[GZG MISC] FT, SG2 and DS2 Starter Kits

Mark's post about having a SG2 platoon and my own start at buying
official FT
figures got me thinking about something. One of the problems with
getting into
a new miniatures game is trying to come up with what constitutes the
base
number of figures needed for a good game. Maybe not a fantastic,
be-all-and-end-all game, but just a good game.

What I think is needed is a suggestion for new players of FT, SG2, and
DS2 as
to what they should buy as their first miniatures purchases. How many
and what
type of ships do you need for FT? How many figures, and in what mix, do
you
need for SG2 or DS2? That is, what do you need to get you started and
still
have an enjoyable game.

Granted, this kind of question is full of personal preferences. Someone
may
not like fighters in FT, so telling them to buy a carrier or
battledreadnought
might not be what they would like the best. 

Still, I think we could come up with a general list that would give
people a
good set of guidelines.

So, anyone have any suggestions?

For SG2, I found that about thirty figures a side (or there abouts)
gives a
good starting battle. This gives 4 full squads of 6, plus a command
squad.
You'll want 4 troopers, a leader, and a support weapon per squad. Build
up two
of these, and you're on your way to a good game. 

FT is a bit more problematic. You'll want a number of escort vessels, at
least
a couple of cruisers, and a capital ship or two.

Anyone care to comment? Either on my SG2 suggestion, or one of their
own? 

I'm not sure if boxing them individually would be of use to KR or Jon...
perhaps just throwing a rubber band around them and selling them at a
slightly
reduced "starter kit" price might not be a bad idea. At the very least,
new
players will have an idea of what they really need before they can have
a
pretty reasonable battle.

Allan Goodall	       agoodall@sympatico.ca

"We come into the world and take our chances
 Fate is just the weight of circumstances
 That's the way that Lady Luck dances
 Roll the bones." - N. Peart