OOP Games - Aeronautica, Gothic & Epic

Circling for the kill, 12 Sep 2014

Friday, I took my Aeronautica Imperialis (AI) to my FLGS and introduced the game to two other individuals who were not playing Pathfinder.  Played about 1.5 games until the store had to close.

Both really enjoyed the game.   AI has a fairly straightforward rules set and special rules can be kept at a minimum.  When AI came out, I picked up all the models necessary to play all the small games. Thus I have a wide range of choices to put on the table top.

Sadly, Forgeworld supported AI for only a short-while and when Games Workshop closed down Specialist Games and Battlefleet Gothic (BFG) & Epic Armageddon (EA) with it five to six years ago.  At the time, AI had only been around about two years.

Da Horde, circa spring 2007, 2,000 pts of EA Orks

Now, I am a bit bias since I really enjoy all three games.  I think they add a lot to gaming in the Warhammer 40,000 universe (40k).  The diversity of models and systems caused me to invest across the ranges, creating armies within armies.   The four different games (and Inquisitor, Necromunda & Gorkamorka if you enjoy those) lend themselves to narrative campaign across the systems - a battle to attain orbit in BFG allowing for an AI air battle as a prelude to an initial 40k assault to clear the way for a massive EA battle to take the primary objective.  All four games probably take two to three hours.  Without BFG, AI, and EA, we are left with not having the space battle, having the end-tendrils of the air battle, and massive Apocalypse game of indeterminate length, if the tablespace can be found.

Emerald Task Force, circa 2006, 1,500 pts of BFG Imperial Navy

Games Workshop, in hopes of trying to sell more 40k (or Fantasy) has missed the sales pitch of the Specialist Games to the individual who has settled on their 40k army.  A player dedicated to Ulthwe is unlikely to invest in a full up Tyranid or Space Marine army, they might however build out an Eldar BFG fleet, AI wing, and even an EA army.  In all cases, development has been left to their communities - thank goodness for the internet.