Alpha Strike Neoprene Mats

[Crackerb0x]

Who plays with the CGL Alpha Strike hexless neoprene mats? I want to hear what you guys think, if you do.

I'm extremely confused with who these are for because of three things; their size, including 2D elevation changes, and having no markings to indicate what those elevations are.

I'm traditionally a wargamer that uses 3D environments, even with extensive history of hex map BT, but I wonder if that's coloring how I view them. My understanding is that Alpha Strike rules are for 3D terrain and putting 2D hills on a map seems counterintuitive towards the "expected" Alpha Strike gameplay experience, if there even is one.

[FenderSaxbey]

I grabbed one as part of the last Kickstarter, mostly out of curiosity. IMO, you're right in that the print just being an existing hex map with the hexes removed isn't really ideal for the intended AS experience. They are also too small for a good game on their own. I'm glad they're experimenting here, but would love to see some bespoke mats that are inspired by existing maps. Something more re-worked for AS and of a more useful size (4x4 or 4x6).

[Geg]

They are too small on their own.  But if you cut all the ranges and distances in half, they will work for a small game.

You will need to either put terrain on them, or at least pre-agree as to what is trees, elevation, etc.

[pokefan548]

They are too small on their own.  But if you cut all the ranges and distances in half, they will work for a small game.

You will need to either put terrain on them, or at least pre-agree as to what is trees, elevation, etc.

At that point, it's orders of magnitude easier to just nab a hex map and use the hex conversion rules.

[Geg]

At that point, it's orders of magnitude easier to just nab a hex map and use the hex conversion rules.

Yes.

The maps aren't large enough for anything to get into long range and anything with JMPS2 and arrive in any rear arc without issue.

[CaptainKlang]

I guess if you had six of them you could use them as a 6x4 gaming mat?

At that point though, it's just about a 6X4 gaming mat thats a fair bit more irritating to buy.

[MyndkryM]

Each mat is 22"x36", so you'd only need four of them to lay out a 44"x72" play area. I have one and will likely pick up the newer ones when they become available. They are nice to use when taking photos of your 'Mechs   

[Crackerb0x]

Well, at least from my responses here, I feel a bit less like I'm alone in being confused. To me, it really feels like it's a product that was pitched by idea guys that don't know what AS players actually want and nobody reigned them in or corrected them.

[CaptainKlang]

They are simply; okay.

[Brym]

At that point, it's orders of magnitude easier to just nab a hex map and use the hex conversion rules.

Eh, I often play where the only space I have available is 3x3, so I used halved ranges/movement.  It works quite well, and is still easier than using hex map conversions.  The DFA Wargaming folks even use halved ranges/movement on a 6x4 mat, just because they like huge playing fields.

[Centurian99]

Honestly, for Alpha Strike just get any of the multitude of 4'x4' or 4'x6' or 44"x60" neoprene mats out ther

[worktroll]

Admittedly, I'm playing on half a ping-pong table (5'x6'), using styrofoam sheet levels, and cutouts for forest, rough, etc. It's nowhere near as pretty, but makes terrain levels a lot more manageable.

[MarauderD]

I'd want a single 4x6 or 5x6 mat.  Not 2 to 4 that I lay side by side.  Maybe that is just me.

[FenderSaxbey]

I'd want a single 4x6 or 5x6 mat.  Not 2 to 4 that I lay side by side.  Maybe that is just me.

It is definitely not just you.

While I'd totally be interested in 4x4 and 4x6 AS maps from CGL, there are tons of existing options for those now. Not to be repetitive, but it would have to be something slightly more than removing a hex grid from an existing mat.

[deogg]

Well, seeing this thread just saved me from buying the AS mats. Granted, it just means I'll be using that money on regular hex mats, but still.