ONE PAGE RULES - Grimdark Future: Firefight Review

[@TheGRAAK]

Well, well, well...this is one of the best game reviews I've watched since a while, and it shows dedication, knowledge and critical thinking! Well done and thanks! :)

[@CementSaul]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@HeadHunterSix]

I'm glad that there are "Kitchen Table" rules and AI rules. I'll have to give it a try sometime! I have the paid copies of Grimdark Future as well as Firefight but I haven't really looked them over deeply. I've got to agree from what I've seen so far, "Kill Team but Simple" might be accurate but that is a very good thing! GW has a habit of making things harder than they have to be. And the nice thing is, GW likes to change things so that your existing teams aren't list-legal or they're badly nerfed, to get you to buy more models. With GDFF, you can still use the models they tried to make obsolete. And $5 to OPR makes me feel good - I'm supporting an indie developer instead of empowering the 800 pound gorilla.

[@CementSaul]

Definitely agree, the gap between GW and not-GW is enormous, so every little bit supporting the little guy helps.

[@Nick_Whiskey]

Honestly you can play firefight on killteam boards (30x22) and it works fine without any modification. I find cutting the measurements in half for the kitchen table games to make the game slower than it needs to be

[@CementSaul]

Good point! The games did feel like they were wasting a third of the table space after a turn or two, I'll keep that in mind when I review AoF Skirmish (which is much more melee inclined, so much more inclined to waste table space).

[@Nick_Whiskey]

@@CementSaul yeah after turn 1 in firefight you basically fight over a 2x2 table unless you are super scared and move 4" a turn. the 4x4 suggestion is massively overkill considering OPR games are meant to be played under an hour anyway.

[@kylehough7336]

I'm super into pretty much all of the OPR stuff, and it's a great intro ruleset for teaching someone new to the hobby.

[@CementSaul]

Totally agree! I think it's the best example of baseline wargame rules, pared down to the minimum.

[@lucasbittencourt8290]

Awesome review! Playing wargames is something I've wanted for a very long time, and right now I'm subscribing to OPR's Patreon and I bought some extra troops to be able to play it with my wife. Cheap, simple, and most of all, accessible, is something that really makes a difference for people who live in other parts of the world where GW is not available (like Brazil). Also, thanks a lot for the Terrain4Print tip. I have a ruin printing right now!

[@richardhertz7345]

Probably the best game review I've seen. Subbed and going back to watch your other videos. Thanks for your thoroughness and even-handed approach.

[@dralasitevrusk903]

Awesome review that took a lot of work to be so thorough. In addition to a complete analysis, the terrain and miniatures look amazing. Your dark eldar warriors from 3rd edition are the first ones I ever that looked anywhere as nice. And they were just one of all the nicely painted armies you featured. Thank you.

[@CementSaul]

Glad you enjoyed it! The deldar were some bits box rescues from the local club, they've gotten lots of play over the last couple years and I enjoy how much people like seeing em on the table.

[@Phoenikuz]

Great review, as always! I really enjoy your indepth and game mechanical analysis of games, something seen too rarely within the miniature gaming scene. Keep up the good work!

[@CementSaul]

Much appreciated! It's a lot of work, but also a great way to engage with the hobby.

[@nrais76]

Now THAT is thorough review process!

[@cheesesailor77]

These videos are fantastic, and importantly, you're the only one doing them! Keep at it! And if anyone knows of other you tubers making these kinds of videos please let me know.

[@EdvandoFilho]

I can´t wait for the new 2.5 update to return to this amazing game!

[@mirankramar3111]

Great in depth review and kudos for actually taking the time to play 20+ games and not just giving the verdict on the theoretical part. What I like a lot about the system is the fact that there's a lot of modularity so it is easy to tailor to your style of play and to meet the expectations of your playing group(or just your own if playing solo). The secondary objectives with the matching card decks is my favorite addition to the core mechanics, as it upgrades the game from just being who kills who first and actually gives tasks to try and accomplish through the match. Since I just discovered your channel I have a ton of questions(which maybe you answered in another video) :) so I'll just start with a few: where are the GSC models from? Is your battlemat self-made? (if so, could you provide info how to make it, I really like it!). I also like your painting style, I would totally watch a video on how you go about your painting to get that result. Could you provide the links to the terrain you use in the video info? Thank you and looking forward to see more!

[@CementSaul]

Thanks a bunch, glad you enjoyed it! As for the questions: The cults models are the old Shasvastii models from Infinity, they're going to be fairly rare these days as they're out of print. The mat was self-made, yep. Search 'diy battlemat' for some guides, it's a well covered if weirdly unpopular option. The material I used was cheapo acrylic filler on a drop cloth. Main ruins are from here: www.thingiverse.com/thing:2762318 I'm unlikely to make painting videos at the moment, as the reviews are a lot of work to produce, but I am thinking of ways to put out content around that too.

[@Bluecho4]

While "Warhammer, But Simple" is not an unfair summation of the One Page Rules system, I much prefer to describe it as "Warhammer, But _Efficient"._ It's a system that focuses on "getting to the point" with a minimum of fuss. Many old Warhammer mechanics - To Wound rolls, turn phases, reactions, I Go U Go, rolling to advance/charge, etc - are jettisoned, in favor of systems that are simpler, yes, but also more elegant. I would argue there are tactical nuances buried in the uncomplicated rules, emergent strategies that arise organically as the simple mechanics meet in-game decisions. (This may also be why the game gets way more fun solo when two-fisting, as opposed to using the AI rules. A player can capitalize on positioning and activation order in a way the AI simply isn't able to.) Moreover, the OPR system is efficient because it's designed, from the ground up, to be quick to both learn and play. Especially when you get to the mass battle versions of the game, where the GW counterparts might take 3 or 4 hours to play out, while OPR finishes in a fraction of that time. Without all those jettisoned mechanics, play proceeds at a brisk pace. Many mechanics meant to add randomness - rolling to advance/charge, to wound rolls, etc - are made more consistent. You just move or charge up to a set distance, every time. You just roll hit, and then defense rolls. While it means there's less unexpected failures, that also means there's less "feels bad" moments that come from such failure. Especially if failing to cover distance or to wound can effectively decide a game then and there. The game makes such things more reliable, and thus players have more control over play. Which certainly _feels_ better than losing because of bad dice rolls. You feel like if you lost, it was more because you were outplayed. (There's also just fewer instances of a unit's activation being wasted, so more is accomplished per turn than in the GW versions). All of this serves to grant the OPR system a higher "Fun Per Second" rate (to borrow a term from Extra Credits). The game isn't complicated, yes, but that in itself is an advantage, in relation to the game's design goals. It wants you to have fun as fast as possible. You don't need to read a textbook to start playing. You don't need to jump through list-building hoops just to satisfy a force org chart. You don't need to dedicate a sizeable chunk of your time keeping up with an evolving meta and complicated ruleset. You aren't burning turns on failed charges or to wound rolls. You aren't going through the formality of tracking turn phases. And you aren't having to wait for your opponent to activate their entire army before you're allowed to play with a now-depleted force. You just play. And if one game wasn't as fun, you got through it so fast you can just play another. You can even squeeze games with friends into a schedule that otherwise wouldn't accommodate the GW version, due to sheer length.

[@Antonio-qg3il]

This was right on queue, I just downloaded the ruleset and was thinking about ordering some robot legions

[@CementSaul]

Heck of a look for that faction! OPR seems to be really hot at the moment, too.

[@1glenngary]

I really enjoyed this review! I've been on the fence with OPR, but just hopped on they're Patreon.

[@TheWeakenedWarrior]

I like your overview. I'm just beginning to look into wargaming, but I'll have to give this one a try.

[@CementSaul]

Firefight's a pretty good place to start, yep. Let us know how it goes!

[@dicepersecond]

Nice video! Really like the intro here! 😂👍🏼 We are playing Grimdark Future and Firefight regularly now, too.

[@MajorSvenGaming]

Really fantastic review... One of the things that influenced me taking so long to jump onto onepagerules was the lack of reviews... I would be very interested to see what you think of the other systems. Very excited to see your channel grow.. stick at it

[@CementSaul]

Glad you enjoyed it! Got a few more systems on the queue, too.

[@MajorSvenGaming]

Watched your warhammer skirmish video too... Top work

[@raeishimura]

Always excited to see a review come out from you. This seems like it could be a good use for Warhammer models I have (mostly quit playing around 5th or 6th Ed). I've been using a lot of the old 40k models for Five Parsecs from home, and started using only stuff I had but have been printing a ton of interesting terrain and figures that could make this game really good too. If you are in the market to pick up new STL's, I recommend Corvus Miniatures. I bought a bundle of buildings from them recently and they print to such a fantastic quality. Really made my table look good. You've gotten me into a bunch of new games, and I've really enjoyed your reviews. Can't wait for the next one!

[@CementSaul]

Thanks much! Glad to hear you're enjoying the reviews. The Corvus stuff looks interesting, I love the big range of modern buildings.

[@charleyedwards2121]

that was great and in depth, love this whole video, such good information

[@CementSaul]

Glad it was helpful! I love playing games, so I may as well make the things I pickup from the playthroughs useful to other people.

[@strongbif]

New subscriber from today's OPR weekly update. I'm so glad to have found you! I have a lot of catching up to do this weekend.

[@CementSaul]

Welcome aboard!

[@yagsipcc287]

I love OPR their STLs are getting better every single month, they give out free rules for everything including army lists (paid/pateron versions have extra advanced rules to them and pateron also gives the STLs, rule lists and new missions every month) always updating things and adding new units over time as well to the lists. I am doing two things atm getting some old third edition 40k codexs and rules for both flavour and how things used to be done so i can play but also so I can design armies around them and 3d print the armies from STLs from paterons or paid for elsewhere like small KS, I am also mix matching other modoular STL stuff to make my own units with lore as well. So I can play both OPR stuff and some 3rd edition 40k if I wish. I think part of the reason I like OPR is outside of being clear on what things mean and do without needing 2-3 big books, it reminds me of older warhammer in its systems, feel for games etc... I hope more people keep jumping ong OPR it seems over the last 6 months they have blown up alot, slowly seeing more Battle Reports over time.

[@CementSaul]

Making my custom armies out of different independent STL's is my favorite part of OPR!

[@yagsipcc287]

@@CementSaul For sure! I am going to be filling some plates out for lots of bits to mix and match to make my perfect Lost and the Damned themed army :P

[@aBeardOfBees]

Excellent review again. Keep up the incredible content!

[@worthstream]

Great review, as always! Can't wait for the 5 leagues one! Keep up the good work!

[@CementSaul]

I can't wait to play through 5L, too!

[@yakovlevlt]

A great review, a thorough work!

[@J.Buffer]

Hit the like and subscribe, looking forward to the Grim dark future full review. 👍👍

[@CementSaul]

Appreciate it! I'll likely go through most of the OPR library as they're all built off the same structure.

[@robertspears8301]

Excellent video! Thanks for making such an enjoyable, informative and interesting review of GFF. I subbed and am looking forward to more.

[@CementSaul]

Awesome, thank you!

[@pedrobastos8132]

This is a great video, man! I switched to Firefight after the whole Pariah Nexus thing happened in KT 2018, and I've really enjoyed it. When KT 2021 was released I was really looking forward to trying it out, and I gotta say that I was really impressed with how much more robust the game became, buuuuuuuut I just can't keep up with how the game is being supported by GW, it's just too many new rules and modifications spread over erratas, FAQs, White Dwarf articles, etc, making the game feel like a hot mess, unfortunately. So I'll be sticking to Firefight for the time being.

[@CementSaul]

Firefight's great! Have a read around for other scifi-skirmish-scale-shooty systems, too. There'a a few of those in particular. I'll be covering something in that might scratch that Kill Team itch for the end of november, so keep an eye out!

[@Bluecho4]

One of the advantages of OPR is that keeping up with the games doesn't feel like a second job. While it's a more casual play experience, the fact that you CAN play it casually - that this is even an option - is a good thing. For many people, interacting with a game casually is the only manner available or feasible to them.

[@erikanderson7223]

Fantastic in-depth review. Thank you!

[@DarrinSK]

holy crap the duke nukem bit at the end lmao

[@kingsleywray6632]

So well explained. Thanks for sharing. Wow I might even try this system out on solo :)

[@CementSaul]

Very doable solo yep, there's some AI rules but personally I'd just play against myself instead.

[@aaronglaab6304]

I still get excited to watch your videos but i keep expecting to hear “doctor vitous rockets across the board” 😂 rip cement city

[@zombiedad]

Thanks Saul. Really enjoyed it. Good stuff

[@CementSaul]

Glad to hear it!

[@RichardAnderson-dn2ob]

That was an excellent review thank you!

[@CementSaul]

My pleasure!

[@kosachilles2504]

Thanks for the review!

[@Mega_pepox]

Your videos reviews are awesome!! I'm from Brazil so sorry for my bad english

[@CementSaul]

No worries! English is my second language, too.

[@stevebutler9757]

Thanks - really helpful

[@RainMakeR_Workshop]

I would love to know more about Covering Fire, Double Tap and Warstuff. But as you said, finding reviews is... frustrating.

[@isaiahfurrow7414]

Just printed Warstuff.... I think it will be a great way to try introducing people to the war gaming hobby... I am alsongoing to be getting into Firefight and the bigger Grimdark Future games, and once I've learned it with my son decently, we may try some Firefight games with others ... Double Tap sounds like it would be a cool, tabletop version of Call of Duty/Black Ops/Modern Warfare ...etc... I want to find a few teams worth of minis for that...which look more like modern soldiers than Scifi....I habe a few ideas for that... OPR is definitely where I'm going to focus my wargaming attention this winter... maybe a try of the new Kill Team game, amd check out the new edition of Warmachine, as I have a decent Warmachine collection... Cheers

[@16Ralltir]

I think the fact that you didn’t want to shell out 100 dollars for an outdated KT book is perfectly reasonable and EXACTLY why OPR is getting popular. Who wants to have to buy new books and armies every 1-2 years?

[@isaiahfurrow7414]

Good video, thanks... I am going to give OPR Grimdark Future and Firefight a good try out this fall and winter... Got tired of chasing GW and their never ending "buy these books, now buy new ones" BS...

[@mansad143]

Super helpful thank you

[@livanbard]

I still have to original one page rules from years ago.

[@HeadHunterSix]

I think for people who want something more sophisticated than Firefight or Grimdark Future, but still able to play with your GW models, I would recommend StarBreach. Perhaps you could cover that at some point?

[@CementSaul]

Noted, I'll pop it in my notes! I'm always on the lookout for cool systems.

[@charleyedwards2121]

hell ya! love OPR love you too Saul ps i fuking love your accent lol its actually pretty cool to see you too

[@thojtt-kriime]

Just found this one by chance. I love OPR GDF as an alternative to Wh40k. Looking forward to your take on it.

[@TheByteknight]

In all your videos, it seems like you subject yourself every time to a grind. Are you enjoying these marathon plays? In any event, I appreciate them.

[@gran9968]

Amazing review, been playing Age of Fantasy for a while and it feels great to see such an in-depth review of the game, and you seem to be having a lot of fun doing it! Just gained a new subscriber and I'm sure to check out more of your stuff! Also, any chances you will check out Deathball? Their version of Blood Bowl?

[@CementSaul]

Deathball Might do for a short review in the future, but I'm definitely going to go over the other core OPR systems too.

[@death2all79zx]

Awesome review, really looking forward to your grimdark future review. Do you game in any other scales other than 28 mm? Would you be interested in taking a look at the war fleets FTL Rules by one page rules, or or the Horizon Wars series of rulesets by Precinct Omega?

[@CementSaul]

Thanks, and yes for both systems! I'm currently limited by time and lack of models, but I do intend on covering 'em once I build up the stable of miniatures.

[@evanlindsey1100]

If you join the OPR Patreon, they've been adding a fleet every month now for the $10 level. In addition, due to membership levels hitting benchmarks, there's a 70% off discount for their my mini factory store. A really good deal if you have a resin 3d printer.

[@dontletmebrewthat]

I know this is a bit late, but I definitely enjoyed your review of GFF as someone who is now just getting into it myself. Regarding the general swinginess of GFF, have you ever figured out if the command point system from the full rulebook helps mitigate the swinginess of the experience?

[@gregpotter6957]

Really helpful many thanks 👍😊

[@marksdicetales]

What mini are you using they look smaller or is a trick of light? I recognise some of the terrain from stls . I'm about to give fantasy skirmish a go I believe there mostly identical

[@CementSaul]

These are just normal warhammer models, the angle im shooting them at might be making them look smaller.

[@FabioSpelta]

Thank you, I enjoyed the video. What to you think of the rule that allows you to move a stunned opponent by two inches in any direction? Even if the model has been stunned by shooting and not in melee. 🤔 🤔

[@roobs2976]

nice review! btw, what video editing software do you use? your editing is hella nice!

[@CementSaul]

Thanks! I'm using Premiere at the moment, it has its own janky issues here and there but the effects editing in particular is a pleasant user experience.

[@roobs2976]

@@CementSaul thanks! best of luck to you and your future projects!

[@RC1207Sev]

Keep'em coming

[@CementSaul]

Will do!

[@tablesaltgames]

I’d like to ask you to look at Battlespace: Ultra Modern Solo game. Or Rusty Dagger Solo Adventure Game (if you prefer fantasy)

[@jarydf]

Thanks

[@KrullMaestaren]

Thinking on AI, as I understandit, it is written in the rule book and shared by all factions... Big games probably need a set of custom AI rules per faction and not a generic system in the rule book. This is why they probably perform badly in big war games but much better in smaller board games. Board games typically have a limited, well thought out and limited selection of enemies with limited win conditions. That is why the rule book approach work. Imagine StarCraft if all NPC players ran on the exactly same rules & conditions.That would not be as much fun... Protoss, Zerg & Terran are also very different in gameplay and this would not be reflected.

[@CementSaul]

I agree! I've seen some rules that handled AI really well in a miniatures game. Five Parsecs From Home works at the same model count as Firefight. The way it handles its AI is by making some simple behavioral suggestions depending on enemy disposition (cautious, aggressive, tactical, etc.) . You then just play the bad guy side double fisted normally, as influenced by these suggestions. I think for solo that style of enemy AI works much better than a logic flowchart.

[@axanax2534]

Another smashing review! Do you think you'll try out the unit builder for future games?

[@CementSaul]

Just hopped on the patreon, so next one will likely use it!

[@petergriffin4629]

One quick question, do you suppose one could also play this game with more than two players/ sides? I am under the impression that the alternating layout would also allow to just have a three palyer rotation alternating with their moves. I personally think that it might for sure work for four players, with two teams. So for example two players with separate squads of orcs and two players with battle brothers, with both alternating and maybe even letting the other do two from time to time.

[@leonerd3678]

Nice Video! Where are those Soldiers from the start at the Video from?

[@Salty_Sassenach]

Which one page rules would be appropriate for Necromunda, Firefight or other???

[@CementSaul]

Look up Gang Wars, it's just Firefight but with rules to cover the necromunda gangs.

[@Salty_Sassenach]

@@CementSaul Cheers mate

[@endlesswaffles6504]

I've been disappointed by Kill Team 21 so I'm interested in this

[@CementSaul]

This is a way more approachable (and cheap) option, good call!

[@UnregulatedChaos]

what were the models used for the contra looking models?

[@alexwhite2265]

i saw this game can use any 40k models and intersted in learning this game

[@todd636]

Is there a skirmish sci fi game you would recommend with more depth and tactics?

[@CementSaul]

Infinity comes to mind, if you're after just a standard 2 player adversarial game. That on the total opposite end of the design spectrum however, being much crunchier. But it's really quite a good game, IMO unparalleled as a skirmish scale tactical sandbox. There's also 5 Parsecs From Home for something solo focused, go for that one if you want to take a squad through a really nice campaign system. If you want 40k, I think Kill Team 2018 was a pretty robust system with all of the basic rules you'll need for all factions in just the one book (haven't tried the newer one yet).

[@todd636]

@@CementSaul Really like Infinity, but with the lack of local players (who won't try anything new outside GW) I am limited to solo play. Infinity is a bit tough as it shines with the reaction mechanic. Will check out 5 Parsecs.

[@machinamawatcher]

Like always, love your in-depth skirmish game reviews! A bit sad to hear we won't be getting a review for KT '21, would be interesting to have gotten your thoughts on it.

[@CementSaul]

Yeah it's tricky, one one hand a GW video will likely do much better numbers, on the other the fiddlier system means it'll be a headache to learn and thoroughly playtest within the month. Also it'll cost me nearly 200nzd upfront.

[@1crlski]

@@CementSaul While it is half that cost in the states, it's still too much money for rules and stopgap stats for the factions, as they bring out their $200US boxes, you get more comprehensive rules for the factions in the box, honestly KT21 is just not worth it

[@tycho042]

What models are you using for the soul-snatcher cult?

[@theknightsofgimmly9457]

OPR is quite cool :)

[@demo-z2y]

Onepagerules rules

[@DarrinSK]

I really hate moral in games. It always just feels like losing control of my guys, its as bad feeling as "skip a turn". I always thought it was better handled as a debuff or other penalties

[@masonheibner7983]

Where did you get these miniatures?

[@michaljanecek82]

for me the OPR rules are too simple with lack of enought tactical options for such a type of game(firefight)... not my cup of coffee...:-D

[@ThatJakers]

Ok so I’ve watched this a few times and I’ve got questions. Granted this is a year old video so I don’t really expect an answer; but, are you wearing just suspenders and no shirt in the cold open for this video? More importantly. If all your testing was solo do you suppose you maybe lost some insight that could have been gained by testing with another player? Have you been able to play some multi-player games since your review?

[@Kumomo92]

One Page Rules need to rebrand to Multi Page Rules XD limiting it to 1 page is really limiting them

[@House-Atreides]

I love how you intended to review Killteam but decided to go for GDF due to price Screw GW and their expensive bloated garbage!

[@szpaQ83]

I recomend to check out Deadzone from Mantic Games

[@MagicHjalti]

It is just a long book

[@BB-pn2qv]

Are you related to Morgan Freeman?