"In the Stans, a Mini-Campaign" Topic

Howdy,

Thinking of working out a mini-campaign inspired by contemporary events. The game will take place in the conterfactual Condom province.

As currently conceived, Blue Forces consist of a reinforced "regiment" with a headquarters and four infantry companies. They will have limited engineer, air, and artillery support.

Red forces, the insurgents, are generated somewhat randomly, and will generally be lightly armed, but with the potential for some heavier weapons (AAMG, mortars, LMG, and recoiless rifles).

Thinking to use a deck of regular playing cards to run the game.

Shown below is a current draft of the map:

Miniatures battles will be fought when Blue forces and insurgents occupy the same space.

More to come …

Ponder on,

JAS

Intriguing. Rules for air insertion, insurgents evading (even if same space), and weather?

Howdy,

Yes. Working on that now. Updates will follow.

I will probably run a playtest via email, once I get a workable draft done.

Ponder on,

JAS

Very interesting, and right up my alley. I'm doing all kinds of weird, asymmetric modern stuff lately.

Do you have blog where you'll be stowing all this? I'd love to follow your progress.

On a side note, I'd say a HQ, four rifle companies, with some support, is a battalion-sized task force, not a regiment.

V/R,
Jack

Howdy,

I'm thinking to use the mini-campaign as a scenario within another project. So, I used to the term regiment, rather than battalion, deliberately.

If anybody is interesting in helping to playtest, drop me a line. My email: jescarbo AT yahoo DOT com. Please no SPAM.

I will reply with PDFs of write up and map. All I ask is that you provide useful feedback from your experiences.

Ponder on,

JAS

JAS,

Sorry about the battalion vice regiment thing, I hope I didn't come off as a @#$%, that wasn't my intent.

I've got a solo campaign with Western forces covering a border area, with insurgents on both sides of the border, trying to keep more from entering and to get rid of the ones already here.

I think this would fit your mini-campaign; would a solo playtest be of any use to you? What do you need in terms of playtesting?

V/R,
Jack

Howdy,

No worries re BN vs. Regt.

As written currently, "Into the Stans" could be played solitare, but is intended for a Referee and a Blue Force player. However, using a referee will enhance the impact of limited intelligence.

I'd glad to send it to you. Drop me an email.

Ponder on,

JAS

Ponder:
This looks very interesting. At what level will most of the battles be fought? Are these to be squad level skirmishes, platoon level skirmishes or company/combat team battles? How will minis be based? Individually, in fire teams, as squads or will bases represent other larger sized units?

Will this be an infantry heavy system or will it feature mechanized units and armour? What about artillery, aero weapons and CAS rules?

I am looking forward to seeing how this develops! Keep us informed of you progress and try and give us some insights into your game design philosophy and parameters.

Cheers and good gaming.
Rod Robertson.

Howdy,

Ok, here is a teaser:

As currently configured, the mechanics are straight forward. The objective of the game is to generate miniatures battles that have some connection to an ongoing narrative. And, of course, have fun doing it.

You need a referee and a Blue Force player, you could add a Red Force player if desired.

A campaign turn consists of four sequential phases:
(i) card draw, (ii) movement, (iii) scouting, and (iv) battle. Lather, rinse, repeat. So one turn, one card draw is a day. Going through the deck is a month.

Each turn draw a card from a regular deck of playing cards with two jokers included:

If black, the Blue player moves.
If red diamond, the Red player moves.
If red heart, roll for additional insurgents.

Additionally, if draw an Ace or Deuce, score Heart & Minds (H&M). Ace score for Blue, while Deuce score for Red.

If draw a joker, immediately draw a second card for the turn. If drawing the second joker, reshuffle the deck, and continue.

Generally Blue Force units may make either a cautious or hasty move. If moving hasty you may get ambushed. There is always some risk of an IED attack when moving.

Let me know if interested …

Ponder on,

JAS

Yes, this sounds promising. Please keep us appraised of the details!

-Will

Howdy,

Revised Map:

Ponder on,

JAS

Howdy,

15mm Afghan figures soon to be used for modern tactical scenarios. The project is moving forward, however slowly.

Figures painted by Mike Murphy.

Enjoy,

JAS

Looking good man. Have you played any fights yet?

V/R,
Jack

Howdy Jack,

Not yet. Still getting organized. Throw in a move from WV to MD, and if not for "mercenaries" (figures painted on commission) – I'm lucky to have made any progress at all.

I have the US forces painted and based, and will be basing the Afghans through April.

I know there are historical miniatures gamers here locally (Frederick, Maryland), but I have not yet made contact. The TMP locator shows only long inactive folks.

The other front I am pursuing on this has a more Sci-Fi flavor, Mecha Decision a variant for CDTOB (Command Decision). The thrust there is a more operational game, rather than low-level, tactical games. This in 10mm scale (why 10mm? Because I really liked the Dropzone Commander figure ranges).

Ponder on,

JAS

Well dammit, I'm looking forward to some fight! And not some crazy sci-fi stuff, neither ;)

What figures are you using for the US troops, more Flytrap Factory? And I used to live in Maryland, out in Elkridge. You should have stayed in WV ;)

Good luck, and like I said, I'm looking forward to seeing this get going once you find the time.

V/R,
Jack

Jack,

Well, Mecha Decision will be a variant for Command Decision – Test of Battle. CD works really well for tactical gaming at the battalion and brigade level – and is readily adaptable for campaign (operational) gaming.

We did a nifty refight of the Tannenberg campaign from 1914 a couple of years ago. It's not everybody's cup of tea, but I like it. It recognizes that maneuver is at the heart of warfare – a concept most games fail to recognize. Also has some simple (elegant-?) rules to support combined arms (aka rock-paper-scissors) as integral to modern warfare.

Ponder on,

JAS

Excellent! I had Command Decision but sold it a few years ago. I liked it, but prefer Blitzkrieg/Cold War Commander for that echelon. I agree wholeheartedly about maneuver, and look forward to this campaign getting rolling.

V/R,
Jack