"Signal Close Action questions" Topic

Hi folks. I've been thinking about taking a look in to Signal Close Action lately, and was wondering about the two different versions that are available, the fast play and the full set. Does the full set contain the fast play rules? Would it be simple enough to purchase the full set, and just ignore the appropriate sections to get the faster gameplay? Basically, I am just cheap, and don't really want to buy two separate rules for one game, since both sets cost a fair amount.

Second, getting in to the specifics of the rules, is movement simultaneous?

And lastly, am I right in thinking there are no digital versions available?

Thanks for your help, and any further discussion you want to provide about these rules, your general opinion of them, would be welcome.

- James

And may I add, how do the fast play version compare in complexity with Trafalgar if anyone's played both?

I can only comment on the fast play rules as thats all ive got, but from what ive seen they are difrent enough to get both ( if I could have found them at salute I would have got them then).

The movement isn't simultaneously each turn is I go you go. In the fast play rules you write your orders then role on 3 D6 for each vessel or for your fleet. The result is then modified for each vessel based on the crew rating. This modified dice role is then compared to the action chart telling you if you can cary out your orders, the chart also tells you if any negative effects happen as a result of failing your orders.

To answer Sparker's question, signal close action fast play because its based around a ability chart for all the actions your vessels can do is simpler to play than trafalgar. But in my opinion SCA gives a more realistic result. For example in all the games ive played I cant rember a ship sinking out right, they normal strike before they are totaly crippled of course this depends on the crews ability rating.

In fast play you don't write orders, you declare orders.

And I agree with Ben, I find them a much better set than Trafalgar.

The full set include very very detailed rules for sailing, the Fast Play set, much simpler, but still detailed enough that you can take the wind gauge and out-manoeuvre the enemy.

Yes, the fast play set are fairly detailed, but the full set (which does NOT contain the fast play rules, btw) has immense amounts of detail. Want to box haul? The rules for it are there. Personally I am happy to have both, but if I had to pick only one I would go with the fast play rules as I am far more likely to play them.

Thanks for the information guys.

How do folks feel in general about I-go-you-go movement when it comes to ships? I've been playing Kiss Me Hardy lately, and have been toying with the idea of altering the movement in the game to be 'simultaneous'.

I'm finding that the alternate movement tends to produce situations where the ships alternately dart in front of each other to get in to raking position. There's comparatively little 'yard arm to yard arm' action with ships remaining level with each other.

Hi James, ive found the same thing with SCA fast play, it all ends up being a bit jerky. I also get a bit anoyed by the fact you cant back your wind keep a effectively stationery position with the other ship. But I suppose its all working on a level of abstraction anyway so its more about the end effect of the whole turn being realistic.

How are you finding the kiss me hardy rules and for what scale action would you recomend them for?

I play Trafalgar its fun, but is very hard to make and keep a mixed battle line in line' diffient speeds. If you add David Manley House rules it plays better.
SCA fast play has one big draw back, all ships move and turn the same. but I like the ability chart. Onces you have maded the ships logs for both, you are good to go. SCA standent looks so good I would love to play it, but need two players who WHAT to play it. To make ships logs would I think be a good 2-3 hours work.
To get Trafalgar now is hard. I have all the add-ons for Trafalgar and Made ship logs for SCA fast play. Happy to give out. For fun game, Trafalgar. For good game, SCA FP. For historical games, SCA.
Ba safe
Rory

Thanks Ben and Rory.

Ben, as for KMH, I like the rules, but they are still the only age of sail ones I know, so I am not sure how they compare to other sets in terms of the balance between detail and fast/ smooth gameplay. I'll try some tinkering to see what additional detail is worth adding – like giving the ships the ability to back their sails, for example.

The largest KMH game I've tried so far was a four on four battle. I don't find the record keeping excessive or too time consuming, once you know what you're doing, but the playing time can get to be longer than what I can give it. Not sure yet if they are faster or longer than other rules.

For fast,Trafalgar. the first 3 moves are slow, with more chance of damageing your own ships. Then the brown stuff hits the fan! May-ham (spelling?) with lots of one on one action getting in the way of, one on one action. Only box ticking for record keeping. I have played 12 aside (24 ships) with mixed rated ships and two players.
Be safe
Rory

Thanks for the info James, think I'll pick the PDF up and give them a look

Great discussion. I am loooking for a set of fast play rules. I prefer that they not have alot of record keeping; hence fast play. I have KMH which is fun but too labor intensive. Sounds like SCA would be as well. I downloaded Beat to Quarters from Freewargames.co.uk and like 80% of it.
Anyone know how it compairs to Trafalgar?

Cheers

Joe