"LaserStorm or Strike Legion: best for 3mm Sci Fi?" Topic

I am looking for a rule set to use with the 3mm Science Fiction line from Oddział Ósmy aka O8.

I saw that LaserStorm just recently came out and I also hear decent things about Strike Legion. Strike Legion seems to have quite a lot of book so I am not sure what to get in that line, yet.

Basically, I want to play 1:1. So, if a tank platoon has 10 tanks, I will have 10 tanks, each on their own small base. For infantry, I'll probably do 5 figures a base. Not really sure there, yet.

Any suggestions or recommendations?

I have not played Strike Legion, but I have been enjoying LaserStorm. It is based around small scale models with bases of infantry being 4-6 troops and vehicles are a 1:1 ratio. It puts vehicles into units of 3, but it would be easy to make a change to whatever size units you want.

I posted an AAR and review of the game that you can check out for a little more detail. TMP link

I have Strike Legion and its core system would work for what you want to do. I don't have LaserStorm but I'm familiar with Nordic Weasel Games' other lines, and it sounds like it would work well too.

Strike Legion can be pretty crunchy if you want, but the core rules are only a few pages, and if you're doing a basic sci-fi game (i.e. no on-board teleportation or transforming vehicles or computer-virus infections – all of which SF can do) you don't need the whole book.

I'm using Strike Legion for company-per-side Hammers Slammers and Traveller in 6mm, for what that's worth.

Buy both :-)

LaserStorm is aimed at bigger games while Strike Legion has more detail on tech.

If you have specific questions about Laserstorm, I'll be happy to answer.

:)

Thanks everyone for the response.

Since I am looking to use figures which don't really have any fluff or stats behind it to guide me (such as type of weapons), how easy is it to build my own units and vehicles?

For either system.

Thanks!

For Strike Legion, I find it easy but I like things a bit crunchy. I don't know if these references will help, but a bit more involved than Car Wars, but not as complicated as Traveller High Guard ships. For me, the challenge is trying to make sure I'm staying consistent with my game setting (e.g. tank A really is better than tank B), not so much the vehicle mechanics themselves.

You basically decide on a size, level of armour protection (and type of armour – but you can keep this to 2-3 types if you want), weapons (again, lots of options but you can make this simple by limiting your choices at the start), movement type, and then extras like smoke dischargers or mine-clearing devices etc.

Weapons can include plasma, laser, kinetic, cannons and probably a couple more, plus missiles/rockets.

Now that I think about it, there is a free trial version available: link and KJ has the original basic rulebook available at a discount since the compendium came out: link

The old rulebook may give you enough of a game on its own. You could also see if KJ will rate the O8 stuff – he's rated vehicles from a number of manufacturers.

Just spent the day playing Laserstorm at Blast-tastic – an excellent set of sci-fi rules – extremely bloody and quick

WIth Laserstorm, I put in a few options for making units:

There's some ready-to-play ones, there's an "assembly line" where you just pick a vehicle hull and some guns, and there's a full option where you design the stats from the ground up and calculate the cost of the unit.

The points formula isn't super complex (and you can play without points in any event) and it's broken down into a step-by-step process.

As was listed above, Strike Legion will get into a bit more detail with the sort of technology and gadgetry you can have, so it has a bit more "hard scifi feel".

I'd say Strike Legion feels more like Dirtside, while Laserstorm feels more, deliberately, like Space Marine, if that makes sense.

Shedman – any links to that game? :)

Weasel – Not yet as i am pouring over my purchases. However I've sent you some Q's on the yahoo group. I'm going to run the game out at the club on Monday

Alan

Thanks for the input, guys. Always a tough call when buying new rules.

Is the Strike Legion Compendium a newer rule book? I will give that free trial version a try.

Weasel, that analogy makes sense as I am a little familiar with those games.

Whatever I decide, I will post whatever stats I come up with in case others are thinking the same. Hard to get a good vibe on game stats when the only description for an MBT, for example, is
Tank
PSF-601
T-225 'Boris' MBT
Neo-Soviet tank

I am picturing a well armored, slow, tracked, tank. Some sort of projectile main gun with some anti infantry weapons. Other than that…

Anyway, thanks again!

Yes, the Strike Legion Compendium contains updated and some revised rules as compared to the original 4 volumes. The core mechanics remain the same; some game elements have been simplified, while others have been expanded.

I've read through Laserstorm, but haven't yet played it. Seems to be a solid, quick-play game for larger engagements.

Have you considered Dirtside? It's free!

javelin98, thanks for the input. I did recently download Dirtside and will be taking a look.

That being said, I broke down and bought LaserStorm and the Strike Legion Main Rulebook. Both were inexpensive and sound like good rules from all the reviews/posts so I thought I'd try them.

Now to see what I can come up with.