"Victory at Sea Mongoose vs WLG Victory at Sea- differences?" Topic

Hi there I have a copy of both Mongoose Victory at Sea as well as their expansion. I had a question about the new WLG Victory at Sea rules. Are there any differences other than you can make a turn after 2 moving 2 inches? I know there seems to be 30 scenarios in the new rulebook as well. Are the rules and ship traits basically the same? I'm debating whether I should purchase the pdf which is no sale for 50% right now. Is it worth it or no?

I never played or saw the original, but the new book is awesome. It has every aspect of naval tactical warfare, and it has EVERY ship including every refit.

I've only played once (River Platte) and it was fun. I'm planning on delving deeper.

The two rule books have similar line of play and game design but I would have to rate them different. The modifiers are different, Mongoose VaS has different values for ships and data points in capabilities, but with practiced eye you can work the differences out. Mongoose has more other navies and did a WWI book too. Warlord VaS is more streamlined but the action of streamlining created other issues. I would use Warlord VaS over the Mongoose version but having both rule books gives more scenarios and several specialize rules for naval favor.

My playing group has upgraded the Warlord VaS game with enhanced damage, workable torp rules for the Long Lance (otherwise a game winner every time), better smoke rules, zonal area aircraft vs. VaS simple aircraft measurement, additional ship data cards, revised some ship class points as the point system is manufacturer-"Warlord's bias" for selling their models. The Japanese DD's and some German ship classes come to mind.

Lastly, we play the Warlord/Mongoose VaS game on a blue grey tiled exterior patio deck using 1/700 ship models. Our 1/700 ship collections and ability to purchase non "famous" ship models is vast compared to the Warlord ship model selection. Conversion to 1/700 was simple from the Warlord 1/1800. We tripled the gunnery ranges, detection, movements, etc. Carrier off table battles have the aircraft zonal area movement system, is far better then any version of VaS rules aircraft movement. Sub warfare upgraded so the easy detection and sinking of subs is now difficult vs… a 5+ single dice roll. But if all you want is a simple game…. VaS does fill the bill…. till you play with Long lance torps.

Sounds great, thanks for the indepth analysis. Based on both of your inputs I will be purchasing the ebook and using my new 1/2400 ships.