How do you play?

[Matt W]

The quick answer is "any way I can"

But to the point. I play primarily solo but greatly enjoy my ftf time with Daniel.

I have two primary threads of games. 1-4 map scenarios with less than 30 turns can be done in a night if the counter density isn't too much (I played an 8 GMU game in Desert Rats last night with 30+ units and it went so fast that the size didn't matter). I have these for the breakfast table at night. Larger games tend to stay set up for an extended period in a separate room that can be closed off from the dogs. Those may get played turn by turn until the battle truly develops at which point I will attempt to carry forward somewhat more diligently. I tend to mull over the larger ones longer in setup and strategy development. I love a rainy day off where I can play uninterrupted for 5 hrs or so, but they don't happen too often. Life often gets in the way.

Coffee or ice water is consumed while playing.

I haven't moved to plexiglass, not sure why.

Never fold under a map. When using a portion of the map I mark out the playing surface using spare disrupted markers (the red really stands out).

I have one set of markers that I have enhanced with extra disrupted/demoralized markers (love those Ecuadorians) but have noticed that they are experiencing some wear and may finally break down and punch another set in the near future (but I have plenty of unpunched marker sheets available).

I have unclipped counters and I roll dice by hand. None of this namby-pamby frilly stuff for me. This is a man's game!

I will leave a scenario before the end if one side has already obtained a victory and the opponent has no ability to counterattack, or I have brutally mismanaged a side. Recently I have been forcing myself to push on and have had one situation where an apparent German victory turned into a defeat through a "what the heck" charge by the Americans.

I have found a substantial difference in play between solo and ftf that has greatly enhanced my solo playing with respect to hidden units and surprises. Basically hidden units will be found in the normal process of a game. The key is to permit yourself to "stumble" into the hidden unit just as you would in a ftf game. It hurts but that is what it is there for. In general, I find that solo play tends to "rush" the scenario in comparison to ftf play. The ftf experience has made me a bit more concious of the need to take my time to acheive a goal rather than rush in and accept higher losses (unless, of course, I am playing the Soviets).

I'm looking at the three campaign games (Ivy, Lehr and Hell on Wheels) as well as some of the C&C campaigns as the next real push for my play. Those concepts are intriguing. The Cassino and Beyond Normandy campaigns are currently beyond my table space although that might change.

The HQ has changed PG from a dalliance to a passion and I can only express my gratitude to Andrew for his hard work on the site. I hope it is as rewarding to him as it is to me. This has greatly enhanced my play, not just from a technical standpoint but by helping to flesh out the experience of playing, and the storytelling that comes from it.