Skirmishing: unit tracking

[Sho-sa Kurita]

So, I've decided to name the skirmish game "Away Missions," at least for the Trek version. I'm also considering doing a Stargate version, where I think it would be even more useful. I also want to point out that while I'm taking polls, results won't necessarily dictate my design decision. Obviously they can influence though, and at least tell me where I may need to have a more compelling case for my way of doing things.

Anyway, my next question is whether folk like using individual unit cards like the WotC minis games, or just a good old-fashioned warband roster on a sheet of paper. I'm pretty neutral on this one. Discuss

[Cut]

Never played either of them. At least I think so

Can someone outline the two different ways for me please?

[Sho-sa Kurita]

Units cards are just that - each unit (read: each individual in the fight) has a preprinted card the size of a normal playing card, but with its statistics and abilities printed on it. These cards are laid near the edge of the table out of the way of the actual fight, but easy to see and put various markers on for reference. This is a handy way to package minis for the collectible minis game like Star Wars or D&D minis, but I don't have to worry about that. And while handy in some ways, they also clutter up the playing area, and its easy to mix them up if you have multiples of a similar unit.

An army roster is a blank form, that you fill out with your units' stats and abilities before a fight. The nice part about a roster is that all the stats are in one place, your away team's condition can be taken in at a glance, and it's a single piece of paper that can easily be moved around. OTOH, cards are more flexible in that you can easily switch team members in and out while without having to rewrite anything.

Overall, I think the two approaches are pretty even as for ads/disads.

[Sho-sa Kurita]

You can follow this link to see a card (front and back) from the Star Wars minis game. I can't think off the top of my head where a good roster might be.

[Cut]

You can follow this link to see a card (front and back) from the Star Wars minis game. I can't think off the top of my head where a good roster might be.

Thank you. They actually look quite cool, don't they?
A roster might be something one would use in tabletop games like Mongoose Publishing's Babylon 5 - A Call To Arms Space Combat Game.

I think I like cards best.

[Sho-sa Kurita]

While this is generally part and parcel of rosters, how does anyone feel about using card-style record keeping that would require writing on the cards in some form (to note modifiers or some such)? Card protectors could be used with erasable pens to allow re-use. Alternatively, mods could be indicated by placing dice/counters/markers on the cards. Thoughts?