Most of the SPI Games website keys off the game. But what if you are
looking for tips to play the games better? These are the articles I have
found that address specific tactics within a game.
Some are specific to a game, but realize many of these points are
transferable to other games. Clearly, the first articles are all about the
old standard move Fight games, and most of the tips revolve around
games with a ridged / sticky Zone of Control. Well, there are a LOT of those
games out there!
Further down, we see Tactical tips for Armor, using military doctrine of
the time - but much of that translates well to other ranged fire armor
games.
And below that, we get to TSS/GBACW - but realize many of the points
could be used in any game with leaders and porous Zones of Control / Facing.
And there are a WHOLE LOT of those after TSS showed us the way!
I hope you will enjoy these. (Also don't overlook
the Replay pages and the Video pages, listed on the main menu. Many of these
feature easy-to-see strategic choices with these games.)
Tips on Better Play |
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General |
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Basic Tactics
Tactics of the Advance
Formation Tactics
Broad Front Strategy
Defense / Offense Strategy |
Frederick Georgian provides four
articles - with lots of pictures - to teach basic tactics in
simulation games. He uses Blue & Gray and the
Napoleon at War Quads for examples. In doing so, he shows
players tactics developed from the cold reading of the rules - a
concept all players need.
Thus in the early article on Basic Tactics, you will see the
use of Artillery bombardment to create a diversionary attack,
meeting the Zone of Control requirement for attacking adjacent
units. You'll see how that will allow cutting off retreats by
staging your attacks; and the use of zones of control to impede an
enemy who need to overcome your forces to reach a victory point hex
guarded by your troops.
But as you can see from the titles, these
articles go on much further than that!
In the fifth article, Frederick moves
from tactical play, to using game objectives to develop strategy.
This of course is the difference between good players and great
players.
Enjoy! |
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Conservative Tactics |
Joe Angiolillo, a master gamer, explains how you can play effectively
and still conserve your forces! It is a subtle, but important concept,
and will go far in making you a much more competitive gamer! |
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Military Tactics P1
Military Tactics P2
Military Tactics P3 |
Thomas Pratuch reports for training duty to serve you three
articles drawn from the Army Tactical manuals, and see how to
translate that doctrine from reality to the simulation.
These
three
tactical articles use real life examples for simulation games,
drawing on Pratuch's experiences. The article is all about use
of armor in the (then) modern day military, by a (then) serving
soldier. The game he uses to demo tank tanks?
Mech War 2. |
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Match Play Guide |
No other than Redmond Simonsen himself offers these
insights on conducting match play in wargames! |
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Arnhem |
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Arnhem: Which Way? |
John Hertz gives us a look at a
strategic choice for the German Turn 5 Reinforcements, with turn by
turn pictures in Arnhem! |
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Battle for the Ardennes
Quad |
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Notes for Battles for the Ardennes |
A few 'Player Notes' for the
Battles for the Ardennes Quad. These are courtesy of
Paul Sheppard. |
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Battle of the Wilderness |
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Notes on the Battle of the Wilderness |
Thoughts on the basic opening
points of the Blue & Gray II Quad entry of Battle of the
Wilderness. Paul Sheppard give insight to the particular
problems of a successful campaign in the Wilderness battles! |
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Cedar Mountain |
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Winning
with the Union |
Project manager for GBACW, and
developer of Cedar Mountain and Corinth, Eric
Lee Smith gives us his evaluation of how to win with the Union in
Cedar Mountain! |
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Strategic Considerations on Cedar Mountain |
A big problem for most gamers when new
to a game - understanding what you are trying to achieve. Here is a
look at the Cedar Mountain, from the GBACW system. By Russ
Gifford |
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Tactical
Considerations on Cedar Mountain |
Now - with the troops on the board,
how do you make those strategic goals happen? That requires tactical
expertise, which means, understanding the nuances of the rules. This
is a look at the use of guns and LOS in Cedar Mountain, from
the GBACW system. By Russ Gifford |
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Evaluating the Rules
Setting the Strategy
Making the Move
Considering Options |
1. Considering the Exclusive Rules for
Cedar Mountain.
2. Rules Determine Strategy
3. Making your Move - seeing command control in action.
4. Understanding LOS.These
tips use a visual approach - Lots of pictures. by Russ Gifford. |
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Open for Discussion: GBACW
Tactics |
Below is a series of short tips and
discussions of actual on-the-map tactics used by good players in the
TSS / Great Battles of the American Civil War system.
Many of the points may apply to any tactical level games, though,
from the original TAC games to Prestags
and on! |
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Movement
Strategies and Tactics in GBACW |
Tactical Maneuver in GBACW |
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Using Artillery Well in GBACW |
They are powerful weapons - but how do you use these guns wisely in
GBACW? |
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Effective Cavalry Tactics for GBACW |
Perhaps the most challenging units to use well in the
GBACW
system! |
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Melee Mastery for GBACW |
Is melee a wise move in TSS/GBACW? Often it is the
only move. How do you know the difference? |
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Leadership Lessons for GBACW |
Best practices using leaders in GBACW. |
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Pea Ridge |
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The Union Left in Pea Ridge
A Visual Demo |
So, what's YOUR plan for
the Union left in Pea Ridge?
Russ Gifford and Greg Laubach have a lengthy discussion on the use
of Bussey in what may be the best of the GBACW games. |
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Pea Ridge Strategies - the Big View |
Once Pea Ridge starts rolling, then what? Gifford
and Laubach's discussion on how Pea Ridge develops offers a deeper
review of the game. |