Operational Wargaming

[Rekim]

I clip most of my games but am starting to feel a tad inadequate with my nail clippers + CD jewel case jig. The standards for clipping have gone way up over the last couple of years. Professional grade clippers are catching on in a big way it seems.

[nht]

You could always try to track down a copy of something like Objective: Kiev. Nice, easy operational game that you can learn fast and doesn't take up too much space. It's not the deepest game around, but there's enough depth to warrant replays. Solo friendly, too (at least insofar as it doesn't have any hidden info).

The No Retreat games are fun, too, but the most approachable one (Russian Front) is out of print, and both North Africa and Italian Front (the latter in particular) are a lot more complex.

[Barthheart]

Haven't played it yet myself but Enemy Action: Ardennes is getting lots of love over at the geek, and is in print at the moment. Enemy Action is designed to be played solo or 2-player. Includes three maps; solo ALLIED, solo AXIS and one for 2-player.

Oh but those counters look nice. I may need to buy this game for them alone. I refer to an non mutilated version of course. I hereby pledge my alliance to square chits  O:-)

O0

[panzerde]

I've just picked up Reluctant Enemies, a non-monster game in MMP's Operational Combat Series. I've yet to get it on the table and am still reading the rules, but this game is designed to be a good intro to the series. I'm liking what I'm seeing so far. MMP is also releasing a Sicily/Operation Husky game in this series and a revision of their Tunisia/Operation Torch game that are smaller scale and won't require you to rent a banquet hall to get the room to play them.

MMP's The Tide at Sunset is a very interesting operational scale treatment of the ground campaign of the Russo-Japanese War. Picked it up last year at Origins and have enjoyed it. Gorgeous map, too.

If you are interested in Napoleonics, take a look at the games from OSG. The Library of Napoleonic Battles system is pretty easy to pick up and the OOBs and maps are very well researched.

I have Von Moltke's Triumph sitting here ready to go soon. Operational level Franco-Prussian War and just released from White Dog Games. Simple but elegant seeming system without a giant rule book.

Finally, I'll second Barth's recommendation of the Corp Command games from LnLP. Dawn's Early Light is a great, fast playing game and a gentle introduction into operational games if you don't want to tear into something as serious as OCS .

[mirth]

+1 for Tide at Sunset. Great game.

[panzerde]

I mis-typed, it's actually The Tide at Sunrise, but as Mirth says a great game nonetheless!