Matrix Games Forums

Hi there!
When is it possible to inspect enemy stacks?

a) always
b) only spotted stacks
c) never

Thx.

As far as I know : always. There is no rule forbiding you to inspect stacks.

JeF. (who posts again about a game he doesn't own ... yet)

Look at them whenever you want. I've never been a fan of "Don't inspect stacks" or hidden units.

Best,

Mark

Thx!

Actually, at WBC I tried a new rule, "You must pay the stack's owner a cold Sam Adams in order to inspect the stack." Unfortunately, it didn't work out.

Best,

Mark

ORIGINAL: markhwalker

Actually, at WBC I tried a new rule, "You must pay the stack's owner a cold Sam Adams in order to inspect the stack." Unfortunately, it didn't work out.

Best,

Mark

Were you playing with the wrong crowd?!?[:D] Sounds fine by me!

ORIGINAL: markhwalker

Look at them whenever you want. I've never been a fan of "Don't inspect stacks" or hidden units.

Best,

Mark

Any chance of a rule amendment on this, I can agree with inspecting stacks with in L.O.S but as far as hidden/no L.O.S I find it gammy

Hi Sarge,

ORIGINAL: Sarge
Any chance of a rule amendment on this, I can agree with inspecting stacks with in L.O.S but as far as hidden/no L.O.S I find it gammy

I know that Mark won't change. Nothing prevents you to add a house rule for not inspecting non spotted hexes for example.

On the other hand LnL is a game not Real Life (God forbid !), so we act gamey by playing it. You can go further and play blind, writing hidden movements on sheets of paper. Or using the unit display sheet (on the LnL download section) for not spotted units, hiding your real counters behind cardboard screens. Everything is possible. I'm sure Mark wouldn't mind.

Sure, I'm pulling your legs, but I guess you get the idea. [;)]
To each his own. I like the rules as they are. I must admit my inexperience when it comes to face-to-face wargames. I may change my mind after an opponent systematically inspected all of my stack every turn.

Cheers,

JeF.

This goes back to the SL (Squad Leader) days where you could have concealed units on the board and your opponent was forbidden to inspect those stacks until they were spotted by moving next to them, firing at them and shaking them, or them opening fire on you. As a mechanic I agree with the rule, but do not like the burden it places on players. For L'n'L, lets keep it a house rule.

Jim

As a mechanic I agree with the rule, but do not like the burden it places on players. For L'n'L, lets keep it a house rule.

Yeah, Jim that's basically my stand. But LnL's spotting rules also mitigate the "omnipresent gamer" syndrom. Furthermore, this has never been an issue with folks I've played. And as a designer, I need to weigh the impact/value of any rule against the cost in playing time, memorization time, etc. So, for me, inspecting stacks doesn't require a rule.

Best,

Mark

I still don't see how this is a burden to have alternative rule for the players who do like the idea.

Yes I uderstand the whole house rule,but have found over years of playing ASL house rules are ALWAYS interpreted different ways from player to player. Short of printing up the house rule I find it hard to keep players to follow by the letter.

Ok from the lack of a reply, I guess this is set in stone then.

[:(]

ORIGINAL: Sarge

I still don't see how this is a burden to have alternative rule for the players who do like the idea.

Yes I uderstand the whole house rule,but have found over years of playing ASL house rules are ALWAYS interpreted different ways from player to player. Short of printing up the house rule I find it hard to keep players to follow by the letter.

That is the beauty of a house rule. It is set before the game starts and agreed upon by both players beforehand. If there is an interpetation problem it is a lack of communications between the players.

Jim Merson

That is the beauty of a house rule. It is set before the game starts and agreed upon by both players beforehand. If there is an interpetation problem it is a lack of communications between the players.

Yeah. I see where you are coming from, but I'll never include a rule like that. I just don't think it's an issue. In fact, I played a game FtF this weekend, and never felt the need to examine the opponent's stacks. I just think it is a very small thing.

Best,

Mark

Well, whoever likes it can do it.

I am not sure whether it makes a big difference to put some game of Memory into LnL too.

Maybe it would make some kind of difference, when the forces would start the game as numbered markers with corresponding boxes aside - hidden from the opponent - and first placement happens when spotted in either way ... this could be overloaded with dummies too...

But finally it works great the way it is right now