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Stat Card Digitizer
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Post subject: Most Useful Litko Tokens?
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I know Litko has been heavily discussed. People have all sorts of opinions on their tokens and other items (such as the islands, which I don't like).
I think I'm finally willing to take the plunge into Litko. The timing may seem odd now that GF9 will be producing official WAS items. But, as nice as the GF9 products will be they will likely be few dedicated to WAS and they will likely be more costly.
So, I'm willing to take a limited plunge into Litko. What I'm looking for is a limited group of MUST HAVES (or Essential) Litko items for WAS. These are items that should be in every gamer's supply. The kind of things you'd put in a WAS welcoming basket. Items that are hopefully multi-use or will provide a lot of use if they're very specific.
I know the WAS Token Set is a good place to start but I want to expand on this. Ideally everything will have a combined MSRP of no more than $50.
In advance thank you for your help and please, please, please don't mention their new islands/shoals. I really can't stand them and I know people who can make better 3D islands (or I can use Making Islands to help me make my own).
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 Mon Mar 02, 2009 5:17 am |
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I agree with you on the islands. I have bought one of the big ones and couple of the small ones and I really don't care for them all that much. They are too 'abstract' and the 2-D trees and mountains just look bad. It would have been better if they had just layered the white sand, green grass and a smaller flat tan area on top.
Beyond the token set which is very good for the money the only other piece I highly recommend is the smoke screens. I think the pack of four small smoke screens is the best size. They fit a sector just right and are in scale to the ships. $5.99
http://www.litkoaero.com/page/LAI/PROD/TS_NAVAL/TS081
However, some of the guys in our group like the assorted size pack: $6.99
http://www.litkoaero.com/page/LAI/PROD/TS_NAVAL/TS084
I also have the squalls and I like them a lot. But the narrow oblong base is pretty small to write the sector direction numbers (1-6) on. Still, they look very cool. $9.99 for two.
http://www.litkoaero.com/page/LAI/PROD/TS_NAVAL/TS085
Those are the only ones I think directly assist the game. I have purchased the following for 'fun', but they are erratically used.
Strafing tokens. Several people in our group pooled our money to buy a couple of packs and split them up. But in the end, we still just place the aircraft stands straddling a ship in the sector. $4.99 for ten tokens
http://www.litkoaero.com/page/LAI/PROD/TS_NAVAL/TS074
I have also purchased a bunch of mini-flame tokens. I like to put them on a ship for the first hull point. It is strictly eye-candy, but they are useful in darkness rules to remind you the ship is 'lit up.' That is the only time I generally use them now. 10 tokens for $4.99
http://www.litkoaero.com/page/LAI/PROD/TS_MinMic/TS070
The only other markers I have used for WaS are the 'small flaming wreckage' fire and smoke markers. Sometimes we place them in the sector where a ship was just destroyed and leave them there until the game is over. It is a nice 'visual' to see how many ships went down.  Definitely eye-candy!
http://www.litkoaero.com/page/LAI/PROD/TS_BBS/TS026-SML
I have also purchased the mine tokens and torpedo tokens for use in Victory at Sea. And there is a very nice - but expensive - Victory at Sea 'naval turn key template' in "Jim's Product Lab".
If I had to recommend a 'core' set I would get the Basic token set, and a set of 4 small smoke screens. For a 'deluxe' set I would add two sets of squalls (to get four of them).
Basic set total cost: Basic token set: ($19.99) + small smoke screen ($5.99) = $25.98
Deluxe set total cost: Basic token set ($19.99) + small smoke screen set ($5.99) + 2X Squall sets ($9.99*2= 19.98) = $45.96
My only caution is if you play above 200 pt fleets you will really need two of the basic token sets. You will tend to run out of abort and hull point markers with one set. Sometimes even with 200 pt fleets.
Deluxe 'Xtra' set cost: 2x Basic token set ($19.99*2=$39.98) + small smoke screen set ($5.99) + 2X Squall sets ($9.99*2= 19.98) = $65.95
I think this sums up the experience of our gaming group. The tokens are a huge improvement over trying to pick up those little paper markers.
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| Mon Mar 02, 2009 6:40 am |
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Here's what's in my token box (all from Litko):
AA naval minis token set x1
Note that you get 5 of each token and for some types this may not be enough in larger battles, especially the ABORTED markers.
Small smoke set as mentioned above
Strafing markers as mentioned above
Very nice
I don't use the damage tokens that come with the set but instead use the micro and mini blast tokens and the small fire/smoke tokens.
I also have a set of homemade tokens for marking when 'once per game' SAs are used up. It's just a round token with an "X" on it.
Other tokens I picked up while working on some house rules:
Submerged/Surfaced marker for subs
Maneuver Markers
Spotted Markers
Also, keep in mind that Litko can make custom tokens in a variety of shapes and colors.
And lastly, don't forget to use a white crayon on the frosted text of your tokens. The text can be difficult to see on some of the colors but if you mark up the frosted text and then clean off the smooth portion you get nice readable text that can be read from across the table.
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| Mon Mar 02, 2009 8:51 am |
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Cool topic, I was thinking about getting some Litko tokens too.
Has anyone used the medium smoke tokens? They look more "cloudy" on the Litko site than the small ones, but are they too big of a scale for the ships? |
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| Mon Mar 02, 2009 9:22 am |
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The small smoke markers are 3" long and work very well on the 4" hex mat that I play on. As an added bonus I also use them for the few units in the AAM land game that have smoke. Those maps are 3" hexes.
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| Mon Mar 02, 2009 9:41 am |
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I have some of the Litko tokens, rain squalls and smoke screens on the way but I too declined to buy the islands. For Christmas a friend bought me the Wizkids Pirates! islands. They work almost perfect and look very nice.
Here's a picture of the islands "in action":
When the Litko tokens arrive they'll be replacing the "crunch berries" we use now. I'm gonna miss those little fuzzy guys. 
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| Mon Mar 02, 2009 1:00 pm |
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I use the small and medium 'flaming wreckage' markers to signify crippled ships. Really adds to the feel.
Small 'explosion' markers are great for marking damage up to critical.
Much more visual appeal than flat damage counters.
Chick
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| Mon Mar 02, 2009 5:06 pm |
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| Mon Mar 02, 2009 5:29 pm |
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Awesome pics, NjCo! Thanks for posting them!
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| Mon Mar 02, 2009 5:57 pm |
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Well, I just spent $80 on 3 sets of the tokens and 2 smoke screen sets.
I hope they're well worth it, but I do know they're going to be infinitely better than the ones that come with the starter sets....more durable, larger, and they look better 
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| Mon Mar 02, 2009 8:51 pm |
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I do not even use the markers that come with the game, nor the custom markers Litco created for WaS. Instead, I have been using the blast and flame markers for hits and critical ships. We have been using the smoke for sunk ships but I think I may get some of the combined smoke and blast markers those look cool!
For sub hits, we have been using the splash markers. The smoke (both small and medium) look great on the table. We have even used the medium for the initial smoke screen then after the turn is finished reduce it to the small smoke to represent dispersing smoke through the end of the next turn.
The squalls are awesome and I need another set.
So on my next order: more squalls, mines, and the combined blast and smoke markers.
Some of the markers need to be glued. DO NOT use super glue as it may cause ghosting/misting on the plastic. Good ol' white glue is the best here.
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| Mon Mar 02, 2009 9:19 pm |
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| SSGShadow wrote: | | Some of the markers need to be glued. DO NOT use super glue as it may cause ghosting/misting on the plastic. Good ol' white glue is the best here. |
Excellent point and I second it! I ruined my first set of blast tokens gluing them with super glue. Just the vapor will glaze the plastic.
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| Tue Mar 03, 2009 1:21 am |
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The marker set Litko sells for WaS is worth it. Not having long fingernails, I've long been irritated by having to flip face-down counters, and worse, not always knowing what they are on the other side. But the marker set eliminates this problem.
The smoke screen markers are pretty nice, too. The smallest set is probably the best since, a.) it's the cheapest b.) they are unobtrusive.
I might get a few squall markers in the future, as the cost for the marker sets is a little bit more than I want to spend. They must have a backlog of orders at Litko because it took a few weeks to get my stuff. But I was very pleased with the quality, and I felt they took some pride in their product. So it was worth the wait. But before I sink more money into them, I wonder what sorts of goodies GF9 will provide.
The custom token thing Litko offers is nice.
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| Tue Mar 03, 2009 5:36 am |
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| Shadow, thanks for the tip about the glue. |
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| Tue Mar 03, 2009 7:32 am |
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| Tue Mar 03, 2009 7:52 am |
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Stat Card Digitizer
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I finally placed my first order for tokens. I used Weedsrock's Basic token set as a guideline and opted for the following:
2 WAS Token Sets
1 Set of Small Smoke Screens (http://www.litkoaero.com/page/LAI/PROD/TS_NAVAL/TS081)
Costs about $50 including shipping. I probably should have included a second set of small smoke screens because when I pop smoke I pop a lot of it and the smoke tokens will beat the puffs of cotton balls I've been using.
Last game I played I had 7 cotton balls on my side of the map in a single turn for smoke screens. I'm glad that I at least gave Litko a chance. If I like the tokens enough maybe I'll buy more. I think that maybe they should sell white crayons too for people who don't have any at home (not all of us have small children) or maybe toss one in free when customers spend $50 or more.
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WAS
Set 1: 64/64 - 252 pieces
Task Force: 60/60 - 260 pieces
Flank Speed: 40/40 - 198 pieces |
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| Wed Mar 18, 2009 2:48 am |
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| cwfgamecast wrote: | | I I think that maybe they should sell white crayons too for people who don't have any at home (not all of us have small children) or maybe toss one in free when customers spend $50 or more. |
Tossing one in for an order over a certain size is a cool idea. You should email the suggestion to them. I have been satisfied with them without using the crayon trick. I am just lazy. The colors and shape differentiate them enough except for the 1 and 2 pt tokens. But they are not that hard to read.
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| Wed Mar 18, 2009 4:08 am |
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Stat Card Digitizer
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| weedsrock2 wrote: | | cwfgamecast wrote: | | I I think that maybe they should sell white crayons too for people who don't have any at home (not all of us have small children) or maybe toss one in free when customers spend $50 or more. |
Tossing one in for an order over a certain size is a cool idea. You should email the suggestion to them. I have been satisfied with them without using the crayon trick. I am just lazy. The colors and shape differentiate them enough except for the 1 and 2 pt tokens. But they are not that hard to read. |
You know I think I will. Worst that happens is they choose not to do this. I wouldn't be surprised if this has been mentioned before.
Has anyone here done the crayon trick? Satisfied? Does it make that much of a difference?
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WAS
Set 1: 64/64 - 252 pieces
Task Force: 60/60 - 260 pieces
Flank Speed: 40/40 - 198 pieces |
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| Wed Mar 18, 2009 4:39 pm |
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Posts: 373
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| cwfgamecast wrote: |
Has anyone here done the crayon trick? Satisfied? Does it make that much of a difference? |
Yeah, I've done it. I didn't really need to do it since, as was already stated above, all of the counters except the damage counters are a unique color and shape (they are the same color and shape as in the base game). So I had the counters for a long time and never touched them. Then I was going to play my dad once and being new he didn't already know all the colors and shapes. His eyes also aren't the best so I figured he'd have a hard time reading the laser etched letters which are just a lighter color than the token background. So I did the white crayon trick just to see what it looked like. It turned out real nice so I went ahead and did the rest.
I did notice that not all the tokens look as good. It depends on the thickness of the letters. The more bold type fonts on some of the tokens don't turn out as nice as the others just because there is more surface area to fill in with the wax from the crayon. But they still look better than without the crayon. I also noticed that the opaque color tokens are harder to read without the crayon. The clear tokens are a little easier to see without the wax. All of the tokens in the A&AM token set are the clear form. But it's something to keep in mind if you want to order a custom token or one of the other naval tokens that Litko has. The tokens I'm referring to are the Submerged/Surfaced submarine token and the red Maneuver token.
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| Wed Mar 18, 2009 7:46 pm |
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I AM the Mad Scot! None are my equal! Many are my betters!
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I bought the following today;
TS085 Rain Squall Markers (2) 1 $9.99
TS071 Mini Smoke Marker (Set of 10) 1 $4.99
TS081 Small Smoke Screen (Set of 4) 1 $5.99
TS026-SML Flaming Wreckage (Small, Set of 7) 1 $9.99
Shipping: USPS Priority Mail Delivery in 3-4 days: $6.20
Sales Tax: $0.00
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Total: $37.16
I'm dissapointed in the quantity of squalls (only 2) for near $10. Will definitely be ordering more.
I opted for the flaming wreckage to use for alternate "destroyed counters" At least that was the idea anyway.
I was originally going to use the smoke columns for that, but thought the flaming wreckage would be more appropriate. I will likely get more later depending on how these look.
I did'nt get the tokens set since I will likely need to order 4 or 5 at once anyway so I'll split it up over several purchases.
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| Thu Mar 19, 2009 6:38 am |
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