Urban Operations (4e Expansion)

[Raellus]

Free League announced the first expansion for 4e, Urban Operations. Pre-order starts Q1, 2022 and the physical copy is scheduled for release in Q3. It sounds like the PDF version will be available with the pre-order.

https://www.seenit.co.uk/free-league...xpansion-pack/

The product includes Free League's iteration of Free City of Krakow and a Swedish surrogate (Karlsborg), along with general mechanics for urban warfare.

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[Mahatatain]

Sounds interesting to me.

[Ursus Maior]

It's due for digital release later this winter, so probably early March. Print release is due in the summer, and I'm hot for action. We'll have a session 0 in 10 days.

[kcdusk]

Originally Posted by Raellus

, along with general mechanics for urban warfare.

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I wonder what this will cover/include?

[Ursus Maior]

Originally Posted by kcdusk

I wonder what this will cover/include?

Yeah, I'v asked myself that, too. Maybe there will be plug-ins into the base-building engine, combat in enclosed spaces like sewers or ruins? Maybe even some solo-rules for a skirmish wargame?

[kcdusk]

I've found a copy of the box set in Australia, seriously thinking of buying it.

I notice the core rules had some solo rules, not sure how others have found them?

I wonder if anyone is using the Foundry Virtual Table Top?

[Adm.Lee]

Originally Posted by kcdusk

I've found a copy of the box set in Australia, seriously thinking of buying it.

I notice the core rules had some solo rules, not sure how others have found them?

I wonder if anyone is using the Foundry Virtual Table Top?

Solo: not me, there's at least one blog out there showing a game using them.

Foundry: I hear good things, but I have no experience myself.

[Mahatatain]

Originally Posted by kcdusk

I wonder what this will cover/include?

The main rules are based on a 10m hex grid (with an option to switch that to meters) so my expectation is that the "general mechanics for urban warfare" will include rules on how to handle combat inside buildings where the 10m hex grid doesn't work, essentially an expansion on the optional rule.

[Heffe]

Originally Posted by Mahatatain

The main rules are based on a 10m hex grid (with an option to switch that to meters) so my expectation is that the "general mechanics for urban warfare" will include rules on how to handle combat inside buildings where the 10m hex grid doesn't work, essentially an expansion on the optional rule.

We had a conversation about this the other day on the discord server. I actually wonder if they'll keep the 10m hexes as is, since the "moving through a doorway costs a fast action" is such a huge factor in urban combat. I could see them offering 2m hexes in case people just want a more "zoomed-in" bit of action, but I can't think of any major reasons why the existing 10m hex mechanics wouldn't work. Open to being wrong about it though.

In any case, while I wouldn't expect changes to the base rules, I do think its safe to assume that we'll see some additional rules for doorways, barriers, windows, breaching rooms, etc.

[Ursus Maior]

If you change the hex size and what actions it costs to cross stuff within a hex, than you're changing the time factor of the game: If 2 hexes of 10 meters equal the regular speed for a fast action, than you need to rewrite movement rules to scale down hexes. Or you need to shorten rounds, which has implications on slow actions as well. Currently, shooting up to 6D6 rounds aimed per round from a machinegun or up to 6 rounds from a boltaction rifle is realistic, because a round is 10 seconds long. Cut that in half, and you're hitting the spot where that becomes only mechanically possible, but not while aiming correctly.

[Mahatatain]

I'm guessing here but it looks like Free League may have postponed rather than just delayed Urban Operations. They are having a summer sale and I received the following link in an e-mailer: https://mailchi.mp/frialigan/free-le...r-sale-1678944

If you scroll down on the page that links to there is a list of upcoming games and expansions later this year and they are:

CY_BORG
BLADE RUNNER
INTO THE ODD Remastered
ALIEN: Heart of Darkness
Vaesen: Mythic Britain & Ireland
Vaesen: Seasons of Mystery
Forbidden Lands: Book of Beasts
Forbidden Lands: The Bloodmarch

It's notable that Twilight 2000 Urban Operations is not on that list but nothing appears to have been said officially.....