This is the first appendix to The Great Big Modern Wargaming Rules Comparison article. It is designed to be read after the main article. I also repeat the disclaimer: I have done some writing for Skirmish Sangin and I am listed in the Spectre Operations book as a play tester.
First of all, I want to say thank you for all the words and suggestions that came out of the main article on Facebook, Lead Adventure and the comments under the article. Glad to see all the work was useful and I’ll be looking into some of the rules suggested for a future article.
So first up, someone in the comments asked about campaign systems. I’ve added the section below using the same format as the original article. I’ve also added a section covering scenarios.
Do the rules include a campaign system?
Black Ops
Black Ops has multiple pages how to run a campaign. It uses an Intel system. Intel is gained after winning a scenario and based on how much a player has gained, they can attempt to launch a final mission. It’s a core idea rather than a deep and complex system but it does a really good job of making it feel like a black ops tv series leading to a finale.
Danger Close
Its two sides of A4. No campaign system is included
Force on Force
There is an entire Appendix of the rulebook covering the campaign, including rules for both regular and insurgent forces. The rules cover a “campaign turn” from selecting a mission through playing the game to rolling for casualties and rearranging your force.
OSC: Part 1
OSC currently does not have a campaign system.
Skirmish Sangin
Dispatches 1 adds a detailed system for campaigns, letting you gain experience for each soldier in a battle before spending it on stat upgrades, experience packages or promote them. The rules also cover replenishing forces after casualties. The system is designed best to create a platoon sized force and then take portions of it out into each game.
Spectre Operations
Spectre currently does not have any campaign system but I would not be surprised if it turns up in a future supplement.
Do the rules include any scenarios?
Black Ops
Black Ops has a set of systems for creating generic missions rather than pre-made scenarios. There are 6 styles (from raids to surveillance) each of which has 6 prompts (so VIP missions might be anything from an enemy general to a captured scientist) and can take place in one of 6 generic areas which includes a map.
Danger Close
Its two sides of A4. No scenarios are included
Force on Force
Seeing as there is no points system, the main way of playing is using the pre-made scenarios. There are 8 scenarios in the main rulebook and each of the 7 supplements is packed full of them.
OSC: Part 1
OSC has a mission generator in the front of the book using D6’s that determine the point of the objectives you placed during setup.
Skirmish Sangin
Skirmish Sangin has a huge number of scenarios. The main rulebook has two and the four other books include a large number as well. Each one contains all the stats needed for each character and most also include numerous special rules and a map. In addition, there are various free scenarios on the Skirmish Sangin blog.
Spectre Operations
There are 5 scenarios in the main rulebook. There are also two pages of advice on making your own missions