RAF:Battle of Britain AAR

[JudgeDredd]

Prelude to Eagle Day
Sequence of Play

• Daily Planning Phase - Occurs once each day at the start of the day
• Raid Phase - Perform several times a day for the number of raids you have
• Airfield Operations Phase - Performed several times each day as the clock marker moves around the clock
• Calendar Update Phase - Performed once per day after the last raid

Daily Planning Phase
Night Raid Planning
Optional and not being used here

German Strategy Draw
Draw German Strategy cards based on the Victory Point total - Strategy cards are not used in the one day scenario Prelude to Eagle Day

Raid Target Selection
Draw 10 Target Cards (8 if Morning Haze is in effect because you cannot plan a raid for 0600 or 0800 with Morning Haze active)

I draw 10 - and these are the 10


I now have to determine which ones are valid targets.
Looking at the German Raid Priority Table I can see a matrix. So...
Industry & Cities - These are Low Priority and therefore for any with Strategy Value 1 or 2, I cannot attack, but for Strategy Value 3 I can perform a Minor Raid
Airfields - These are Medium Priority and therefore for any with Strategy Value 1 I cannot attack, for Strategy Value 2 I can perform a Minor Raid and for Strategy Value 3 I can perform a Major Raid
Ports & Radar - These are High Priority and therefore for any with Strategy Value 1 I can perform a Minor Raid and for Strategy Value 2 & 3 I can perform a Major Raid

So, having looked at these, I remove
Farnborough (city)
Southampton (city)
North Weald (airfield)
Rochester (industry)

NB - If you do not select at least 3 targets which allow for Major Raids, draw Target Cards one at a time until you have 3 Major Raids
This has happened to me - I only have 2 Major Raid targets - so I pull another card and get Rye - Radar Site

And I can perform the following raids
Minor Raid
Minor Raids allow for 1-3 Gruppen to take part in the raid
Southend (city)
Hornchurch (airfield)
Biggin Hill (airfield)
Worth (radar)

Major Raid
Major Raids allow for 1-16 Gruppen to take part in the raid
Biggin Hill (airfield)
Kenley (airfield)
Rye (radar)

And I assign them to the following times by placing them on the Raid Planning Track and putting the time counter next to them.


NB - you can have up to 3 raids performed per time segment
NB - the time slots are important in that each time segment the clock is moved, RAF fighters move in varying stages of readiness
^I'm not fully aware how this will work - it seems like something that will become more apparent when I play - so hopefully I can clarify then.

More tomorrow

[GJK]

I'm doing some digging in to this game on BGG.  It's got really good reviews (I look real long and hard at any game that has a subject matter that I'm interested in AND has an average rating over 7 - this one comes in at 8.06).  I like to read the player reviews and I look for people that I either know or have read so many reviews from that I know their style and what they like.  Looking at the 10's and 9's, the people say that it's an outstanding bang for your buck value and damn fine solitaire game.  The low ratings (4's and up which tells me it really is a good game with no 2's or 3's (I discount 1's)) have the only major squabble as being that there just aren't a lot of decisions to be made.  THAT is what I look for in this AAR; are you making some key decisions or are you simply drawing cards and making rolls on charts.

BTW, this is a John Butterfield design and I've enjoyed a number of his titles, so that's another positive in my book.

[JudgeDredd]

That's very controlled of you. Unfortunately, I buy board games the same way I buy computer games...on impulse. I do some investigation, but as long as it's solitaire and has a reasonable score (above 6 on BGG) and is of interest to me, I might make the purchase. Thankfully, boardgames (that I am interested in) are not as prolific as computer games.

Actually I say unfortunately, but the only game I regretted buying was U-Boat Leader - not that it was bad, just not my cup of tea

Regarding your question re decisions or drawing cards/rolling dice - I am not there yet to let you know...I've read the rules once (more scan read than deep reading) and now I'm playing whilst going through the rules.

I like doing AARs whilst learning because you can play and go to the various ruleset for the various phases. Also if anyone around is knowledgeable, they can pull you up when you are a dork.

So I can't really tell you at the moment, but hopefully it will become apparent as I go through it.

[Windigo]

+1 8)

and..... +1 from me too

[GJK]

That's very controlled of you. Unfortunately, I buy board games the same way I buy computer games...on impulse. I do some investigation, but as long as it's solitaire and has a reasonable score (above 6 on BGG) and is of interest to me, I might make the purchase. Thankfully, boardgames (that I am interested in) are not as prolific as computer games.

Actually I say unfortunately, but the only game I regretted buying was U-Boat Leader - not that it was bad, just not my cup of tea

Regarding your question re decisions or drawing cards/rolling dice - I am not there yet to let you know...I've read the rules once (more scan read than deep reading) and now I'm playing whilst going through the rules.

I like doing AARs whilst learning because you can play and go to the various ruleset for the various phases. Also if anyone around is knowledgeable, they can pull you up when you are a dork.

So I can't really tell you at the moment, but hopefully it will become apparent as I go through it.

I already blew through my wargaming wad this month; Rising Sun (ASL core module), The Supreme Commander and The Hunters all hit late last month or this month plus I picked up used copies of For the People and Combat Commander: Pacific recently so with the holidays coming up, I'll just have to stick to what I have for now (cue the violins).

Oh, and yes, I figured you'll learn about how involved you get as a player once you actually start playing the game - so yes, will be following along closely.

[GJK]

Thankfully, boardgames (that I am interested in) are not as prolific as computer games.

That would make an interesting topic for another thread.  Generally I find that boardgames cover many/most subject matter more thoroughly; meaning with more games than you get with PC games.  However, if I read in to what you're saying, it's easier to pick up a PC game on the fly and give it a whirl as opposed to a boardgame which will generally consume more time prepping, learning and setting up.  If you were just a pure "collector", I suspect that you'd buy boardgames more frequently but I gather you actually play (or attempt to play) any boardgame that you purchase - which is good.  My goal is to at least try and play each boardgame that I've purchased but I don't know that there would be any way that I could possibly do that but I have been more constrained in my purchases in recent years in that I too am trying to make it a point to not purchase any game that I don't think that I'd ever get to in a reasonable amount of time.

[MengJiao]

Raid Target Selection
Draw 10 Target Cards (8 if Morning Haze is in effect because you cannot plan a raid for 0600 or 0800 with Morning Haze active)

  I'm comparing this with the Burning Blue as you go.  Of course the Burning Blue is not supposed to be solitaire so I had to randomize
things while setting up raids (eg. each "raid" had three potential targets, but tBB gives you a huge list of actual raids to pick from so that
was almost a natural extension).  In tBB the poor Germans don't have much luck if there is variable weather in different parts of the map and they hit haze or clouds; they just get lost and bomb something else at random -- which of course did actually happen pretty often in reality.

[BanzaiCat]

I've tried to get to a review of this for a while, and while I've made a bit of headway I obviously haven't had a chance to complete it yet.

This game is a LOT of fun. I spent a lot of time playing the older version years ago.

[Windigo]

I've tried to get to a review of this for a while, and while I've made a bit of headway I obviously haven't had a chance to complete it yet.
This game is a LOT of fun. I spent a lot of time playing the older version years ago.

Thats ok Puss, you're in fine company in that regard... no names but someone dropped the ball on what was going to be a kickass gold plated review of PitF... pitty

[JudgeDredd]

There is haze and patchy cloud and broken cloud in this game. You roll I believe to see the outcome of the weather.

[Nefaro]

Just unboxed my new copy last night.  Sure, the maps aren't mounted but I'm kinda glad they separated each separate sub-game's manuals up so that you don't have to constantly skip over paragraphs pertaining to a different play mode.   8)

I saw mention that the counters could be a bit troublesome to punch out, but I've not done so yet.  The artwork looks good in general, though.


Hey JD.. what made you decide to play the 'Eagle' game first?  I'm probably gonna try out 'Lion' on my first go if only because it may be easier or faster to do so.

[JudgeDredd]

Just unboxed my new copy last night.  Sure, the maps aren't mounted but I'm kinda glad they separated each separate sub-game's manuals up so that you don't have to constantly skip over paragraphs pertaining to a different play mode.   8)

I saw mention that the counters could be a bit troublesome to punch out, but I've not done so yet.  The artwork looks good in general, though.


Hey JD.. what made you decide to play the 'Eagle' game first?  I'm probably gonna try out 'Lion' on my first go if only because it may be easier or faster to do so.

I couldn't agree more about the manuals...superb idea to split them out into the 3 modes - Axis Solitaire, Allied Solitaire and 2 player.

I'm WWII German mental. Not all the bad stuff obviously. I was always enamoured with their aircraft and tanks. I always loved the German kit.

[W8taminute]

Here we go, another AAR that I will subscribe to in order to keep track of. 

This game interested me immediately when it was mentioned here a few weeks ago.  Wish the map was mounted but other than that the quality of the materials that comprise this game look superb. 

[JudgeDredd]

Still on the

Daily Planning Phase
Bomber Assignment
I now assign bomber Gruppen. I need to stay within the Raid Size limits and (though it's not specifically mentioned, I believe the Raid Size Limits include fighters).

The limits are 1-3 Gruppen for Minor Raids and for Major Raids the max number of Gruppen depends on the number of raids being performed in a day. For me I have 7 raids happening so I am allowed a maximum of 11 Gruppen.

I move the bombers taking part to their target cards making sure Luftflotte 2 and 3 aircraft are assigned to the correct cards
NB - something that isn't clear in the rules for me is some of the cards say Luftflotte 2 South and Luftflotte 2 East - but I don't know how to determine those. The map board only has Luftflotte 2 slots - no South and East segments.

NB There's very possibly importance on which aircraft to assign to your raids. I expect that is quite important due to Bombing Strength and Combat Rating. I didn't take account of this - I just threw aircraft into the mix - but I expect (GJK) that this is one of the important decisions you will have to make and I hope my lack of doing so is displayed to you in all it's glorious failure  ;D

Fighter Assignment
After assigning bomber Gruppen, I assign fighter Gruppen for the first 3 Time Slots (not targets) only.

These are my raids with my bombers and fighter escorts.


NB Point to note about the target WORTH - it is in 4/10 (Sector 4 Group 10 - Middle Wallop) and that sector is outside Me109 range. However, the rules state you can still assign Me109 escorts but they will be placed in the Channel Patrol Box...I don't know about the significance of this yet (presumably they can be intercepted quicker possibly?) - but it will become apparent when I get to that stage. It sounds like a potential "penalty" for the German player though.

Night Patrol Assignment
Optional and not being performed in this game

Repair
Skipped on first day for obvious reasons  ;D

Time of Day and Weather Forecast
Put the Time counter on the clock relating to the time of your first raid (for me that's 0600)

Next is to Roll for Weather
Roll one die for each Luftflotte and consult the Weather Table. I roll a 1 for Luftflotte 3 which gives me clear weather in that area (no counter placed) and I roll a 6 for Luftflotte 2 which gives me Broken Clouds...I'm sure that won't be good.

Here you can see I've put a Broken Clouds counter on the map in Luftflotte 2 and left Luftflotte 3 empty showing Clear Skies


I have no Luftflotte 2 bombers left. Six of my seven raids were in Luftflotte 2! I didn't have enough bombers and filled each of the raids up to their maximum 11 Gruppen with fighters.

Sorry it was a bit short tonight - but football was on (well done Germany  ;D )

More tomorrow

[Nefaro]

Whomever bitched about the counters not being punched well, on Boardgamegeek, were right.  This has to be one of the worst, if not the worst, counter-punching experience I've had with a wargame. 

It was a fight to get the damn things out in one piece and a bit nerve wracking.  I actually had the backside paper peel off on one of my Blenheim counters.  Luckily the paper was in one piece so it was an easy Elmer's glue fix.  :-\  After that, I had to use a modelling knife to ensure the rest didn't put up as much of a fight.  They were still goddamn messy and worrisome.. definitely had to clip the corners afterward.   I've never had to use a razorblade just to get all the counters out of the counter sheet before.  Perhaps I just one of a few people to get an exceptionally bad counter sheet?  I am glad there was only one.

Other than that, everything looks pretty good.   I hope they demand better results on their counter sheets from the printer in the future.