Reduced starters

[Grognard Gunny]

Some scenarios have units (on either side) that begin "reduced" (I will assume that means 'with one step gone'.)

If those reduced units are further reduced during the game and thrown into the "dead pile" (for later accounting), are they only counted for the actual step lost in combat, or are they counted as two steps lost? If only the actual step lost in combat, how does one keep track of which is which?

Unless it is but another kink in the game to separate the two "types" of losses in units,,,,,,,

GG

[goosebrown]

Only count the step loss for the step in play. You can flip the units in the graveyard so if you lose two steps, flip it to full strength and if you lose one, then leave it as a 1 step unit

[Shad]

I track step losses, initiative, and such with pencil and paper.

[triangular_cube]

I track step losses, initiative, and such with pencil and paper.

And its certainly not as burdensome as it may sound. Before converting to primarily vassal which has its own tickers for tracking it, all I really did was set up a few tally columns on scratch paper and it was sufficient for the vast majority of scenarios. 

Since OP has been playing Battle of the Bulge

T - A - G 3(5)
------------2 (3)

With T = Completed Turns tallied beneath, A(merican) step losses tallied beneath, G(erman) step losses tallied beneath, and Initiative(steps to reduce initiative) to the side.

Unless you have onerous scenario special rules, thats really all you need to track for gameplay/victory purposes within 1 square inch of paper.

[Shad]

within 1 square inch of paper.

You just triggered some memories of being annoyed that I got an entire 8.5x11 sheet of clean white paper and tallied up about 5% of it for a small scenario.

Now what do I do? Put it back in the box and use it next time?

Agree 100%. Not burdensome at all.

[Grognard Gunny]

Oh I'll keep a tally sheet. I was looking for an easy out, that's all. I really HATE to clutter things up. Hobbys are supposed to be fun, remember?

GG

[plloyd1010]

Some scenarios have units (on either side) that begin "reduced" (I will assume that means 'with one step gone'.)

Yes, that's correct. Unless the SSR's say otherwise, or you don't have a major, they are eligible for consolidation with the optional rule.
 

If those reduced units are further reduced during the game and thrown into the "dead pile" (for later accounting), are they only counted for the actual step lost in combat, or are they counted as two steps lost? If only the actual step lost in combat, how does one keep track of which is which?

They are only one step for loses, still normally double if is a reduced tank. In Vassal, I normally put units back to their original state when sending them to the graveyard (serves as a backup). There is a step loss counter on the turn track (my primary record). Of course Drew's tree-killer method always works.

[Blackcloud6]

If you put Plexiglas over your map, you can use an alcohol pen to write down the tic marks for keeping track of losses, initiative changes, terrain changes etc.  Then when done, wipe it away with alcohol on a paper towel.

[Grognard Gunny]

That's not a bad idea. I generally put Pexiglas over my map area to keep the maps clean, for the most part. (...and to keep things "aligned", some scenarios are left for hours at a time....) It's just a matter of marking the area. Not bad at all.

GG