Opponents Wanted

Find Gaming Opponents!

Another new feature for Grognard.com, "Opponents Wanted" provides a quick and easy way to locate gaming opponents with similar gaming preferences. Requires site registration. Grognard.com Opponents Wanted



Spotlight Articles

Outstanding articles that are not necessarily linked to one particular game, but may have broad appeal to gamers.

Armchair Dragoons Fall Assembly 11-13 October

Spotlight Article Graphic

Join the Dragoons for an event with "...multiple tables for wargaming events, plus a large table for all-day monster wargaming across extended sessions."

Poster: Doug Holt
Post Date: 9/3/2024


test spot date

test spot date

Poster: Doug Holt
Post Date: 4/29/2024


History of Wargaming

Spotlight Article Graphic

One of our Grognard members kindly submitted a scan of a fascinating early article about wargaming. The article is The History of Wargaming, by Martin Campion and Steven Patrick, and was in Strategy & Tactics, 1972, issue 33 used with permission from Decision Games.

Poster: Doug Holt
Post Date: 4/4/2023


Campaigning and fast play WWII tactical rules

Spotlight Article Graphic

"The rules provided by Matt are designed to allow the fast play needed to cover so much potential action, so that friends can complete their campaign in a day." Norm Smith, in Battlefields & Warriors, checks out a fast play campaign system offered by Matt Irsik in Warning Order, which is a free, online wargames journal. Check out the action in Norm's test run through, and why he concludes that "…Matt has provided us with an engine that gets things moving and helps ensure that a campaign can be fought through relatively quickly to a conclusion."

Poster: Doug Holt
Post Date: 8/10/2022


Test ADM420.5 Text

Test ADM420.5 Commentary future article

Poster: Pat L.
Post Date: 6/26/2022


Poster: Pat L.
Post Date: 6/22/2022


Poster: Pat L.
Post Date: 5/26/2022


More Spotlight articles...


Gaming Conventions

Gaming Conventions

Another new feature for Grognard.com, the Gaming Convention calendar will make it a snap to keep up with all the latest gaming conventions in your area. But we need your gaming convention information, so please contribute.



Grognard News

Grognard Challenge - Expanded Room for Comments! (6/25/2023)

The Comments entry area has been resized to 512 characters.

Grognard Originals

In addition to our links to great content all around the internet, expect to see more Grognard.com "originals" in the future.

This is an original articl

Test to see how original articles work

A Close Look at a Neglected Gem

Long overdue review of Victory Games' "Central America: America's Backyard War", written by Mark D.. In depth review covering rules, game features, and scenarios (one of the highlights of the game). Editor's note: I've been playing this game again after a long, long time, so I felt this article was worth re-publishing to maybe spark interest in the game...

Falling Sky - Perfect Opening Moves - Roman (updated)

Is there such a thing as a "Perfect Opening Move" in any of GMT's COIN Series games? Mark D. shares his idea of a "perfect" opening turn for the Romans in Falling Sky. Enjoy.

Editor's note added on 5/15/2021.

Higlanders - Scenario for Vietnam: 1965-1975

Experimental scenario for Vietnam: 1965-1975 created and shared by Mark D'Agosta.

More Grognard Originals...


Grognard Challenge

Latest Challenge

Have a look at the graphics for the latest Challenge and see past solutions and contest winners.

Recommended (archives)

Wargaming - General Info

Board Wargames

Miniatures Wargames

Computer Wargames

Academic Gaming

Board Games

Internet Based/PBEM Games

Individual Wargamer Blogs

Wargaming Magazines

Asst Software/Player Aides

In Memoriam

Grognards Lost


A B C D E F G H I
J K L M N O P Q R
S T U V W X Y Z '-9

South China Sea: War Game Replay


Learning the System - Game Replay


South China Sea - Board Game Replay
by Mark D. and Harvey Mossman  *  28-Apr-2018

Overview


Buy from
Noble Knight Games
Buy South China Sea from Noble Knight Games

My gaming buddy Harvey Mossman and I decided to give this game a shot as we are both intrigued by the subject matter. We also wanted to see whether this was more of a "game" or a "simulation" (or a nice combination of both, hopefully). But, most of all, we want to know if it is a fun, engaging, competitive game. I chose to be the Americans (also playing on behalf of regional power Vietnam), leaving Harvey to lead the Chinese (and regional power Malyasia). The Philippines will ride the fence, allowing the two major powers to alternate control every other turn.

We decided on "Scenario 4: Spratly Missile Crisis" which looked the most like a "campaign" game and dove right in, learning the rules as we go along. We opted to play the six political turns, rather than using the alternative short-cut and, while it may ultimately end up being a lot of work for very little benefit, we both think that the political card play could result in a significant advantage for one side or the other at the start of the Military Turns if skillfully handled.

We got to the 3rd political turn before Armed Conflict was triggered. USA netted a starting victory point advantage of 1. I really like the fact that the game can be played to a victorious conclusion without ever triggering armed conflict and will probably invest some time in analyzing the possibility of one player maneuvering the other into an inescapable political defeat. But, per the scenario instructions, if after 6 political turns neither major power has won, proceed directly to the 10 Military Turns. So, there will definitely be "armed conflict" in this game.

Our intention is to provide very brief summaries each week on the progress of the game, possibly some detailed commentary, and definitely some pictures.


Military Turn #1


U.S. Summary

Not a lot happening yet, as you might expect. My two large forces are split between a 3-carrier task force in the Celebes Sea, and a large naval, air and ground force on Okinawa. It will take several turns before they are able to fully engage the Chinese. I believe that we are to assume full military cooperation between the U.S. and Vietnam and also between China and Malaysia. So I intended to send the Vietnamese navy and air force out to run interference as best they can. Harvey anticipated this and destroyed the airfield, SAM unit and Flanker squadron at Cam Ranh Bay. The Vietnamese Kilo-class subs are on the prowl now and will hopefully get some payback next turn.

I chose to focus my LACM strikes on Chinese units present in the Spratlys and was able to destroy both of the SAM units there. Lots of victory point hexes in the Spratlys so I want to soften them up fast.

Meanwhile, in the Celebes Sea, I unleashed my carrier based F-35s and AV-8Bs loose on the Malaysian navy and air force, with disppointing results. Gave them a bloody nose, but both are still in existence and are therefore still a threat to my carriers. Better luck next turn.

South China Sea: U.S. Task Force #1 - Celebes Sea

South China Sea: U.S. Task Force #2 - Okinawa

South China Sea: U.S. Task Force Dispositions after Military Turn #1


China Summary

(As the game progresses, Harvey will add his comments about Chinese play and strategy. But in the meantime, I've added a few pics of his current force dispositions.)

South China Sea: Chinese Task Force #1 Near the Paracels

South China Sea: Chinese Task Force #2 South of Hong Kong

South China Sea: Chinese Task Force Dispositions after Military Turn #1


Closing Thoughts

Mark: Not much to say here. Things should heat up quite a bit on Military Turns 2 and 3. Time will tell...

Harvey: What he said...