Hexless

TFT by John Paul Bakshoian © 11 Oct 2021

Intro -
In Hexagram #2, Mike Nagel’s article “Its Hip To Be Square” comments on
Steve’s “Heretical Variants” that was in TFT Companion. Mike expanded on
using Square Grid rather than hexes to game on. In my article, I offer an
additional variation to the Movement Grid Heresy: The Gridless Gaming
Surface.

These are the guidelines I use when playing Hexless Miniatures TFT. I have
found that these rules help improve a hexless game. Note that some bits of
TFT will become a bit imprecise converting it to a non-grid format.


Stats

TALENTS & SPELLS
ST
DX
IQ
MA

Graphic #1
Copyright © 2018 Steve Jackson Games Incorporated. Some artwork copyright William McAusland, used with permission.

You are basically using the same TFT ITL rules you always have. The stats
of ST, DX, IQ, MA, Talents, Spells, Weapons, Armor, etc. will still be tracked,
even on a sheet.

However, some feel that on a one-off game, talents don’t need to be
created, and that is fine too.

Sometimes I only create Talents for a few key characters and leave the
others without Talents/Spells. If a situation indicates that Talents are
needed for a blank character, create that one talent or make all of its
talents.


Figures, Bases & Facing

Graphic #2

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Hexless TFT by John Paul Bakshoian © 11 Oct 2021

25mm figure on 1” hex base (2.5 cm). Example of hex bases.

This article is tailored to 25-28mm figures. It is suggested that all your
figures be based on 1” bases for 1 hex creatures and two bases for two
hexed creatures. 3 hexes or more could use appropriately sized larger
bases.


Facings

With TFT square chits, facing is determined by the grid and which direction
the chit is turned. With miniatures, the base can be marked to determine
facing.

Graphic #3
Hex TFT Facing Hexless TFT Base Facing Front Facing view
Hexless TFT Base Facing graphic by Douglas Game Ballistics

When mounting the figure, choose where the front will be. (I usually do it
the way the head is pointing, but other ways are possible as shown in the
example above.) Then color the front three edges ‘color A’, both sides as
‘color B’, and the rear as ‘color C’. This way you will know what Line-Of-
Sight is for that character as everything behind the front facing cannot be
seen. ITL p106


Figure Placement

Graphic 4

Figures can be place next to each other in a straight line. They do not need
to be staggered like hex placement might sometimes do.
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Hexless TFT by John Paul Bakshoian © 11 Oct 2021

Engagement

{Photo of 2 enemy figures with bases touching.}
{Photo of 2 enemy figures with bases ¼” apart.}
{Graphic of 2 enemy figures with bases touching at point.}
{Graphic of 2 enemy figures with bases touching in staggered position.}
Graphic #5

Engagement is still the front three facing edges of the figure. The figure
will be in base contact with the enemy. You could even be a quarter inch
away from each other, but it is best to touch. (Or as close as the figure
bases can be if the physical models keep them from touching. And for
those without bases, use your imagination to make a virtual hex base.)

The fighting figures don’t have to be in alignment with the bases. They
could touch point to edge or half edge to half edge.


Movement

Graphic #6
Here is a map of hexes. Shown are three figures with S as their starting hex. Figures A & B are
moving full MA of 10 hexes. Figure C is moving half of his MA and engaging Figure D.

Playing a miniature wargame version of TFT consists of removing the
hexes from the tabletop.

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Hexless TFT by John Paul Bakshoian © 11 Oct 2021

A figure in a hex has 6 directions he can go. A wargaming figure has 360
degrees to go. However, you could imagine virtual hexes as being on the
table and just use the 6 directions as possible movement if you want.

Graphic #7
Here is a map of without hexes. (OK, the hexes are super light for comparing the graphics)
Shown are three figures with S as their starting hex. Figures B is moving full MA of 10 inches.
Figure C is moving less than half of his MA (4 inches) and engages Figure D. Figure A, because
it is not limited to hex movement, moves 7” straight to the opening, turns slightly and
goes another 3”, ending about one hex further than the hex version. In Hexless TFT there
are no movement pattern restrictions to worry about.

Movement is from the front of the base of the figure, measuring the
distance and putting the front of the figure just inside that distance.

Graphic #8
E represents the start of movement, the hexes are shown in green and the black bar represents
inches.)

The middle graphic shows that E has engaged F as the bases touch.

The bottom graphic indicates throwing (weapon or spell). E is the figure
throwing a dagger at F. E would need to throw 6 hexes or 6 full inches to
target F. Note that in Hexless, you have to include the end of base for
figure F to make it eligible for targeting.

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Hexless TFT by John Paul Bakshoian © 11 Oct 2021

Shooting

Graphic #9

Megahexes represent 3 hexes or 3 inches. For targeting purposes, G is the
firer and H is the target. H is 10 inches away from the front base of G to
encompass the base of Target. As per ITL p 115, the first two megahexes (6
hexes or 6 inches) is free. Every 2 megahexes (6 hexes or 6 inches) after
that is -1DX. Thus target H would give G a -1DX to shoot. Note: the full
base of the 1” based target must be in range. The full base of the target
must be within the inch to be eligible, though often I fudge it to three-
quarter inch. Multiple based figures need only one of their hexes to be
targeted to receive fire.
Of course, if you target the inch adjacent to a figure, it will still be in the fire
area of a molatail (see below).


Megahex Explosions

Graphic #10

Certain actions require that action to be on the center of the megahex. Aim
for the target in inches. If it hits, go into the target a half inch and
determine reaction from there. Thus J throws molotail at K and hits. Move
½ an inch back and use that to center the effects of the fire: a 3 inch circle
around the center point.

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Hexless TFT by John Paul Bakshoian © 11 Oct 2021

Hexless Gaming Aids

These are tools that make playing hexless a lot easier.

Graphic #11 Measuring devises

Since there are no hexes showing on the table (only the virtual hexes in
your imagination), how do you gauge distance? With measuring devices.

It is OK at any time to take out a ruler and measure, either as a precursor to
engagement or for determining missile shot distance, etc. On my tables, I
had a variety of small measuring tapes, foot long rulers and small
measuring sticks. Sometimes marked string worked well to measure zig-
zag movement.

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Hexless TFT by John Paul Bakshoian © 11 Oct 2021

Graphic #12 Line of Sight (LOS) tools

A great tool for Line-Of-Sight measuring is a laser pointer. (If the light is
interrupted, then the target is not seen and cannot be targeted or partially
hidden and targeted with a penalty.)
Taut thread strung from the figure to the target also works.

Graphic #13

All sorts of token marker can be used to indicate status. Things like:
Prone, -2DX (shock), Action Done (to keep track of who has finished
actions this turn), Hold token (to indicate that the Higher DX character will
go last). Use Prone dead markers when placing standing figure on fallen
body.
Markers can be purchased or hand-made.

Graphic #14

Some tools can represent temporary things like “Wall”, smoke, fire, etc.
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Hexless TFT by John Paul Bakshoian © 11 Oct 2021

Cotton Tufts to indicate smoke, gas, etc.

Orange Tufts (of cotton, fur, etc) to indicate fire.
1” round black (that is 1” high) to indicate Shadow Hex.

1” x 1” x ¼” wood or plastic to indicate a Created Wall.
Note: A solid Wall spell is just that – a magically created wall, about 10 feet high. (ITL p 139)

Graphic #15

Plastic pizza holders to indicate flying by placing figure on top, with a small
die at base to indicate height (1 = 10 feet or similar concept).


Image of figure ‘tacked’ to wall

Graphic #16
Museum putty/poster tack is invaluable for sticking things together or
having figures climb stairs or walls.

Graphic #17

Cut out a laminated Megahex (with 1” hexes) to place over figures or areas
that need Megahex referencing. Get really fancy and print it on clear
acetate so you can see through it. Or cut out or obtain a 3” circle to
represent this. Poke a hole in the center and then put a pin in it. When the
character gets hit with a megahex event, just put the pinned megahex
paper on top of the figure and everything in its area is affected.

This also comes in useful for those times when you absolutely require
exactness.

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Hexless TFT by John Paul Bakshoian © 11 Oct 2021

Templates are useful for determining range of Megahex blasts for grenade,
petard, etc. And a Blunderbuss scatter.

Graphic #19

Buildings and terrain are great aids in your visual experience. A good scale
for 25mm is 1/64 scale props or S gauge Railroad scale. This allows you to
use all sorts of miniatures buildings and terrain, from plastic, resin, paper,
plaster.

Graphic #18

To keep track of important things that happen each turn, I use a dry erase
board monthly calendar or similar gridded arrangement with each turn
number noted on it.

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Hexless TFT by John Paul Bakshoian © 11 Oct 2021

Here I would place things like “fire started” on building #2, Arquebus
reloading (with appropriate note for end turn), Shadow Hex started (with
appropriate note for end turn), Bob -2DX shock, Bill died, etc.


Additional Information Unusual bases


Example of round base with Front, Side, Rear markings.
Graphic #20

Round Bases
These should be marked in the same pattern as the Hex Based figures: 180
degree front facings, two 60 degree side facings and one rear facing.


Large 4” figure on odd shaped base.

Graphic #21

Large Creatures

Large creatures could either be based in the TFT style or use a figure that
seems appropriate on a base that seems appropriate.


Figure of gorilla or similar that has no base but bends
on feet and one hand.

Graphic #22

Creatures with no base
For figures that are not going to use any bases, visualize the base when
putting the figure on the table and handle any inaccuracies as you battle.

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Hexless TFT by John Paul Bakshoian © 11 Oct 2021

Graphic #23

TFT Hex Chits
Or you can use TFT Legacy hex figures directly on the table, like this 7 Hex
dragon.


Lastly,
1 hex (or inch) = 4 feet (ITL p 101). These are the exactitudes of traditional
TFT. When converting to Hexless TFT, there come times when this could
vary to 5 feet wide depending on your need and the scale of some of the
models.

I like to have my hallway be (represent) 10 feet wide, so rather than make
it something like 2 ¼” wide, I just leave it 2” and recognize there is some
fudging.


Next Article is on how to Wargame The Fantasy Trip: Hexless combat
zones, expanded Turn sequence to include hexless concepts, WYSIWYG on
the tabletop, Concealment clarified.

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