Just picked up Dead from Above and I like what I see. It adds a new class to the game, the pilot. They also included new feats primarily for piloting and gunnery in dogfights. There is a mini adventure aboard a B-17G called Memphis Blues and a beasteary with death clouds and gremilins.
What I am most interested in is the new air combat rules and I believe that Pinnacle has delivered. Now, I should qualify this by saying that I have not yet done a dog fight but the simplicity of this abstract system puts the Star Wars rules to shame. The system is based on position expressed as a number from 0 to 10. The higher the number the greater your advantage in the form of altitude, speed, and aspect. Initiative comes into play if you have multiple players sharing the same position otherwise a lower position number goes before a higher one. Lower positions cannot attack aircraft holding higher positions. All attacks and maneuvers cost position. So, record keeping is kept at a minimum. You do need to track aircraft hitpoints and ammo but that is about it. The one thing that strikes me most is the simplicity. The only caviat that I can see is large scale combat, many flying fortresses and escorts fighting off many german intercepters. I believe that grouping planes would become a necessity but I believe the system strong enough to handle it and not take away from the game. It's too fluid.
Anywho, just thought I'd share. Has anyone else seen it or used it? I would be interested to read what you think.
What I am most interested in is the new air combat rules and I believe that Pinnacle has delivered. Now, I should qualify this by saying that I have not yet done a dog fight but the simplicity of this abstract system puts the Star Wars rules to shame. The system is based on position expressed as a number from 0 to 10. The higher the number the greater your advantage in the form of altitude, speed, and aspect. Initiative comes into play if you have multiple players sharing the same position otherwise a lower position number goes before a higher one. Lower positions cannot attack aircraft holding higher positions. All attacks and maneuvers cost position. So, record keeping is kept at a minimum. You do need to track aircraft hitpoints and ammo but that is about it. The one thing that strikes me most is the simplicity. The only caviat that I can see is large scale combat, many flying fortresses and escorts fighting off many german intercepters. I believe that grouping planes would become a necessity but I believe the system strong enough to handle it and not take away from the game. It's too fluid.
Anywho, just thought I'd share. Has anyone else seen it or used it? I would be interested to read what you think.
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