Rbf2 Aar

[Chas]

Gents,

Well, enough RBFs are out there to defintely do this effectively. Same ground rules as before, only constructive criticism. Looking for feedback on ways we can improve the mag for you as the consumer.

So far I understand there is a love/hate thing on the articles, and have less 'filler' type stuff. ie, more scenario analysis, tactical articles, etc.

Something to understand. The basics for the next several issues are already laid out, but we can still incorporate recommendations for improvement. As of right now the content for issue 3 is changing somewhat from what I had previously posted, but in the end it is looking to be a very beefy issue, and I have been told already that it is even better than issue 2 I digress. Please let us know how to improve.

Thanks much,
Chas

[Pitman]

I do think improving the article quality is important. You might try reaching out to some of the "name" ASL writers to solicit articles from them. Also, don't forget things like series replays are always popular. I think articlewise the ASL Journal is something to aspire to.

Including extras is always good. Maps, for example, but also counters. Put Klaus to work on some more of those nifty counters.

[King Scott]

Including extras is always good. Maps, for example, but also counters. Put Klaus to work on some more of those nifty counters.

Could you print more Hitler counters? I only have two.

Seriously, like Mark says, extras are always good. What is the possibility of seeing unmounted copies of the first two HOB boards for the newer players who didn't get them? Counters are always cool.

What about a Sherman Calliope counter? And a scenario in which it faces off against a German Mauliter?

Just keep the scenarios coming!

Semper Fi!
Scott

[Chas]

All I can say is that you guys will be very happy

[Skygod]

I was actually working on a write up of RbF that I was going to post the the ASLML. Not sure where the best place for it in the Forums would be.

It will take me a little bit more time to finish. But, I do agree with Pitman (OH MY GOD!)...I like Series Replays. I'd like to see more scnearios using boards HOB I and HOB II. And I did actually like the tactical articles in the mag.

A suggestion...something that Le Franc Tireur does that I really like - reviews of new product releases by all publishers. Not sure how happy some people would be about this in the US, but I think it is a good way to get the word out about new products.

[Chas]

There are.... at least 4 scenarios in playtest that use the High Ground boards....wait, actually more than that. Just dont know what RBF they will be in because of how I am having to rework stuff. Also, the HG maps will be reprinted in unmounted form in a future product. I am sure I announced this before somewhere.

Looking forward to the review.

Chas

[cjsloki]

Hi,
I was hoping that the AAR in the first RbF would conclude in the recent issue. Is it going to be published? I like series replays as well. One of the things I enjoy as well are suggested setups that I can study.
Charles

[cjsloki]

Also, the HG maps will be reprinted in unmounted form in a future product. I am sure I announced this before somewhere.

Looking forward to the review.

Chas

This is good news to me. I don't have the HG maps but have your other stuff. Hopefully I can convince my friends to try your Berlin module.
Charles

[Skygod]

I feel obligated to make a partial disclaimer at the start - I have done some proof reading for HoB in the past, although I don't recall if I did any of the articles in this specific magazine. In any event, this activity was always on a voluntary and uncompensated basis. I believe that the opinions I have stated below have been reached objectively.

Heat of Battle released the second issue of their Recon by Fire magazine in October 2004, five years after the first issue was released in 1999. Santa left this nugget under the tree for me this year. List price for those who can't wait for The Fat Guy next year is $36 from HoB at www.heatofbatle.com. Following are my personal thoughts and comments:

Overall, the magazine has 40 pages of “stuff” (the actual page count is 44, including front and back cover and a couple of pages of advertisements), plus a new Deluxe ASL map and Armored Personnel Carrier player aid. The magazine is printed in full color throughout, including numerous VASL screenshots to supplement the tactical articles.

Ten scenarios are included (RbF 9-18), although one is a re-print of SS-3 NFNH-14 The Bitter End from the third SS Pack Neither Fear Nor Hope. These take up 10 pages attached in the middle of the magazine. This may not be the preference of some people, but for me it matters little, as it is consistent with the format used in RbF 1, as well as many other current publications.

The scenarios themselves tend to be East Front action (6 scenarios) and early war seems slightly more prevalent (6 scenarios occur in or before February 1943). Two offerings are DASL modules using the included mapboard "BF2." Distinctive within the scenarios are the lone British v German scenario [RbF-14 Kampfgruppe Lang] which uses boards HOB I and HOB II (the massive, two board large hill from HoB's "High Ground"), an east front scenario that occurs in Deep Snow during extreme winter [RbF-13 Neubauer Battalion], and a Russian v Japanese contest set in August 1945 in Manchuria [RbF-18 First Day at Fuchin]. An early war German v Norwegian DASL scenario [RbF-9 Rolling Stones] rounds out the mix. Nine of the scenarios were designed by Chas Smith (Executive Editor of RbF), and one (RbF-16 The Bitter End) was designed by Burnie Hegdahl.

The DASL map (# BF2…BF1 was included with the Hell on Wheels Battle Pack) is by Klaus Fischer. It is un-mounted, so you will have to put another board underneath to get a flat playing surface when using other boards. But this should not be a huge deal IMO. Of greater concern is that the hexes are just slightly smaller (~1/16th of an inch) than the MMP boards at 2 ½ inches across. The result across the width is about ¼ inch misalignment. Not a huge difference, but players should probably agree how they will align the boards as some LOS may change slightly depending on which side of the board is lined up. Also perhaps some discussion on handling LOS that would go along the hexsides but that does not because of the different sizes. And also, if one is playing VASL, be aware that the LOS will be different from the actual boards (as I would expect the VASL hexes to be the same size).

The board itself is a small town/village with ~22 single hex buildings spread across the map. A 1-hex wide water obstacle runs the length of the board and is intended (per a note in the magazine) to be a river, stream or whatever other find of obstacle scenario designers choose. There is a 12-hex L1 hill also on one corner of the map. Some interesting LOS are here as some other buildings create some blind hexes adjacent to the water obstacle, allowing a player attempting to cross some cover and concealment.

The APC Player Aid, designed by Mark Pitcavage and Chas Smith, is formatted and looks similar to the ASLRB chapter dividers. The aid is specific to German and American APCs and presents a "Characteristic Chart" for a variety of APCs for these nationalities. The chart summarizes the information included in Chapter H, and includes: Chap H Ref #, #PP, towing #, special IN additional to the inherent crew, weapons, and some information on removal of the weapons. Some footnotes add specific detail where needed. Perhaps not necessary for the die-hard grognards who have all this information memorized, but for most of us, it will serve as a valuable tool.

Two tactical articles take up ~19 pages of the remaining 30. The articles discuss the principles of breaching in general military terms, and then walk the reader through two examples of breaching in ASL (one using the OtO map and the mine-roller tanks included in that module, the other an example of an Infantry-only breach).

The rest of the magazine is shorter articles including some “standard” ones like the “Notes from the Command Post” (editor’s comments) and some discussion of HoB scenario results reported on ROAR. Of special interest for Tournament Directors will be the “HoB Tournament Support” article which discusses what HoB can and will provide in the way of prizes and other support for tournaments. While the specific audience for this article is fairly limited (TD’s), given the prevalence of criticism from the “peanut gallery” when publishers are perceived to not be generous enough in terms of tournament support, it is perhaps a good thing to get this information out to everyone. If support is not received (or is felt not to be generous enough), people should be able to identify what the specific problem was.

An interesting article (which will supposedly become a regular feature in future issues) on “What Happened To…?” The intent is to update readers on the status of ASL projects that were originally announced by publishers several years ago, but have yet to see the light of day. Discussed in this issue is HoB’s “Company Commander” which was announced in the first issue of RbF and which has never come to fruition. In future articles, the intent is to provide info on other long awaited products from all different publishers, both official and TPP.

If I have one criticism it is that the magazine could have used a final proof read before going into production. For one article we are incorrectly told that it continues on page 37 (it actually continues on 35), and there are a few too many non-spelling typos that disrupted the flow for my taste (e.g. words that were inadvertently omitted, extra words inadvertently left in, “odd” quotation marks, that disrupt the reading flow). These are very minor criticisms in the grand scheme - perhaps it is because of how outstanding the product otherwise appears that these items stood out to me.

I thought the magazine overall was very good – a high quality product with several interesting articles, and a “new” board included. Definitely worth getting and adding to a collection. The other side is “how much to pay” for this product then. In my opinion it is fairly priced. I have bought other products (Oto from HoB) where I was just blown away and thought that I got great value – I would have paid more to get the same product. In hindsight, I would certainly pay the $36 again for this magazine. But I think that had it been priced even slightly higher, I would have started to feel like I overpaid. For people who buy mags for the scenarios, you’re paying $4 apiece (I have not included The Bitter End since this is a duplicate from SS Pack 3, which is still available from HoB - $25 for 14 scenarios or less than $2 each) and I think those people may be slightly less satisfied with the “value.” The tactical articles are what I enjoy most in this type of publication, so the articles here were of interest to me. Advertising in the issue is a little bit more obvious than I recall in the past (could be because they are also ion color and stand out more too) and some other magazines, but if the additional revenue from advertising helps to put out a product of this physical quality at a lower cost then that is a good thing in my opinion.

A couple of article types that I would be interested in seeing in future editions, just based on my personal tastes:
· a series replay – these are great anywhere;
· more discussions of tactics…HoB is one of the few publishers that will go out on a limb and publish articles like these.
I include this here just because I know Chas Smith from HoB has asked for this information – I am not in anyway trying to imply that RbF 2 should have had a series replay or more tactical articles.

[Chas]

Seth,

Thank you very much for the detailed write up.

Chas