THE RULES:
SIMPLICITY: The key design goal for CY6! was to maximize pilot influence and historical accuracy while keeping the game relatively easy to play. Since players plot moves simultaneously, the game can easily accommodate large numbers of aircraft by increasing the number of players. All of the key game charts are on two sides of one 8x11" chart.
TURNS: Turns are plotted in advance (similar to the old Blue Max system), so large games are possible; at Cold Wars 2006, one game with 12 players and completed it in less than 2 hours.
PILOT SKILL: CY6! has four pilot skills, +0 (Green), +1 (Skilled), +2 (Veteran) and +3 (Ace). Pilot skill is critical to success. In CY6! players will quickly find out that if one is inexperienced one should avoid enemy aces at all costs! Pilot skill is the most important aspect in the game (a factor lacking in a surprising number of air games). CY6! truly reflects the words of Chuck Yeager, "It is the man, not the machine."
SCALE: Any scale models may be used. CY6! was playtested with 1/600, 1/144, 1/300 and 1/72 aircraft.
WEAPONS: Weapons types are: LMG/MMG, HMG, Low-Velocity Cannon, Modern Cannon, Low-Velocity Heavy Cannon and Heavy Cannon. Heavy Cannon may be modified by Low, Very Low and Extremely Low rate of fire.
AIRCRAFT: Aircraft have two sets of attributes, one for low-med altitude and one for high (20,000ft +) altitude. Attributes are: Maneuver, Max Speed, Agility, Climb/Dive, Acceleration and Robustness.
MOVEMENT: Movement is handled via hexes and maneuver charts illustrating possible maneuvers for each speed level. The game features 3D maneuvers and has several Operational Altitude Bands (CABs); within each is six Tactical Altitude Levels (TAL).
COVERAGE: Basic rules will cover aircraft combat from 1925-1947 and will include rules for early jet aircraft (Korean War supplement will be released at a later date). All statistics for key aircraft of the Axis and Allied powers will be included with the CY6! rule book.
SCENARIOS: Several scenario books have been released with the rules. The first scenario book will focus on the Battle of Britain; later books focus on the air battles over North Africa, Sicily, Guadalcanal and other famous air battles.
