Wednesday, March 17, 2021

O Group - online game

Had an online session with Stephen today with the Cristot scenario (simply as I still had it set up on table).

Again use of iPad not ideal but it worked ok overall.

We managed to get through 5 full turns utilising all rules with notable exception of Close Combat rules (just never happened)

Nice to try rules with a second brain instead of solo.

We both really liked the Command Orders system with the interesting level of decisions it garners. 

Both agreed the shooting and movement systems are pretty broad brush but do work for the Battalion level game.

We were fairly shifting through the phases after a couple of turns and using the QRS mainly (couple of queries easily sorted with rule book)

We likely deployed tanks and ambushes rather quicker than would usually be prudent as we wanted to try out various interactions of unit types. 

We did not finish game (iPad runs out of battery after about 3 hours of video linkage).

Only 'raised eyebrows' were in discussion after playing with some stats queried such as the Panzer IVG-J versions seeming to have rather generous armour (8 to Sherman/Cromwell/T34 on 7) and the poor old Russians who are rather hard done by with the (nominal) points system and some 'national characteristics' included.

But overall we enjoyed the game and hope to get it to table when proper gaming returns in due course (hopefully) as another decent choice for a WW2 game.







The iPad in action









German Platoon defends a farm (note Order marker turned face down after Offensive phase to assist in recalling which units received orders in turn (important for Regroup Phase)









British Platoon with attached Vickers MMG






Sherman Troop skulking in orchard






View from British center







British left where A Coy attacked later supported by C Coy from reserve.






A Sherman falls victim to Panther






Strong British push on their left






British Platoons held up in center (Green = 1 hit Yellow = 2 Red = 3 to assist whilst online) 






Panther on central heights having just Rallied off 2 hits caused by Heavy Artillery stonk (the FOO nearby escaped unscathed)






German 2 Coy defends in strength on their left





A supporting MG42 (MMG) engages from ambush






German 3rd Coy outnumbered on right (1st Coy defended Cristot)







6 comments:

  1. Nice report , Gary . I haven’t bought these TFL rules , yet 😃 . I’m currently playing Rommel using counters and they work very well . I’d be doing the same with these . Glad to see you’re getting some gaming in using the Interweb . We’ve had our 1st vaccinations so I’m looking forward to getting back to normal. Regards Colin.

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    1. Hi C, i have Rommel but not tried as yet. It is very boardgame-like. Due 1st jab on Sunday. Hoping we can get back to gaming end of June ?

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  2. Yes , I agree, about Rommel . We are hoping to resume gaming in the summer and have a few board games lined up for it. Your use of the I Pad looks interesting, lm wondering if you had it plugged in , on the table , it might solve the battery problem.

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  3. iPad needed to be moved around constantly to show line of sight and different parts of table otherwise yes plugged in would have ‘kept her lit’ a while longer :-)

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  4. Good AAR, thanks for posting. I have copy of the rules but have yet to read them, this has encouraged me to get on with it :)

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    1. They generate an enjoyable game. The combat and suchlike is very broad brush and simple overall but works for 'level' of game. The real meat of game and the key decisions to be made are with the Orders rolls and actions and this part of system is very good imho.

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