17
be allowed to fire in the turns before and after
loading or unloading. (Actually these restric-
tions could apply t o the 8.8 cm AT and 122
mm infantry guns as well; they were damned
heavy pieces.) The 17 cm units require 5 turns
after unloading t o prepare for firing and 3
turns t o load before moving.
I V Additional units: This section includes
some comments on the additional units given
in the designer's notes, as well as some units of
other origins and indications of their employ-
ment.
(A): Artillery - The additional artillery units
given i n the design notes are based on 6 weap
ons per battery. This scheme was followed in
the WESPE and HUMMEL units as well in the
Volksgrenadier divisions, but the other divi-
sional artillery battalions followed the stand-
ard 3 batteries of 4 weapons scheme. So, for
the nit-pickers, reduce the attack factors of the
17, 15, and 10.5 cm units to 32, 40 and 28
while increasing their number from 2 to 3 (or
6 to 9). Also, the Panzer, SS Panzer and Pan-
zergrenadier artillery regiments had 32 cm flak
units which are not shown.
I n summary, I suggest the addition of these
units, beyond those suggested in the design
notes. The fact that they are all German is due
to lack of data on Russian weapons and the
belief that most of the weapons used by the
Russians are already included.
Use of these units: Heavy tractors should be
used for the artillery, Nebelwerfer,.88mm A T
guns and the bridges. Light tractors should
generally replace trucks and halftracks as
prime movers for Flak, AT and infantry guns
and 120mm mortars. A 3.7 Flak SP should be
added t o each tank regiment, and one should
replace the 2 20mm(4) in the VG A T Bn. The
towed 2cm Flak in the Inf. Div. AT bn. should
be replaced by SP units. Brumbar units can be
used in place of the GW38(M). Elefant AT
guns (also called Ferdinands and Porsche Ti-
gers) were employed in one battalion (3 co of
3 platoons). SP 75mm IGs-there were 2 guns
in each of the rifle companies of the armored
infantry bn, and 6 more in its heavy weapons
co; So replace the 2 StGI I I units by 6 of these.
81mm mortar sections-each engineer, security
and VG Fusilier co has one; use 3 t o replace
the regular mortar units in the armored and
motorized infantry bns; the recon bn should
have 2 SP sections and a full SP platoon; the
sections in the arm inf bn should be SP, and
one of the three sections added t o the Mobile
HOW TO ORDER
GAMES, SUBSCRIPTIONS,
BACK ISSUES
AND OTHER PRODUCTS
Send all orders to:
Simulations Publications, Inc.
44 East 23rd Street
New York, New York 10010
Please enclose payment with your order;
make check or money order payable t o
Simulations Publications, Inc. If possible,
do not send payment in cash. All payment
should be in U.S. funds. Write out your
order in exact form, being very specific as
to the description and quantity of each
separate item desired.
Division Engineer Bn should be SP.
General Organization notes: The VG Fusilier
co should also have an IG (75mm) platoon.
There should be 3.2 cm Flak in an arm.inf.bn.
1 in the mot.inf.bn; this means 4 in the arm-in-
f.reg. of the Panzer div., but only 2 in its
Mot.inf.reg. Neither should have a 20mm(2)
unit. The inf.reg.'s of the pzr.div. should each
SUGGESTED ADDITIONAL GERMAN UNITS FOR PANZERBLITZ
UNIT
28 H 32
10.5 cm arty bty
15 cm arty bty
2 cm Flak (SP)
3.7 cm Flak (SP)
Elefant platoon
Brumbar platoon
le IG section (SP)
m GrW section (SP) 2 81mm mortars mounted on halftracks
m GrW section
Armored CP
-tractor
1 S ~ K I I ~10
Be sure t o write your full name and
address (including Zip code) on each sheet
of your order. Please do not enclose other
correspondence with your order since this
causes delays in the processing and fulfill-
ment of your order.
New York State Residents: Please add 4%
sales tax on all orders (except for orders
for magazines).
New York City Residents: Please add 7%
sales tax on all orders (except orders for
magazines).
All prices apply to orders from the U.S.A.,
APOIFPO, and Canada. Allow two t o
three weeks for delivery on orders within
the Continental U.S. Simulation Series
Games are shipped by First Class mail;
Other games are shipped parcel post.
have an engr.co. as well (with h-ts in the arm
inf reg).
Stacking with the mortar, SP CP and SP 751G
sections - let one be added t o any stack, while
2 or 3 are treated as another whole unit. The
non-mot 81 mortar section can be carried in
transport unit in addition to any other unit
being carried...
DESCRIPTION
4 light field howitzers, ammo
vehicles, about 130 men
4 medium field howitzers, ammo
vehicles, about 180 men
6 unarmored halftracks with mounted
flak, plus ammo vehicles, about 40 men
8-9 weapons on a Pz I V chassis, ammo
vehicles and about 50 men
4 88mm A T guns(SP), with ammo vehicles
about 50 men
2 15 cm assault guns, ammo vehicles,
about 30 men
2 75mm infantry guns mounted on
halftracks about 10 men
about 10 men
2 81mm mortars, about 15 men and 2
horse drawn vehicles
2 radio equipped halftracks, about
10 men
5 unarmored halftrack prime-movers,
about 10 men Class C unit
5 unarmored halftrack heavy tractors,
about 5 men Class C unit
Overseas Orders: On all orders originating
outside of U.S. / Canada / APO-FPO,
customers must add one dollar per year
per subscription and one dollar per game.
Add $0.25 for each individual back issue
or book. This additional payment is purely
for postage (overseas orders on all prod-
ucts are shipped surface mail; allow six to
eight weeks for delivery). All payment on
all orders must be in U.S. funds (this
includes Canadian customers). All import
duties must be assumed by the customer.
Overseas customers may, by advance
arrangement (and payment), have their
orders shipped by Air Mail. The rates,
however, are truly outrageous (often
exceeding the price of the merchandise
itself).
Panzerblitz Revisited
You are controlling 23rd Panzer Division in
Situation 2. Going into the Soviet half of the
last turn you have, through magnificent defen-
sive tactics, kept the Russians to within 8 hex-
es of the northern edge - suddenly, out of the
underbrush, under the muzzles of all your
tanks, guns, and miscellaneous death dealing
weaponry, a truck scurries into hex 18 and
Decisive Victory. What a frustrating and ab-
surd disaster.
Well, this problem certainly bothered me, espe-
cially as several attempt to overcome it, such
as use of the ' Phase Movement & Return
Fire' Rule and offshoots from it, all fell short
of the desired realism. My latest, and hopefully
final, solution is summed up in Fig. 1. Note
that this form can be used t o keep track of
turns, and impulses within turns.
The prime change t o published game proced-
ures is the addition of defensive fire DURING
the attacker's movement. This defensive fire
can be carried out in any one of the following
situations:
A. Situation 1 - I f the moving unit moves
more than two successive hexes in clear sight
of one or more enemy units.
Defensive fire takes place during the attacker's
movement. The target must be visible for more
than two successive hexes t o allow time for the
defensive weapons to be targeted and ranged.
The defending weapon can fire at any point
during the movement of the target unit, after
the target has passed into the third successive
hex of movement visible to the weapon.
A target which has been visible t o one weapon
for three hexes and to another for two or few-
er hexes, can only be fired at, in that hex, by
the first weapon. I f a unit is visible t o t w o or
more weapons for the required number of hex-
es, it can be fired on by all those weapons
either concurrently or successively. A unit
travelling through successive fields of fire can,
therefore, be fired at several times during its
movement (Note: Defensive fire is the only sit-
uation in which a unit can be fired at more
than once during a single impulse).
0. Situation 2 -
I f the moving unit moves ad-
jacent to the defender (regardless of terrain).
Defensive fire can take place during unit move-
ment (Category 11, or after it has been corn-
pleted (Category 2).
-
Category 1 I f the adjacent hex that the mov-
ing unit enters is clear terrain or clear terrain
road, then it can be fired on immediately r e
gardless ,of how many or few clear terrain hex-
es it has previous crossed; thus a loaded vehicle
could be fired on before it could unload its
cargo. This is to reflect the fact that defensive
weapons would be firing at point blank range
against a target i n open country.
Category 2 - I f the adjacent hex that the mov-
ing unit enters is other than clear terrain or
clear terrain road, that unit cannot be fired at
until attacker movement is complete. Thus a
transport can unload and then pass through
further adjacent nonclear terrain or nonclear
terrain road hexes without drawing fire during
movement. Firing is delayed until movement is
complete becauss it takes time t o organize ef-
fective fire against a target in limited vision
terrain.
Note that the adjacent defending unit can act
as a spotter for other direct fire.
C. Situation 3 - if the moving unit is either
adjacent to a defending unit, or in open terrain
(within range and spotted) at the end of its
movement phase.
Defensive fire takes place after the attacker's
movement ceases. This enables defending units
t o fire upon a unit which has either not
moved, or has finished its move within range
of, and visible to, these units.
GENERAL
1. A defensive weapon can be fired only once
during this phase, regardless of how many
situations it is capable of firing in.
2. For simplicity sake, all LOS determinations
are made from the centre of the firing hex t o
the centre of the target hex (Real-Space Line
of Sight Determination).
3. When a weapon is fired (whether offensively
or defensively), it is left upright (to ensure that
Figure 1
SIDE A PHASES
1 Execute minefield attacks.
2 Fire.
Move non-firing units1 execute over-
runs.*
Make Close Assaults1 flip all units (ex-
cept those dispersed in Impulse 31 right
4 .
slde up. Also flip units dispersed in Im-
pulse 7.
*Defensive Fire. Rolled DURING the moving player's phase,
using only direct fire, under the following conditions:
SITUATION
Unit moves MORE than two succes-
1 sive hexes in clear sight of one or more
defending units.
Unit moves adjacent to defender-
2 a. Adjacent hex is clear terrain or clear
terrain road.
b. Adjacent hex is other than above.
Unit is either adjacent, or i n open ter-
3 rain (within range and spotted) at the
end of its movement.
Optional Rule. I f a weapon is fired during
this impulse, it can be neither fired nor
moved during its own offensive impulses.
.., .. HOPP
it is not mistaken for a dispersed unit), but has
a marker penny, etc. placed on it. The marker
is removed from ALL weapons fired during the
impulses of a given side at the end of that
side's Close Assault Phase. 1.e. I n Side A
phases, markers are removed from guns fired
offensively i n Phase 2, and those fired defen-
sively in Phase 3, at the end of Phase 4.
4. A unit dispersed during a defensive fire turn
is flipped up at the end of the opposing play-
er's offensive turn. This keeps the number of
dispersed ' phases due t o offensive and t o d&
fensive fire roughly equal. To differentiate be-
tween a unit dispersed by defensive fire from
one dispersed by offensive fire, place a marker
on the unit overturned by defensive fire.
5. The Phase Chart (Fig. 1) includes an o p
tional rule which would prevent any unit
which fires defensively from carrying out any
offensive action. I am personally not in favour
of its use as it would further slow the offensive
which, in most Panzerblitz situations, already
has enough problems.
6. As most situations contain a distinct bias
towards one side or the other, I would recom
mend that Panzerblitz victories be measured
after combatants have played both sides of a
given situation. em
SIDE B PHASES
5 Execute minefield attacks.
6 Fire.
' Move non-firing units1 execute over-
runs*
Make Close Assaults1 flip all units (ex-
cept those dispersed in Impulse 7 ) right
side up. Also flip units dispersed in Im-
pulse 3.
WHEN DEFENSIVE FIRE
ROLLED
During unit movement
As unit enters adjacent hex
After unit movement has ended
After unit movement has ended
 19

Figure 2
Situation 1 :
2 spots 1 i n hex A, and can fire starting i n
hex C.
3 spots 1 i n hex 6, and can fire starting i n
hex D.

Situation 2 (Category 1):

2 can fire at 1 when it enters hex D.

Situation 3:
I f 1 ends its movement i n hex E, both 2 & 3
can be fired at it ( I f they haven't fired
previously).

-
Figure 3
Situation 1 : Does n o t apply.
Situation 2 (Category 1):
3 can fire at 1 as it enters hex A.
4 can fire at 5 as i t enters the hex its
shown in.
Situation 2 (Category 2):
3 can fire at 2 after all movement has
been completed.
4 can fire at 2, spotted for b y 3. after all
movement has ceased.
Situation 3:
3 can fire at 1 or 2.
4 can fire at 2, spotted for b y 3, or at 5.
(Note: As firing is carried out, i n this
situation, after all movement has ceas-
ed. the truck could unload its troops
before being fired on).

S&T 21, featuring

The Flight of the Goeben game
There are actually four games in this issue
(all with unmounted counters). The Flight
of the Goeben (Strategic) contains t w o
11 x 17" maps, counters and other play-
aids. It involves the Allied search for the
German battlecruiser Goeben in the Medi-
terranean during August 1914. A unique
"search" system,including "secret die rolls"
for such things as objectives and victory
conditions,as well as a realistic coaling rule
make this a unique game. Also in issue 21 is
a "minatures" game, Flight of the Goeben
(Tactical). The Chicago-Chicago! game re-
creates the situation in Chicago during the
August 1968 riots. Complete with 22x28"
playing map ,rules and play-aids. A fourth
game, Invasion, is in the Games column.
Also articles on the British army in North
Africa, a review of the Test Series Games
plus regular features.
$3.00, f r o m Simulations Publications
 ""+
by John Govostes

I n Designers Notes (Game Design #5), Jim
Dunnigan dealt with the "idiocy factor" in
game design. Another name for this factor has
been the "rationality concept" of game design.
This is a critical concept because game theory
has been criticized primarily on the grounds
that it forces players t o maximize some value
(i.e., behave rationally); does not account for
deviant behavior (idiocy or irrationality); and
generally, presents a sterilized version of real-
ity. These attacks present a severe threat t o
game theory and are one of the major factors
i n the relative unpopularity of simulations and
games among the academic community. This
article is concerned with three important
aspects of the question of "idiocy" and the
hope of "completing" game theory t o make it
a less sterile mode of understanding situation-
solving.
Mr. Dunnigan sets forth t w o planes of idiocy.
The first is the plane prior t o the historical
situation. This can be incorporated i n the rules
of the gamelsimulation (e.g. KURSK). The
other is the idiocy manifested during the
historical situation. This cannot readily be
built into the game/simulation because of
unfeasibleness, complications, etc. (FRANCE,
1940). This plane of decision, Mr. Dunnigan
asserts, has been left t o player control. Because
of this, he further asserts (also correctly) that
we think our present frame of reference, thus
making historical re-creation unlikely. We tend
t o seek ways around rules designed t o build in
such idiocy (escaping consequences of "Feudal
Rule"). I feel we must tackle this factor t o
make game theory a viable situation-solving
tool. We must make the idiocy factor work t o
make simulation games more than sterile tests
of wits under controlled conditions. We must
use idiocy factors t o increase realism* and
abandon the concept of rational behavior i n
game theory.
I perceive three levels of idiocy i n any historic-
al situation being analyzed. The first is the
personal level. This is the simplest lwel and
dates back t o PHALANX and D A R K AGES.
This represents the personality of the com-
mander (or commanders) of the various armies
present Psychoanalysis offers us the tools of
classification of behavior traits and patterns
that could enable us t o construct biographies
and probability tables of likely actions (and
successes) for these men.
The second level is militaw. This is the
operational doctrine of the military establish-
ment in question. From such a doctrine,
probability tables regarding types of form-
ations, actions, and results could be construct-
ed which would limit the player's actions i n
situations being simulated. Several articles have
been done on the different militaty establish-
ments and their doctrines. The information
seems readily available for this operational
step.
The third and most complex level is the
political. This is crucial in games like BAR-
BAROSSA, STRATEGY I, USN, etc. This
represents the perceived use of the military b y
the government and the goals sought beyond
single battles and campaigns. The information
is also available, b u t i t is more difficult t o
assimilate and reduce t o probability tables. A
good start has been made toward this b y the
National Objectives tables i n Origins of World
War Two.
I am opting for a system first p u t forward b y
Nathan Leites (A Study of Bolshevism, 1953)
- operational codes. This is a means of
understanding behavior patterns and responses
through an understanding o f doctrine. We have
done this type of analysis i n S&T. To a certain
extent, one could argue doctrine is incorporat-
ed into a game. A unit's movement, firepower,
and organization are partly functions of doc-
trine. But S&T began a construction of units
(CQ's) which ignored doctrinal aspects and left
these factors t o the rules. I would include
these factors under doctrine or more properly
expressed - operational codes.
Up t o this point, we have three levels of idiocy
that take place i n a campaign (any or all of
which may be included i n a single simulation
situation). We have means of operationalizing
these concepts outside the rules. That leaves
the third critical aspect of game theory -
decision.
It is well t o remember that decision theory
preceded game theory; i n fact, game theory is

S&T 22, featuring the Tac 14

(Renaissance of Infantry) game
Tactical Game 14 contains a 22x28" map,
unmounted counters and other play-aids.
The game is tactical (each unit represents
some 500 men, each hex some 100 meters).
I t covers the period 1250-1550AD when
infantry replaced the mounted "man-at-
arms" ("knight") as the decisive weapon.
Each unit represents a different type of
soldier (pikemen, light and heavy cavalry,
long- and cross bowmen, artillery, arque-
busiers, etc.) These are combined t o pro-
duce 2 0 different battles of the period
( f r o m Adrianople, 378AD t o Pavia,
1525AD). Special rules have been devel-
oped t o re-create the unique conditions of
tactical level warfare. Also i n issue 22 is an
article on the Renaissance of Infantry, as
well as a "Profile" article on the develop-
ment and use of the German Me-109 fighter.
Introduction of GAGE game reviews plus
regular features.
$3.00, f r o m Simulations Publications
an offshoot of decision theory. But the critic-
isms of decision theory (decision concern,
individuals ignored, consequences of decisions
ignored, zero-sum aspects, false picture of
inputs, gap between "real" decisions and
academic ones etc.) limit its value t o those
concerned with conflict resolution. The prob-
lem hinges on how people reach decisions -
behavior patterns. Probability tables must be
constructed based on methods of decision-
making, i.e., we need t o find a common
denominator of decision-making. Let us posit
three levels of decision, each reflecting not
only more sophistication on the part of the
decision makers, but also an increasing order
of complexity and reality.
The first level of decision is that of maximizing
behavior. This is the same as the economic
principle - action t o maximize profit while
reducing cost. Most early two-player games
used this principle. This decision level illunrat-
es another important principle i n decision
theory - the zero-sum concept. This simply
means what one player gains, another must
lose - the sum of gain and loss is zero. This is
also prevalent in early games; there could only
be one winner. There is a telling criticism of
this pattern of behavior - players do not
always seek t o maximize. In economics this
has given rise t o a new field - econometrics
Giant corporations with near monopolies may
actively seek short-run losses for lonprun
gains. In the military arena, the actions we
have taken in Vietnam are not indicative of
maximizing military effects but a solution is
sought politically (with gain in mind).
The second level of decision is that of satisfi-
cing behavior. I f alternatives in strategy are at
or above player resources, the player will
choose the best course available. When no
courses of strategy can satisfy player aspir-
ations, the concept of satisficing behavior
means that the player will take short-run
action of searching for alternatives and revise
S&T 23, featuring the T-34 game
T-34 is a "miniatures" game that uses paper
cut-out counters representing platoon and
company size units. No map is used. The
subject is Russia, 1944. It's a somewhat
different sort of game. If you want to find
out what miniatures are like, try this game.
Also in issue 23 is the first of our articles on
the war in Russia (194145). This first
article, on the Organization of the Soviet
ground forces, presents data available in no
other publication. A separate 22x28" sheet
gives organization and equipment charts of
all Soviet units employed during the war.
The article itself goes into the "whys" of
Soviet d0ctrine.a~well as giving such Order
of Battle data as is available. Also in issue 23
is another North Africa article, this one on
the German Afrika Korps. Plus our regular
features.
$3.00, from Simulations Publications
his goals. This means when a player seeking
total victory while he has only the capability
of achieving marginal victory, he i s likely to
become emotional, behave irrationally in his
moves, etc., unless he revises his goals down to
reality. The means of handling this pattern of
decision have been built into simulation games
by using the victory point system and three
types of victory. Still the system is inadequate
as the first instinct is to maximize - seek total
victory. Also, i t doesn't work with more than
two person games. The third level is that of
"compensating strategies" (a la S. Lieberson).
This theory of decision means that several
players can pursue goals (without conspiracy
or collusion) provided the individual loss t o
any of the other players is small and i t can be
shown that there is no net loss. The theory
takes actions of others into account before a
decision is reached. Decisions are based on
anticipated reactions and consequences of de-
cisions. The zero-sum concept is reduced to its
proper high plane of national concern. Players
act as individuals until their very existence is
threatened.
I f we view the last two types of decision as the
more realistic and preferred, we are forced to
begin revision of victory conditions in the
games. This has begun to be done unconscious-
ly by the scenario concept (it limits actions of
players into seeking perhaps only marginal
victory, best examples are LOST BATTLES,
PANZERBLITZ, and GRUNT). But if we use
the operational code concept, we can begin to
construct decision probability tables based
upon the apparent decision behavior exhibited
by the real persons.
What we are after is a system which not only
has a realistic and playable set of rules for the
simulation/game, but a means of incorporating
the historical human factor. We are trying to
control player response within patterns of
behavior prevalent during the historical situa-
tion. Once we can do that we are involved in
lid:;,
I.... .
,~l.!::!;
x,.,.:
the ultimate experiment, going beyond CHESS
or any other game into the realm of emotion,
drive, ambition, and understanding. That is
what game theory must seek. Each successive
step brings us closer to duplicating reality.
Once we have achieved that, we are only steps
away from simulating (with predictive capabil-
ity) the future.
BIBLIOGRAPHY. There are many articles that
can be referred to, I will limit myself to just a
few. Herbert Simon's article in the Bobbs-
Merrill Reprint Series i n the Social Sciences,
Vol. XLIX, (June, 1959). pp. 264-266; Nathan
Leites' A Study of Bolshevism (1953); Thomas
Schelling's The Strategy of Conflict (London,
1960); Rosenau, Schelling and Shubik's artic-
les in Contemporary Political Analysis(Lon-
don, 1960 ); S. Lieberson's article in Ameri-
can Journal of Sociology (January, 1971) and
E. Gross's article in American Journal of
Sociology (July, 1971).
A Brief, Physical Description
of Simulation Series Games
The physical quality of Simulation Series
Games i s very similar to that of the games
included in issues of Strategy & Tactics.
The primary differences are (1.) the map is
produced on heavy cardstock as opposed
to the lightweight stock used in magazine
games, (2.) a die is included and (3.)the
map is only folded twice (down to approx-
imately 11" x 1 4 " ) and the game is
shipped in a plain envelope with a corru-
gated stiffener (unboxed). Usually,
Simulation Series games have a greater
amount of auxillary tables and game
charts included with them.

by Redmond A. Simonsen
Over the past fifteen years or so, during which
wargames have been generally available, a large
body of jargon has grown u p around the
games. Due t o the splintered, erractic growth
of the field, much of this special language
came into use without much thought t o logic
or clarity or any real sense of utility. Many of
the game designers had little feel for language,
nor did they realize how important the right
choice of words is t o proper rules-writing.
Even in simple things some truly asinine word
choices were made and unfortunately stuck! I
wonder what super semanticist decided that
"hexagons will henceforth be referred t o as
squares". Lovely. Perhaps the same friend of
Webster decided that units should have "fac-
tors" and bequeathed t o us all the ambiguities
of rules-phrasing that resulted from that com-
pletely inappropriate use o f the word.
Since I'm the only person who seems to
actually enjoy writing rules in this game-mill I
work i n (how that squares with being an A r t
Director, I'll leave t o you psychoanalysts), it
fell t o me t o develop and refine the standard
phrases to be used in game rules. This I .did
partly out of self-defense: you should see the
pain flash across my face when I'm preparing
somebody else's rules manuscript for typeset-
ting and come across some gem of obfuscation.
Another, more important, reason for doing i t
is communication. This hobby(?) is growing
larger by the minute and i t would be pleasant
if we all spoke the same language and meant
the same thing by it.
Over the past several months, in the course of
writing or rewriting or touching-up the rules t o
most of the games that have come out o f this
company, I began t o replace the old lyrics in
some of the standard "songs" one finds in all
rules. The reasons for compiling them and
presenting them t o you in a single glossary are
( 1 ) t o give you (and especially the newer
players amongst you) an overview o f the
language, ( 2 ) t o give currency t o the terms and
t o establish them in the collective mind, and
(3) t o get your reactions and opinions on this
"newspeak" I'm trying t o induce you t o use.
After all, you should have some say in what's
going t o be coming out of your mouths.
The guiding principles in the development of
this glossary have been:
1. Each aspect or facet of a game should have
unambiguous phrases or labels which are con-
sistently and logically used.
2. Special words or phrases should be simple,
and as self-descriprive as possible.
3. Avoid the "Pentagonese" syndrome, i.e., the
use of complicated jargon in place of plain
language.
The glossary is o f course in a dynamic state:
some o f the jargon will wither and be replaced;
I expect t o receive feedback from all of you
which will direct the addition, subtraction or
modification of the terms we will all be using.
Note: in some cases the "oldspeak" term
which is being replaced by the new language
will be found at the end of the definition
preceded b y "obs" (obsolete). Note also, that
the definitions given are somewhat generalized;
the specific rules surrounding a term i n a given
game will in many cases further define the
term.
Included in the glossary are some common
military terms which are in general use in
games. Also included are those "oldspeak"
terms which will remain i n use. Some of the
terms included may seem absurdly simple and
not really i n need o f definition. Such terms
have been included simply t o delineate their
special application t o game-rules or t o merely
indicate their standard abbreviations or capital-
ization. Note that some of the words i n the
glossary are capitalized when i n ordinary Eng-
lish they would not be. This is deliberately
done i n order t o set them off and t o call
attention t o their having special meaning when
writing game rules.
Aircraft Element - The one counter o f a
twocounter A i r unit which represents the
flying portion o f that Air unit. (see Ground
Support Element).
A i r Defense Strength (ADS)-the numerical
rating of the ability of a unit or a hex t o
defend against air attack.
airlift-to transport by air.
Air-Strike Strength Points-an allowance of
Combat Strength Points which represent the
air attack capability of a Player's airforce.
Usually used i n games i n which the air arm is
not represented b y actual counters but rather
b y such individually allocatable Combat
Strength Points.
area-map game-a game in which the pieces are
moved by area rather than by a grid system.
see the games Chicago-Chicago!, Diplomacy,
and Origins.
attack (atkl-a specific combat action against a
particular Enemy unit or units, i n order t o
destroy them o r dislodge them f r o m their
position. (see combat action).
Attacker ( A t k r or A)-The Player whose Com-
bat Phase is i n progress: the Player who is
initiating combat against opposing units. This
term should only be used i n reference t o the
Player, and not that Player's units.
Attack Strength (AS)-The basic offensive
power o f a given unit expressed as a number.
(see Combat Strength and Defense Strength).
obs: Attack Factor
Attack Transport-a naval transport unit c a p
able of delivering assault units t o hostile
beaches.
Bombardment Results Table (BRT)-a special-
ized Combat Results Table used t o resolve the
effects of air, land, and/or naval bombard-
ment.
break-down-the act of substituting t w o or
more smaller units for a single larger unit.
cascade attacking-a carefully sequenced series
of related attacks which have as their object
the surrounding and elimination of a key unit.
case-a numbered or lettired paragraph which
modifies or further explains the provisions o f a
General Rule.
Class-a grouping of similar unit-types accord-
ing t o function; e.g. "...all Air units are Class
Two ..."
clean game-a game which is simple and
uncluttered i n the same way that chess is
simple. A well designed, playable game that
does not rely upon a patchwork of complex
rules i n order t o achieve authenticity.
Close Assault Tactics (CAT)-in tactical games,
the special attacks made by infantry or infan-
try/engineer combinations which are made
against adjacent or samehex enemy units and
which are resolved using some sort of bonus
system t o reflect the effectiveness of such
attacks (e.g., doubling the Attack Strength).
combat-action-a specific attack made b y a
given unit or group of units against a given
defending unit or units; an attack which is
resolved b y a single consultation of the Com-
bat Results Table or a closely related series o f
consultations of the Combat Results Table.
combat allocation-the act of indicating, be-
fore execution, the exact units which will
participate in specific combat actions in a
given Combat Phase.
Combat Phase-the portion o f a Player-Turn
during which combat takes place.
Combat Results or Combat Outcomes-descrip-
tive phrases used t o label the effects of combat
upon units. Such phrases are routinely abbre-
viated when used i n Combat Results Tables.
The following list gives the most Combat
Outcomes, their standard abbreviations and
their general meaning:
Attacking Units Eliminated (Ae): all attacking
units involved i n that attack are destroyed.
Attacking Units Retreat (Ar): all involved
attacking units must retreat.
Attacking Units Disrupted (Ad): all involved
attacking units are "disrupted" (which usually
means that they remain i n place and suffer
some sort of impairment of their combat
and/or movement ability)
Exchange (Ex): the side w i t h the weaker force
is completely destroyed and the stronger force
loses a number of Combat Strength Points at
least equal t o that of the weaker force.
Defending units Eliminated (De); Defending
Units Retreat (Dr); Defending Units Disrupted
(Dd): the three preceding phrases have the
same general meaning as applied t o the defend-
ing units as d o their counterpart phrases which
apply t o the attacking units.
Combat Results Table (CRT)-a table of com-
bat outcomes usually used in conjunction with
a die or some other means o f generating a
random number in order t o determine the
effects of attacks made during the course of a
game.
Combat Results Deck (CRDI-a deck o f cards
used t o determine the outcome o f combat-ac-
tions instead o f using a die-table system.
Combat Strength-the basic offensive and d e
fensive power o f a given unit expressed as a
number. obs: Combat Factor
Combat Supply-that f o r m of supply required
by units which are about t o engage i n combat;
Combat Supply usually takes the form o f
special supply units which are expended as
they are used for supply purposes.
consolidate-to f o r m a single large unit from
t w o o r more smaller units (see breakdown)
contiguous line-an uninterrupted line o f
Friendly units and/or Friendly controlled hex-
es.
controlled hex-a hexagon upon which units o f
one Player's army are exerting a Zone o f
Control without actually occupying the hex..
corps-equivalent-a given number o f smaller
units which when taken together are consider-
ed the equal o f a full corps for game purposes.
Counter-attack (Ca)-a same-phase attack by
the non-phasing Player's units as mandated b y
the Combat Results Table. See the games Crete
and France 1940.
covering terrain-in tactical games, terrain
which provides concealment and thereby pre-
vents a Line of SightILine of Fire from being
established t o units within such terrain.
Defender (Def o r Dl-the Player whose units
are the objects of the attacks in progress.
Defense Strength (DSl-the basic defensive
power of a given unit expressed as a number.
Demoralization-the point at which the overall
performance of an army or a unit is grossly
affected by the psychological impact of heavy
losses.
detrain-the off-loading o f units which have
been travelling by rail; similarly: deplane,
debark. Antonyms: entrain, emplane, embark.
Direct-Fire-in tactical games, the application
of a unit's Attack Strength on a Line-of-Sight
basis representing the use o f crew-sighted
weapons; e.g., tank and anti-tank guns, ma-
chineguns etc.
'dirt"-those aspects o f a game which increase
complexity at the expense of playability;
unnecessary detail added t o a game in an
attempt t o produce so-called "realism".
diversionary attack-an attack performed at
poor odds in an effort t o allow other attacking
units t o concentrate (and obtain better odds)
against another, adjacent defending unit. obs:
soak-off.
dummy unit-a counter which resembles an
actual unit b u t whose only function is t o
deceive the Enemy Player; a counter used t o
simulate the effects of limited intelligence.
Enemy Player-the opposing Player. Term is
used in rules writing t o refer t o the other
Player from the point of view of the reader.
entry cost-the expenditure of Movement
Points required t o enter a given hex.
environment-the physical sphere in which the
action of a game takes place: Air, Sea, or
Land.
exit-cost-the expenditure o f Movement Points
required t o enter a given hex.
facing-the direction in which a unit is point-
ed; applicable only in games in which units
have a "front" and a "flank".
Field o f Fire-the arc o f space through which a
given unit's weapons have effect.
Friendly Player-the Player from whose point
of view a given rule is written.
Fire Protection Strength-the defensive ability
of a given unit or terrain with respect t o a Fire
attack. (see Protection Strength)
Fire Strength-the specialized Combat
Strength of amissile-firing unit;e.g., an artil-
lery unit.
Fortification hex-a hex which contains pre-
pared defensive positions.
game-map-the playing surface. obs: mapboard
or board
Game-Turn-a complete turn of play i n a
game, usually consisting o f t w o Player-Turns.
(see Sequence of Play)
General Rule-a major game rule expressed i n a
brief, general paragraph. (see cases)
General Supply-that aspect of supply which
contributes t o the day-to-day "housekeeping"
and maintenance of a unit i n the field (as
distinguished from Combat Supply)
grid-the pattern (usually hexagonal) superim-
posed upon the map-sheet in order t o regular-
ize movement and position. (see hex).
grid-map game-a general term for simulation
games which utilize grid pattern maps, quanti-
fied units, probability tables etc.
Ground Support Element-the one counter of
a t w o counter Air Unit which represents the
maintenance and administrative personnel and
facility.
hex-hexagonal grid-module used t o determine
the positioning and movement of units on a
Game-map. obs: square.
hex-grain-the direction of a hex-pattern which
is described b y drawing an imaginary line,
perpendicular t o two o f the sides of a hex and
parallel t o one of the sides of the map-sheet.
When the line parallels the width of the
map-sheet, the pattern is called "grain short";
when it parallels the length, it is called "grain
long".
hex-side-one o f the six sides of a hexagonal
grid module.
Indirect Fire-in tactical games, high trajectory
fire guided by an observer. Fire which is not
limited t o the Line o f Sight.
interdict-to affect (usually by the use of
airpower or artillery) the lines of communica-
tion or supply o f an enemy force.
Interphase-a Phase occuring between the Play-
er-Turns i n which both Players perform some
action (such as unit production, for example).
involved unit-a unit which is the subject, or
the object, o f a given game-action (usually an
attack); a unit which is actively concerned as
distinguished from other units which may be
present i n the same position but which are not
participants i n the action.
isolated-the state of being totally out-of-
supply.
Level o f Victory-one of the various degrees of
victory possible i n a given game. I n games in
which degrees o f victory are possible the most
common format is that o f three possible levels:
Marginal Victory-a bare victory; e.g., in terms
of game victory points, a victory i n which the
winner has more than half of the total victory
points achieved by both sides, b u t less than
two-thirds, and has not suffered losses greater
than 45% of his entire army.
Substantive Victory-a creditable, but average
victory; e.g., i n terms of game victory points, a
victory in which the winner has two-thirds or
more of the total victory points achieved by
both sides but less than three-quarters, and has
not suffered losses greater than 35% of his
total strength.
Decisive Victory-an unqualified success; e.g.,
in terms of game victory points a victory in
which the winner has at least three-quarters of
the total victory points acheived by both sides,
and has not suffered losses greater than 25% of
his total strength.
Possible fourth Level of Victory:
Overwhelming victory-a rout of the enemy; i n
terms of game victory points, a victory in
which the winner has four-fifths or more of
the total victory points achieved b y both sides
and has suffered losses not greater than 15% of
his total strength.
Note that the specific terms of victory may
change from game t o game-what constitutes a
Decisive Victory i n one game may be only a
Marginal Victory in another-the ratios given
in the above definitions are for the purpose of
illustration only and should not be construed
as absolute standards.
Line of Fire (L0F)-the path of fire (from
direct-fire weapons) between two units; the
imaginary straight line which describes such a
path drawn from the center of the one hex t o
the center of the other. The Line of Sight and
the Line of Fire are usually equivalent.
Line o f Sight (L0S)- the path of vision
between two units; the imaginary straight line
which describes such a path drawn from the
center of one hex t o the center of the other.
Melee Combat-in tactical games, hand-to-hand
fighting usually involving edged weapons. I n
such games, units are usually represented as
having a Melee Combat Strength distinct from
any Fire Combat Strength.
Motorized Movement Phase-in modern-era
games, the second Movement Phase, of a
Player-Turn, in which the motorized units may
be moved (again).
Movement Allowance-the basic movement
capability of a unit, expressed as a number
which represents the basic number of hexagons
which the unit may move in a single Movement
Phase.
Movement Phase-the portion of a Player Turn
in which movement of that Player's units takes
place.
Movement Point-the unit-of-measure of which
a Movement Allowance is composed; usually
one Movement Point represents the capability
of moving one hex.
Military Sea Transport (MSTI-naval units
which are capable of transporting units from
friendly port t o friendly port, but which are
not capable of delivering invasion forces.
Order of Battle (OBI-the make-up of a Play-
er's forces in terms of unit quantities, types
and strengths; the forces available in a given
scenario.
Overrun-an overwhelming attack which is
usually executed during the Movement Phase
and which usually requires no use of the
Combat Resolution table; i.e., the outcome is
automatic.
Owning Player-the Player to whom a partic-
ular unit or geographic feature belongs.
Passenger-a unit which is being transported by
another unit. (see Transport)
Phase-a subdivision of a Player Turn in which
specific actions are t o be executed; e.g., a
Combat Phase.
Pha-Class Sequencing (PCSI-a system of
movement i n which units are moved in a
specific sequence, by class.
Phase-Segment-see Segment.
phasing Player-the Player whose Phase it is at
that particular moment i n the game.
Play-by-Mail (PBM)-any one of several sys-
tems designed t o allow Players t o conduct
games by mail.
Player-one of the active participants in a
game.
Player-Turn-a subdivision of a Game-Turn in
which the actions of a specific Player take
place. (see Sequence of Play 1.
Player Victory-a system of victory determin-
ation which relies upon a handicapping rule
which balances the chance of winning for
either Player so that even in historical situa-
tions which are grossly imbalanced, each Play-
er has a roughly even chance of winning
measured in terms of how well they performed
with the forces available to them.
Point-the unit-of-measure used in describing
the constituent parts of a Movement Allow-
ance, a Combat Strength, or a Range Allow-
ance. Also: the unit-of-measure of victory in
games with quantified Victory Conditions. The
word Point should always be used with a
modifier t o avoid ambiguity.
Production Center-a counter which represents
a given amount of unit-producing capability.
(see the game Strategy I).
Program Identity Code (PIC)-a number which
identifies the general category, specific type,
and specific unit in a given game. System was
designed t o be used in tactical games in which
a large number of different types are present.
(see the game PanzerBlitz).
Protection Strength-the defensive value of a
given type of terrain; used in games in which
defense is exclusively a characteristic of the
terrain, not the units themselves. see Fire
Protection Strength.
Rail Capacity Points-expendable points which
represent a Player's ability t o move given
quantities of his units by rail in a given
Movement Phase.
Rail Movement-special movement of units by
rail; usually found in games of Operational or
Strategic level.
Randomizer-a system for generating random
numbers for use in game:, consisting simply of
sets of chits (counters) numbered one through
ten which are drawn from a cup. one at a time,
t o determine the outcome of combat actions.
See the game Strategy I.
Range Allowance-the radius of action or
effect, in terms of hexagons, of an air unit,
artillery unit, or other missilefire unit.
real-space game-a game which is played with
miniatures or miniature-facsimiles without the
use of a mapor grid.
Reinforcement Chart-a chart which lists, by
Game-Turn, the new units which are t o be
brought into the game.
Retreat Priority-a rule provision which dictat-
es the preferred hexes into which retreating
units must move.
Road March Space (RMS)-the number of
hexagons which a single unit is said t o "occu-
py" as it moves in a road~travelconfiguration.
Used mainly in tactical/operational level
games. (see the game Lost Battles. )
Road Movement Rate-the number of Move-
ment Points-per-hex requird t o be expended
by a unit moving on a road.
saddle point-the point in a game in which the
outcome is usually decided.
Scenario-a game-situation consisting of dis-
tinct Orders of Battle, deployment, and Vic-
tory Conditions. Usually a game will present
several Scenarios all of which can be created
using the same basic equipment available in the
game.
Segment-a subdivision of a Phase in which
specific actions are t o be executed e.g., an Air
Movement Segment.
Sequence o f Play-the strictly defined order in
which specific Players are t o take specific
actions in a standard Game-Turn. The follow-
ing is an example of a typical Sequence of
Play:
First Player Turn:
A. Movement Phase-First Player moves his
units.
B. Combat Phase-First Player executes attacks
against Second Player's units.
C. Second Movement Phase--First Player
moves his units.
Second Player Turn:
D. Movement Phase-Second Player moves his
units.
E. Combat Phase-Second Player executes at-
tacks against First Player's units.
F. Second Movement Phase-Second Player
moves his units.
Players repeat the above sequence, recording
the passage of one Game-Turn for every
complete repetition of the cycle.
Stacking Points-the "stacking value" of a unit
expressed as a number. No more than a certain
number of Stacking Points are permitted in the
same hex at the same time. The Stacking Point
system is an alternative t o a system based upon
numbers of units per hex or numbers of
Strength Points per hex.
Standard Game-the body of rules which
constitute the basic game, without any option-
al rules or modification.
Step Reduction System-a system of combat
resolution in which units are partially eliminat-
ed in a series of steps (a new, weaker strength
unit being substituted each time losses are
suffered).
target acquisition-the fulfillment o f sighting
and other requirements necessary t o be able to
fire upon a given unit or hex.
Target hex-the hex occupied by a unit, or
units, which is the object of an attack. Phrase
is usually found in tactical games where
fire-through-distance is possible.
Terrain Effects Chart (TEC)-a chart which
lists the effects of various types of terrain
upon movement and combat.
Transport or Transporter-a unit which is
capable of carrying other units. (see Passen-
ger).
unit-a playing piece which represents a mili-
tary organization such as a division or a squad.