Military Tuesday : The Complete Wargames Handbook PDF

Tuesday, May 20th, 2008, 12:00 amRoys

Just completed reading the free downloadable PDF version of The Complete Wargames Handbook (2nd Edition - 1992) by James F. Dunnigan, a profilic designer of paper wargames (just see the list of books and games credited to him at Wikipedia).

The first two chapters are invaluable for new or casual players wanting to understand more about traditional paper wargames - the type with foldout paper maps with superimposed hex grids, counters printed on thick paper/card and the requisite Terrain Effects Chart and Combat Results Table (CRT).

The first chapter consists of a short turn-by-turn analysis on playing The Drive on Metz, a small and simple wargame focusing on XX Corps’ attempt to wrest control of the heavily fortified French city from the German 462nd Infantry Division and other German units. There’s only 20 units on both sides so it’s relatively easy to follow along and quickly grasp the basics of both tactical and strategic warfare.

I haven’ tried this but I think the wargame map and counters available for this game at BoardGameGeek could be printed out to make a relatively playable version (or sort of).

The second chapter is a quick look on applying analytical techniques to a wargame to learn more about the scenario presented in each game as well as to formulate strategic plans for completing the objectives for each side.

Basic offensive and defensive strategy and tactics are also explained, such as the optimum way to position your units into a defensive line (which isn’t as simple as it looks due to the intrinsic properties of a hex grid) and techniques to advance your victorious units to cut off and encircle enemy units.

Being a book published more than 10 years ago, the sections on computer wargaming are understandably out of touch with relatively modern wargames like Norm Koger’s The Operational Art of War series as well as the Battlefront’s Combat Mission tactical wargames but the fundamentals of paper wargaming are still applicable to a certain extent on most hex-based computer wargames.

I’m currently trying to apply them (badly) to an old copy of Talonsoft : Rising Sun I picked up in a bargain bin years ago Talonsoft is no more : Matrix Games has republished this game together with other games in the Campaign series as John Tiller’s Campaign Series with over 350(!) scenarios as well as units and weapon data for 20+ nations.

The PDF version of the The Complete Wargames Handbook can be downloaded from Richard Mataka’s website or if you prefer to read it online, you can head over to StrategyPage.com.

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Devil’s Brigade Lux : Free Risk-style Boardgame
Vantage Master Online : Fantasy Tactical Freeware Game
BrikWars : Mini-Fig Wargaming