"Table Size for Tomorrow's War" Topic

Tomorrow's War – the sci-fi rules from Osprey Publishing/Ambush Alley Games – says that "…scenarios are generally played on 4' x 4' tables…"

What table size do you most often use for your Tomorrow's War games?

I vary by scenario, but my big terrain setup is 4' x 6':

doodlebot.net/redoubt/?p=618

Anywhere from 2x8 to 4x8.

I've played and created scenarios for 4x4. I have also played bigger games on 4x6 and even 4x8. If you have a scenario with a small amount of infantry and only a couple of minor vehicles (and lots of terrain) then 2x2 can make a very playable game.

All the above statements were based on using 15mm scale figs. For 20mm to 28mm scale then 4x4 is cozy and 4x6 to 4x8 are decent sizes.

For 1800mm scale I recommend a field of about 3600 in X 3600 in up (cozy size) up to 54,000 in X 80,000 in. This is, of course, for purists who use 1:1 scale gaming… ;)

Like G Dog, I too have varied in my table sizes from 4x4 to 4x8 and everywhere in-between.

Play on whatever table size you want – the rules fit.

"For 1800mm scale I recommend a field of about 3600 in X 3600 in up (cozy size) up to 54,000 in X 80,000 in. This is, of course, for purists who use 1:1 scale gaming… ;)"

Not a lot of clothing or proper weapons for playing in a sci-fi setting at 1:1 scale! Unless you get some of those SST prop outfits and the live-fire morita rifles then load them with sim-munitions(You know, the ones with detergent powder caps in place of a lethal tip?) Of course, god help whoever plays the bugs on that one….

Nah, you just play with miniatures that are 1:1 scale. Makes moving a tank platoon a little dicey but hey, think of it. A miniatures war game that gets you in shape!

Up to 4x6' for individually based 15mm figs on 20mm bases.

I thought I read that weapon distances were pretty extreme? If so, would a bigger table not hinder a game? 5x9?

There's no real abstraction of ranges – WYSIWYG – so a modern, or near future, rifle can easily reach all parts of the board. However, being able to effectivly lay down fire on a target at the other end of the board is a totally different thing. There are range effects, but they represent the shooters drop in accuracy at distance, not the weapon not being able to shoot that far, which I like.

I play on a 4x4 or 4x6 board, as my board is made from 2x4 MDF sheets, so I can lay out 2 or 3 of them. 4x4 makes for a nice compact game.

I saw some self contained boards built into 3x3 boxes with lids for easy storage, an urban area in one, a swamp in another and so on, and I have a long term plan (yeah, another one of those long term plans) to build a couple for easy storage and transport. Maybe a 4x4 that hinges somehow.

"Nah, you just play with miniatures that are 1:1 scale. Makes moving a tank platoon a little dicey but hey, think of it. A miniatures war game that gets you in shape!"

I think we call those War Re-enactments. ;) Speaking of which, I'm going to one today. They set-up a portion of a museum grounds here like it was Normandy and run a StuG III, a couple Shermans, an M5 and pair of Bren Carriers around it each year. Along with various skirmishes throughout the day between German and allied forces.

Using 15mm, I have used from 3 x 3 to 6 x 4.

Lots of cover is more important than table size, given weapons go all the way across the table.

We've played a game on a 2 x 2 board and a 2 x 3 board using 15mm figs.
It depends on the scenario and forces involved.
Fun stuff.
Joep

The perfect table size would be around 12' x 6' if gaming 28mm.

For 15mm and smaller this can be cut down to 8' x 6'

I've played TW in 20MM on a 4' x 6' table without any difficulties. But, if you want to show maneuver and try out "realistic" tactics -- not just have a slugfest -- I would suggest the same for 15MM.

I thought I read that weapon distances were pretty extreme? If so, would a bigger table not hinder a game? 5x9?

Any weapon can shoot the entire length of the board. Given a groundscale equal to (15mm) figure scale, that 5x9 board is 150m by 270m. If your tables look like a rifle range or pool table flat, well, expect to get your butt shot off. Put some terrain on there, though, and you will have a nice, tactical game.

Go big! (8x4).