"Rules for underwater/scuba battles?" Topic

At a local rummage sale I came across a bag of assorted toy soldiers. In the bag were a bunch of scuba divers in various colours. Visions of the epic scuba battle from "Thunderball" dancing in my head, I gladly paid $2.50 USD for the lot. Does anyone know of games which have rules for underwater combat?

The old company Goblin Tooth had a set of scuba rules, I think they were called "Thunderball" after the James Bond movie.

7TV has rules for Underwater action in the new supplement called On Location.
crooked-dice.co.uk/7tv.html

These are free,

"Stingray is a set of free wargames rules for playing games based on the television series of the same name. The authors write:

These rules are an attempt to simulate the undersea combat portrayed in the 1960's TV series Stingray.

It tries to be true to the original, and we have resisted (as far as possible given the requirements of game design) the urge to embellish the original too much.

The rules are divided up into three parts, The General Rules, the Titan Terror Fish Rules and the Stingray Rules.

These can be divided up between player teams as appropriate (see below). It is recommended that players who use these rules regularly stick to one or other of the protagonists on a permanent basis.

This will encourage greater identification with the cultural and technological characteristics of the two sides."

link

And another free one. AquaZone,
"The Game of Deep Sea Exploration & Combat

AquaZone features underwater combat with submarines, DSV's and marine animals. It was meant as a light-hearted change from the 'serious' wargames, but everyone seemed to like it, especially because of the nice and original scenery."

link

Robert

It's not scuba but more "deep-sea divery" combat, but Deep Wars and Shadow Sea both seem to be interested in underwater and grotto based combat. They are kind of Steampunk looking from what I've seen.

link

I mention it because this was cross-posted to the sci-fi discussion board. It might be more fantasy oriented though. I'm not sure.

…great now I have the music from that scene, stuck in my head… :)

You could paint a figure up as Lionel 'Buster' Crabb for starters. It's anyones guess as to how to paint up the opponents….

Very little on the rules, but this might be of interest.

link

After looking for some time I could not find a set for scuba battles. I suggest getting a copy of the free version of Airwar C21 from wargames vault. Substitute divers/submersibles for airplanes and spearguns/knives/torpedoes for missiles/cannons. It works pretty well.

Al

GASLIGHT has some rules for underwater games in the Compendium.

Buck
(one of the authors)

Thanks all. Commanderroj, the divers in the Thunderball game pics are the same ones I found. Allen57, I was thinking that aircraft or space games might work as well, given the 3d environment.

about ten years ago I made up charts for 'Thunder and Plunderball' which would easily adapt to GASLIGHT (they were written for Blood and Swash/Thunder and Plunder, which predated GASLIGHT). I used 54mm toy divers from the grocery store. We did a few games including one at MilleniumCon in texas

I've been slowly adapting Two hour Wargames 'Adventure in the Lost Lands' to do all sorts of diver actions instead.

as a kid I used to play with the actual thunderball et – had the divers on 'flight' stands, the mini subs, scooters etc – my uncle had it. wish I knew what had happened to it as would be perfect for this :-(

What's your email address Gozer 87? I may have something of use for you.

Captain,
my email is gozer87 at yahoo.com. Thanks!

I ran some convention games in 2009 using plastic scuba-men (and partly inspired by the StingRay & Staines Wargames game, link above).

Game was hexbased, and used the action-point mechanism from Space Hulk. BAsically, you had 4 or 5 AP per figures, use them for moving/shooting/fighting/ … Task resolution is by opposed die rolls. Some fun stuff: fish do random movements, sharks come after you, if you bleed more sharks will come, etc.
Missions: deactivate nuclear warhead; snap a picture of a whale; recover secret item from crashed plane etc.

Table: ~54mm plastic scuba-divers; plastic fish from all sorts of brands (most expensive one a whale from Schleich, 25 EUR), lots of plastic aquarium plants; various rocks …

Some pics:
link
(picture 84 and 85)
And some others on my own blog:
link
link

If you want the rules we used, let me know.

BTW, the 'AquaZone' link above is an early attempt from me using micromachines many years ago.

I had a look for Stan Johansen scuba divers, but couldnt find them. It is a shame no -one seems to do them. it may be a bit niche, but i am sure there would be sales to justify a couple of packs (especially if there were bits to make variants-such as sea sleds/arms with knives/harpoon guns) How many wargamers could resist doing a Thunderball type game? Or X-COM?

It seems to me that there was an outfit that produced a complete like of 28mm scuba divers, undersea sleds, etc. They used to come to the HMGS East conventions and sell the "fuzzy warriors" book for playing war games with kids' stuffed animals. I believe they are out of production, but I'll be there are people who impulsively bought the entire line but would not be willing to part with that part of their unpainted lead mountain.

Buck

Don't forget rules for underwater pistols and assault rifles.

I think the French were some of the first to have the little rocket pistols, and supposedly H&K makes one for the Seals now. The ammo is sealed (get it, "Sealed" – pun intended), so the pistols can't be reloaded in the field, and must be sent back to the factory for that, no doubt for a large fee (ah, the joys of capitalism…….., and I'm a devout supporter of the system, most of the time).

Rumor has it the Russians have adapted their assault rifles to fire underwater, as well, for their forces, in addition to the u/w pistols they carry. I'm guessing they've figured out how to reload there weapons in the field.

I'd be interested in the rules you used Phil.

My e-mail is Calidreamer3 AT hotmail D0t com

I yearned for these when i was 7, and now i yearn for them again. But enough for a Thunderball battle at these prices? i dont think so!

auction

Here is a link to the Stan Johansen scuba set link

Thanks Stan. Dont know why i couldnt find them on the site recently.I can see some conversion potential too, and will definitely be picking up some sets, but any chance of a few extra poses, or even multi-pose variants?

A sea sled would be nice maybe the sane diver could double up for use with bolt cutters like the Atlantic set, and poseable speargun and knife arms maybe.

How would they compare to (average) 1/72 scale figures in size?

I played a game of combat zon th other day. i'm thinking of basing the rules on those, or maybe The basic Rules With No Name westerns set from Foundry. Inaccurate weapons, slow unarmoured vehicles (sleds/mini subs for horses)and knife fight.

Tentatively only-would anyone else in the Uk be interested in combining an order for Stans scuba divers?

Now just toss in a very customized Lotus Esprit into the mix…

Good idea!