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View Full Version : Aerial Combat Mechanics?



Baj
2013-08-21, 02:16 PM
Does anyone know of any good systems that could be used to run airplane-to-airplane air combat? Like, World War II dogfight style.

I've (mentally) tossed around the idea or running a game similar in atmosphere to "Crimson Skies," but I don't know how I'd simulate dogfighting.

I'm not averse to just creating a system, but I'd rather not have to (completely) re-invent the wheel if there's already something usable out there.

Any suggestions?

Autolykos
2013-08-22, 11:45 AM
Keeping track of positions and speeds of all combatants is going to be a major headache, so a purely simulationist approach is probably stillborn and a more gamist/abstract method is preferable.
The way I solved it in my system is starting each round with a [Vehicle]-Check by each pilot to maneuver in an advantageous position. The difference in the results modifies all combat rolls made in that round by the gunners (if you use initiative, gunners shouldn't be able to act before their pilot). This approach can probably be adapted to pretty much any system.

Zavoniki
2013-08-22, 12:18 PM
I've heard good things about http://www.adastragames.com/ (which while mainly scifi combat also has a modern dogfighting games) in terms of easy to use 3d movement and firing mechanics. I don't know how adaptable that would be to a RPG, but it is something to look at. The tutorial rules for Attack Vector Tactical are free and you might find what you are looking for there.
Tutorial Available here: http://www.adastragames.com/downloads.html

That being said I have never played any of these games so they may not work in the context of an RPG.