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Modern Spearhead

 Post subject: Modern Spearhead
PostPosted: Tue Jun 19, 2012 11:06 pm 
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Any MSH players out there? (Or just regular SH, for that matter)


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 Post subject: Re: Modern Spearhead
PostPosted: Wed Jun 20, 2012 11:13 am 
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I am sure that I have one of these two in my game archive somewhere. They look really great games, but the reliance on written orders has put me off so far.

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 Post subject: Re: Modern Spearhead
PostPosted: Sun Jun 24, 2012 4:11 pm 
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Present!

I've got a nice and still growing MSH setup, with lots of Soviets/Russians, 2000s Finns, 1984 Americans and an almost-ready-to-play force of West Germans.

The written orders should not put anyone off. They make the game move fast, and the system allows for quite a bit of low-level tactical stuff you can do while sticking to the orders, and rewards "realistic" formations. Our games often see only 1 order change, often preceded by multiple failed attempts to do it.

The 30mm x 30mm basing system makes for interesting modelling work, as do the various markers. I've found joy in constructing "forward observer in action" markers (little marked flags). The rules allow anyone who's now on the horn with an arty unit to adjust fire and call for fire again on the next turn, which we always forgot to do before we got the markers.

Some of the mechanics are very nice, including
1) Counterbattery fire (which encourages planning your arty use);
2) Attack helicopters are killers, when they catch your tanks in a bad spot, which they often do;
3) Electronic Warfare: radio location, radio jamming in particular;
4) Heliborne insertions feel right. You need to pick a spot which won't be too hot, and the scale is generally small enough to not dominate the game.

The morale system is clunky, much like Epic second edition. It's not as bad as it looks on paper, because it forces you to husband your forces on the tabletop. If an attacking or defending battalion is getting casualties, the system really encourages you to try help them have an easier time.

I don't like the aircraft rules. First, the effects of aircraft attacks are just miss/kill, while everything else is miss/suppress/rarely kill. Also, the system does not use aircraft models for anything, which is a real shame, since microarmor aircraft are often gorgeous models.

I recommend looking into the Scenario Generation System by Keith McNelly.
http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/mcnell ... system.htm

All my stuff is microarmor from pretty much every manufacturer there is. If I started now from scratch, I'd
1) Look into 10mm figures as an alternative scale;
2) Uase my tanks on longer stands to protect the barrels;
3) Use Skytrex tanks for strong barrels;
4) Consider options for basing Combat Teams;
5) Base support stands in a really distinctive manner.


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 Post subject: Re: Modern Spearhead
PostPosted: Sun Jun 24, 2012 5:51 pm 
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I'm slowly assembling a division of early 80s soviets and (west) german heimatsschutz, but it takes time, it's my first large-scale modelling project. I have played quite a lot at conventions, though.


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 Post subject: Re: Modern Spearhead
PostPosted: Fri Mar 28, 2014 9:05 pm 
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Hi,

Where can I find the rules? pdf if possible! :)


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 Post subject: Re: Modern Spearhead
PostPosted: Sat Mar 29, 2014 7:37 am 
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Played at the local convention. Thoroughly enjoyable. One of those potential projects that keep lurking at the back of the mind...

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 Post subject: Re: Modern Spearhead
PostPosted: Sat Apr 05, 2014 6:37 am 
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Location: New Zealand
I got a copy and have been planning a Arab army for the Arab-Israeli wars. I haven't played for over 5 years but I should considering my mate wrote it!

Keith's scenario generator is well worth looking at.

Cheers
Kieran

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