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Bismarck mini-campaign


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#1 William Owen

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Posted 05 April 2015 - 07:12 PM

Having run my introductory River Plate game several times, I am about to run a Bismarck mini-campaign but wondered if anyone has done this using AH's 1962 version of the game?

 

I have a copy of both '62 and '79 versions and am leaning towards making small mods to the 1962 version. Obviously one doesn't need the Battle Board part at all as the battle(s) will be with GQ3. But I don't really want to get into every little thing from the '79 version because then the "campaign context" will be too complex to run AND finish a naval miniature battle or two ...in the same day.

 

So far I have used some ideas from Ken Gross' Advanced Bismarck in an early copy of The General which introduces some air impacts and perhaps convoy routes from the '79.

 

All this is based on my assertion that players appreciate the experience when they have the overall context in view and not just see it as a one-off ship-to-ship duel.

 

An issue is that Bismarck's smallest sea zones are 95 nautical miles wide! And most ships move 2 zones or 190 nautical miles in 6 hours so appear to be going at a bit too fast. But until one of you advises a "fix"  maybe it's better to just not worry about the excessive speed and far-seeing capability. The best I can come up with is a roll to see if the ships are in contact or just glimpse that is then lost in the mist.

 

PS Perhaps this is not much of a campaign but we are starting in naval gaming as green as sea foam and so I'd rather start simple. Perhaps some day we will work up the courage to do something like the ODGW Solomons. For now, my next project will combine sea and land at Narvik.



#2 W. Clark

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Posted 28 April 2015 - 11:13 PM

You might use the GQIII.3 weather generation chart to determine visibility, squalls and the like and let the results modify your ability to see with a comparison of each player's course (as per their campaign move) determining whether they bump into one another or are ships passing in the night. It has the added benefit that if an action ensues then you have already resolved the weather and visibility.



#3 gregoryk

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Posted 10 July 2015 - 12:57 PM

Having run my introductory River Plate game several times, I am about to run a Bismarck mini-campaign but wondered if anyone has done this using AH's 1962 version of the game?

 

I have a copy of both '62 and '79 versions and am leaning towards making small mods to the 1962 version. Obviously one doesn't need the Battle Board part at all as the battle(s) will be with GQ3. But I don't really want to get into every little thing from the '79 version because then the "campaign context" will be too complex to run AND finish a naval miniature battle or two ...in the same day.

 

So far I have used some ideas from Ken Gross' Advanced Bismarck in an early copy of The General which introduces some air impacts and perhaps convoy routes from the '79.

 

All this is based on my assertion that players appreciate the experience when they have the overall context in view and not just see it as a one-off ship-to-ship duel.

 

An issue is that Bismarck's smallest sea zones are 95 nautical miles wide! And most ships move 2 zones or 190 nautical miles in 6 hours so appear to be going at a bit too fast. But until one of you advises a "fix"  maybe it's better to just not worry about the excessive speed and far-seeing capability. The best I can come up with is a roll to see if the ships are in contact or just glimpse that is then lost in the mist.

 

PS Perhaps this is not much of a campaign but we are starting in naval gaming as green as sea foam and so I'd rather start simple. Perhaps some day we will work up the courage to do something like the ODGW Solomons. For now, my next project will combine sea and land at Narvik.

Bill,

 

I have had good success using the '79 version of AH's game straight, as is.  I like all the additional chrome involved with air search and convoys and weather.

 

Do not be intimidated by The Solomons Campaign, it is easy to get into, each decision point is pretty straightforward, and there are setup aids for each contact.  From those who have finished it, all say it was a great experience.






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