Dang Realism (Math Check)

So, I have been working on a miniature game.  I really enjoy isometric, turn-based tactic games, but as I am a social butterfly that enjoys co-op over versus, I find these games lacking in the co-op department.  The only game I've found that has co-operative gameplay - within the tactical turn-based genre - is Frontline Tactics, a free iOS game.

The game has enormous flaws, but they were forgivable for me and my friend, because we could play co-operatively.  That is, until, the game's difficulty curve (which is screwed beyond relief) made it unplayable.  Since then, there has been a hole in my creative needs.  I've made miniature games before, and I knew that this one would be the best ever.


Unfortunately, I'm too focused on realism.  I'm really in to weapons, firearms, and war history, so I really focus on realism when I design games.  That being said, modern firearms have incredible ranges.  Most video games have you fighting in crazy tight spaces, so without education you can't really know how far a weapon can fire.

So, for a miniature game, you want to design a game that works on a tabletop.  So, when I say that (with my scaling math) an M16 has a "close" range value of twenty-five inches, and a maximum effective range of one-hundred inches (these numbers are wrong, read the bottom to find out why), you can see where my problem develops.  Basically, every firearm will be able to shoot across the table without difficulty.  It basically becomes a line of sight issue.

So, what's my work around?  I have no idea.  I suppose I will keep to my realism and see where it takes me.  The friend that loves these games along side me says to cut the ranges in half, favoring game balance over realism, but that bugs me.

Also, while we're on the topic of gun ranges, let's talk about shotguns.  The first-person shooter has made the common man believe that shotguns have incredible spread and horrible range.  This, like the long sword, is a misconception.  Shotguns are often used to shoot birds.  Mid-flight.  They spread just enough to provide a margarin for error.  So, enjoy that nugget of knowledge.

Lastly, as I develop this miniature game, I will be posting a series of "In Progress" posts about it, and eventually posting the rules in PDF form for everyone to access, play, and hopefully feedback on.

EDITORIAL ADDITION: Okay, so my math was wrong, and then it was wrong AGAIN.  I had to ask people smarter in math then I for the solution.  So, by the CORRECT math, the M16 close range is actually eighty-three inches, and a maximum range of three-hundred-and-thirty inches.

Which is even worse.

So, the true moral of this story is: check your math.