Some solo thoughts
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Some solo thoughts
I read a post on TMP about someone asking for some solo suggestions to use for IABSM. The person suggested using CoC's usage of the patrol phase.... where instead of moving a unit under a blind, you are moving a deployment point under a blind. As soon as that blind is successfully "spotted," the deployment point is placed on the board, and units can now deploy from that spot on their next activation.
What do you all think? Would this work? I've played CoC and enjoy it very much but don't know IABSM enough to know if this is feasible.
What do you all think? Would this work? I've played CoC and enjoy it very much but don't know IABSM enough to know if this is feasible.
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- Posts: 135
- Joined: Mon Aug 15, 2016 7:49 pm
Re: Some solo thoughts
115 views and no comments? The silence must indicate that this wouldn't work
- Truscott Trotter
- Posts: 8788
- Joined: Mon Sep 09, 2013 11:11 pm
- Location: Tasmania the Southernmost CoC in the world
Re: Some solo thoughts
No, it means:
1.) I read every post on WWII several times even though what I know about IBSM could be written on the head of a pin.
2.) I tend not to comment unless I have something useful.
3.) Sometimes I ignore rule 2.)
1.) I read every post on WWII several times even though what I know about IBSM could be written on the head of a pin.
2.) I tend not to comment unless I have something useful.
3.) Sometimes I ignore rule 2.)
Re: Some solo thoughts
Since you ask, it would change how the game currently works in my view and not for the better.
Each blind represents a unit such as platoon deployed in the area covered by the blind. Substituting a deployment point would allow multiple units to deploy in the same area potentially increasing troop density significantly. That's less of a problem when deploying a couple of squads in CoC from the same JOP but becomes more of an issue when you are talking about platoons.
Furthermore it works against one of the joys of IABSM for me that any piece of terrain could conceal the defenders forcing you to take your on field reconnaissance seriously.
I'm not sure it helps in solo play either.
One alternative would be to take a look at Joe Legan's "Platoon Forward" supplement for solo play with "Troops, Weapons and Tactics" which also relies on the use of blinds. Some of the ideas in that might be capable of being pushed up a level for IABSM, particularly if you want to play an active attacker against a hidden defender.
John
Each blind represents a unit such as platoon deployed in the area covered by the blind. Substituting a deployment point would allow multiple units to deploy in the same area potentially increasing troop density significantly. That's less of a problem when deploying a couple of squads in CoC from the same JOP but becomes more of an issue when you are talking about platoons.
Furthermore it works against one of the joys of IABSM for me that any piece of terrain could conceal the defenders forcing you to take your on field reconnaissance seriously.
I'm not sure it helps in solo play either.
One alternative would be to take a look at Joe Legan's "Platoon Forward" supplement for solo play with "Troops, Weapons and Tactics" which also relies on the use of blinds. Some of the ideas in that might be capable of being pushed up a level for IABSM, particularly if you want to play an active attacker against a hidden defender.
John
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Re: Some solo thoughts
Thank you both for the comments and opinions. Greatly appreciated. I just got Platoon Forward and after reading it it's for sure the best way to handle IAMSM solo.
- Truscott Trotter
- Posts: 8788
- Joined: Mon Sep 09, 2013 11:11 pm
- Location: Tasmania the Southernmost CoC in the world
Re: Some solo thoughts
Actually Archdukes last comment is spot on.
If you did a random roll for each peice of defending terrain as the active attacker, when you are in spotting range. Then a further roll if it occupied to see what by, that might work?
If you did a random roll for each peice of defending terrain as the active attacker, when you are in spotting range. Then a further roll if it occupied to see what by, that might work?
Re: Some solo thoughts
Guess I should have been looking at these forums now and then. John is correct of course, Platoon Forward will work well with IABSM. Just scale everything up 1 level. The concepts are the same. Any problems just shout out but I have used it successfully with the game. I also wrote rules to use it with CoC that appeared in a special years back.
Cheers
Joe
Cheers
Joe
Re: Some solo thoughts
Is Joe Legan's "Platoon Forward" supplement for solo play available other than in the Xmas Special?
CarlL
CarlL
Re: Some solo thoughts
You can buy it from TFL’s website. It is in the Troops, Weapons and Tactics section since it was originally written for those rules. The Christmas Special article is advice on how to adapt it to Chain of Command.
https://toofatlardies.co.uk/product/platoon-forward/
John
https://toofatlardies.co.uk/product/platoon-forward/
John
Re: Some solo thoughts
I use Platoon Forward to play IABSM solo and I have to say enjoy it immensely! I tend to link scenarios together dependent on the time in the war. Blinds are placed on table but I label them as type A, B or C and when spotted or activated then you roll for their composition. This can result in some very interesting and basically on the edge of a knife games. I also find that by naming and giving personalities to all of your platoon members you tend to be less gung-ho when getting them to perform tasks as when personnel are lost they have been with you probably for several games and believe it or not, it means more than just little metal men! I roll for my platoon members then try to take them through a whole campaign e.g. Barbarossa, Normandy etc which means you have them for usually more than 10 games. I always try to build a narrative so that the scenarios are not just determined independently from each other. Trying to keep together a whole Wehrmacht platoon and get them through Bagration etc brings a whole new dimension to solo gaming. Platoon Forward provides a very good framework to start your campaign and is so easy to tweak using your own ideas or perceptions.
The only advice I can give is to get the basic command framework of the army you are fighting against right so that realistic units materialise when rolled for. The command structure depends upon the type of scenario; from the usual combat troops involved in frontline actions to breakthrough scenarios when you may encounter second-line or auxiliary units or even a massed counter attack. Most of all, have fun!
You may even decide that one of your soldiers is actually yourself and then you really do become totally involved in the action!
If you want further details of how I set things up then just message me.
The only advice I can give is to get the basic command framework of the army you are fighting against right so that realistic units materialise when rolled for. The command structure depends upon the type of scenario; from the usual combat troops involved in frontline actions to breakthrough scenarios when you may encounter second-line or auxiliary units or even a massed counter attack. Most of all, have fun!
You may even decide that one of your soldiers is actually yourself and then you really do become totally involved in the action!
If you want further details of how I set things up then just message me.