VDP House Rules

[kevan]

I'm thinking of putting a list of house rules straight in to the module, and I'm trying to think of the rules that we've never voted on, but have used pretty much since we started. So far I've got:

- single deck guns up a table
- "miracle roll" of 5% for pilot to survive a destroyed plane at any height
- hidden damage

I'm sure I'm forgetting some that I've been using so long I've forgotten they're house rules. Please remind me which ones I've missed.

Also, if there's one you thing we should be using, please feel free to suggest or start a poll.

[Orion]

One question I should have asked a while back is how much chatting between teammates should be allowed? Typically in VDP or E-mail VDP there is very little "table" talk. With newer players especially, how much help can I give? Can I say to noobie #1 - "Climb to 50' below me to box with me!" I always thought it would be good to have a distance rule for signaling your wingman to do something. If we are within 3 or 4 squares and within 100' of altitude of each other, then we could use "hand signals" to direct our wingman to box with us or to turn a certain way, etc. If we are too far away though - no help and no talking unless a newbie is asking a direct question?

What do you guys think? Is there even a restriction?

[AP]

The official rules state that 'table talk' is generally frowned upon in the game, and since they did not carry radios in WW1 that the only communcation that is allowed is hand signals. (Distance does not matter, hand signals are always OK).
Obviously this poses a problem in VDP as hand signals are impossible... but in either case this is meant to be a friendly game, and everyone requires a certain amount of learning in the beginning, so a small amount of table talk is generally encouraged with new players until they have grasped the basics. After that though, we will need to come up with a solution! Maybe something along the lines of just typing "AP uses hand signals to indicate box up" or "Ralph uses hand signals to indicate dive". I think the main thing would be that these would have to be used in the main room for all to see, NOT in private, as in a FTF game all could see the hand signals as well... my 2 cents

[Orion]

Sounds reasonable to me Andy - thanks

[kevan]

Good question, Dan. I don't think there's ever been a real discussion about table talk.

Personally, I make it a rule to limit my table talk where hidden rolls are concerned, and I try not to talk about strategy except for during pre-game preparations. However, if it's a player's first or second game, I will ignore this in the interest of teaching him how to play the game. I figure a couple of games is time enough to learn the basics, and everything else will come through experience.

[kirkh]

I can see any and all table talk when it comes to discussing the mechanics of how to play DP via VASSAL however I think it should not be allowed when it comes to strategizing about how a person should move. DP should be like real life in that new pilots should learn from the vets by watching. I shouldn't be allowed to ask a wingmate what I should do nor should I offer suggestions to other players regarding what they should do.

[AP]

We had another 'house rule' come up last night in our game that I think would be good to get a general consensus on...
In our MN group we have always played that if your turn speed is cut below your stall speed, you have to fall out of control at least one turn. If you do not get stuck in a spin, you can then fly straight & dive until you are at an alt where you turn speed is above your stall speed again. This is a completely logical rule, because you really wouldn't realize this problem until you attempted to turn, hence the OOC.
Correct me if I am wrong, but I dont think this issue is addressed in v7 rulebook. I know some circles are more lenient on players and allow you 'foreknowledge' of the crit & dont make you fall OOC, rather you can immediately fly straight.
I think we should clarify which way we play on this one...

[kevan]

Why don't you put up a poll question? I've always thought this is the fairest process, and I think the last one is clearly resolved.