Eastern Front

[Rekim]

My copy of RB arrived on Friday. Turned out to be a 1st edition copy  :-X

I'm trying to figure out if it is possible to use the 2nd edition rules with first edition components. I may pawn it off and pick up a 2nd edition if not. Apparently, the game is MUCH improved by the 2nd edition rules.

The real kicker is, L2 was sold out of RB when I placed my order a couple of weeks ago. Since that time L2 announced they will be reprinting RB in Oct '14....with an upgrade package.

[bob48]

^That's a bummer. I gather that, apart from a some significant rules and map update, there are some significant changes to the counter-mix in 2nd Ed as well. I have look for the expansion pack but that seems to be non existent as of now.

According to the L2 guys (on CSW), all copies of the 2nd game, the expansion, and update pack for 1st ed have all been sold out. I'm not as to the status of L2DG or if they are still operating.

Also, I see that Compass Games now publish L2's 'Bitter Woods' Ardennes games, so maybe they have acquired the publishing rights to some L2 games, so maybe they will do RB at some point?

[Rekim]

I just noticed that information on the RB reprint I mentioned finding on the L2 website is dated 2012. Guess I'll just have to work with what I have.

In fact, you may be able to help me get things up to spec Bob (for use with V2 rules that is). From reading through the RB forums on BGG it sounds like it is almost feasible to use V1 product with V2 rules. Users have asked more than once whether it will work...and the experts always answered that it is doable. However, later in these same threads it has been pointed out that while all of the V2 charts are available for download the V2 Order of Battle is not. Strangely, no one has ever acknowledged these remarks. I'm left with the impression that the new OB chart is the only ingredient missing. I understand that the counter mix is not identical either, but is only a matter of adding a half dozen new counters to the V1 mix. The Vassal module will allow me to fix that in short order.

[bob48]

Check out the CSW thread for some downloadable stuff, but yes, if I can be of any help, just let me know.

[Boggit]

IMHO AH's old Russian Campaign still holds it's own as well....  You could probably pick up a copy of the 3rd edition on ebay for $10 - $20 bucks.  Also, I had no problem finding players for it.

Where do you find your opponents? Do you use Vassal? One reason I don't play board games much is the difficulty of finding opponents locally. >:(

[bob48]

I'm lucky insofar as I do have a couple of buddies with whom I've wargamed for 30-odd years, although we're not able to get together as often as we used to. Most of my board gaming tends to be solo, and although that's not as enjoyable as F2F gaming, it can still be rewarding if you are able to just play the best game you can for each side. I also like exploring game systems and various 'what-if' situations, and, if it comes to that, just learning new systems.

I've been playing board war games since the late 1960's, and I think I have just got used to playing in a 'left-hand-against-right-hand' environment, so it has never put me off. Despite the fact that there are plenty of good PC games, I still enjoy the actual physical component aspect of a map and counter game.

Whilst I do have Vassal, and several modules for games I own, I don't somehow ever seem to be able to play games very well using it. It may well be that I just don't try hard enough to master using Vassal.

[Rekim]

I have a tough time finding FtF opponents for any wargames, with the exception of ASL. Most of my tabletop purchases these days are solitaire games for this reason. There is little chance I will find a local opponent for Russia Besieged. If it didn't already have Vassal support I probably wouldn't have made the purchase.

Vassal is just as good as FtF in my books.