OT: Operational Combat System [Boardgames]

[fulcrum28]

I wonder if there are some TOAW4 players that also enjoy playing classical board games such as Operational Combat System (OCS)
https://mmpgamers.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=9

Most of them are also in vassal system so they dont need to be deployed physically (which is useful for large ones such Case Blue). Do you still enjoy board games? Do you still play both types of games?

[golden delicious]

I played Reluctant Enemies with Colin Wright a few years back and honestly we found it pretty cumbersome. Given that this was supposed to be a light game to introduce the ruleset I wasn't inspired to try any of the others.

Maybe it's a generational thing; by the time I was interested in serious wargaming computers were ready to do all the hard work, and in any case I rarely meet people willing to play board wargames in person. I play plenty of other boardgames, but they need to be simple enough that they can just flow without having to check the rule book every two minutes.

[nepos2]

Hello Fulcrum!

I love board games and still buy them from time to time but havent actually set-up and played one against another human being in ages. Fulfilling enough just open the box and look at the map and counters! Board games got soul...

Regards,
Henrik

[fulcrum28]

Thank you for your comments and insights.

Golden delicious>
yes the hardest point to deal with when playing solo OCS is the supply system, each unit needs to be resupplied individually when moving/firing so it is realistic but time consuming in a larger scenario.
Simonitch games like Stalingrad '42 are simpler from the supply view point.

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/255 ... ember-1942

Nepos2>
Yes I think our brains suggest that play PC wargames is wiser and more efficient, but the beauty of board/counters conquests our souls from time to time

[golden delicious]

ORIGINAL: fulcrum28

Thank you for your comments and insights.

Golden delicious>
yes the hardest point to deal with when playing solo OCS is the supply system, each unit needs to be resupplied individually when moving/firing so it is realistic but time consuming in a larger scenario.
Simonitch games like Stalingrad '42 are simpler from the supply view point.

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/255 ... ember-1942

I really think board games need to be simple enough that you can get through them in a couple of evenings at most- otherwise it becomes a chore. Colin and I also played this one; it was short enough that we zipped through three or four runs in as many days and were still enjoying ourselves at the end:
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/330 ... s-campaign

(in case you're wondering, Colin won all of them)

[jmlima]

ORIGINAL: golden delicious

ORIGINAL: fulcrum28

Thank you for your comments and insights.

Golden delicious>
yes the hardest point to deal with when playing solo OCS is the supply system, each unit needs to be resupplied individually when moving/firing so it is realistic but time consuming in a larger scenario.
Simonitch games like Stalingrad '42 are simpler from the supply view point.

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/255 ... ember-1942

I really think board games need to be simple enough that you can get through them in a couple of evenings at most- otherwise it becomes a chore. Colin and I also played this one; it was short enough that we zipped through three or four runs in as many days and were still enjoying ourselves at the end:
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/330 ... s-campaign

(in case you're wondering, Colin won all of them)

Highly recommend this one:
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/120 ... ican-front

[golden delicious]

ORIGINAL: jmlima

Highly recommend this one:
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/120 ... ican-front

For consideration in the unlikely event that I ever meet another wargamer in person again.

[Zovs]

At one point I owned over 500 board war games from Avalon Hill to XRT (i.e. a-z, had a crap ton of SPI, GDW, DG, Command, S&T, Compass, GMT, Gamers, MMP etc.).

Now all that is left is my vast ASL collection.

I have pretty much switched to computer war gaming. In particular the JTS series from Napoleonic Wars, the Civil War, Panzer Campaigns and Panzer Battles as well as the Modern war series are where I am finding myself spending more and more time playing.

I can let the computer handle the complexities of supply and detailed combat routines and can instead focus on strategy and tactics of each system.

If I do need a good divisional level game I have WitE2 and WitW and still have DG CWIE 2.

For tactical itches I love Shrapnel's Steel Panthers WW2 and MBT.

But I have no room and really no desire to pick up a 24-120 page rule book in order to play a game and I find the JTS games in many ways surpasses all that board war games can offer.

Just my point of view.

[golden delicious]

ORIGINAL: Zovs

But I have no room and really no desire to pick up a 24-120 page rule book in order to play a game and I find the JTS games in many ways surpasses all that board war games can offer.

Definitely from a playability perspective. There's something irreplaceable about sitting across from your opponent, moving the pieces by hand and making the die rolls- but this is best kept to the simpler games which one can quickly pick up and run with.

[Lobster]

Unboxing a new game, the tweezers, the dice box, the sheets of plastic, a 4x8 piece of plywood, the flourescent light to hit your head on, rules disputes, tea floods, cats, kids and a yelling wife. Ah, those were the days. [:D]

I think one of her most often yelled sentences was, "When are you going to be done down there?". Uh...never is what I thought in my brain thing. Soon™ is what came out of my mouth. [:'(]

[nepos2]

ORIGINAL: Lobster
I think one of her most often yelled sentences was, "When are you going to be done down there?". Uh...never is what I thought in my brain thing. Soon™ is what came out of my mouth. [:'(]

[:D]

[altipueri]

I've still got a 80 year old copy of Dover Patrol :

https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/2606/dover-patrol

I also have Tri-Tactics - but never played it

[r6kunz]

Nice memories, guys.
I sold off my board games a couple of years ago to Noble Knights, Madison, WI. I did not get much except knowing they would not end up in a dumpster someday.

I still have my full set of Strategy & Tactics magazines, sentimental. (FYI I would consider selling them for $100 to cover my cost for packaging and postage).
and the complete Moves mgazine. Including an article by yours truly. (my C&GS paper, Solitare Firefight used as a training exercise for my platoon leaders. ($50).

Sentimental value: A&H Afrika Korps, my intro to war games with Sterling Hart (late designer of SPI Kursk) on a CPX in Germany. And Panzer Blitz played too many hours in grad school at UW.

Thanks for starting this post...

[Magpius]

Strategy and Tactics magazines were THE BEST. I played Operation Cobra endlessly.

[sPzAbt653]

My collection is down to just these few. I never sold any of mine off, but many have gone missing over the years [:(]

The glass skull at upper right is filled with pieces from Global War [:)]

[nepos2]

Many gems in that shelf! I bet that Kampfgruppe is not played that much any more! Game of the Year in 1985!!! 😁

Regards,

Henrik

[sPzAbt653]

Kampfgruppe is a 1985 computer wargame designed by Gary Grigsby

I didn't know it was a Grigsby game! It certainly had one of the greatest all time box covers!

[sPzAbt653]

Omgosh somebody posted a playthru:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYM_6i0PecI

It's hilariously old. The first minute plus is just setting it up so skip to 1:08 for the 'action'.

Oh dear, horrifying graphics! But who needs fancy in 1985?

[nepos2]

'action' indeed 😁! The sound effects made my day!