"Seekrieg 5" Topic

Last night, I played my first game of Seekrieg 5. To put things in context, SK5 was the first naval game that I've played that was not in the modern period, and I have to say that the game plays well. While touted as horribly complex game, in play, I found this not to be the case. Yes, there are many tables, but the tables make things easy to manage and progress smoothly.

While based on the same principles, Seekrieg 5 is much more polished game than Seekrieg 4. The game is at detailed tactical level, but it's very managable.

The new systems in SK5, specifically the damage effects system and the command system, yield a unique feel to the game.

I strongly recommend not judging SK5 by its predecessors, and checking it out.

Seekrieg 5 is much more polished game than Seekrieg 4.

Did you have a lot of experience with Seekrieg 4?

No, but prior to getting SK5, I downloaded and read SK4. The presentation of SK5 is far superior and does a much better job of not just explaining how the game works but some of the reasoning behind why it works the way it does.

Mike,

Thank you very much for that post! It is proof positive that SK5 is not as complex as folks are led to believe. In fact, I think most of the negative comments we sometimes see in discussion groups are from those who haven't even tried it or had a bad experience in a poorly-run game.

At Recon 04, one gentleman played in both a SEEKRIEG 4 and SEEKRIEG 5 game. These were his first experience with naval wargames and his opinion was that the latter was easier to play and moved faster as well.

Rich,

I used to play exclusively naval wargames, starting was back when with Jutland and Bismarck, through Submarine, Royal Navy, and onto Command at Sea, GQ I & II, and Battlefleet: Dreadnought. Am considering getting back into it. Can you give me some details on how Seekrieg handles the following potential trouble areas:

torpedoes – some games abstract them, others are so detailed the game screeches to a halt.

damage accumulation – is it by accumulation of hits and percentages, or is it critical-hit based, i.e., destruction of systems and/or flotation?

si-move with plotting or sequential?

Thanks!

gregoryk

Gregoryk,

We've posted quite a bit of information regarding SEEKRIEG 5 at the web site. If that still doesn't answere your questions, please let me know.

seekrieg.com

Thanks,
Rich

Caveat Emptor.

SK5 may play smoothly, as I hear from several sources and may be less coplex than it's reputation declares, but you should be aware that the game "requires" the data CDs found on their site. So besides the large initial outlay of at least $70.00 USD there are CDs to buy at $21 USD a pop for each country (two for GB).

Now I'm certain that many people will think of this as a bargin, and praise the quality of the information included, but I want anyone contemplating a purchase to be aware of this fact.

I may be dense or mentaly challenged but the SK site does not stress this point. It's an important one if you cannot purchase SK5 at you local game store at a 30-50% discount as I did the COA/CAS series.

That is the most expensive naval rule set I ever bought.

Caveat Emptor Indeed,

Could you please let me know the "local game store" where I can get COA/CAS at 30% to 50% off as I will cancel my preorder for North Atlantic Navies at $99 USD pre-publication price ($125 post-publication) from Clash of Arms.

I like both systems, and I believe I have everthing that has been published for both and to date I have spend considerably less for the SeeKrieg 5 products.

I did not understand your argument as far as ship data H4 "White Ensign" which only contains data is $25.00, while each Seekrieg data cd is $20.95????

I also know the designers of both systems (both very accessible at a varity of conventions) and they have produced these great products as labor of love, not profit. If they cover the cost of production and marketing let-alone the thousands of hours of research I believe they are satisified. I do not believe that their nominal profit is a fair rate of return for the effort.

As far as the comparing the ship data sheets between the two systems, it is a matter personal preference in that SK5 has done all of the labor and the extensive data for each ship at any point in her career can be simply printed out. RJW/FGDN/CAS/H4 require the player to fill out the limited amount of information required onto a one-time data sheet. (Or you can do what I and others have done and create reproducable forms in Word, Excel, etc. I would wait however as some the RJW/FGDN/CAS/H4 data will change with publication of North Atlantic Navies which will unify the data across all 4 periods.) While FGDN/CAS/H4 gives class information, SK5 gives individual ship data for each and every ship in a given navy. Everytime the ship is modernized the SK5 data CD provides for a new ship log sheet ready to print out over and over again. RJW/FGDN/CAS/H4 requires some addtional research into the history of any particular ship to get the same level of detail. Some people

I like and play both RJW/FGDN/CAS/H4, SK5 and GQ3 they each have pluses and minuses as the designers of each would and do admit. I would recommend that you attend a convention and play all the various rules out there untill you find a set that you like.

Good luck and I hope you have as much fun as I have had battling across the worlds seas.

Fair winds, Following seas.

I found the Seekrieg site very informative when deciding whether or not to shell out $70 USD on the rules. There is a blurb titled 'What's in the Box?' which details what you get for your initial investment. In addition, the added files on the CD, website, and discussion group – which are available for free download – round out an impressive amount of data and gaming ideas.

I have been well and truly satisfied with my purchase.

I have enjoyed the rules as well. The more a friend and I play the quicker the game gets. We are now up to 6 ships a person. The ship log sheets I find the best thing going. I can write down all the information I need each turn.

I would agree the investment for Seekrieg 5 is well worth my dollars. PLus once you have bought the Cd's guess what you have every ship and its variant and sisters from 1880 to 1945. Now i dont know but thats is a poop done worth of research that Rick and Jack did and for 21 dollars that is well worth it!

fullmetaljacket

There are very few naval publications that do not show a commitment from the authors, that is well in excess of any financial return. Naval wargamers are blessed in that there are so many people out there who are prepared to provide them with the data they need for a cost that is really almost at the 'silly'level, considering the hours put in.