Testing Platoon Level Rules (BA, CoC & others)

[Edleland]

Folks,

As some of you know, there's abit of of a contentious thread going on about the differences between CoC and Bolt Action over on TMP here: TMP link

One of the (many) issues is that one of the folks posting is basing his opinions on a single play of CoC using the situation from Fury (1 Tiger vs 5 Shermans) as his test scenario. He was roundly criticized for this, but it got me thinking about how to devise a scenario that would stress different subsystems in a rules set and give some basis for comparison.

So, I think I'm going to take this on as a Blog project – take one rules system a month and 1) write up an overview of the rules then 2) run the test scenario using the rules resulting in a detailed write up of how the scenario was translated into that rules set, what happened and why. Who knows, someone might actually be able to make informed decisions based on it instead of reflexively buying everything that comes out at this level (like me ;-) ). There are certainly plenty of candidates out there (Bolt action, CoC, Twat, Disposable Heroes, Combat Patrol, Victory Decision, Final Assault, even K47… ).

So, what I'd like out of you guys, especially those of you familiar with multiple rules sets, is some feed back on my proposed test scenario. Is there anything that needs to be added, deleted or changed? Please let me know! Anyway, here it is…

Thanks!
Ed

Platoon Rules Test Scenario – May 1942, East of Vyazma, Russia.

This scenario a German local counterattack against a Soviet 2nd echelon penentrating unit, so both sides will be attacking to defeat the enemy and drive them from the battlefield.

All units are the same quality (average/regular/normal/etc.) except where noted.

The Germans should have better leadership/command & control if the rules allow it.

The Soviets should have better morale (i.e. ability to absorb losses and still function) at the unit and overall levels if the rules allow it.

German Reconnaissance Platoon

Platoon Commander w/SMG
Platoon Sergeant w/SMG

5cm Mortar team

3 squads, each with: NCO w/SMG, team with MG34 & 3 men, team with 5 men (Bolt Action Rifles)

Understrength Pionier Squad (Elite/Veteran/Superior/etc.) with: NCO w/SMG, team with MG34 & 3 men, team with 6 men (Bolt Action Rifles) [Count as being Anti-Tank troops]

FO with 8cm Mortar Platoon offboard

SdKfz 222 Armored Car


Soviet Rifle Platoon

Platoon Commander w/Pistol

4 squads, each with: DP LMG (2 crew) & 8 men (Bolt Action Rifles)

Partisan Squad (Green/Inexperienced/Inferior/etc.) with: NCO w/Bolt Action Rifle, 11 men (Bolt Action Rifle)

Maxim MMG team

Sniper

Anti-Tank Rifle team

T-26 M39 Tank

[vodkafan]

I would certainly be interested to see what conclusions you might come up with, or what fun or problems you had along the way! What is your blog address? I didn't see it on your post anywhere.

[Edleland]

Vodkafan,

My blog is at www.ratspatrol.com . Hopefully this will give me some material to post more regularly... :-)

Thanks!
Ed

[DonFabrizio]

interesting idea!

[Marine0846]

Interested on how this turns out.
For the last year or so I have been thinking along these same lines.
Play Bolt Action, CoC or a set of rules I wrote myself.
I like a lot of things about the three of the them.
It came down to how many players play which set of rules.
Around here that was Bolt Action.
So that is what I went with.