"Mechanics vs Scenario vs Force Constructor" Topic

Recently I reflected, when looking into a ruleset, I consider the following things are important: Mechanics, Scenario and Force Constructor--either open points system (Gruntz) or templates/army lists (Alien Squad Leader/40k).

I'm curious about what other people think, since I lately gravitate toward force constructor as the most important thing, followed by scenario, and finally the mechanics are the least important factor (when compared with the other two).

In fact I was stunned when Dropship Horizon wrote that Alien Squad Leader makes you want to collect all the armies. I haven't felt that way since 40k (back when I first encountered it) and Hordes of the Things.

So which one will you choose among these?

A game with SUPERB mechanics, good scenarios, and good force constructor.

A game with good mechanics, SUPERB scenarios, and good force constructor.

A game with good mechanics, good scenarios, and SUPERB force constructor.

Give me good mechanics, I'll do the rest.

A game with SUPERB mechanics, good scenarios, and good force constructor.

Mechanics are top priority. I like to build my own forces and scenerios.

Mechanics -> scenarios -> force constructor…

Mechanics. I can do the other parts

A game with SUPERB mechanics, good scenarios, and good force constructor.

A game with SUPERB mechanics, good scenarios, and good force constructor, can you see a patren beginning to form here…

So, is there any example of a game with SUPERB mechanics that you guys have built scenarios and forces for?

Star Army for one, though the mechanics and scenarios are kind of interrelated (i.e. the mechanics help generate the scenarios). There's no points system; lists are included with the base game, but I've made custom versions for all of my 15mm forces.

Scenarios can be stolen and moved into other games.

You can all ways mix things use 40Ks army books and Tomorrows Wars rules :)

Alien Squad Leader is a bit of an exception, in terms of its force constructor. The army lists are designed to encourage creativity… the reason you want to collect all of them is because you could build and paint a full army in a single weekend, and quite inexpensively. They aren't designed to sell one particular manufacturers' products.

For most other systems, I'll take the SUPERB mechanics and do the rest myself. Though I do wish there was a good archive of generic sci-fi scenarios, other than the original Rogue Trader book.

-Chris K.

Dirtside and StarGrunt. Striker.

clkeagle:

"I do wish there was a good archive of generic sci-fi scenarios"

What about creating one ourselves?

Star Army for one, though the mechanics and scenarios are kind of interrelated (i.e. the mechanics help generate the scenarios).

Interesting. When I thought about games with superb mechanics, one of them is indeed 5150.

For most other systems, I'll take the SUPERB mechanics and do the rest myself. Though I do wish there was a good archive of generic sci-fi scenarios, other than the original Rogue Trader book.

May be the problem is not getting a superb force constructor or scenarios… but the relative lack of them. Converting scenarios take some effort that no all people are willing to make.

First response was the right one.

IMO if we consider rules writing to be part of SUPERB mechanics, couldn't disagree more about 5150.

A game with SUPERB mechanics, good scenarios, and good force constructor.

Mechanics are the most important.

Writing is a part of that, though rules support can negate poorly written rules…. I always found 5150 to be one of the clearest of the older THW books, so I don't know the big complaint about that one in particular, though the newer books (past couple of years, which is getting to be most of the books at this point) have better editing and formating, so are very clear.

Force constructors can provide useful information, but its far easier for a player to 'do it yourself.' Scenarios are entirely unrelated from rules in my opinion, but they are important.

I like the idea of making a The Miniatures Page Sci Fi scenario generator/list… The generating mechanic for an expanding list is the real issue, but it can be arranged…

Superb mechanics for me too…..

I also vote for superb mechanics. scenarios and point systems are way down on my list. Superb mechanics must also be clearly presented with appropriate player aids charts. One should not have to spend hours on forums asking for clarifications of basic game principles.

Ironically, my biggest complaint about Infinity has been lack of good scenarios.

'Kill them all' is not really a Black Ops mission.