"Cruel Seas Question" Topic

With regard to Cruel Seas games merchantmen. How big is too big? How long can any merchantman be before it elicits a table full of,…"eh, I'm not too sure about that."

I have a line on a tanker model that is 27" long. I kinda think it's a smidge over the top.

Whaddya all think?

Regards,…

Oh, and if anybody feels, "ooh! ooh!, I gotta have it," I'd be pleased to post the link. For me this is just kind of a notion.

How big is your table?

As we've really just gotten our feet wet in Cruel Seas (as a disclaimer), the issue with model size is most likely to collide with the rules concerning the torpedo rules, and that the larger the model size presented, the higher the chance of it suffering torpedo strikes.

Next would be the turning "yaw" of a huge model as it traversed across its turning arc on the table – a 27" model traversing up to 30 degrees would cut quite a swath on the board (collisions occurring with models lying within its arc).

So there's likely a limit in model size before the rules break when torpedoes are in the game, and other ships are in proximity of turns, and the fact that a huge model will often obscure other models from firing and spotting opportunities (LOS).

At this point of my experience with the game, I'm believing models of around 10-12 inches is probably the maximum game size for most tabletops, scenarios, and for rules functionality.

FlyX, Tks, I was beginning to think my PayPal account was getting bigger than my better judgment.

79th, not nearly big enough.

The main problem is the deck height would preclude depressing the guns enuf to hit anything that wasn't 2 blocks over.

:)))

The point of length increasing the likelihood of torpedo
hits is very valid. I've used 1/300 carriers (the 2
briefly available from I-94 Enterprises years ago)
as targets in Blue Sky scenarios and it is almost too
easy to score a torpedo hit due to the target's size.

Of course these were air-launched and not from surface
vessels.

FlyXwire makes several valid points in his assessment. I was looking at the models by Sea Dog Games and while very nice, at 19 inches I believe that they essentially become moving terrain and considering the number of torpedoes they will attract probably not for very long. Anything bigger than a destroyer escort is going to break the rules unless you have a gymnasium floor to use.

I agree with some of the comments and I am coming to this conundrum myself . To play the game effectively you do need targets for torpedoes .

As regards size of the ship then really your restriction is going to be based on your table size as you would perhaps need to be able to turn the ship to avoid some hits.

Other wise you could build a scenario around it for example it could be broken down and awaiting a repair ship or tug to arrive to tow it.Perhaps use your smaller MGBs or MTBs to fend off the opposition boats whilst the tug or repair ship arrives . For me this would perhaps work best being a limited turn scenario.