Board Z

[kempenfelter]

I like the looser lines of sight on the Starter Kit Boards, it puts the pressure on when crossing open ground or determining rout paths. Also, long range weapons are more effective in situations where the terrain is less dense. Is it only multi-hex building depictions off the center dot that give you grief? Because there are a number of tricky LsOS on other SK boards that capitalize on the smaller building art. Take Board y, a unit in U6 can see an enemy in AA7, likewise R7 is visible from U7. On Board s N7 can see R7, and P7 can see past P8 to P9 and P10. For a longer LOS H0 can spot L7. And it's not automatic that you can see past small buildings when the center dot is clear, on my Board s the building in J8 blocks LOS from H5 to K8.

[edelrio]

I like the looser lines of sight on the Starter Kit Boards, it puts the pressure on when crossing open ground or determining rout paths. Also, long range weapons are more effective in situations where the terrain is less dense. Is it only multi-hex building depictions off the center dot that give you grief? Because there are a number of tricky LsOS on other SK boards that capitalize on the smaller building art. Take Board y, a unit in U6 can see an enemy in AA7, likewise R7 is visible from U7. On Board s N7 can see R7, and P7 can see past P8 to P9 and P10. For a longer LOS H0 can spot L7. And it's not automatic that you can see past small buildings when the center dot is clear, on my Board s the building in J8 blocks LOS from H5 to K8.

Imagination doesn't do it justice. You have to see this to believe it. But I'll try to explain: Imagine shooting down a 400+m straight hallway INTO the last office on the right (GG4->W4). Then, if you had retained ROF with a MG, you could proceed to shoot down the exact same LOS/LOF into the office at the end of the hall facing you with both shots penalized by building TEM! That's the sort of possibilities that mapboard z (and only mapboard z) allows due to the poor positioning of the building symbols. It's a joke (one that seems admittedly to affect me more than others). Interestingly, none of the follow-up SK maps have continued this experiment. Oh well I've said enough (or too much depending) but at least I've given a work-around for those that wish to play on it with the same level of realism that the other boards afford.

[kempenfelter]

To quote part of E.1 OPTIONAL/SSR, "players are free to design their own House Rules or modifications. However, do not expect others outside your immediate gaming circle to embrace them as willingly" I guess I'm more into abstraction than realism. In fact, the only "fix" I'd like to see to the system is a third die for ROF, though so far I haven't managed to convince any local ASLers to play that way.

[edelrio]

I like the looser lines of sight on the Starter Kit Boards, it puts the pressure on when crossing open ground or determining rout paths. Also, long range weapons are more effective in situations where the terrain is less dense. Is it only multi-hex building depictions off the center dot that give you grief? Because there are a number of tricky LsOS on other SK boards that capitalize on the smaller building art. Take Board y, a unit in U6 can see an enemy in AA7, likewise R7 is visible from U7. On Board s N7 can see R7, and P7 can see past P8 to P9 and P10. For a longer LOS H0 can spot L7. And it's not automatic that you can see past small buildings when the center dot is clear, on my Board s the building in J8 blocks LOS from H5 to K8.

It may surprise you to read that (despite your typos - I could see what you were saying) none of the LOS that you cite are a problem to me. You really need to see Board z and check the LOSs that I enumerate. All your examples would allow real bullets to hit their targets. Not so the ones I list.

[BigAl737]

Eddy, if it's any consolation I hate board z too. I just avoid scenarios that use it.

[BattleSchool]

In fact, the only "fix" I'd like to see to the system is a third die for ROF, though so far I haven't managed to convince any local ASLers to play that way.

Heretic!

ROF die 200px.png

[edelrio]

THANK YOU edelrio for you example of play!!!!!!!!!!!
I think Patrick sent it to me and it was a game saver. I went through it with all the counters and board. It got me over the hill of reading the SKRB to actually flow of play. So good I did it a second time with my son. I could see the lights go on in his eyes with MPh, DFF, SFF, FPF Phase's.
It was really what we needed to get over the SL to ASLSK differences on our own.
Thanks Again.
phil

Phil, There is NOTHING that makes me happier than to hear that I could facilitate some great Dad-Son time! You're very welcome! I used to live in Southern IL (O'Fallon/Bentonville) and am about to move to Springfiled, MO. Continued great gaming with your son. He can learn a lot about WWII history "up-close and personal" with this great "game" (as my wife calls it; I tell her it is a "combat simulation gaming system").

[edelrio]

Heretic!

ROF die 200px.png

Very nice! Pray tell. Where can we purchase?

[BattleSchool]

Very nice! Pray tell. Where can we purchase?

http://asl-battleschool.blogspot.ca/p/kitshop.html

[kempenfelter]

It may surprise you to read that (despite your typos - I could see what you were saying) none of the LOS that you cite are a problem to me. You really need to see Board z and check the LOSs that I enumerate. All your examples would allow real bullets to hit their targets. Not so the ones I list.

You lost me at real. Forget where I read this, but a wargame could only be considered "realistic" if there was a clear understanding that at the end of the game, the loser would be shot. You enjoy Squad Leader because it's the best game published that simulates small-unit actions. Does it accurately reflect the nature of WW II combat? No. For one thing, aside from the contributions of a few colorful players the silence that descends on a game room is nothing short of monastical. And there are other game conventions, like knowing the condition of your opponent's support weapons, or even the readiness of his squads to give battle, that are patently unrealistic. G.I. Anvil of Victory tried to address the omiscience problem with Command Control rules. They didn't fly. Likewise, Battlefield Integrity. Does anyone bother with that? I suspect, with absolutely no basis in fact, that the open nature of Board z was a design decision. Without level rules, there's no way to see past single story buildings, or climb the stairs to flank a defender. Rather than have a city board where the only lines of sight(I like to abbreviate it LsOS, not LOSs, which looks a lot like line of sights to me, and that would be wrong)are more restricted Ken Dunn & Co. chose to make things less claustrophobic.