GREY STORM, RED STEEL:
A Detailed Description

• Design Intent
• From Groups to Companies
• Scenarios
• The Sequence of Play
• Orders and Activities
• Movement
• Concealment and Spotting
• Fire Combat
• Air Power
• Close Combat
• Morale
• Other Rules

These miniatures rules cover not just World War Two, but focus on a particular theater within that conflict -- the Russian Front.

Under these rules, each model soldier or vehicle represents one actual soldier or vehicle. The individual soldiers, however, are placed on bases in groups of 2-4 figures. The number of figures per base, and the size of the base, depend upon the nature of the infantry group (i.e., rifle, machinegun, mortar, and so forth). Leaders are individually based. The "groups" (stands) of infantry are then organized according to actual historical organizations.

Prior to play, all troops must be given a classification, reflecting their battle effectiveness. The rankings are:

Before play begins, all leaders must also be assigned a Leadership Value (LV).

Scenarios may be umpire-designed, or constructing using a points system. (No pre-designed scenarios come with the rulebook.)

When using the points system, first the players must agree on the scenario type:

• Breakthrough Attack - A formal attack, usually preceded by a planned bombardment, with the intent to destroy a fortified enemy position and exploit into the enemy rear.
• Attack - Less formal and ambitious version of the Breakthrough Attack, using fewer resources.
• Advance - One force must manoeuvre across the field of play in order to reach a distant objective, against a defending force of unknown composition.
• Meeting Engagement - Collision of two forces on the move, with neither side prepared.
• Counter Attack - A limited attack, usually with the advantage of surprise, in order to regain ground or repulse an enemy (or both).
• Mobile Defensive Battle - Defending Germans throw in a mobile reserve in order to halt an enemy advance, usually attacking the flank or the enemy line of communications.

Players then agree on the year, the general geography (i.e., Open Steppe, etc.), and the basic point value for each side. Each player then rolls on the table for that scenario type, to determine the modifier to multiply against his basic point value. Modifiers apply due to weather, nationality, and game year.

Each troop type has a basic cost, which varies by nationality. Modifiers apply to this price, due to experience, special training, and special morale considerations. The cost for AFVs depends on the type (tank vs. assault gun) and armour, with weaponry purchased independently. Points can also buy pre-game bombardments (by artillery or airpower), field defenses, random air patrols (Soviet only), and fighter cover.

Once forces have been purchased, the players randomly determine the weather and start time of the battle. Deployment rules vary by scenario type. Players are encouraged to determine for themselves, based on the scenario type, clearly defined objectives (and to compare notes after the battle).

Unless a scenario type dictates particular victory conditions, the rules propose that players determine victory based on the objectives they assigned themselves prior to the battle. Alternately, for balanced-points games only, victory may be determined according to points awarded for units destroyed, casualties, captured equipment, etc.

The game is played in turns, each of which is shared by both players. The turn is made up of these steps:

During the Activity Phase, units perform actions known as Activities. These include:

Activities are assigned by units, and one unit performs its Activity before another unit can take its turn. The definition of a "unit" varies by nationality and troop type:

Normally, a unit can perform only one Activity per turn. However, tanks and anti-tank guns are special cases. The player has the option of making an Armour Initiative dieroll for each such unit per turn. The roll is modified by year and nationality, training levels, the Command and Control rating of the AFV, bad morale, immobilisation, and communications. As a result of the dieroll, the unit might gain up to two bonus Activities for the turn, or it might lose all activity for the turn. If a unit chooses to Watch and Shoot, it may hold its remaining actions for later.

German units are assigned Activities freely during the Activity Phase, one at a time. Soviet units, however, are assigned their Activities during the Soviet Orders Phase. If the Soviet Player is the Second Player, during the Activity Phase he may attempt to change his orders. A dieroll is made per attempt, modified by presence of leaders, training levels, troop type and morale. The Soviet player may also make a dieroll for leaderless units, to see if they will take action on their own.

If a unit is Out of Communications, it can only be given Activities that allow it to restore communications. For the Germans, all stands within an infantry squad must remain within 25 meters of each other. German tanks and heavy weapons can operate individually. For the Soviets, each group in an infantry squad must remain within 10 meters of another group, and each squad must be within 25 meters of another squad in its platoon. Soviet vehicles must keep within 30 meters of another vehicle in its unit, and each platoon must be within 50 meters of another platoon in its company. Soviet heavy weapons can operate individually, or be attached to another unit.

The Hold Order does allow the Soviet Player a slight reprieve from an otherwise dismal command-and-control situation. An officer can issue a Hold order to entire units or to individual squads. Once a unit has a Hold order, it can remain in place without regard to communications distances.

Movement is fairly straightforward. The basic movement rate is determined by a unit's Activity, modified by weather (rasputitsa/mud, frost, snow), terrain, and troop type (infantry, mounted troops, man-portable or man-handled heavy weapons, tracked vehicles, wheeled vehicles, and horse-drawn vehicles). For movement purposes, tracked vehicles are classified as either "fast" or "average."

Terrain comes in two flavors: bad and good. Bad terrain includes woods, forest, marsh/swamp, and built-up areas. Depending on unit type, bad terrain may restrict movement by half or prohibit movement entirely. Roads and tracks allow wheeled vehicles to move at double rate, but provide no movement bonus to other troop types.

Optional rules allow vehicles or heavy weapons to become bogged down in mud, and for bogged vehicles to be pulled free by other vehicles.

Players may choose between three systems for handling concealment and hidden troops:

• Open Deployment - No concealed units.
• Hidden Defender Deployment - The defender only places his units on the tabletop when they move, fire, or are detected by the attacker.
• Hidden Defender Counters - The defender places counters on the tabletop for each of his units, plus a few "dummy" counters. Actual units replace the counters when they move, fire, or are detected by the attacker.

If the counters option is being used, the attacker has the chance to obtain limited information about the unit represented by the counter. A dieroll - modified by terrain, distance, and type of unit spotting - determines whether the player receives a "suitably vague" description (the target's unit class, such as "infantry" or "heavy weapon") or no information at all.

Even when a unit is revealed on the tabletop, an enemy cannot fire upon that target until the first unit has "spotted" the target. Range to the target and the target's troop type determine the Spotting Score, which the spotting units must roll equal to or less than on a d10. The dieroll is modified by:

• field of view (it's harder to spot something behind you, especially if you're in a tank)
• training levels of observer
• movement (by target or observer)
• observer's troop type (sniper, heavy weapons crew, etc.)
• observer's Command and Control rating (tanks only)
• presence of leaders
• terrain and concealment
• weather and visibility
• whether target is firing
• friendly units firing on target
• notification of target existence (communications)
• target in cover, camouflage, partially hidden, or in field defenses

Once a unit is spotted, it remains detected until it moves out of sight.

According to the designer, "Soviet camouflage was often of a higher standard than the German camouflage." Therefore, Soviets receive a higher bonus when concealed.

Rules allow for units to listen for the enemy, which can reveal approximate direction and distance of enemy forces. Also covered are target location at night and battlefield illumination (burning objects, flares, rockets, and support fire).

Fire combat comes in three forms in these rules: direct fire (small-arms fire), anti-tank fire, and support fire (artillery and mortars).

Direct Fire

A stand can fire at a target if the target is within range and within the arc of fire of the firer. (Exception: Units on Watch and Shoot can pivot to fire at spotted targets outside of their arc of fire.) Turrets may face different directions than the hulls of their vehicles, in which case the vehicle has two arcs of fire.

When a small-arms attack is made, it affects a beaten zone centered around the target. The size of this zone depends upon the combined fire factors of all stands participating in the attack. However, if the target is so close that the zone includes any of the firing units, the zone is adjusted further away.

One die roll is now made for the entire attack, modified by training levels, current Activity, morale state, weapon type, casualty levels, range, target type and movement, visibility, and the degree to which the target has already received accurate fire. The modified die roll, correlated against total fire factors, determines the fire result:

• Intense Fire
• Heavy Fire
• Accurate Fire
• Desultory Fire
• No Effect

Unless the result was "no effect," a die is then rolled for each stand even partially within the beaten zone. The roll is modified due to cover, and for stands at the edges of the beaten zone. The result depends upon the troop type and the original fire result:

Since separate rolls are made for weapons crews (infantry) and their heavy weapons (equipment), it is possible to destroy an anti-tank gun without injuring its crew.

Also depending upon the original firing result as well as the target's training level, the target may receive a morale penalty.

Anti-Tank Fire

Attacks versus armoured vehicles are treated in a different fashion. Weapons ordinarily capable of successfully attacking tanks are other tanks, anti-tank guns, light anti-tank weapons, heavy weapons, and artillery. Special rules allow any infantry to attack with "improvised anti-tank weapons" (grenades, mines, and Molotov cocktails).

Once the target has been spotted, a dieroll is made to see if it can be hit. The base chance depends upon range and the firing weapon's type. This is modified due to training level, morale state, firer's situation (i.e., moving, on Watch and Shoot, under fire from a significant threat, etc.), visibility, target motion and cover, and whether this is a first shot at a newly spotted target.

If a hit is scored, a chart is consulted to compare the shot's penetration power versus the vehicle's armor. All armored vehicles have armor ratings for their front and flank, ranging from Inadequate to Superior. The Armour Penetration Chart lists individual weapons and their penetration ability at different ranges.

A dieroll is then made to determine the final result of the hit. A bonus or penalty applies, depending on the penetration power of the shot versus the vehicle's armor. Special modifiers apply for hand-held weapons and certain German troop types. As a result of the roll, the target is either destroyed, immobilised, or suffers no damage.

Knocked-out tanks might catch fire. Tank crews may abandon their immobilised vehicles.

A tank may also be successfully attacked by non-anti-tank weapons, due to a Hit result from Direct Fire combat (see above). In this case, a dieroll is made, modified by the original firing result, weapon type, vehicle type, and direction of fire. The result is compared against the vehicle's armor rating to determine whether the vehicle is Immobilised or Destroyed.

Support Fire

Any fire coming from off-table sources, such as artillery, mortars, or rockets, is termed Support Fire. The German and Russian armies differ significantly in their methods of controlling support fire.

The German player can take advantage of two types of support fire:

• Pre-Planned Bombardment - Only the attacker can use this, and it occurs after set-up but before the first turn of the game.
• Response Fire - Support fire requested during the course of the game.

Response Fire can be requested by any German troops, though an artillery observation post (OP) is likely to receive a swifter response (if the mission is approved).

The Russian player can take advantage of two types of support fire:

• Pre-Planned Bombardment - Only the attacker can use this, and it occurs after set-up but before the first turn of the game.
• Response Fire - The Russian player qualifies for regimental support in scenarios when he is defending from prepared positions or making certain types of attacks. He then receives an observation and fire control post (usually entrenched), which can request response fire. Other Russian troops can report potential targets to the OP.

Response Fire Procedures. All armies use the same methods for calling in response fire, though the tables and modifiers vary.

First, communications must be established with the firing battery - via runner, radio, telephone, or pre-arranged flares. Then, a dieroll determines if the mission is approved, and if so, the delay before it is implemented (from no delay to 4 turns). This dieroll is modified due to troop experience, nationality, and game year. Defenders in prepared positions receive a bonus when requesting fire against pre-designated Final Defensive Fire (FDF) targets.

Resolving Support Fire. The area of effect is determined by the type of mission being fired (pre-planned vs. response), the guns involved (larger area for heavier guns or rockets), and the direction of fire. Pre-planned and Final Defensive Fire missions are always on target, but for other missions a dieroll determines the actual aiming point. Accuracy penalties apply to targets that lack an identifiable feature ("...a bare spot on the steppe is not an identifiable feature"). The type of guns firing and the game year determine the Fire Factor.

A roll is made on the Fire Effects Table for every target within the artillery area of effect. The normal Fire Effects Table modifiers do not apply; instead, there are modifiers due to climate (winter, mud) and for pre-planned bombardments.

Continuing Fire. On subsequent turns, the response fire may continue if communications can be maintained with the firing battery. Bonuses to the accuracy dieroll help off-target missions find their mark; fire can also be adjusted 100 metres per turn.

However, reflecting crew fatigue and ammo limits, cumulative penalties apply to the Fire Effect of continuing artillery missions.

On-Table Indirect Fire. A simplified version of these rules applies to on-table units capable of indirect fire.

For the Germans, air support works in a similar manner to artillery support. A Luftwaffe Air Liaison Officer or Battalion HQ may request an air support mission. Communications must be established, and modifiers to the dieroll apply due to nationality and game year, nature of the target, requesting formation, and presence of Luftwaffe liaison officers. If the request is successful, the planes will arrive in 4-24 turns, and will linger for 1-4 turns.

When the mission is requested, the target and nature of the air support must be stated. Level bombing, dive bombing, "tank buster" and fighter (strafing) attacks are allowed.

The Russian player may receive pre-game air support (delivered after set-up, but before the first turn commences), or must depend on "random" support by aircraft on patrol, seeking targets of opportunity. Random support may consist of "tank busters" or fighters.

Players obtain air missions by paying points during scenario creation. In addition, either side may purchase Fighter Cover, which allows a saving roll to prevent enemy air support from occurring. The roll is modified by nationality and game year.

When air support missions occur, the planes must track their flight path across the tabletop. Anti-aircraft weapons may fire against all aircraft; small arms may fire (with reduced effectiveness) against low-level attacks. All weapons must be within range, have good morale (that is, not busy taking cover!), and qualified to fire (i.e., on Watch and Shoot orders, or not having moved or fired this turn, etc.).

Depending on the result of the anti-aircraft fire, a penalty may apply to the aircraft's attack dieroll.

Close combat is the combat system that allows units to fight while in base-to-base contact. There is a "standard" close combat system, as well as a variant system for street fighting.

Entering Close Combat. A unit attempts to enter close combat by taking a Close Assault action, enabling it to move into base-to-base contact with an enemy (if enemy Watch and Shoot fire doesn't drive it off). If the defender occupies a structure, the attacker need only gain contact with the structure.

If the action is successful, the defender must now roll dice to determine if he stands or flees. The dieroll is modified by troop experience, leaders, morale, and terrain. A unit that fails its roll will either Fall Back or Rout, and might surrender.

Resolving Close Combat. If any units remain in base-to-base contact during the Close Combat phase, then close combats can be resolved. Each combat consists of a contest between a single group and a single enemy group. Any friendly unit that is nearby but not itself involved in a close combat may provide support for a close combat engagement, but by doing so becomes subject to the results of that combat. A unit may support multiple close combats in the same turn.

The attacker and defender each determine their close combat score, which consists of the number of non-casualty figures on their stand (supporting units don't count), plus a dieroll, plus modifiers due to experience, morale, support, equipment, tactical situation, and results of any previous round of close combat.

The scores are then compared, with the higher score winning the round (ties are legal). Both sides then roll for casualties, with the losing side (if any) also susceptible to destruction on a bad roll. The losing side must also make a dieroll in order to avoid Routing, Falling Back, and possibly surrendering.

Leaving Close Combat. During the Activity Phase of the turn, a player can make a dieroll to attempt breaking a unit out of close combat. Troop experience and leadership modify the roll. A unit that successfully breaks out can fall back from the action.

Troops become Hesitant after close combat, until they successfully perform a Reorganise action.

Street Fighting. A variant close combat system is used when fighting takes place among large buildings of brick or concrete construction, with large areas of rubble. Buildings are 4" square, or made up of sections which are each 4" square. Each building or building section can contain 8 groups, though only half can fire from the same building side.

Troops attack a building by moving into contact with it using a Close Assault action, just as entering a standard close combat. The defender must test to stand and fight as usual.

During the Close Combat phase, one close combat is resolved for all fighting in the building or building section. The combat value is 1d10 plus modifiers, plus the larger side receives a bonus equal to its margin over the smaller side (counted in total groups, not figures). The modifiers are similar to the modifiers for standard close combat, but give less benefit to experienced troops, and recognize Soviet superiority in tactics during certain time frames.

The casualties table is also subtly different from the standard table. Indecisive Melees are more common, and casualties are more likely for the losing side.

Attackers that win a round of close combat may "break in" and enter the building. Once both sides are intermingled within the building, a roll is required at the start of each Close Combat phase to see if a lull occurs. No combat occurs during a lulled phase.

During the Morale Phase, units may be called upon to check Morale.

Infantry must check...

• due to a combat result
• if a nearby friendly unit retreats due to combat
• if they've unsuccessfully engaged AFVs in close combat

Armour must check...

• if under significant fire
• if a nearby friendly Armour unit retreats due to combat

The Morale Chart takes into effect troop experience and circumstances. Points are given for favourable circumstances and deducted for unfavourable circumstances, with the total determining if you roll on the favourable, neutral, or unfavourable column of the chart. Modifiers apply due to leadership, morale, and especially unfavourable circumstances.

The degree to which a unit fails to make its target number determines the morale penalty:

Units recover from a morale penalty by Rallying. A leader can attempt to rally attached troops during the Leader Activity phase, or any unit may attempt to rally during the Morale phase. The rally procedure is identical to a normal Morale test, except that the unit ignores any result worse than its current status. Leaders may apply modifiers due to leadership, entrenchments, and for not being under fire or in sight of the enemy.

Units that successfully rally must take a Rally action in the next Activity phase. While rallying, they are considered Halted, and only fire during the Other Fire phase.

Tank Panic applies to Poor or Inexperienced troops who fail a morale test in the presence of tanks, and adds a penalty to all morale rolls until the unit rallies. (Troops experienced with tanks are immune from this result.)

In scenario play, units may start the game with one of several Special Morale Considerations:

• Desperate - Brittle troops who receive a bonus to their morale rolls, but risk Demoralisation if they fail any morale tests.
• Determined - Resolute troops who receive a bonus to their morale rolls.
• Susceptible to Demoralisation - These troops must test for Demoralisation when they receive any adverse morale result.
• Demoralised - These troops receive a penalty to all morale tests.

If half or more of the Russian player's forces have been destroyed or are suffering from an adverse morale result, a Fight or Flight test must be made. The difficulty of the dieroll varies by game year. The roll determines whether remaining Russian units become Determined or Demoralised. The Fight or Flight roll is only made once per game.

Units operating on the edges of the tabletop - other than a side's home edge - are subject to random fire "from the flanks." This applies even to reinforcements entering the battle from other than the home edge.

"Heavy fire" units -- chiefly tanks, self-propelled guns, artillery, mortars, and heavy machineguns -- may run out of ammunition during the course of the game. Whenever such a unit rolls an unmodified "10" in combat, an ammunition check must be made. Modifiers apply due to nationality and game year, prepared positions, type of scenario, and previous replenishment. The result determines if the unit runs out of ammo immediately, has sufficient ammo for two more turns, or has no shortage. Ammunition parties or vehicles may replenish ammunition.

Certain units start the game with a limited amount of ammunition, or a limited amount of special-purpose ammunition. These include limitations on high explosive rounds for tank and anti-tank guns, smoke and illumination rounds for mortars and artillery, hand-held infantry anti-tank weapons, flamethrowers, demolitions, and Nebelwerfer and Katyusha rocket launchers.

The rules of Grey Storm, Red Steel also cover:

• snipers
• weather (blizzards, fog, etc.)
• night fighting
• scouts and pre-game intelligence (Soviets only)
• off-table reserves
• camouflage effects
• flamethrowers
• speculative fire
• overrun rules for tanks vs. infantry
• buildings, fire, rubble, bridges, trenches and barbed wire
• refugees and civilians
• "loss of control" due to looting (Soviets only)
• prisoners
• mines and mine-clearing
• demolitions
• smoke