The beauty of this system is evident in its game play and mechanics. Its simplicity allows you to concentrate all your mental energy on your tactical and strategic decisions. Not wasted on micro-management, umpteen million tables and charts or complex games systems.
Each scenario I've tried so far hasn't disappointed me. Whether solo or against an opponent the game's quality and superior design is demonstrated and fun is had by all. Or maybe this is just a testament to the well thought out simplicity. Not to mention that its loads of enjoyment. I usually play on the Soviet side. It's very challenging and I sometimes get bull headed about it in true Soviet fashion. So a word of caution for any player choosing the Soviets: be resigned to losing units. Quit whining about the superiority of NATO. Just deal with it and have a blast (pun intended). I know I do!!
Table map setup looking West.
At Hugelsdorf the B-grade units of the 33rd Motor Rifle occupied the adjacent hilltop with their HQ supported with 2 platoons of T62s.
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4 platoons of infantry with only a Sagger ATGM support weapon were dug-in inside the town. Directly east adjacent to the irrigated fields and ensconced safely (or so I thought) in the woods were two 2 platoons of the thin-skinned BMP1 APCs armed with the fearsome Sagger.
All were anticipating the expected US approach from either road on the west edge of the map.
Soviet set up looking west.
Directly northeast of the 33rd's position lies Eisenbach (NATO game objective). This town was occupied by the C-grade units of the 87th Rifle composed of obsolete T55s,
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2 platoons of BTR60 APCs
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and infantry armed with only one Sagger.
The Soviets' only hope was the timely arrival on Turn 3 of their reinforcements: 5 platoons of A-grade T72s of 1st Tanks expected anywhere along the north edge of the map.
Opening barrages (2 x smoke represented by red blocks) by NATO was on target and effectively blinded the 33rd Mortor Rifles for two turns. Then Delta Company's Abrams immediately occupied the wooded hills and engaged Hugelsdorf. They took out one of the BMP1s in the woods in a lopsided gun fight. BMP1s were just too thin skinned and sensitive for this kind of engagement.
North of this position protected in a valley were Alpha Troop's Bradleys and M106 (self propelled 81mm mortars mounted on an M113 APC).
This was the logical jump-off point to assault Eisenbach. However this needed to be done in stages because that direct and clear approach was covered by the 87th. In a classic textbook bounding overwatch maneuver the Bradleys made it to the woods, scouted out the route ahead to Bergengipfel and called in some mortar strikes to pound Eisenbach.
GHQ CATALOG PIC
This was the logical jump-off point to assault Eisenbach. However this needed to be done in stages because that direct and clear approach was covered by the 87th. In a classic textbook bounding overwatch maneuver the Bradleys made it to the woods, scouted out the route ahead to Bergengipfel and called in some mortar strikes to pound Eisenbach.
The Abrams made it to Bergengipfel and commenced firing on Eisenbach adding their firepower to the Bradleys and the mortars.
The Soviets were holding their own but kept looking northward for their relief. "When is that damned Alexei Stephanovich and his T72s going to get here? They need to take these American from behind." thought the 87th's commander as he worriedly scans the west bound road to Bergengipfel from the cupola of his command T55 tank.
First blood was drawn as the incoming mortar barrage took out a T55 platoon. Thankfully the infantry were dug-in all around and were relatively safe.
The valiant defense of Eisenbach continued: infantry of the 87th launched a Sagger to flush out the Abrams hiding in Bergengipfel. Meanwhile, another T55 platoon positioned just outside the town in the irrigated fields suffered multiple hits causing disruption and reduction.
The action was getting thick and this was just Turn two! Suddenly before Turn 3 could start with the possibility for the reinforcements to arrive (activate) we heard something awful - what every gamer is loathe to hear. "Sorry, guys," says the store manager with an apologetic smile, "but you'll have to start picking up your stuff because I'll be closing the store in about 20 minutes."
AAAARRRRGHH! Frustration!!
Alas, the game couldn't be finished due to the store closing so this'll have to be a re-fight sometime in the near future.
Stay tuned...
I like when you show the shot of the boardgame map and then the 3D map right after.
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