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RE: Chaplains in PG
Curious topic....
At this scale, I'd be against including Chaplains except as a SSR (modeling when perhaps a Chaplain had an inordinate/heroric effect on the battle). I'd have to say that the Chaplain effect on the history of combat operations is more similar to a heroic effect than those of Kommissars which had impact on organizations. You might as well include rules for Scottish Bagpipers. I am just not sure PzG is the scale to do it.
Some games (i.e. Lock n Load Publishing "Heroes" series) do include rules for Chaplains in the scenarios that include them. But again, this is a game Squad/individual scale and Weapon combat, where a Chaplain's presence is slightly more pronounced.
If PZG doesn't model hero generation, I don't see why it would model Chaplain effects. I would see little reason to include an assistant, but instead assume it to be part of the counter itself...much the way, I assume a leader counter is armed and with probably an RTO and bodyguard (since every leader can call OBA)... the leader counter probably represents 2 people- the leader and someone who can provide personal security, but who is is not really capable to inflict actual step losses. I also do not think, except for the very, very rare extremely charismatic chaplains, their loss would be catastrophic. In the very rare, case, the loss of a chaplain could actually INCREASE the resolve of a force to exact revenge/fight harder.
While many Chaplains earned distinguished medals under combat conditions, their conduct was mainly to help evacuate wounded and tend to the dying and especially shell shocked to go above and beyond the call of duty to save lives, but rarely turn the tide of the battle.
Some interesting considerations for a Chaplain rules might be:
1. "Yeah tho' I walk...:" Chaplain morale modifier cannot prevent or recover a unit from disruption, but DO effect/mitigate Demoralization or perhaps prevent compound morale failure or prevent fleeing.
2. " Commander's Spiritual Counsel": Chaplains cannot actually recover units, but can provide a recovery bonus to a leader's attempt to recover.
3. "Who Put You in Charge?": would not give Chaplains any ability to actually activate/ direct multiple units forward toward an enemy that can hurt them- like a leader giving tactical orders over a radio, but I think a Chaplain could provide resolve to an individual Platoon it traveled with
4. "Fury" effect: The casualty of a Chaplain ( a beloved personality plus their spiritual significance) could have a double edged effect. Either Catastrophic Loss morale check or even a +1 shift "Fury" effect to a combat resolution
Just some thoughts for fun....
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