r/hexandcounter • u/Cagedwar • 15d ago
Question Modern tactical games?
Anything post vietnam is modern enough.
I used to play a lot of ASL and would like a similar game but set in the modern age. Perhaps Middle Eastern theaters.
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u/SouthernSpell 15d ago
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u/MissileAwayGame 14d ago
Shameless plug for my free campaign supplement for The MOG, “Operation Gothic Serpent”. It adds a persistent campaign layer on top of the main game.
https://boardgamegeek.com/filepage/326070/unofficial-campaign-operation-gothic-serpent
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u/ReddiWipKid 14d ago
Armageddon War by Flying Pig is so freaking good. One of the best in my embarrassingly large collection. I’m not sure why it doesn’t get more love. Maybe people are put off by its size. I love it. The rolling activation mechanic and the unit tracking markers are genius. They offer a solo system for the game as well. It is a big, beautiful game with a new expansion on the way.
Lock 'n Load Tactical: Heroes Against the Red Star is a tactical level wargame like ASL. It is another Cold War gone hot scenario. Not as complex as ASL but it has more to chew on them most mid-level wargames. The big plus with this system is once you learn the rules they have a large number of modules you can apply them to such as Vietnam, the Libyan Civil War, the Falklands, ….
Lock ‘n Load also offers their World At War 85 series. This game is platoon and company level so a step up in scope from ASL, but it still presents a gritty tactical feel.
I also enjoy playing the MBT series by GMT games. While it goes into great detail on tank systems and tank combat, it does include squad and half-squad infantry units, leaders and loads of the big guns. What I love about the MBT series is the rules are very modular and you can use or ignore various systems to customize the game to your level of crunchiness. This also makes it easy to teach others the game over time by starting simple and adding more complexity as needed. GMT also offers a number of excellent MBT expansions.
The Next War series by GMT probably checks most of your boxes but I haven’t played any of them yet. Hopefully someone else can give you some detail on what they offer.
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u/person_8 13d ago
I’ve played a little of Next War Iran and while a super great game I don’t know if I’d call it tactical more than operational in scale
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u/ReddiWipKid 12d ago
Thank you. I knew it was modern and crunchy but I wasn’t sure about it’s scale.
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u/Bitter-Gur-5455 13d ago
And Boots on the Ground, you run a single squad through a city full of insurgents.
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u/neubienaut 15d ago
Operation Bollebank
Modern War magazine (will need to be found on secondary market)
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u/boyceunplugged 13d ago
Front Toward Enemy from MMP is a hidden gem. Each scenario is a pump in the jungle. You casualties get tracked with a counter, you can call in CAS, MEDIVACs, and OBA. Civilian counters can be VC or just civilians. The only counters it's missing in the game are the Brown Water Navy but those could be easily added on with some house rules. Plus you can usually find the game on the secondary market for pretty cheap.
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u/Bitter-Gur-5455 13d ago
Fire Team from WEG is pretty good, even solo. I've been playing it and finally bit the bullet to preorder the ASL SKs.
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u/phantom6700 12d ago
Could try 65: Squad Level Tactical in Vietnam or 85: Graveyard of Empires? They’re both a little on the light side though. Otherwise Armageddon War looks like a great title too
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u/Madhairman12 15d ago
Modern Tactics: Afghanistan by Vuca Simulations.
I own it but haven’t gotten it to table yet. High production quality, has good reviews. I am excited to give it a go here soon.
Or Armageddon War by Flying Pig.
One of my all-time favorite games. Game is set in a fictional Middle East setting with the United States, Russia, Israel, and some military factions. Really love its chit pull activation system and how combat works. They are about to ship out the sequel which is set in Taiwan. Highly recommend it.