When Pegs Fly…

I’ve often though about space battles in my own Deathzap universe, but came to the conclusion that they would likely not take place at all. Battles in the void of space itself would most likely be avoided. There’s no real need to fight in deeper space especially if you can warp travel away at any time (although admittedly I haven’t stated the level of technology available for space ships in the Deathzap universe). You might have surprise ambushes (I don’t know how that would work) trying to get off a few shots and cause damage before everyone warps away… I’m not sure. This was the logic Andy Chambers put forth when writing Dropfleet Commander’s rules, that sci-fi space battles really should be high orbit affairs, attempts to deploy resources to the forces fighting on the planet. I think this makes the most sense, but if you take into account the massive damage that would be caused to planet if a large space ship (think Star Wars Star Destroyer size) plummeted from orbit… you quickly imagine wars, similar to nuclear ones, when no one shoots because no one wins. Negotiation and diplomacy is how space ‘battles’ actually would work. There would be no forces left on the ground to take the city, or a city to take for that matter, if something city sized just fell on top of them. Not to mention if that city sized ship then likely exploded, possibly with a nuclear powered engine? You quickly see how space battles become untenable.

In fact I wrote this exact issue into the history of my universe, not only have most factions signed ‘The Heavens Peace Accord’ but a Jendari Collective space ship damaged by Solar Raiders on its return from the Oltra Campaign crashed into the South Camerian capital Bazril wiping a huge portion of the South’s population out and killing its entire government and ended the Cameria Civil War there sparking the Second Global War on Jendar.

Having said all that, there must be a line somewhere. Aerial warfare, must still take place, dogfights, with smaller ships still engaging each other and attempting to support infantry. It’s a lot to think about. Where would that line be? Would it have odd repercussions?

Anyway, I made a squadron…

For really cheap wargaming, get yourself some of those miniature wooden pegs that are everywhere now, some of those wooden scrabble letters that are also everywhere now, and you chosen PVA.

I went with a very basic ‘toy’ look, bright block colours, with minimal shading or highlights.

I went with six fighters, four heavy fighters and two bombers.

Just need an opposing squadron now and then some rules to play with!