Table Top Battles - Play-test - Land Battles (for mid-20th century warfare on hexes)

For the purposes of this play-test, the fighting on the left-hand side of the tabletop was resolved using the amended rules that include:

• A card driven turn sequence.
• The use formation morale values.
• The degrading of individual unit points values and the formation morale values as a result of combat.

The fighting on the right-hand side of the tabletop used the rules as play-tested on 1st January 2009 but with the addition of the card driven turn sequence.

Note to readers

The description of the parallel play-tests in this entry is very long and detailed. This has been done so that readers can follow the game mechanisms in operation.

Scenario

A Russian Rifle Brigade (4 Rifle Battalions – each rated as ‘Conscript’ and with a points value of 2 – and an artillery battalion – with a points value of 2) had been given the task of capturing a vital road that ran between a small range of hills. It was led by an ‘Average’ General (also with a points value of 2). The Russian Rifle Brigade therefore had a formation morale value of 6.

A German Kampfgruppe of two German infantry battalions (each rated as ‘Regular’ and with a points value of 3) defended the road by occupying defensive positions on either side of it. They were also commanded by an ‘Average’ General (with a points value of 2). The German defenders therefore had a formation morale value of 4.

Turn 1

The playing cards were shuffled and dealt to each unit on the left-hand side of the tabletop. The order in which units were activated was:

• Russian Rifle Battalion 3
• German Infantry Battalion B
• Russian Rifle Battalion 6
• Russian Artillery Battalion 2
• Russian Rifle Battalion 5
• German General A
• Russian General B
• Russian Rifle Battalion 4
• German Infantry Battalion C

Russian Rifle Battalion 3 advanced on German Infantry Battalion C and opened fire.

• The Russian Rifle Battalion’s score was 6 (thus generating a score of 6 plus 2 minus 2 = 6 [D12 score plus unit’s points value minus 2 because the target is in defence works]).
• The German Infantry Battalion’s score was 9 (thus generating a score of 9 plus 3 plus 2 = 14 [D12 score plus unit’s points value plus General’s points value because he is in an adjacent hex]).

Result on the left-hand side of the tabletop: No effect
Result on the right-hand side of the tabletop: No effect

German Infantry Battalion B opened fire on Russian Rifle Battalion 4.

• The German Infantry Battalion’s score was 6 (thus generating a score of 6 plus 3 = 9 [D12 score plus unit’s points value]).
• The Russian Rifle Battalion’s score was 5 (thus generating a score of 5 plus 2 plus 2 = 9 [D12 score plus unit’s points value plus General’s points value because he is in an adjacent hex]).
• The result was a draw and both sides threw another D12. The scores were 7 for German Infantry Battalion B and 3 for Russian Rifle Battalion 4.

Result on the left-hand side of the tabletop: The Russian Rifle Battalion lost 1 points value.
Result on the right-hand side of the tabletop: The Russian Rifle Battalion withdrew.

Russian Rifle Battalion 6 advanced on German Infantry Battalion C and opened fire.

• The Russian Rifle Battalion’s score was 2 (thus generating a score of 2 plus 2 minus 2 = 2 [D12 score plus unit’s points value minus 2 because the target is in defence works]).
• The German Infantry Battalion’s score was 10 (thus generating a score of 10 plus 3 plus 2 = 15 [D12 score plus unit’s points value plus General’s points value because he is in an adjacent hex]).

Result on the left-hand side of the tabletop: No effect
Result on the right-hand side of the tabletop: No effect

Russian Artillery Battalion 2 opened fire on German Infantry Battalion B.

• The Russian Artillery Battalion’s score was 11 (thus generating a score of 11 plus 2 plus 2 minus 2 = 13 [D12 score plus unit’s points value plus General’s points value because he is in an adjacent hex minus 2 because the target is in defence works]).
• The German Infantry Battalion’s score was 8 (thus generating a score of 8 plus 3 = 11 [D12 score plus unit’s points value]).

Result on the left-hand side of the tabletop: The German Infantry Battalion lost 1 points value.
Result on the right-hand side of the tabletop: The German Infantry Battalion withdrew.

Russian Rifle Battalion 5 advanced up the road and opened fire on German Infantry Battalion B.

• The Russian Rifle Battalion’s score was 2 (thus generating a score of 2 plus 2 minus 2 = 2 [D12 score plus unit’s points value minus 2 because the target is in defence works] on the left-hand side of the tabletop and 2 plus 2 = 4 [D12 score plus unit’s points value] on the right-hand side of the tabletop).
• The German Infantry Battalion’s score was 5 (thus generating a score of 5 plus 2 = 7 [D12 score plus unit’s points] on the left-hand side of the tabletop and 5 plus 3 plus 2 = 10 [D12 score plus unit’s points value plus General’s points value because he is in an adjacent hex]) on the right-hand side of the tabletop).

Result on the left-hand side of the tabletop: No effect
Result on the right-hand side of the tabletop: No effect

Neither German General A nor Russian General B chose to move.

Russian Rifle Battalion 4 advanced towards the left-hand German defences. On the left-hand side they were able to open fire on German Infantry Battalion B, but on the right-hand side the German unit was out of range.

• The Russian Rifle Battalion’s score was 2 (thus generating a score of 2 plus 1 minus 2 = 1 [D12 score plus unit’s points value minus 2 because the target is in defence works].
• The German Infantry Battalion’s score was 4 (thus generating a score of 4 plus 2 = 6 [D12 score plus unit’s points].

Result on the left-hand side of the tabletop: No effect
Result on the right-hand side of the tabletop: No effect

German Infantry Battalion C opened fire on Russian Rifle Battalion 6.

• The German Infantry Battalion’s score was 12 (thus generating a score of 12 plus 3 plus 2 = 17 [D12 score plus unit’s points value plus General’s points value because he is in an adjacent hex]).
• The Russian Rifle Battalion’s score was 2 (thus generating a score of 2 plus 2 = 4 [D12 score plus unit’s points]).

Result on the left-hand side of the tabletop: The Russian Rifle Battalion withdrew and lost 1 points value.
Result on the right-hand side of the tabletop: The Russian Rifle Battalion was destroyed.

At the end of Turn 1, the formation morale values on the left-hand side of the tabletop were:

• Russian Rifle Brigade: 6 minus 2 = 4
• German Kampfgruppe: 4 minus 1 = 3

Turn 2

The playing cards were shuffled and dealt to each unit on the left-hand side of the tabletop. The order in which units were activated was:

• German General A
• Russian Rifle Battalion 5
• Russian Rifle Battalion 4
• German Infantry Battalion C
• Russian Rifle Battalion 3
• Russian Artillery Battalion 2
• German Infantry Battalion B
• Russian Rifle Battalion 6 (left-hand side of the tabletop only)
• Russian General B

German General A advanced 1 hex along the road towards the Russian so that he could support both German Infantry Battalions.

On the right-hand side of the tabletop, Russian Rifle Battalion 5 occupied the empty left-hand German defences.

Russian Rifle Battalion 5 opened fire on German Infantry Battalion B.

• The Russian Rifle Battalion’s score was 6 (thus generating a score of 6 plus 2 minus 2 = 6 [D12 score plus unit’s points value minus 2 because the target is in defence works] on the left-hand side of the tabletop and 6 plus 2 = 8 [D12 score plus unit’s points value] on the right-hand side of the tabletop).
• The German Infantry Battalion’s score was 4 (thus generating a score of 4 plus 2 plus 2 = 8 [D12 score plus unit’s points plus General’s points value because he is in an adjacent hex] on the left-hand side of the tabletop and 4 plus 2 plus 2 = 8 [D12 score plus unit’s points value plus General’s points value because he is in an adjacent hex]) on the right-hand side of the tabletop).
• The result on the right-hand side of the tabletop was a draw and both sides threw another D12. The scores were 7 for Russian Rifle Battalion 5 and 2 for German Infantry Battalion B.

Result on the left-hand side of the tabletop: No effect
Result on the right-hand side of the tabletop: The German Infantry Battalion withdrew.

On the left-hand side of the tabletop Russian Rifle Battalion 5 assaulted the position occupied by German Infantry Battalion B.

• The Russian Rifle Battalion’s score was 8 (thus generating a score of 8 plus 2 minus 2 = 8 [D12 score plus unit’s points value minus 2 because the target is in defence works].
• The German Infantry Battalion’s score was 4 (thus generating a score of 4 plus 2 plus 2 = 8 [D12 score plus unit’s points plus General’s points value because he is in an adjacent hex].
• The result was a draw and both sides threw another D12. The scores were 10 for Russian Rifle Battalion 5 and 2 for German Infantry Battalion B.

Result on the left-hand side of the tabletop: The German Infantry Battalion lost 1 points value.

On the right-hand side of the tabletop, Russian Rifle Battalion 4 advanced 1 hex towards the German defences now occupied by Russian Rifle Battalion 5.

On the left-hand side of the tabletop, Russian Rifle Battalion 4 opened fire on German Infantry Battalion B.

• The Russian Rifle Battalion’s score was 5 (thus generating a score of 5 plus 1 minus 2 = 4 [D12 score plus unit’s points value minus 2 because the target is in defence works].
• The German Infantry Battalion’s score was 4 (thus generating a score of 4 plus 1 plus 2 = 7 [D12 score plus unit’s points plus General’s points value because he is in an adjacent hex].

Result on the left-hand side of the tabletop: No effect

On the left-hand side of the tabletop Russian Rifle Battalion 4 assaulted the position occupied by German Infantry Battalion B.

• The Russian Rifle Battalion’s score was 9 (thus generating a score of 9 plus 1 minus 2 = 8 [D12 score plus unit’s points value minus 2 because the target is in defence works].
• The German Infantry Battalion’s score was 3 (thus generating a score of 3 plus 1 plus 2 = 6 [D12 score plus unit’s points plus General’s points value because he is in an adjacent hex].

Result on the left-hand side of the tabletop: The German Infantry Battalion lost 1 points value. Because its points value was now reduced to 0, German Infantry Battalion B was destroyed.

German Infantry Battalion C opened fire on Russian Rifle Battalion 3.

• The German Infantry Battalion’s score was 1 (thus generating a score of 1 plus 3 plus 2 = 6 [D12 score plus unit’s points value plus General’s points value because he is in an adjacent hex]).
• The Russian Rifle Battalion’s score was 4 (thus generating a score of 4 plus 2 = 6 [D12 score plus unit’s points]).
• The result was a draw and both sides threw another D12. The scores were 7 for German Infantry Battalion C and 8 for Russian Rifle Battalion 3.

Result on the left-hand side of the tabletop: The German Infantry Battalion lost 1 points value.
Result on the right-hand side of the tabletop: The German Infantry Battalion withdrew.

At this point the German formation morale value reached 0. The reduction of the formation's morale value to 0 would force all the units in the formation to withdraw next turn.

On the left-hand side of the tabletop, Russian Rifle Battalion 3 advanced 1 hex towards the right-hand German defences.

On the right-hand side of the tabletop, Russian Rifle Battalion 3 advanced and occupied the empty right-hand German defences.

Russian Rifle Battalion 3 opened fire on German Infantry Battalion C.

• The Russian Rifle Battalion’s score was 3 (thus generating a score of 3 plus 2 minus 2 plus 2 = 3 [D12 score plus unit’s points value minus 2 because the target is in defence works] on the left-hand side of the tabletop and 3 plus 2 = 5 [D12 score plus unit’s points value] on the right-hand side of the tabletop).
• The German Infantry Battalion’s score was 10 (thus generating a score of 10 plus 2 plus 2 = 14 [D12 score plus unit’s points plus General’s points value because he is in an adjacent hex] on the left-hand side of the tabletop and 10 plus 3 = 13 [D12 score plus unit’s points value] on the right-hand side of the tabletop).

Result on the left-hand side of the tabletop: No effect.
Result on the right-hand side of the tabletop: No effect.

Russian Rifle Battalion 3 assaulted the position occupied by German Infantry Battalion C.

• The Russian Rifle Battalion’s score was 10 (thus generating a score of 10 plus 2 minus 2 = 10 [D12 score plus unit’s points value minus 2 because the target is in defence works] on the left-hand side of the tabletop and 10 plus 2 = 12 [D12 score plus unit’s points value] on the right-hand side of the tabletop).
• The German Infantry Battalion’s score was 5 (thus generating a score of 5 plus 2 plus 2 = 9 [D12 score plus unit’s points plus General’s points value because he is in an adjacent hex] on the left-hand side of the tabletop and 5 plus 3 = 8 [D12 score plus unit’s points value] on the right-hand side of the tabletop).

Result on the left-hand side of the tabletop: The German Infantry Battalion lost 1 points value.
Result on the right-hand side of the tabletop: The German Infantry Battalion withdrew.

At this point the German formation morale value reached -1.

On the left-hand side of the tabletop Russian Artillery Battalion 2 opened fire on German Infantry Battalion C.

• The Russian Artillery Battalion’s score was 10 (thus generating a score of 10 plus 2 minus 2 = 10 [D12 score plus unit’s points value minus 2 because the target is in defence works].
• The German Infantry Battalion’s score was 1 (thus generating a score of 1 plus 1 plus 2 = 4 [D12 score plus unit’s points plus General’s points value because he is in an adjacent hex].

Result on the left-hand side of the tabletop: The German Infantry Battalion lost 1 points value. Because its points value was now reduced to 0, German Infantry Battalion C was destroyed.

At this point the German formation morale value reached -2.

On the right-hand side of the tabletop German Infantry Battalion B retreated 1 hex along the road and took up a defensive position around the small farm at the bend in the road.

On the left-hand side of the tabletop Russian Rifle Battalion 6 advanced 1 hex towards the empty right-hand German defences.

Russian General B advanced 2 hexes up the road to support the advancing Rifle Battalions.

Turn 3

By now it was obvious that the Germans had failed to prevent the Russians from capturing the road between the range of hills and that the German General would be lucky to escape. The play-test was ended.

Conclusions

Trying to run two play-tests in parallel is both time consuming and exhausting, but it does give the opportunity to compare two different variants of the rules using some degree of scientific method.

Both variants work, and which of the two should be developed is ultimately down to a matter of personal preference. The left-hand side of the tabletop produced a game that had less movement but which saw the gradual destruction of units; the right-hand side of the tabletop had more movement and saw units withdrawing or being totally destroyed rather than being slowly degraded. On balance I prefer the former rather than the latter, but I feel that with a little more tweaking I can get the best of both melded into one.