Enjoyed the video. I have not play any of those games. My Avalon Hill games were limited to Panzer Leader and Tobruk. Like you I started gaming in the '70s. Unlike you, and some other TH-cam gamers, I did not sell my games. So now that I am starting back gaming, I can play my original games.
Played and still have all but Gettysburg, have the Gettysburg 88 version. Actually won the WS&IM tourney at Origins III in 1977, love the game but have modified a few rules since (mostly on boarding actions).
Victory in the Pacific is the crown jewel of wargaming! The Russian Campaign is not far behind. Have always wanted to try and learn Caesar at Alesia someday as it looks so unique.
Interesting vid... when my AH days began to wane, I kept most of my games... D-Day, Stalingrad, Africa Korps, Midway, BEFORE I traded Guadacanal, BULGE and Waterloo away... one of these days I'll pick up Guadalcanal... also picked up ANZIO along the way, and that one looks scary... tell me what you think of it. I have RUSSIAN CAMPAIGN. I did manage to pick up a 1958 copy of Gettysburg, which includes scrim aching units... LOVE BLITZKRIEG... especially after going to Louis LVX (EBAY) and getting the more specialized units (ships, air craft, etc). Have Caesar and Alexander but not all THAT about either one of them. What do you think of TACTICS II? Still love playing it.
Hi Jim I never play ANZIO but I do want to try and pick one up soon. Blitzkrieg was ok but I not sure I every played it with specialized units. I never had Tactics II so I can say anything about it.
I have to admit that having started with Victory in the Pacific, I was very disappointed with its' "parent" game, War at Sea. Obviously not everyone would agree with me, but I found War at Sea horribly imbalanced in favour of the Axis. For the Allies to win, forced unhistorical strategy, such as abandoning the Mediterranean Sea, became a must. Now, I'm sure many reading that will take Umbridge, and if you like the game as is - fine, no problem. In my defence I point to the absolute plethora of variants for both games, and would argue the overwhelming number are trying to "fix" War at Sea. May I suggest that if after a game or two you find yourself "unsatisfied", try two variants in particular; 1) "Basic probability in the War at Sea" by Richard Hamblen (designer of V.I.T.P.) - General Vol. 13.3 pp. 13-16, 18. This article introduces a few ships of the French Fleet, Italian Frogmen, extra Convoys, increased Points of Control for the Med., but importantly restricts Italian ships to only moving from port on a die roll of 5 or 6, similar to the U.S. Atlantic fleet in the basic game. 2) "Improving Yahtzee at Sea" by Rev. Jack A. Worth, The Boardgamers Unofficial Guide to War at Sea, p.26. Somewhat similar to Richard's variant, this adds Gibraltar, a small British reaction force (similar to "raiders in V.I.T.P., an idea included in Jedko's second edition in the 1990's), but the main change is 1 hit = 1 point of damage. This removes the situation where it is often better to have four 1-1-7 cruisers in a sea area as opposed to a single 4-4-6 or such battleship. There is more to the above variants than can be listed here, but those are two of my personal favourites. As I say, in the General Magazine (available online these days?) there are plenty of variants to choose from for both V.I.T.P. and W.A.S., not to mention the later War at Sea 2 by Alan R. Moon. Excellent video as always, love your work. Cheers.
Love VITP and WAS both are fun games
I agree with that.
Enjoyed the video. I have not play any of those games. My Avalon Hill games were limited to Panzer Leader and Tobruk. Like you I started gaming in the '70s. Unlike you, and some other TH-cam gamers, I did not sell my games. So now that I am starting back gaming, I can play my original games.
Very nice Theodore, you are a wise person.
Anzio. One of my favourites of all time.
I never played it, but I would like to get it one day.
Guilty as charged! Hope you enjoy Caesar at Alesia. Great game! Cheers!
I am looking forward to giving it a go. I purchased that game right after your show that night.
Played and still have all but Gettysburg, have the Gettysburg 88 version. Actually won the WS&IM tourney at Origins III in 1977, love the game but have modified a few rules since (mostly on boarding actions).
Boarding in WSIM. Was totally wrong. I banned it.
Yeah I boarding never worked for me. Thanks for watching.
Of those you mentioned here, WS&IM and Caesar are my favorites (and ones I still own from when they were published).
I do like WS&IM and I am looking forward to playing Caesar soon.
Victory in the Pacific is the crown jewel of wargaming! The Russian Campaign is not far behind. Have always wanted to try and learn Caesar at Alesia someday as it looks so unique.
I really like Victory in the Pacific, one of my top games for sure. thanks for watching,
I would like to see a play through ofGettysburg!
I had a couple of people ask for that. I will try to get it on the channel.
Interesting vid... when my AH days began to wane, I kept most of my games... D-Day, Stalingrad, Africa Korps, Midway, BEFORE I traded Guadacanal, BULGE and Waterloo away... one of these days I'll pick up Guadalcanal... also picked up ANZIO along the way, and that one looks scary... tell me what you think of it. I have RUSSIAN CAMPAIGN. I did manage to pick up a 1958 copy of Gettysburg, which includes scrim aching units... LOVE BLITZKRIEG... especially after going to Louis LVX (EBAY) and getting the more specialized units (ships, air craft, etc). Have Caesar and Alexander but not all THAT about either one of them. What do you think of TACTICS II? Still love playing it.
Hi Jim I never play ANZIO but I do want to try and pick one up soon. Blitzkrieg was ok but I not sure I every played it with specialized units. I never had Tactics II so I can say anything about it.
Caesar's Legions. Had it. Sold it. rebought it bought it's grown up n updated cousin Caesar in Gaul from Camelot games.
Got got one of the Gettysburg with the square spaces It's just okay. Bought Anzio n...nope.
I am looking forward to playing that one.
You're a scale modeler too? I think I see some Vallejo paint bottle in the background.
I am, but those are mostly for Warhammer miniatures that I do with my son.
I have to admit that having started with Victory in the Pacific, I was very disappointed with its' "parent" game, War at Sea. Obviously not everyone would agree with me, but I found War at Sea horribly imbalanced in favour of the Axis. For the Allies to win, forced unhistorical strategy, such as abandoning the Mediterranean Sea, became a must. Now, I'm sure many reading that will take Umbridge, and if you like the game as is - fine, no problem. In my defence I point to the absolute plethora of variants for both games, and would argue the overwhelming number are trying to "fix" War at Sea.
May I suggest that if after a game or two you find yourself "unsatisfied", try two variants in particular;
1) "Basic probability in the War at Sea" by Richard Hamblen (designer of V.I.T.P.) - General Vol. 13.3 pp. 13-16, 18. This article introduces a few ships of the French Fleet, Italian Frogmen, extra Convoys, increased Points of Control for the Med., but importantly restricts Italian ships to only moving from port on a die roll of 5 or 6, similar to the U.S. Atlantic fleet in the basic game.
2) "Improving Yahtzee at Sea" by Rev. Jack A. Worth, The Boardgamers Unofficial Guide to War at Sea, p.26. Somewhat similar to Richard's variant, this adds Gibraltar, a small British reaction force (similar to "raiders in V.I.T.P., an idea included in Jedko's second edition in the 1990's), but the main change is 1 hit = 1 point of damage. This removes the situation where it is often better to have four 1-1-7 cruisers in a sea area as opposed to a single 4-4-6 or such battleship.
There is more to the above variants than can be listed here, but those are two of my personal favourites. As I say, in the General Magazine (available online these days?) there are plenty of variants to choose from for both V.I.T.P. and W.A.S., not to mention the later War at Sea 2 by Alan R. Moon.
Excellent video as always, love your work. Cheers.
Thank you Bucko's Piffle, and thanks for the information on the variants for both War at Sea and VITP. Thanks for watching.