If there was ever a scenario that came close to getting a "1" rating (or less) from me it was this one; not so much because of the scenario itself but the way I chose to play it through with the Japanese. Still gets a "2" out of me though in hindsight as it could of gone much better but honestly, I was literally praying for "fog of war" to occur each turn midway through it.

Actually, I liked the randomness to start with; the variables in the Japanese deployment and the uncertainity that the disorientation rule provided. However, after a few turns of the novelties I realized that there was no chance in getting 8 Japanese steps off the north edge of the map but kept on trying to exit the units anyway, in hopes that at least 4 units would make it and then maybe eliminate enough American steps for a victory. As it turned out I was barely able to exit 2 Japanese units by the end of play and only one Japanese assault ever really materialized, which eventualy resulted in a modest 2 American step losses. There were a few moments when I wanted to start the scenario all over again but went ahead on with it as it sat. Disorientation was bad enough but the increased chances of fog of war was just as bad for the Japanese; over half of the OOB never even moved from their original starting points. In hindsight I deemed that the only way the Japanese could hope to win this one or get a draw would be to make as many assaults as possible as soon as contact was made with the American defenders instead of trying to escape them. Then, maybe if the disorientation rule permitted, they might make it off the map. However, just getting the Japanese together to make such assaults was a chore in itself. I didn't realize until it was too late that the only way out for the Japanese was through the marines. I suppose that on the other hand it was good that the Americans won this one as far as an overall campaign perspective is concerned as midway through 'Guadalcanal', in the course of 12 scenarios, the Japanese have 8 victories; America just 3 with this one and one draw. I also wasn't too pleased with the American pre-plotted artillery SSR; turns out that not one Japanese unit even came close to those bombardment hexes as they were placed to the rear of the American units deployed on the ridge. With all this in mind I pretty much know what to expect of scenario #14 'Edson's Ridge, the Second Night' and hopefully have learned a thing or two after this debacle.