a structure would be good. Cardboard fold-up terrain that can be easily punched out and assembled is probably the most economical and desirable.

Dice – All required dice should be provided. Multiple dice should be available such that rolls made with models provided can be made in one throw. Don't provide 2 d6 dice when you will be making lots of 6d6 rolls. Specialty dice (deviation dice, etc).

Measuring Devices and Templates – Measuring sticks might be acceptable, a single tape measure is more acceptable. Templates can be plastic or cardboard. If providing cardboard templates should have color graphics and be punched out.

Paints and Painting Guide – If provided models are not Pre-Painted, a simple painting guide, possibly combined with a catalog, is recommended. A basic paint set with brushes is optional but would probably work best as being sold seperately.

Box – Box should be sturdy and large enough to contain all the provided models after they've been assembled.

I think a good WW2 Skirmish game would be in order.
Rules, Disposable Heros, I Ain't Been Shot Mum or other skirmish type, some terrain pieces, templates for forests, some walls, fences, etc. and a couple dozen Artizan Figures, Bolt Action or Chiltern Miniatures.

WWII Skirmish, Germans vs USA, in 6mm. Give each side a platoon of soldiers with some MG's, a mortar, and a bazooka/ panzerschreck. Add a command jeep/ kubelwagen, 2-3 halftracks, and a platoon each of M5's and Pzkw 38T's. Use any of the rules Wrgmr1 mentioned, suitably adjusted for 6mm. Include some paper terrain -- 2-3 structures, some hedgerows and 2.5D stands of trees, and a river with a bridge.

A set like this could sell for maybe $60-70, and serve both as a stand-alone game and as bait to generate endless revenue for GHQ, CinC, H&R, Scotia, and the stores & sites who sell them.

I think the current GW ones are ideal, enough to play a decent game, with both special and regular troops but not enough to make a complete army. That way the company gets you to buy more (and stays in business to provide you with loverly figures) and you get to continue buying, which is a joyous part of this hobby.

If you were to do it with WWII, for example, you might have some desert rats vs. afrika corp set. In 28mm this might contain a tank on each side, 20 regular infantry on each side, an anti tank gun (a small one) and officer and maybe some special troops for each side, maybe 5 LRDG or SAS troops for the brits and some engineers for the Germans.

I just wish Airfix et al would do decent figure mixes on their sprues. You always have too many, say, AT but never enough LMG, for example. It's even worse once you have discarded the figures in stupid poses!

Mighty Amies does it well. Rules, ruler, dice, and a complete army for about thirty bucks.

Might be worth a poll question.

Would you buy a Starter Set with Rules, Minis, bases and terrain assuming no significant discount.

Just to separate the value of the convenience of all-in-one as opposed to a volume discount. I ask cause Starter Sets hold no attraction for me unless it is for a major discount. Always at least one of the four elements is not what I want.