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 Fields of Fire is a single player boardgame that depicts the merry adventures of a Rifle Company of the 9th US Infantry “Manchus” in three conflicts: Normandy, Korea and Vietnam. Add that the maps are constructed randomly by placing a grid of cards, each representing a different terrain, clever enemy AI and 20-odd scenarios and you have a LOT of game in the box. It’s a game about desperate storming of trenches, veteran Sergeants shouting at green troops and being pinned by enemy fire while you call down artillery on their heads and pray that the phone line hasn’t been cut. It’s a game about watching your green CO become a veteran and your best troops get massacred in a minefield and replaced by farmers that don’t know which end of the rifle to point at the enemy. It’s a game about thinking very hard on whether to bring radios or telephones to a mission because you’re going to get hosed either way. It's also a horrible idea to LP this. What? I bought it a while ago, after reading a great LP by Lichtenstein that sadly got abandoned midway. On one hand, it’s a bloated, fiddly system that sometimes makes no sense and it has the worst manual ever written and covers all of my table on the first mission even if the “board” are just 16 playing cards and AAAHHH… On the other hand, eventually everything becomes pretty intuitive and almost elegant. It has many inventive mechanics that focus on effective communication with your subordinates, while at the same time disregarding hexes, Line of Sight, detailed maps and a lot of well established mechanics in order to create the feeling that you are a CO in the field. Most of the time it succeeds, and you’ll spend more time cursing your equipment than the enemy.  It also has a lot of counters. 880, to be exact. That’s tray 1 of 2. GMT kindly provides 18 small zip-bags to sort them, which is exactly as useful as it sounds. Here, have some more counter porn before we continue.  Don’t Panic. Goon Participation  Absolutely no knowledge of the rules is needed. Originally I was going to give you guys a chance to name our .jpg) (Shamelessly lifted from here, as it’s most of the OP) As you can see in the OOB, we have 4 main sections (HQ and 1st to 3rd Rifle Platoon) and several supporting units that at the start of the battle will get assigned to one of the sections. We also have a number of Cos and NCOs (the helmets) You see, one of the innovative mechanics I was talking about is the use of the chain of command. Each turn, our CO receives a number of actions depending on his experience, battle conditions and such. He can spend an action to order, say, 1st squad of the 1st platoon to move, but is much more efficient to “activate” (read: shout at) 1st platoon HQ, who then gets a number of commands of his own and can order the original squad and maybe some other guys too. My idea is that one lucky goon will get to play CO and give general orders to it's staff and Platoon HQs, but the details (and the real work of getting shot at) will be left to the Platoon HQs. Just like in real life. The XCO and 1st Sergeant are backup COs that also can be used to lug around units that you don't want to saddle any of the squads with, or that should stay put for the whole battle. Platoon HQs send men to their deaths. That said, I'm going to need 6 brave souls to take control of our COs and NCOs. Non HQ units get goon names but are at the mercy of their superiors. Bitching and second guessing them in the thread is encouraged. Again, just like in real life. Again, absolutely no knowledge of the rules is needed. I'll hand hold pretty heavily at the start. How to play I'll go through all this again as we need it, and turns will go slowly at first, so don't worry if you don't understand a lot of this stuff for nowNo, really, I don’t trust you. How do I learn to play. Sight. Ok, your choice. Here are the 2nd Edition Rules Here’s a quick start guide Here’s a playlist of videos for the first mission Here’s the errata  And an example of play Recommended order is read the Quick start guide and watch he walkthrough. Then go through the rules and try a couple of games (everything needed is available in Vassal with GMT’s seal of approval). Rinse and repeat until you get it. Also, if you want to buy the game both it and the sequel are available as part of the P500 program. They get printed when enough people has pledged (a la kickstarter), so go and buy them so I can get my copy of the sequel. Fat Samurai fucked around with this message at 19:27 on Aug 7, 2014 |
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Aug 1, 2014 18:26
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| # ? Apr 24, 2024 09:21 |
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WWI Campaign Mission 01 - Trevieres Offensive - intro Turn 01 Rules so far Boot Camp Terrain Combat Line of Sight. Our units Fat Samurai fucked around with this message at 00:03 on Aug 8, 2014 |
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Aug 1, 2014 18:26
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Reserved just in case
Fat Samurai fucked around with this message at 08:02 on Aug 5, 2014 |
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Aug 1, 2014 18:27
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Counter corners not clipped, thread voted 1 t ...just kidding, I have no patience to play at this speed but I'll be watching.
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Aug 1, 2014 18:46
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Signing up to die horribly but not as a CO. Throw me in a Rifle Platoon or something. 
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Aug 1, 2014 18:47
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Ah, what the hell, I have the time. (  )Sgt. Sighence, reporting for duty!
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Aug 1, 2014 19:04
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I'll gladly take the last unclaimed command position.
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Aug 1, 2014 19:25
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Sighence posted:Ah, what the hell, I have the time. ( If you're taking 1st Sgt, then I'll be the XO. Captain Best, reporting in.
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Aug 1, 2014 19:56
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This looks like it will be interesting. I'm happy to take any open spot, command or not command.
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Aug 1, 2014 19:58
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I'd like to take the LMG section if possible.
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Aug 1, 2014 19:59
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Can I sign up, not for a command position, but to have my name on a random grunt? If possible I'd like to be on a LMG or a mortar team. To be clear, I don't really want to have to make decisions or learn anything about the rules. But I'd love to bitch and moan and generally watch as my superiors lead me to an inevitable death.
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Aug 1, 2014 20:00
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If no one else has taken it, I'd like to take the Mortar Section if possible
TheCog fucked around with this message at 20:37 on Aug 1, 2014 |
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Aug 1, 2014 20:09
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I'd like to be a Platoon Leader. 2nd Lt. Butterbar reporting for duty.
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Aug 1, 2014 20:18
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Sigh me up for Platoon Command! preferably one of the rifle groups. Time to lead the poor bloody infantry!
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Aug 1, 2014 20:20
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Put me in as Private Commander Rex Manstrong, Bazooka section. (Commander is his first name  )
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Aug 1, 2014 20:27
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Sign up Private Pyle as, ironically, a Runner!
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Aug 1, 2014 20:37
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With my experience on the Eastern Front I am perfect for command of HQ CO! No, that's not a German accent. Its, uh, South African. unwantedplatypus fucked around with this message at 20:45 on Aug 1, 2014 |
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Aug 1, 2014 20:43
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Edit: YES! I was afraid no one would answer the call. ^^^^^^^^ I've updated the second post with our OOB so far (up to Commander Rex - Lichtenstein has called dibs on a commanding position, but I'd rather not have him as a CO, because he knows how to play and not get people killed and that's boring. He goes into the 3rd Platoon HQ. Someone call Herpicle. - I'm putting your name to individual units, rather than sections, because we're going to assign those units to platoons and staff. They are not supposed to operate together, but rather support each platoon. - The Mortar section is special. We'll have to decide whether to deploy a single 3-step section with 3 tubes (capable of indirect fire) or 3 single 1-step teams that cover a wider area but can only lay direct fire. I'll assign names to the teams and bundle all of you together if our CO decides to go with a 3-step section.
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Aug 1, 2014 20:48
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unwantedplatypus posted:With my experience on the Eastern Front I am perfect for command of HQ CO! Sir! That's good news, Sir! Because Rex Manstrong Punches Nazis! (A limited-edition platinum issue)
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Aug 1, 2014 20:52
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I was a squad leader last time and i will be a squad leader this time.
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Aug 1, 2014 20:53
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unwantedplatypus posted:With my experience on the Eastern Front I am perfect for command of HQ CO! I promise to work in at least one mutiny during the game. Think of it as keeping up traditions.
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Aug 1, 2014 21:07
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Bacarruda posted:I promise to work in at least one mutiny during the game. Think of it as keeping up traditions. Remember kids, Private Commander Rex Manstrong says: "Mutinies are Unamerican!" (Buy war bonds!)
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Aug 1, 2014 21:12
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Fat Samurai posted:- Lichtenstein has called dibs on a commanding position, but I'd rather not have him as a CO, because he knows how to play and not get people killed and that's boring. He goes into the 3rd Platoon HQ. Makes sense. That's one of the reasons I didn't really call dibs on anything in particular, with the worst case scenario being negotiating for the position of (kinda-spoiler alert) battalion XO. I can reassure you I intend on being a colorful, rather than efficient NCO.
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Aug 1, 2014 21:16
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Bacarruda posted:I promise to work in at least one mutiny during the game. Think of it as keeping up traditions. I promise to always send your platoon in first
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Aug 1, 2014 21:17
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Hand me the bazooka section, Cap'n!
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Aug 1, 2014 21:23
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FROM: Captain Tevery F. Best, XO, G Company, 2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division TO: Whoever the gently caress is in charge of supply, like hell if I know who that might be SUBJECT: Requisition order Dear Sir or Madam, I would like to politely requisition that you release to the disposal of my Company the following items, which we find absolutely indispensable in our continued struggle against the enemies of our wonderful country: 1. An encryption machine. It's kind of embarrassing, but nobody here knows any military codes. Don't you have some sort of a machine for that purpose? I bet you do, it's just that nobody told me. 2. A French horn. 3. Two violins. 4. A cello. 5. A double bass. 6. Three clarinets. 7. Sixty four packs of matches. 8. One litre of modelling glue. 9. One 500ml glass bottle. 10. One metre of string. Items 2-6 will serve as a foundation of our future company orchestra, which is required to elevate the enlisted men culturally and raise their spirits. Items 7-10 are urgently required in order to facilitate my hobby, i.e. building ships of matches and putting them in bottles. The purpose of this development is considered classified. Respectfully, Captain Tevery F. Best XO, G Company, 2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division Tevery Best fucked around with this message at 08:49 on Aug 2, 2014 |
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Aug 1, 2014 21:39
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Fat Samurai posted:- Lichtenstein has called dibs on a commanding position, but I'd rather not have him as a CO, because he knows how to play and not get people killed and that's boring. He goes into the 3rd Platoon HQ. Someone call Herpicle. Oh, I'm here. I'd rather stay in the peanut gallery thank you very much, lest I accidentally do something right.
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Aug 1, 2014 22:12
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I would like to try and run my own company of poor souls I send to their death! Masam, reporting for duty I would have requested CO but someone who actually has experience like Platypus probably should do it. masam fucked around with this message at 22:33 on Aug 1, 2014 |
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Aug 1, 2014 22:28
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masam posted:I would like to try and run my own company of poor souls I send to their death! Masam, reporting for duty Yeah, sure, we can call it experience.
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Aug 1, 2014 22:45
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Bacarruda posted:I promise to work in at least one mutiny during the game. Think of it as keeping up traditions. I get to play Ace Attorney: Court Martial between battles. Interesting. It seems we have enough people to cover the top spots. I'll keep adding newcomers, but we are more or less settled. I'll have our first mission written up tomorrow, along with our choices of equipment, which heavy weapon goes where and which Have I talked about radios yet? Don't worry I'm sure unwantedplatypus will make the best choice and won't leave half our company stranded behind enemy lines without any means of communications.
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Aug 1, 2014 23:05
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I wouldn't worry. My closest advisor, Anton Skorsny, is a wiz with logistics.
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Aug 1, 2014 23:32
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Can I claim the 2/2nd platoon or something? I tried teaching myself this game, but started with the Vietnam scenario which was a mistake. Someone put a decent educational run through on YouTube that was easier to learn from than the rules.
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Aug 1, 2014 23:48
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I will participate in the killing if there are spots open, but I have need played..
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Aug 2, 2014 00:40
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Sign me up for anything.
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Aug 2, 2014 03:51
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Any chance we'll pick up a Sniper section down the road? I'll reserve signing up if so, but I'll sure be watching this. Love me some table top LPs.
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Aug 2, 2014 04:23
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I went through the tutorials and I have a question: in available orders, you have regular movement, which Exposes you, and Infiltration, which does not. Are there any special requirements for infiltration? Or any other reason why you wouldn't always do it?
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Aug 2, 2014 15:07
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AFAIR you can only infiltrate when beginning or ending the move on a card under fire?
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Aug 2, 2014 16:44
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Sorry for the delay, I had to leave town unexpectedly and won't be back until tomorrow. Internet connection is spotty at best on my phone. When you move a unit, you generally get an exposed marker that makes your unit more vulnerable. Infiltration isn't automatic (you draw cards) but gives you a chance of moving without getting exposed. As Lichtenstein said, this is only possible when they are either being shot at or they want to move to a card under fire. Think of it as an incentive. Heavy weapons (mortars, HMG...) cannot infiltrate, because they are bulky. Incidentally, those weapons require setup and cannot shot right after moving (when they have an exposed marker on them), so the markers double up as "not ready" markers.
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Aug 2, 2014 21:32
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I'd like to take the Jeep. Vroom Vroom.
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Aug 3, 2014 00:55
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Asehujiko posted:I'd like to take the Jeep. Vroom Vroom. Beep Beep.
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Aug 3, 2014 01:14
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