Armchair Dragoons Forums

Wargaming => Sci-fi & Fantasy Warfare => Topic started by: bayonetbrant on July 13, 2023, 05:52:32 PM

Title: Star Frontiers KnightHawks
Post by: bayonetbrant on July 13, 2023, 05:52:32 PM
Opening up a discussion for anyone wanting to chatter about this venerable space wargame

(https://cf.geekdo-images.com/TTLmajX3LQYBxAzJRRJCbw__imagepagezoom/img/jEjTlyQOYWpVMVC0wz2D8VqQxx8=/fit-in/1200x900/filters:no_upscale():strip_icc()/pic308942.jpg)

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/10676/star-frontiers-knight-hawks

Title: Re: Star Frontiers KnightHawks
Post by: Toadkillerdog on July 14, 2023, 08:56:38 AM
"...victory may be lodged in a single roll of the dice!"

One of the few I attempt to (re)add to my collection from time to time.
Title: Re: Star Frontiers KnightHawks
Post by: bayonetbrant on July 14, 2023, 09:03:19 AM
I think that's one that could definitely be cleaned up and re-released today to some modest success

Unfortunately, given the leadership over at the company that currently owns the rights, it would be buried under the bloat of collectible toys instead of counters on a map
Title: Re: Star Frontiers KnightHawks
Post by: W8taminute on July 14, 2023, 09:40:46 AM
Thanks for opening up this thread brant! 

When I get home this weekend I'll share some screen shots of what I have been doing with KnightHawks recently.  ;)
Title: Re: Star Frontiers KnightHawks
Post by: W8taminute on July 16, 2023, 02:28:00 PM
Rather than start a new thread I'd thought I'd share here one of many side projects I'm working on.  Disappointed by a lack of space 4x games the way I want them I decided to fiddle around making my own of sorts.  I've based my design on the Knighthawks system. 

Here is a galaxy overview using the standard game map from Star Frontiers:

(https://www.armchairdragoons.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=5101.0;attach=7630;image)

And here is some data on the Sathar Empires territory.

(https://www.armchairdragoons.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=5101.0;attach=7632;image)

I'm using the Knighthawks system for ship combat and a mixture of the old Avalon Hill game 'Stellar Conquest' plus my own gaming experience for the population growth.  Knighthawks has a pretty good foundation for galaxy economy and with some modification I'm using that to generate income.  Income can be used for buying ships, hiring/drafting soldiers into the army, and I'm toying with trying to figure out how to train personnel for the navy in order to crew ships.
Title: Re: Star Frontiers KnightHawks
Post by: bayonetbrant on July 16, 2023, 03:47:49 PM
Looks pretty cool!
Title: Re: Star Frontiers KnightHawks
Post by: Putraack on July 17, 2023, 04:23:55 PM
I remember really liking this game, and one middle-school summer spent playing at least some of the 2nd Sathar War campaign.

About 8 years ago, I was running a (Mongoose) Traveller game, but was a little unhappy with the way ship combat worked there, once multiple ships were involved, and the players were setting a big fight with lots of pirates and Aslan ships. I dusted off KH and made up sheets for a lot of ships converted from Traveller. When the big battle happened, I gave each player control over a faction with a dozen or so ships, and quickly taught them the KH rules. Within an hour, we'd knocked down a turn of play, with something like 60 ships involved! It was fun and flowed nicely!

So, this game remains one of my favorites of all time.
Title: Re: Star Frontiers KnightHawks
Post by: Putraack on July 21, 2023, 11:43:34 AM
Is anyone (else) following Star Frontiersman and/or Frontier Explorer web-fan-zines? There are occasional ship designs and sometimes KH scenarios there.
Title: Re: Star Frontiers KnightHawks
Post by: W8taminute on July 27, 2023, 03:17:27 PM
Is anyone (else) following Star Frontiersman and/or Frontier Explorer web-fan-zines? There are occasional ship designs and sometimes KH scenarios there.

Wait those are still active?  I could have sworn when I was searching for KH material that those sites are no longer active, or at least most of the links on them are broken.
Title: Re: Star Frontiers KnightHawks
Post by: TTC on July 28, 2023, 09:25:00 AM
I loved playing that in high school.

How did I find the time to play all these games?
Title: Re: Star Frontiers KnightHawks
Post by: Putraack on July 29, 2023, 08:54:37 AM
Is anyone (else) following Star Frontiersman and/or Frontier Explorer web-fan-zines? There are occasional ship designs and sometimes KH scenarios there.

Wait those are still active?  I could have sworn when I was searching for KH material that those sites are no longer active, or at least most of the links on them are broken.

They are still available-- free-- on drivethrurpg.com. Star Frontiersman stopped at #25, Frontier Explorer is creeping out a few issues per year, the most recent is #36.
Title: Re: Star Frontiers KnightHawks
Post by: Putraack on July 29, 2023, 08:55:52 AM
Next question: did you know there is a VASSAL module for SF:KH? I have it, but I haven't anyone to play it with yet.

Lee
Title: Re: Star Frontiers KnightHawks
Post by: bayonetbrant on July 29, 2023, 09:42:50 AM
Next question: did you know there is a VASSAL module for SF:KH? I have it, but I haven't anyone to play it with yet.

Lee


Dude, VASSAL & I hate each other soooooooo much  :(
Title: Re: Star Frontiers KnightHawks
Post by: W8taminute on July 30, 2023, 06:57:32 PM
Next question: did you know there is a VASSAL module for SF:KH? I have it, but I haven't anyone to play it with yet.

Lee

Yes there is a Vassal mod for this game.

https://vassalengine.org/wiki/Module:Knight_Hawks
Title: Re: Star Frontiers KnightHawks
Post by: Putraack on July 31, 2023, 10:58:21 PM
Next question: did you know there is a VASSAL module for SF:KH? I have it, but I haven't anyone to play it with yet.

Lee


Dude, VASSAL & I hate each other soooooooo much  :(

So what you're saying is I should bring KH to BGF or Origins for a nostalgia game?
Title: Re: Star Frontiers KnightHawks
Post by: bayonetbrant on July 31, 2023, 11:12:54 PM
So what you're saying is I should bring KH to BGF or Origins for a nostalgia game?

Better chance of me playing at BGF than Origins :)


So....  yes?
Title: Re: Star Frontiers KnightHawks
Post by: Putraack on August 01, 2023, 07:29:00 PM
 :bigthumb:
Title: Re: Star Frontiers KnightHawks
Post by: Putraack on August 15, 2023, 12:04:07 AM
I should mention here the "NeoG" series of novels, by K.B. Wagers. It's the Coast Guard in Spaaaaace! (or the Clarion Space Marines, if you like).  ;D

In addition to whatever Coast-Guard-like things the crew does (6-person crews! just like an Assault Scout!), the novel's heroes are also participants in the annual Boarding Games, an interservice Olympics, covered by the ESPN-equivalent of the future.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/46206720-a-pale-light-in-the-black?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=9Tii5RmdRZ&rank=1 (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/46206720-a-pale-light-in-the-black?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=9Tii5RmdRZ&rank=1)

I thought they felt rather Knight Hawks-like, or Traveller-esque