Plane Mechanics: Post Your Theories

[Lotus]

Ok...what do you think the mechanics of planes in this game will be? I want to get all the theories under one thread if possible.

Mine is this:

Planes, due to their speed, will enter the map from one side, pick a path to a target, take fire from any adjacent AA guns etc along that path, and fly off the map at the end of the turn. No disrupts, only damage and kills. Defense will reflect light armor/no armor and speed...probably 2/2 or 3/3. Planes will also sit out every other turn to simulate coming around for a return pass. They may also have a turn limit to reflect fighting fuel and ammo.

Have at it. :D

[Imaclone76]

i like the sounds of that, so if a plane comes on first turn does its bombing run or whatever goes off the map it should not return the next turn but the turn after? is that what you are saying?

[komichido]

Planes will have a hex based movement where it has to move in a straight line between turns. I.E. no 2 turn moves in a row, this will help simulate their wide turn radious due to high speeds on the board. There will be dog fights and ground attacks. I do not think it will have different altitude levels as that might be too confusing to the target audience the rules were written for, but hey they just might. AA guns can attack planes or other planes can attack planes and thats it. Defense is based on speed not armor. Faster planes will have a higher defense. Hmmm.....some planes will have bombs, others just guns......what else....ahh thats it for now....

Now flame on! LOL :D

komi

[Lotus]

i like the sounds of that, so if a plane comes on first turn does its bombing run or whatever goes off the map it should not return the next turn but the turn after? is that what you are saying?

Yep. That's what my money's on.

[Colonel_Coo]

Yep. That's what my money's on.
I would think that if they leave the map they cannot return for two turns (skips next movement, appears at map edge at end of movement).
I would also think they have a Turning Radius X and a Minimum Speed X.
For Instance:

Turning Radius 6: this unit may turn one hexside only after traveling 6 hexes in a strait line.
Minimum Speed 4: this unit must move 4 hexes during the Movement and Assualt Phase.
Strike and Fade 4.

Better planes can loop the field tightly, others sweep by as fast as they can to pound a target and get back as soon as possible.

That's my guess.

[Outpost Orange]

You guys are getting way too complicated with the plane mechanics.

Try this on for size...

Its just like a flying version of a tank with a insanely high move value. You take the plane and place it on a hex based on its movement. If it survives defensive fire from anti-aircraft units in the movement phase, It fires at units in its range band with the dice indicated on the "attacks" chart.

Whaddaya think?

[NightMoor]

Yeah, all this babble about flying off the map, flying on the map sounds completely insane. Why do you think they would give you a miniature if they didn't intend you to use it by placing it on the map?

I've said it before, they might very well just simplify it to play like planes do in the game Panzer General - it'll be a regular unit, but with high movement and perhaps some restrictions on how it turns when it moves.

[madwill]

there will be no plane mechanics as they are at the airfield :-D

[Autarch]

Here's how I bet it works:

Certain units can use their infantry attack rating against aircraft. They will be listed on the back of the checklist brochure included in each booster.

Aircraft have SAs for three different types of attacks: Strafe, Level Bomb, Dive Bomb.

During movement, Strafe and Level attacks start their run on any hex edge and moves straight to the target up to their maximum speed. Dive bombers are placed adjacent to the target.

Any enemy unit with an AA ability the plane passes or is placed adjacent to can use the infantry attack rating as defensive fire against the aircraft instead of against ground units. If disrupted, the plane stops immediately.

During the attack phase, listed units can use their infantry attack vs air units instead of making ground attacks.

The plane then rolls to attack its target as per its attack chart and range. If Strafing, aircraft can attack multiple targets of any type within a 1 by 8 (or 10 or 12) hex column directly in front of it.

1 disruption and two hits destroy an aircraft. At the end of the turn, surviving aircraft are removed from the map. Destroyed aircraft and card are removed from the game.

Planes can make an attack every three turns, but no more than one bombing attack per game.

Enemy aircraft on the board can use their infantry attack value against other aircraft, either as defensive fire or during the attack phase but only if they are in front and within range.

Sounds complicated, but basically aircraft are like vehicles only they move different (straight line or appear on target hex) and only certain units can shoot at them.

[XAos]

Planes obviously can't be immobalised by disruption, so most planes will require only 1 hit to kill. exception, the Stormovik may have "Hulking Mass".
AA units will have an SA;s to attack planes, just before the plane attacks ground targets.
Bombs & Rockets will be limited to 1 attack per game (like headshot)
The Ju-87g may not be limited (it carries 6 rounds per gun & there are only 10 game turns)

[Avoll]

only thing im worried about is what im going to hull them around in
got a bag full of base and set 2 already

[Arontje]

I am not sure of the mechanics except this:

They DO move on the board, not just for one turn. It is a bit uselless to have a big unit that everyone wants and in fact you dont use it :S
I mean, if its only for one turn its a bit of a waste to have it on the board (although i will do it of course)


So it has movement and moves on the map for at least 2 turns or so. And yes maybe it can turn and come back.

[Vulturedoodle]

Defense will reflect light armor/no armor and speed...probably 2/2 or 3/3.
Are you talking about the defense of the plane? If so, the Stuka's is listed on the card: 4.

--SEF

[Lotus]

Are you talking about the defense of the plane? If so, the Stuka's is listed on the card: 4.

--SEF
Yeah, that would be a strike for me. Did not see that. Good catch. Thanks.

[Autarch]

Planes obviously can't be immobalised by disruption, so most planes will require only 1 hit to kill.

Of course not. The idea is that heavy ground fire has forced the plane to break off its strafing run, thus lessening it's effect. The point of disruption is where the attack (if possible) is measured from---thus you leave the plane there to mark that point.

There are a number of units already in the game with inherent AA capability. It would be a shame to leave them out of the anti-air battle other than as defenseless targets.

Planes should have two step damage like vehicles. With one hit, its only a plane vs dedicated AA platform side show. With two hits, other vehicles can participate and it opens up the game because now players have to consider using their infantry attack factor against air instead of ground targets. With one hit, that makes air units too brittle.

I don't think anyone has addressed how FAO fit into this. I'd guess only units they have LOS to can be attacked.

[cossackwarrior]

I hope the "light armor" guess was a joke - if the Stuka is a 4/4 then what will the Thunderbolt be? 7/7? And the Zero had no armor so it would be a 2/2?

[Stojakovic]

Got a headache from all that. All good stuff from all your predictions. ;)

[DocD]

I'm putting my money on no movement. If paratroopers appear out of thin air why can't planes.

Of course, the designers probably have seen the comments on teleport troopers, and have now thought it wise to include some sort of movement to at least give AA guns a chance to hit.

At anyrate, I agree with Autarch that planes should be treated as vehicles.

I'm hoping that dog fights will be addressed.

[Muenchausen]

A thread was posted a couple of weeks ago where someone, I can't remember who, said the air units mechanics would work similiar to paratroopers. If that's the case, I'd expect planes to magically apear during the movement phase, make their assault in the next phase and then disappear in one turn. Just my prediction.

[Zhukov]

You guys are getting way too complicated with the plane mechanics.

Try this on for size...

Its just like a flying version of a tank with a insanely high move value. You take the plane and place it on a hex based on its movement. If it survives defensive fire from anti-aircraft units in the movement phase, It fires at units in its range band with the dice indicated on the "attacks" chart.

Whaddaya think?
Possiable but dont think thats it. Someone said a plane flying over a battlefield would zip off to fast. If thats true then you will be wrong. If it was they may not have covered the stat card and movement. It will defintly have a flying movement ability or who knows what. but you are right on one thing. We get to complicated but it doesnt mind me.

[Zhukov]

Ok...what do you think the mechanics of planes in this game will be? I want to get all the theories under one thread if possible.

Mine is this:

Planes, due to their speed, will enter the map from one side, pick a path to a target, take fire from any adjacent AA guns etc along that path, and fly off the map at the end of the turn. No disrupts, only damage and kills. Defense will reflect light armor/no armor and speed...probably 2/2 or 3/3. Planes will also sit out every other turn to simulate coming around for a return pass. They may also have a turn limit to reflect fighting fuel and ammo.

Have at it. :D
My new Idea is similar. Comes in for a turn attacks but I think everything in range is disrupted if nto killed. I think since they seem a little expensive for a 1 turn wondor thye might beable to come in once or twice. My mind has trouble seeing a plane being on the battlefield the whole game. I think AA guns will get to do a opening fire type thing like in the board game and get a shot at it no matter what.

[dracos42]

My vote/guess is that the mechanics will be similar to the Panzer Leader system. Planes are placed in hexes next to their targets in the movement phase. Antiaircraft units fire, then the planes fire. Each turn, planes may be moved to different hexes. Once a plane leaves the game board, it can't return.

Planes have a limited amount of ordnance. Perhaps like with the D&D minis, there will be boxes on the cards to represent the bombs, rockets, and gun ammo. The first hit on a plane will be a disruption. Second hit will damage the plane. It can still attack, but must leave the board after that attack. Third hit will destroy the plane, before it gets to attack.

Oh, and we have already see the plane mechanics. They're the Luffwaffe infantrymen. :D

Michael