Blackcloud's PG Lament

[plloyd1010]

I've long been a fan of grand tactical games too. Primarily because you can actually see the battle develop. Balance wise, PG has always had a bit of a problem there, especially with the older scenarios.

The scenarios I most dislike are the brittle ones, A mistake or lucky dice roll and the game could be over. I expect that in very small scale games, less so as the scale grows.

I much prefer to play Vassal or FtF. A live opponent won't think what I do, thus the game becomes a dynamic puzzle. The corollary, as our trouble-making friend has experienced, playing solo has a tendency to reinforce one's own errors in rules and tactics. I find occasional correction from the other side of the table refreshing. Admittedly though, the historical aspect of the scenario may not play out as well.

I find drawn out assaults tedious too. What bothers me about them is that you are largely committed for the duration. Being committed also means options have been sacrificed. A book whose title I cannot remember said that once reserves are committed, maneuver will soon cease and the commander must then trust to the luck of the situation which has been created. It is those conditions which make assault combat distasteful to me, not the dice rolling.