I am looking at running a large space battle in my AoR campaign and am wondering if i should use the Squad(Squadron) rules or Mass Combat. I am leaning towards squadron as it involves the PCs more.

Here is how the sides will line up...

Rebel PCs:

• Custom Corvette (much like a CR90, but a little better)
• YT-2400
• B-Wing

Rebel NPCs:

• Nebulon B Frigate
• 18 x X-Wings
• 6 x Y-Wings

Imperials:

• Interdictor-class Star Destroyer
• 24 x TIE fighters
• Gladiator Class Corvette
• 24 x TIE fighters

Firstly, does this look like a good match up? There are a stack more TIEs, but they will all be minions so not as tough as the Rebels.

Secondly, would the Squadron rules work well here? I haven't used them before, but have done mass combat when I ran Friends Like These. It seems less personal for the PCs, which is why i am leaning on having them control Squadrons.

1 hour ago, Andreievitch said:

I am looking at running a large space battle in my AoR campaign and am wondering if i should use the Squad(Squadron) rules or Mass Combat. I am leaning towards squadron as it involves the PCs more.

Here is how the sides will line up...

Rebel PCs:

• Custom Corvette (much like a CR90, but a little better)
• YT-2400
• B-Wing

Rebel NPCs:

• Nebulon B Frigate
• 18 x X-Wings
• 6 x Y-Wings

Imperials:

• Interdictor-class Star Destroyer
• 24 x TIE fighters
• Gladiator Class Corvette
• 24 x TIE fighters

Firstly, does this look like a good match up? There are a stack more TIEs, but they will all be minions so not as tough as the Rebels.

Secondly, would the Squadron rules work well here? I haven't used them before, but have done mass combat when I ran Friends Like These. It seems less personal for the PCs, which is why i am leaning on having them control Squadrons.

Personally, I'd go with Squadrons. Like you said, it's more involving for the PC's. It is their story.

In my game, I have a large battle set up where I plan on using both. Squadrons for the PC's and having the players help control the flow of battle through Mass Combat. Give them a bit more investment and immersion. Maybe something to consider, at least for a future encounter.

I would use a mix...squadrons for the PCs to shine, then have that result influence the mass combat rolls.

Without giving too much away, this is actually happening "off screen" during one of the major movie battles. The mass combat rolls won't be needed as we know that outcome. This is more about getting the PCs involved in the battle without affecting the movie plot too much.

The Squadron rules sounds a goer!

20 hours ago, Andreievitch said:

Without giving too much away, this is actually happening "off screen" during one of the major movie battles. The mass combat rolls won't be needed as we know that outcome. This is more about getting the PCs involved in the battle without affecting the movie plot too much.

The Squadron rules sounds a goer!

I would still let the PCs play out the mass combat. Whilst the end macro result may not change (if your not interested in altering the timeline), the PCs influence can effect casualties and losses. That can then have follow on consequences for the PCs in interacting with Rebel command.

For instance, they fail or don't bother defending the Nebulon against a bomber attack (Upgrade or setbacks to the Mass combat roll). It then takes a direct hit to the medical bay (despair during Mass Combat) killing/wounding many (including known key NPCs), thus reducing potential support for the PCs in future missions

Conversely, they take the time to defend the Frigate, thus engendering the Captain/crew to the PCs and providing assistance (Mass combat boost dice. duty bonuses etc). This could then give them a few more x-wings in the next encounter to be added to the squadron

Remember that Star Wars cuts between main characters (PCs) and big action set pieces happening in the background. Don't make them off screen, play them out! (And its a chance to get Armada Mini's on the table, which I always love!

Sorry to necro this thread, but where can I find the squadron rules?

10 minutes ago, Tahl said:

Sorry to necro this thread, but where can I find the squadron rules?

The book that is part of the AoR GM Screen

Just now, Andreievitch said:

The book that is part of the AoR GM Screen

Thanks.

12 hours ago, Tahl said:

Thanks.

Also Rise of the Separatists.

On 5/13/2020 at 10:16 AM, P-47 Thunderbolt said:

Also Rise of the Separatists.

Though the rules are slightly different from the GM Kit. Which one to use will depend on what you're doing an how the differences will affect that.