Victory Track #1

[Charles Lewis]

In case you missed the notice on the Yahoo group, I just wanted to let everyone know that Jay and I have posted an informal e-zine on the blog. This first installment features a replay of a campaign mission by myself with commentary from Jay. We feel it provides a good example of not only how a typical mission runs, but also how MAS in general plays.

It's over at http://blog.vbamgames.com

[jygro]

I read it and it looks good. Awesome stuff you guys.

-B

[andstrauss]

Looks pretty good. I'm definitely buying this one. But I want the real print version, not pdf.

Cheers,

[mwaschak]

Thank you guys.

Charlie and I felt it was best to do a clear and concise walk through, and at the same time, we can try out some ideas with the new VBAM ezine. We hope it is the first of many, just like the MAS game itself. It should also give a fair look at the game for anyone interested.

I also prefer the high quality prints I can get from our printing service. I would like to get airplane minis in a custom color scheme to represent my MAS eventually too .

-Jay

[Frank]

Hello,

I read "The Victory Track" and I'm very interested.

Some questions:

1. On page 11 Flounder fires a "Matra Magic" with a"base target goal 6" - the picture on page 5 shows the Harrier with a "Matra Magic Air: 4" ?

2. What's the difference (in game terms) between a Matra Magic AAM (R0 Air:4 Dog:Yes HEAT) and an AIM-9 Sidewinder (Page 10: R0 Air:4 Dog:Yes HEAT) ?

3. On page 13 Chip "drops 3 Chaff out of his pod" - the picture on page 6 shows the Phantom with only 2 chaff ?

4. How many different aircraft are included in the game ?

5. I'm more interested in the printed version than in the pdf, but what does "printed" mean exactly: is it a box with map, counter, rules, aircraftsheets, etc. or is it simply a very well printed version of the pdf and you have to "build" the gamecomponents for yourself ?

6. Have you ever heard of a computer-game called "Flight Commander"

7. What are your future plans for expansions, modells, etc. ?

Go on with the good work.

Frank

[mwaschak]

Hello Frank!

Please see the answers below .

Hello,

I read "The Victory Track" and I'm very interested.

Some questions:

No problem.

1. On page 11 Flounder fires a "Matra Magic" with a"base target goal 6" - the picture on page 5 shows the Harrier with a "Matra Magic Air: 4" ?

There are actually two version of the missile, so there is some name confusion. The one being fired by Flounder is the smaller AAM, but both are target 6. I used the old graphic in TVC.

2. What's the difference (in game terms) between a Matra Magic AAM (R0 Air:4 Dog:Yes HEAT) and an AIM-9 Sidewinder (Page 10: R0 Air:4 Dog:Yes HEAT) ?

The Matra Magic AAM is a slightly more effective weapon compared to the base sidewinder. It is actually an target: 6. I checked, and this is correct in the final version.

The problem you will find with some of these weapons is availability. The AAM is a fine piece of equipment, and so is the Sidewinder (not the Sidewinder X). However, without a prestigious organization who has earned some clout it may be difficult to find. Dealers won't sell the AAM to just anyone as it is "Withheld".

So the prestige of your organization is very important to get good missions and equipment.

3. On page 13 Chip "drops 3 Chaff out of his pod" - the picture on page 6 shows the Phantom with only 2 chaff ?

Ah Charlie must have thought he put an ALE-145 pod on his planes. It is very common practice with his squadron.

4. How many different aircraft are included in the game ?

In the basic game there will be 35 airplanes, not counting the two free promotion planes at blog.vbamgames.com. We had to trim quite a few too.

5. I'm more interested in the printed version than in the pdf, but what does "printed" mean exactly: is it a box with map, counter, rules, aircraftsheets, etc. or is it simply a very well printed version of the pdf and you have to "build" the gamecomponents for yourself ?

You can easily assemble the game from the printed version. We use the same printer we use for our VBAM book line, and I believe we are doing full color versions only. Which means there will be a mission map, plane sheets, and all the counters to track ground threads and planes in the air. These are all contained in book form, and not a box.

If we went the box route the costs would be much, much higher. The full color print seemed to be the most economical. Tyrel may want to chime in with any specifics since he has been instrumental with our PoD service.

6. Have you ever heard of a computer-game called "Flight Commander"

I do know of one called Strike Commander, which I think is the same with a different regional label .

Ah, good times!

7. What are your future plans for expansions, modells, etc. ?

There are three expansions in the works. We had so much fun playtesting and running the games ourselves the game just keep growing.

First, there is a MAS expansion for WWII made by Charlie Lewis that is nearly complete. We are playtesting that now and having a blast.

The second is Worlds of MAS discussed here: http://forums.vbamgames.com/viewtopic.php?t=25

Basically there are regional bases, and MAS's struggle over the best regions and contracts. It is more directly competitive.

And the other is space based called Mercenary Star Squadron. That let's use bundle some VBAM minis in the basic set and include capital ships.

Go on with the good work.

Frank

Thank you! This has been a fun project for us and I am anxious to continue.

Have a good day,
-Jay

[Frank]

Thank you very much for the quick answer.

What's the release date of the printed version of MAS ?

Frank

[mwaschak]

Thank you very much for the quick answer.

You're welcome! Glad I could help .

What's the release date of the printed version of MAS ?
Frank

This will be in the very near future, probably less than a week barring any printing problems.

-Jay

[Charles Lewis]

Actually, it's hard to say for sure about the printed version. The PDF should be out within a week or so, but I know we sometimes have problems getting the printed version to look right first time through, so it may be a little longer than that. I don't think it's ever been more than a month after the PDF release, though.

[Tyrel Lohr]

A proof of the printed version is on order and once it arrives (probably after the Thanksgiving holiday, unfortunately) I will be able to check it for any problems and, barring any, can get our first order here from the printer by the next week.

[Gareth_Perkins]

Been rereading the MAS walk-through in Victory Track 1,

I notice that several engagement tests where made to engage at range (i.e.: at ranges of 1+)? My understanding of the rules is that you only need an engagement test to engage at close-range (the first two paragraphs of 4.4.3 Dogfights would seem to imply so),

Some weapons have some stand off value and may be fired from the Long Range area. These are the weapons with a range value of 1 or more. However, cannons and some weapons must be in close range to be effective. That player must engage the enemy to bring them to bear.

The player with initiative who has placed his action may now fire at range (see 4.4.4 Weapons Free), or attempt an engagement to any viable target. That pilot must have set Engage as the objective for the turn, and then picked an action which will allow that pilot to reach the target. At this time they must state whether they are attempt to engage at Close Range or Long Range. If the fight is to be attempted at Close Range, it is called a dogfight.

Is this an error (in the rules or Victory Track), am I confused or is there some other explanation?

Also I note that the basic "manoeuvre" action only allows engagement of targets at the same altitude. Is this still the case if I engage from extremely long range (say range 2+)?

It seems very very difficult to get the "attacking from above" modifier as to get it you need to dive, from high altitude, towards a target at low altitude (as the altitude change is noted as happening at the start of the action, and it is the only action which allows you to engage a target below you)?

[mwaschak]

Hi Gareth,

Yep, you are right that there is an error in the Victory Track. One does not need to attempt engagement at long range like one would in a dog fight, just punch out the missile and watch the show. In answer to the other question, no. You can fire off the missile at range to another target in another band at any altitude if you have the right weapon and have detected the target.

-Jay

[Gareth_Perkins]

Thanks,

[mwaschak]

Thanks,

No problem.

Charlie and I talked about running a big tournament or campaign using the gamebox, but ironically, both switched to new jobs within the past few months. That probably explains why the latest TVT was delayed too .

-Jay