So I got a bucket full of Black Seas models, didn't like the rules much (based on reading, rather than playing), got pointed to ‘Fire as She Bears' in another thread, liked that. Below I have collected some thoughts on how I can fit the 1/700th models into the FaSB!2nd mechanics, and I'd appreciate your informed commentary.
One thing I intend to do, is lose the octagon-shaped ship trays in the process. "Egad, why would you!?", I hear you gasp. Aesthetics mostly, I have to admit. I find such visual artifacts distract me from the immersion of pretty models on a well sea-scaped table. Plus I'm too lazy to produce dozens of octagons. Octagones? Octagonoi? Eight-pointed thingies…
Instead, so as not to lose the FaSB!2nd mechanics, I will produce (sets of) two identical templates: both shaped like half an octagon, with a generous space carved out for the ship model, where the center of the full octagon would be. To account for the difference in scale, I will treat any FaSB!2nd distance of 3" or multiple thereof, as 6" or multiple thereof. So 6" would be the height of those templates.
Going through the FaSB!2nd rules, here's what came to mind, without testing things on the table.
Determining field of fire: fields of fire are determined based on a strip having the breadth of an octagon (3" in FaSB!2nd), extending from the broadside, and centered on the octagon's center. So I would place my template on the firing broadside, with the firing ship in the middle space, and sight to obtain the 6" broad fire-lane.
Movement in a straight line: Can be done as per FaSB!2nd, by using the half-octagons to determine distance.
Heading Up / Falling Off: also as per FaSB!2nd
Turning: without the octagon trays, ships can turn less than 45° per turning action, if their captains are so inclined. I don't really see a downside to this. Admirals will have to pay closer attention to keeping their battle lines and formations in order, but then again, they're professionals, right? ;o) Heading respective to the wind can be determined by sighting along the half-octagon.
No octagons should overlap: this can be reproduced by using two half-octagon-templates on the closing vessels. However, I'm inclined to go with ‘no ship may approach another closer than 6 inches' as a pragmatic approximation.
Passing a gap: The gap needs to be wider than 2.5 inches, and the passing ship needs to end up further than 6" away from the two ships forming the gap.
Determining rakes: if the entire extension of the target's centerline, from the target's stern/bow to the base of the 6 in firing lane, falls within the firing lane, and the distance is not above Close range, we have a rake.
Make sense? Claptrap and balderdash? Interested in hearing your thoughts.
P.S.: For the half-octagon-templates, I will use the name h.o.t ™ in the future. Because I can.
paints brigs for the British fleet.
