"Can you convert a hex wargame to a non-hex game?" Topic

For example, I have a battletech set that uses a hex map. I wanted to put it on a bigger setup but I don't have a hex map that big and I don't want to make one or buy one.

Do any of you take hex wargames and make them non-hex? That doesn't take away from the game somehow does it? I also figure it would give me a little freedom on terrain so they don't have to be built on a hex.

Thanks.

They just move 1" instead of one hex or whatever. 10cm instead of one hex. We did it with battle tech all the time.

I do this in my Star Wars RPG, which is square-based. I merely have the players substitute inches for squares. But of course, being an RPG, this gives everyone a bit more leeway, than a stricter set of wargame rules.

Ted

Just convert your hex size to a move say 6 inches. Cost turning depending on hex faces/ degrees moved through. Do something similar to weapons ranges etc. and there you go.

Wooden Ships and Iron Men made the transition.

Ditto BattleTech, though it's been many a year. The game was better without hexes.

We did the same with 'Sniper' and its variants. The only mildly tricky bit was making arc-of-fire/vision cones.

Actually in one of the older editions of the Battletech compendium there were rules for doing just what your talking about. I'd look it up for you but right now all my stuff is boxed up and waiting for the big move. The book came out in the early 90's IIRC.

yep here it is
link
if you scroll about halfway down there's a listing for "miniature conversion" thats the section you want to look at. And as long as you using the hex bases for the mini's arc of fire shouldn't be a problem.

Battletech is far better without hexes.

Just convert a hex to a unit of measurement. I can't really understand why you ask "can you" if I'm honest.

Jaz
6sided.net

Only thing you have to take care with is the weapon fire arcs so it may be best to keep the bases hexagonal as mentioned above.

If you have a template style weapon just straighten the edges.

Circular effect weapons can just be converted to the relevant size as well.

I've done both ways before now and every now and then you see rules to go both ways (SoBH springs to mind for having hex rules and a Yahoo group discussion on this).

You may also like to have a look at link and the thread in the first post – how to take a hex game and scale it up!

Andrew
Main blog: kings-sleep.me.uk

I've used Car Wars turning templates for BattleTech without hexes. Nothing to it.

Converting distances is a no-brainer.

Orientation can be bit more tricky, depending on rules. Ina hex-based system, orientation is defined by the hex itself, but now you need to clearly indicate on the figure what direction it is facing. Depending on how strict or loose you want to define this, it could be a potential problem. But in practice, and by using common sense, it often is not.

The aspect that is most often a problem is combining movement and orientation (again depending on rules). E.g. suppose your hex-based movement system only allows you to move straight forward, and you pay additional movement points for each orientation change. This is harder to convert to a non-hex table, since 'straight forward' movement, and accounting for each orientation change, goes against the flexibility of movement expected in many non-hex movement systems. But again, by using common sense and the right mindset, not too big a problem.

It's not typically very hard to do. You may benefit from hex shaped miniatures bases, though, to help with the movement and firing arc rules, as they make it easier to retain the 60 degree angle mechanisms. Without them, you might want to make some templates (or repurpose some from other games), as skippy mentioned.

Personally, I tend rather in the other direction – taking non-hex based games and converting them to hexes. I prefer the simplicity and elegance of a hex-based game.

Doug

Personally, I tend rather in the other direction – taking non-hex based games and converting them to hexes. I prefer the simplicity and elegance of a hex-based game.

Agreed.

There's also the Quick Strike rules chapter in Battletech: Strategic Operations for fighting larger battles in less time. It is meant to be played as a Tabletop game, i.e. no hexes etc.

Just check the BT miniature rules suggested above, they should be available for free on Catalyst Game Lab's website.

Did it for both MekaTac: Giant Stompy Robot Edition (mechs) link and Sunder the Stars (space fleets) link, as 5' x 9' hex mats are cost prohibitive.

Al | ravenfeastsmeadhall.blogspot.com

You could cut out several correct sized hexes out of cardboard, and then use them whenever moving or shooting by placing them down and counting, to turn the hexless tabletop into an invisibly hexed one.

I agree with just converting the hexes to a unit of measuremnt.

I've done that with my 300% scale Car Wars (20mm scale-ish) and with 28mm Star Wars miniatures, to name a couple.

Skirmish games are usually easy to do as 1 figure occupies 1 space. So as others say, convert to a unit of measurement and off you go. Some rules tweaking might be needed if maneuver of figures are important.

Massed battles might be a bit more problematic. There is a conversion of Command and Colors Ancients to a non-hex table top by Aaron Bell. I think they can be downloaded from the CCA support sight. Should give some good fodder for converting just about any hex based wargame dealing with massed battles.

I play OGRE hexless all the time.

How about using a measuring stick with painted intervals the size of the hex. If your hex is 4 inches then paint a stick in 4 inch intervals.