Fireteam Andromeda
this
review is done from playtest version of rules however i assume not
much has changed in final product as game seems very solid, from my
point of view the autor was inspired many game systems but it working
well together.
So
what is FT:Andromeda about? It is classic Reinforced platoon skrimish
game as well as Gruntz,Tommorow war or Fast and Dirty. But this one
is different in many many ways.
Unlike
most of the gaming systems for 15mm it use only one type of dice –
old revered D6 and didnt use much counters/markers.
What
makes Andromeda so much different it is Control and Command systém –
it is similiar to one used in famous skrimish game but i never though
it could work in Platoon level game. You have number of command
points which comes from number your deployed ,confident
(non-panicked,non-broken etc.),regular units, squad attachments like
APCs or squad suport teams didnt generate CPs. What are command
points good for? One command point is used if you want to activate
unit, you also using command points for calling reserves, increasing
iniative ratting or perfoming special orders. However there is a
catch. Your commander have command ratting which means how many
orders he can spend, when orders are spend per phase then hand
control to enemy player when he activate units in same fashion. You
can also use CPs to react at enemy actions durning enemy phase , but
when you run out of CPs the turn is over for you.
Special
Commands are orders issued before activation phase, you can order
your men to lay suppresive fire, concetrate their fire or fight
better in Close combat.
Durning
activation of unit, units must follow a sequence:
first
regroup which is special action shaken infantry can try to rally
while, vehicles with systém down or immoblised status can try repair
themselves. Some weapons must need to be reloaded and this is done to
i regroup action.
Second
action in sequence is move – most infantry moves 6“ inches and
can then perform run or shooting (Power armoured infantry cannot run)
while vehicles can shoot on move unit they move full speed.
Then
is shooting action in which unit can fire or infantry can use run
action which grants them additional movement.
And
last action is assault old fashioned charge of enemy positions.
Unit
which has been activated cannot be activated durning turn but can
react durning your opponent phase and perform defensive actions.
Hitting
enemy is easy – it is only about how good the shooting unit is and
applying modifers. Then if target is hit owning player must roll save
on save table and if you are in cover you gain better save. Vehicles
use same systém but if hit gets through – shooting player will
roll on penetration table – on 1 vehicle will only suffer morale
check but if score is higher it can be damaged or destroyed outright.
Unlike games which used similiar systém here when the shoot is
powerfull enough will grant you additional bonus modiferers on
penetration table. Most infantry is dead when their armour is
defeated.
Close
combat is easy too – there is systém in which units are fighting
durning close combat – charges goes first,then confident units,
vehicles and shaken units goes last (if they survive that long)
when
unit fighting it need to roll to on to hit table where their
experience is put againts target there is similiar table to wounding
target like in shooting. Vehicles are also more easily destroyed in
close combat if units charging vehicle are equipped for this task.
After close combat there is good old morale check if both units pass
they will hold and fought another phase but combat is over but if
one of them fail they will turn tail and run while other unit can
move up to their maximal move allowance but cannot assault another
unit.
There
are other advanced rules like psionic powers, Electronic warfare,
Off-board Artillery and ofcourse lots of gear weapons and other
upgrades.
There
is three basic scenarios with variable deployment all them is Evil
company classics.
But
what i like on Andromeda is your army cutomization . The game is
played by points - the up to 1000 points you can také one platoon
on 1001-2000 and so on. Every Platoon use what rules call Template –
you can have generic platoon which is jack of all trades have access
to most units but it doesnt have upgrades that other platoons have.
Then there is Infantry platoon which can be upgraded to drop troops
platoon, Special forces or garrison force – Droptroops can deploy
from skies, Special forces are better trained and Garrison is
conscript type platoon – more guys less trained.
Appart
from that platoon can také some other upgrades – marksman
guardians and other which improves their effectivness on battlefield.
Third
type of Platoon is Rapid Response platoon – which means Mechanised
infantry for subtype they can take instead of Mech infantry and jump
infantry the mighty power armour troops. Another type of platoon –
heavy recon exchange their basic troops for recon vehicles last type
of platoon is Assault troops which grants jump troops as core choices
and power armour troops will fill the rest.
And
last one is for my all Treadheads out there – the Armoured Platoon
this type of platoon doesnt have any subtypes and are made of
vehicles or battlesuits. But instead they can také traits first is
flanking force in which you can hold your units in reserve and then
outflank your enemy and other is blitz which grants you additional
movement on begging of the game.
When
building your platoon you first must také the command units –
depending how many you také more you can také your core units. Then
there is Command support units – there is only limit maximal
allowance in template. Then there is support list – for every core
unit you can také one support unit.
There
are lots of type of units, all of them can také various
upgrades,weapons and armour – in this terms are game very
cutomizable and ballanced. For example you can switch your Apcs for
VTOLs and make Aircav styled platoon and so on.
So
final verdict – if you are looking for easy and smooth systém or
game systém which you can show to fortykay outcasts this game is for
you – if you are looking for Hardcore hardscifi simulation you
should také look on Tommorow war,Stargrunt II or Platoon Leader.
