About two weeks ago we firstly tried Spectre Operations V3 no fancy stuff just good old fashioned shoot out between US Tier 2 Special forces task force consisting of two full kited fireteams (2xRifle, Rifle with UGL, LMG) Suported by one LMG Team, and Marksman team. They were facing Russian forces - One 4 man tier one SSO team with LMG, Two-man Support SSO Tier one team with RPG and Rifles and finally two enlisted 4-man elements each with rifles, UGL and assault SAW. The scenario was direct engagement but to keep simple we dont use any escalations or unaware stuff, just two patrols/ recon units bouncing into each other.
I set up table - small village somewhere in Ajikistan and we rolled off who will be attacker, the dices decided that US will be attacker. The Us Deployed in almost line, with one team on left flank, i did line too waiting for opportunity to counter attack in right moment.
US force fire team starting advancing toward the road in the centre of table but was cought underfire by my SSO fireteam quicklly and pinned them. rest of their forces advanced. i tried to attack with one of enlisted teams to break enemy left but was repulsed. In few next turns i started to tighten grip around the pinned fireteam while also trying to breakthrough on left an encircle the troops in village. In last turn i manage that - i wipe out the flanking team, and LMG support team, and encircled second fireteam now taking refuge in the building, while i took some casualties it was as serious - Americans were mauled pretty badly - so the game was victory for Russians.
About Spectre V3, its whole different game from previous incarnations i bought the book because I have all previous incarnations (and even bought Asymetrical Warfare) althought i never played any previous editions. They always seemed too bulky and rules heavy to convice anyone to play with me. But I ordered SO3 anyway mainly to support Spectre Miniatures because ordering physical miniatures is with delivery and VAT and so on kinda pricey.
But to be honest i was suprised by SO3 the rules are quick and also kinda easy but offer even if you good tactical play even if you play meeting action without any extra rules like escalations (support you can request), vehicles or stealth. Its momentum your units generate and you use for actions and reactions. Should you press attack and use all your momentum? you then can face counter attack if enemy had enough momentum but you spend your momentum and you cannot react now. Your unit is cover and you are facing overwhelming firepower do you stay in cover and risk to be pinned down or do you withdraw somewhere else?
Thanks to system actions and reactions the give is full action and both players are involved all the time.In future i will certainly make complex review of the rules with all the fancy stuff but for now there is some first thoughts in previous article. I understand the rulebook isnt cheap and there are lot of other options from mentioned Asymetric Warfare, INX, NextWar or even some older systems like Skrimish Sangin, Force on Force or perhaps Contact Front.
But If you are looking for something on borderline with being easy to grasp and kinda what seems to be realistic portrail of modern warfare Spectre V3 could be system for you
