War Gaming in FG

[CriticalXHit]

So, I love using FG for my online RPG games, but a thought hit me earlier - is there a way to use FG for war gaming? Can two players get together, take control of 6 - 10 tokens on a board, determine line of sight, and measure out movement in inches? I don't know that I've seen these features on FG, but I don't see how it would be out of FG's limits.

[Valyar]

To measure distances on maps you need grid applied and defined unit of measurement in the game setting. FG is not suitable for wargaming where you use ruler.

[Andraax]

Check out "Vassal".

[LordEntrails]

So yes, you could do wargaming with FG. But, as implied, Vassal is a VTT designed for wargaming. So I would start there :)

[GunnarGreybeard]

I would concur, for wargaming, VASSAL would be the way to go.

[GunnarGreybeard]

Can two players get together, take control of 6 - 10 tokens on a board, determine line of sight, and measure out movement in inches?

Just to clarify, if you are talking board wargaming then VASSAL is definitely the way to go. If your mean tabletop miniatures type wargaming then that may not be a good optionn.

[shadzar]

As others have said, Fantasy Grounds is not a VTT, but a virtual d20-ruleset simulator.

I have no idea why they are suggesting VASSAL, a topdown board game engine, for wargaming when MapTools and Tabletop Simulator are much better, especially TTS since you can look around the table at all angles sort of like an actual REAL table for LOS in 3D, even if only using topdown tokens with faked terrain on ISO maps...

though full 3D terrain would be better an there seems to be an ample supply of it for TTS, as wargaming requires 3D which VASSAL does NOT offer.

so don't let the FG rabble mislead you to the wrong thing because they don't understand VTTs. Tabletop Simulator is what you want for LOS in wargaming. ;)

FG seems to be what most people want if they want a d20 system RPG, other RPGs there is roll20; VASSAL or MapTools are best for board games, TTS for war/miniatures games and card games.

[Moon Wizard]

Again, please stop making opinionated comments about what FG and the community are thinking, or state that we are trying to mislead. Everyone here has just been making suggestions for wargaming, with even some back and forth about what might be best. No reason to throw in statements about our product (which you claim you don't even use), nor suggest we are trying to mislead anyone.

Regards,
JPG

[phantomwhale]

As others have said, Fantasy Grounds is not a VTT, but a virtual d20-ruleset simulator.

My Savage Worlds group will be very upset to hear that :D

Obviously the platform has a greater bias of feature support for D20 built for it than other rulesets, and even game types like boardgames and wargames. You'll be surprised to discover the same is true of most VTTs - and with Roll20 the same bias is a little easier to spot ;)

As for wargaming on FG - it's possible, and the gridded images do give you some measuring capability - but does feel there isn't a huge amount of features and tooling built on top of the platform to make it an obvious choice. I'd considered building a Car Wars ruleset on FG at some point even, as that really could use a "specialised" shared tabletop with the various manoeuvres built into it, and a lot of the underlying flexibility and tooling FG offers would make that much easier to build than on other platforms. But without some extra coding / tying together of the lego blocks FG offers, I don't think vanilla FG has enough to offer wargaming, unless there is a community ruleset out there already to provide better tooling?

TTS might well be the best choice, if you have 3D elements to the game (unsure if we're talking miniatures, or cardboard chits - e.g. does 3D matter in your game?) - personally I like that I can beanbag up with my MacBook and headphones and have a fun gaming session using a lighter virtual tabletop option, and not get distracted or bogged down by the 3D nature of TTS if I'm playing a game with no need of 3D fancyness. The fact that Unity will burn through my battery in 30 mins, whilst also whirring the fan so loud that my laptop almost takes off also makes it a less ideal option for me personally - I like to get away from my Desktop (which runs TTS much better) and work area for my leisure time, so that's a less appealing option for playing online games for me.

TL;DR all tabletops have different pros and cons - GASP - who would have thought it?!

[dulux-oz]

As others have said, Fantasy Grounds is not a VTT, but a virtual d20-ruleset simulator.

I have no idea why they are suggesting VASSAL, a topdown board game engine, for wargaming when MapTools and Tabletop Simulator are much better, especially TTS since you can look around the table at all angles sort of like an actual REAL table for LOS in 3D, even if only using topdown tokens with faked terrain on ISO maps...

though full 3D terrain would be better an there seems to be an ample supply of it for TTS, as wargaming requires 3D which VASSAL does NOT offer.

so don't let the FG rabble mislead you to the wrong thing because they don't understand VTTs. Tabletop Simulator is what you want for LOS in wargaming. ;)

FG seems to be what most people want if they want a d20 system RPG, other RPGs there is roll20; VASSAL or MapTools are best for board games, TTS for war/miniatures games and card games.

What an absolute load of crap!

First of all, FG *IS* a VTT, by the very definition of the term (Google "Virtual Tabletap Definition").

Second, it is way more than a virtual d20-ruleset simulator - simply take a look at the Savage Worlds Ruleset for an example.

Third, I find your your repeated use of terms such as "FG rabble" insulting to what is a fun and friendly Community of very open and accepting people. However, in the seven or so months you've been a member of this Community you've done nothing except display the attitudes and actions of a troll: posting inflammatory posts, spewing misinformation and general untruths, and generally degrading Fantasy Grounds, SmiteWorks, the Staff, the Moderators, and the Community. You've been warned both in public and in private about your actions, and you have no idea how many formal complaints the Moderators have received concerning your behaviour - some even calling for your permanent banning from this site.

It is said that you don't even use the product, in which case why do you still logon here, as you apparently have "no skin in the game" - except to cause mayhem and mischief (don't bother answering - it was was rhetorical question).

If you don't like the product or the Community, then perhaps it would be best if you were to find somewhere else to hang-out - we don't like trollish behaviour here, and you are not making any friends for yourself at the moment. On the other-hand, if you do actually have an interest (beyond simply being a PITA) then you're welcome to stay and to contribute - provided that you have something relevant to add to the conversation, not ill-informed, overblown opinions expresses as facts.

We don't like banning people here, and we have pretty generous standards as to acceptable behaviour, but you are fast approaching the point of getting yourself banned - solely because of your repeated inflammatory and/or misrepresentative posts. I suggest you "pull your head in".

[Moon Wizard]

My apologies to the original poster for the turn this thread has taken. We've been struggling with certain people making incorrect statements to posts on our forum.

I'm going to go ahead and close this thread for now. I think your initial question has at least been mostly addressed; but feel free to open a new thread if you'd like more information.

Regards,
JPG

[Doswelk]

As others have said, Fantasy Grounds is not a VTT, but a virtual d20-ruleset simulator...
Oh so I have not been playing Savage Worlds for the last 10 years on FG1 and FG2 then?

On a side note, every couple of days I get Reported Post emails from users on the forums complaining about Posts on the board, quite a few seem to be directed at your posts, none of the latest have been worthy of removing in my opinion but your tone does seem to want to inflame people against you, if this is not the case I apologize, but then you did refer to me as part of the FG rabble, so I am not so sure, please respect other people in your posts...