"action cards for TSATF how they work?" Topic

hello
as title subjest..
i bought some nice sets of cards from TVAG
the " generic" one and the most specific one for "The Sword in North Africa"..a friend of mine purchased the one for Sudan…but we weren't able to understand how they work and also the explication provided in each desk did'nt hel us..i'm only able to understand the content of the specific card "add plus one to mélée " ecc..and that some are reserved for natives and other for Imperial/Colonial troops..but what else?..when to draw them?..how many each turn?..in which phase (movment/fire?)..one for each unit?..and for each side?
plaese if somebody who ha tried them has the patience to explain me how he use it..and please explain me as if i was stupid..
many thanks

There are a couple of options.

One I have used is when a joker comes up, draw a card from the event deck.

I have also heard of giving a small number of the cards to each player at the start of the game to be played at will.

The key is to limit the number used in a game.

Did you purchase the event cards or the action deck? If it's the event deck, then you can figure out how to incorporate those as you see fit. We use a D6 roll with a 5 or a 6 meaning that an event occurs, which really adds a lot of chaos to the game!

If you bought the action deck, then you draw a card for movement, move that side's unit that is shown on top of the card, then draw another card, and so on. Same with firing.

As aegiscg47 said, the action deck replaces the standard deck of cards. The top portion of each card tells whether an Imperial unit or a native unit moves while the bottom portion gives the result of gunfire casualties.

The event deck is used, sparingly, to add some color and excitement to your game, especially to the Darkest Africa style games.

Just experiment around with them and you'll get the hang of using them.

Jim

Dear Italwars,

Sorry if between the tiny font and my convoluted English I failed to explain the various ways these decks can be used.

If you wish, feel free to contacting me at TVAG@att.net and I will be glad to answer any questions you may still have, but the Gentlemen Gamers who have already posted have all given excellent ideas and advice.

At your service,
TVAG

Thanks VCarter, Aegisc47, ColCampell for your suggestions and advices based on experimented games..i'll put on paper and experiment with them..
Aegisc47 i purchased the "generic" Action Desk and the "Event Deck Instructions" for Foreign Legion in North Africa..
so for what i understand from your kind explications i have to limit, in order to avoid overcrowed tables and unrealistic game, the numeber to cards drawn..and, according to Aegisc47, the deck of those cards replace the standard action deck card…unfortunatly i continue to understand practically nothing..as i still cannot decide if i have to draw: a card for each side OR a card for each unit? and..in which phase of the turn (movment/firing)..
Dear TVAG..thanks for your answer and offer to explain me more on PM..in fact the problem is certainly MY English..i find the idea under the cards together with their graphic and choosing of conflicts (Sudan, Legion in N.A,ec..) very interesting..and, once understood the mechanism, i'll certainly place another order for other deck..
i'll write you soon..thanks again

ITALWARS, The sequence depends on the deck.

Event Deck: I will go through the deck prior to the game and only pick from the deck which cards will fit this scenario so we don't pick cards that won't make sense to that game. These cards will make up my "Event Deck' for this particular game. When we use the "Event Deck" we only pull one card at a time. We either roll a D6 at the beginning of each movement phase and if a 6 is rolled we pull one card for that turn. That card will be used during that turn only depending on what is stated on that card. If a 6 isn't rolled then there is no "Event" card pulled that turn.

Action Deck: For the "Action Deck" you would use this deck in place of a standard card deck. When you are in the movement phase you pull an "Action Deck" card as normal and that sides force moves a unit, none of the other notes on the card matter at this time. You keep pulling cards until all the units have moved, burned their move, of the halt card is pulled. Once the movement is done you shuffle the deck and pull a card to see which side fires first. The dice are rolled and you would pull one card for each hit to see what the effect of this fire is based on the card. Pull another card to see which sides fires next, and repeat above. Continue until all the units have fired. You are now done with the fire phase and are ready for the next phase of the turn, Melee. Once completed, morale rolled as needed, Reshuffle the deck and prepare for your next movement phase. It's usually around this time that I would crack another beer!

That's how we've been utilizing these very fun decks. The "Dynamite" and "Terrain" decks are cool too. I've had friends who've made their own decks many years ago that we still use today as well.

Cheers,
JB
sgtguinness.blogspot.com

Thanks a lot Sgt Guiness…tomorrow night i'll have a game and have another try with the cards..i'll read with attention your kind explanations
regards

I replace a regular deck of cards with the action deck, as the Sarge does, but I use the regular deck for casualties.

Me too -- "Action" deck for who moves and who fires, regular deck of 52 cards for determining casualties.