Thursday, April 06, 2023

Test Of Battle - a test game

Played a brief game using Test Of Battle rules (ie Command Decision IV) today as a practice for game on Easter Monday with chaps.

Stephen had set up a scenario 'Assault on Step' (Kursk period) for us to play with me as Germans and he as Ivans, using our 15mm kit (although upcoming game will be with 10mm Yanks vs Krauts, I believe).

Having been ages since we have used TOB this was useful refresh on rules rather than a 'proper' game and indeed this was wise decision as we (despite both having read rules) found plenty we had forgotten and needed to see in action (Spotting being a key one).

TOB is not inherently complex as WW2 rules go but has a lot going on each turn which means lots to remember and it can get what I term 'a bit fiddly' with the chits, the phases and various options but not onerously so, at least if a player not controlling too much more than a supported battalion (sort of like O Group).

Hopefully game will run smoother on Monday with this brief practice under our belts as we covered most aspects of game.





German infantry and anti-tank supports hiding in woods (with Inf Gun HQ spotting from behind ridge line)








Tiger company on high ground (sadly the collection of Ivan armour visible under their guns are not actually there as actually coming on at table rear as reserves)







Some of said reserves arrive in cover






Russians probe my left 








One Tiger forced back by opportunity fire and having turned around at start of General Fire Phase.


 

5 comments:

  1. The game is the 'grand Ole lady' of the WW2 operational game sets. Looks like you have seen the best practice is to practice on a set when returning after a hiatus. I did start to think about bringing the rules back out for our local group and seeing your efforts reminded me how good the game is, especially in 15mm or 20mm.

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    1. I played a lot of original CD back in the day with 6mm but Spearhead superseded it as allowed more Bttns on table. Still a decent game just need to keep it manageable.

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  2. Thanks for the interesting and helpful posts

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  3. Really interested to see how this played - CD has always been tucked away on my shelf "under played" - I like it but cannot seem to be able to popularise it with my friends

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    1. It has a certain level of unit representation which some dislike. If you want a tank to equal one tank with varied armour values/turret facings/varied damage and suchlike then not a set for such lower level intricacies but if you want to 'simulate' command and combined arms tactics at a higher level then it works pretty well overall. But nothing is ever perfect :-)

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