"hexes in the revised SBH rules, in or out?" Topic

I am on the fence whether to keep the notion that SBH can be played on hexes in the new version of the game (of course it can-- I am just unsatisfied with the limited information I give in the book. I feel that a lot more should be in, such as notes on multi-hex creatures, angular movement and so on). How many of you do play on hexes, and what should be added in your opinion to make it worthwhile?

My impression is that as it is now it's not tremendously useful, and to make it so would require some space in the book.

Opinions?
Andrea

Leave it out, make the rules available for development by those that want them online.

The two games I play most often use hexes. (BattleTech and C&C Ancients)

I own but do not play SBH. Two things I notice in games are point systems and discreet movement on grids or hexes.

Hexes might simplify the formation and shieldwall options in SBH.

An online option is a nice compromise. Keeps the book tight and gives owners the option to use them and also allows modifications as time goes on.

Leave the hexes out or use them as optional. Most people have terrain with no markings or 1" -1.5" squares. I think the open movement system works well.

Of course if you are targetting the younger, measurement challenged crowd, like my 5 and 8 year old, hexes would work fine. But my boys have no problems grasping the free movement of the current rules. The simple measuring sticks make the current movement effort less.

So my preference is for free form movement as it will work with all my terrain types (gridless, square maps, hex maps, heroscape, hexon 2, any type)

So stay with the gridless format.

No hexes, game is great without.

I think I was not clear… I am not advocating or proposing that SBH switches to hexes. But there are people who play on hexes since the first edition, both on paper maps and on heroscape hexes.

Probably the best thing to do is to remove the hex content in the rules and then publish a free PDF with hex conversion rules.

I have recommended SBH to a few people on Board Game Geek on the basis of it using hexes, but I think most people using miniatures avoid hexes. I agree that putting the information about using hexes in a one or two page download would be best.

I play without,but leave it as an option for those who do.

I wouldn't use a 'hex' option.

I'd prefer there to be no hex rules cluttering down my copy.

Put it up as a pdf, and make a note in the text that it is available.

I love using hexes, and don't mind if they in either the main rulebook or as a free download. When I've played on hexes, I thought the game went faster.

Though I didn't use the hex ranges in the rules (short 4, medium 7, long 13), I found it more in proportion with measuring sticks using short 3, medium 5, and long 7. This was with 25mm hexes.

Terrain was a little challenging, to create a forest we had it that if a tree is on a hex, that hex and the six surrounding ones were considered wood – so you could build up a forest by spacing trees 3 hexes apart.

I play on plain, square and hexes and am happy to see the rules for hexes / squares on-line rather than in the book.

Heroscape hexes work very well for 15mm figures but with the demise of the manufacturing I can see they will phase out slowly to eBay sales only. I have used some hex maps printed on paper before but more and more battles I see for humanoids are on plain surfaces especially at UK shows – aircraft yes humanoids no.

To be honest though – I am surprised you are stuck for a couple of lines in the layout

Andrew
Sic Parvis Magna

I don't use hexes, but I think it's probably better to keep them.

It's kind of a shame that D&D went with squares there would be a lot more maps available.

I agree with the majority of sentiment here. Leave the hexes out so you can keep a clean format and maybe even save a few pennies in cost. And just post it as a free download.

8)

No need for hexes IMO. Make it an on-line supplement/download for those who do want it.

Of course it is not a matter of costs… it's just a matter of feeling it as a distraction if it is not delved into properly.

To do it right, I'm gonna need at least 3-4 pages with diagrams. So it will be a free PDF, ok!

Should work. Good luck.

Out. Leave it as an online option. Drive them to the Yahoo forum for the files.

NO! Don't put a hex on us!

Sorry, had to be done…

I think that is a good plan. Leave hexes out of the main rules – provide a free pdf for those who wantit.

Good stuff – love the game!

I agree it's better to put the hex rules (perhaps better developed) in a separate pdf.