What do we want in BFG 2.0?

[Ruckdog]

With the recent announcements about Blood Bowl, it is now looking much more likely that the eventual release of BFG will be a full re-launch, not just a "one and done" box set. With that in mind, I thought it might be fun to wish list some of the things we would like to see in a new edition of the game.

For me, my top three list would have to be:

1. Balance improvements (Tau, Necrons, and some Tyranid builds)
2. Improved model selections for some fleets (the DE need some love!)
3. A new 2-player box set (absolutely vital to getting new folks into the game IMO)

Note that I didn't touch on the basic rules of the game...I think the basic mechanics of BFG have stood the test of time, and don't require a massive overhaul. One thing that will be interesting to see is how the models are handled. The entire line, outside of the Chaos and Imperial cruisers, was metal. It will be interesting to see if the go the Finecast route with the old molds and do them in resin, redo sculpts for resin or plastics, or a combination.

[Landlubber]

BFG uses the rule where you activate and move ALL your ships before your opponent, right? Unlike Firestorm or Halo where you alternate activations? If that's the case...not sure how I feel about that. Will take some getting used to.

[markymark1970]

The Chaos and Imperial cruisers are pretty cool models with good details.  I think the metal ships are pretty decent too, as well as all of the Forgeworld stuff (resin).  There was not a bad or ugly faction theme/line in the bunch.  If/when they do it, I think keeping with the semi-modular theme that they already had with the Chaos and Imperial cruisers would be the way to go.  I really like what Hawk has done with their Dropfleet Commander line, and it really allows you to build what most appeals to you visually, with multiple choices on what variant of a basic hull to create (just make sure your opponent knows that your destroyer looking thing is actually a carrier).  As Spartan games is toying with, modular might (and should) the future. 

Selfishly, I say no redesigns, as I don't need another game to spend cash on and have too much invested in the old stuff.  Just expand the lines.  Unselfishly, I am sure they could update stuff to look even better.  Ruck, there are some kit-bashed wicked-cool Dark Elf battleships out there.

Its been SO long since I actually played, I don't remember what I might not have liked.  Necron were strong as are the Eldar, and we may have had some house rules to nerf them a bit, if I recall though.  And if I remember correctly, yes, whole factions activated simultaneously.  Not realistic in the least and a few die rolls could decide the game in the top of the first inning!  Squadron activation, please.  And few, if any, new rules.  Go more Full Thrust than Star Fleet Battles.

[Ruckdog]

The Chaos and Imperial cruisers are pretty cool models with good details.  I think the metal ships are pretty decent too, as well as all of the Forgeworld stuff (resin).  There was not a bad or ugly faction theme/line in the bunch.  If/when they do it, I think keeping with the semi-modular theme that they already had with the Chaos and Imperial cruisers would be the way to go.  I really like what Hawk has done with their Dropfleet Commander line, and it really allows you to build what most appeals to you visually, with multiple choices on what variant of a basic hull to create (just make sure your opponent knows that your destroyer looking thing is actually a carrier).  As Spartan games is toying with, modular might (and should) the future. 

Selfishly, I say no redesigns, as I don't need another game to spend cash on and have too much invested in the old stuff.  Just expand the lines.  Unselfishly, I am sure they could update stuff to look even better.  Ruck, there are some kit-bashed wicked-cool Dark Elf battleships out there.

Its been SO long since I actually played, I don't remember what I might not have liked.  Necron were strong as are the Eldar, and we may have had some house rules to nerf them a bit, if I recall though.  And if I remember correctly, yes, whole factions activated simultaneously.  Not realistic in the least and a few die rolls could decide the game in the top of the first inning!  Squadron activation, please.  And few, if any, new rules.  Go more Full Thrust than Star Fleet Battles.

I agree, there have been some great kit-bashes out there, not just for the DE, but for Nids and Orks too. However, if they are going to re-launch the game properly, then I would argue all factions need to have enough "official" ships out of the box to be interesting, which unfortunately the DE especially did not have. It wasn't just a models issue, either; there are only a handful of stat lines for their ships (lots of options, but I hear many are not all that useful, in classic GW fashion!).

I think shifting from a UGOIGO system to an integrated turn system has merit, though it would drastically change the game. GW also seems to be wedded to the system, based on how it has persisted in 40k. Again, based on what we are hearing about Blood Bowl, I'm not expecting drastic rules changes. I do think balance tweaks and streamlining is within the realm of possibility, though!

[Dakkar]

For new models, it's plastics or bust these days for GW. Certainly the Orks and Eldar could use the same modular principles as Imperials and Chaos. And more add-on sprues could be done for Imperial and Chaos variants, plus larger hulls.

Space Marines could port over almost directly to plastic, looks are pretty good as is.

Dark Eldar need a complete redesign - rounded blobby ships in no way invoke the sharp edges of the DE.

Ditto Tyranids, whose ships look like old Space Crusade era aesthetics, not current vast array of Nids.

Kit-bashes do not make a game work. Definitely not for me. So GW won't go that route.

I don't see GW ever going to integrated turns, it's not in their wheelhouse.

I just require balance, and smarter rules for Fighters/Bombers and Boarding. No coaster units, no auto-includes. I don't have patience nor will allocate investment for games where there's too much of that
<Looks over at Star Wars Armada, shakes head ruefully>

[Fracas]

1. Plastic models for all
2. A SBG turn sequence: I move you move I shoot you shoot we assault sequence
With heroic actions

[Green Squad Leader]

Here is the newest edition of the game, BFG:XR
http://www.forum.specialist-arms.com/index.php?topic=7869.0

[Ruckdog]

Thanks for the link! I wasn't familiar with this fan version of the rules, but it does sound interesting. It's not the only attempt I remember to improve or otherwise update the BFG rules. I have mixed feelings about efforts like these; on one hand, it is awesome to see that gamers still love a game enough to put all the time and effort to come up with rules revisions like this. On the other hand, I worry that ultimately it will serve to further fragment the community somewhat, since there is no longer a single core edition of the rules that everyone who plays the game can agree on.Ultimately, the only real solution to the problem is for GW to get off its rear end and redo the game in an official manner!

[Fracas]

100%. Agreement

[McKInstry]

GW has announced Epic as the next re-release and I would expect BFG to be next after that although based on nothing more than chatter with some friends in the UK, late 2017 to mid-2018 might be possible.

The only thing in the specialist range that won't likely redone is Mordheim since the old Warhammer World is now AOS and thus Mordheim won't link to the existing range.