$1.50PAGE 2 THE GENERAL Were AVALON HILL GENERAL The Game Players Magazine ‘Sewenat i poe o naomi Compt say = Seen See ec SN Soe ener Se Pees es ee Se eee aoe ‘Rocrtbaty for sracicne rar Aur of pis oS ee em aaceen ee bei piecreieertiae ieee Seca oreen wens Brune ne GEheRALibronen ve — Genre Se om eo ‘selncaro Pos non Ean Seanbnentan #6, doe Igtoonote3 Srna, The corm AVALON HILL_ Game Company “\_) 4517 Harord Road fatimore, Md. 21204 #7 “S*, Avalo ORIGINS 11 has come and gone but not without firmly establishing the concept of a ‘widely. aceapted. national convention forthe ‘Emulation gome inductry. Never before have 20 ‘many hobby "names" congregeted in one place {or the promotion of the hobby, nor hve 20 ‘many of the faithful flocked to ono ste to 20 land talk x0 the manolacturers ofthe industy. An ‘stimated 2500 geming erthsonts from 44 atte and four different countries passed through the hls of Johns Hopkins Univesity which hosted 3 ‘wide variety of exhibit, demonstrations, semi fare, ond fournaments, ‘eslers reported sles ouble ond tigie that of ORIGINS | which teat sxeoeded! $25,000, Attending shows wen a this bre expensive propositions and itis going 19 1ake that kind of massed buying power in the future to atract all the manufaeturors of our prowing hobby. ORIGINS now leaves Baltimore to tour the ration at 8 number af host eitis in future yaar, ‘SPI will bo tha very capable sponse! of ORIGINS. TL and wail host tat Wagner Collage on Staten Island in Nev. York. Avalon Hil will remein, together with SP, on the Steering Committee for future ORIGINS conventions. A3the theory now stands Avalon Hil and SP sil jointly decide on 4 spontor for ORIGINS IV from yoluntaer ‘companies amon the rast of the industry. That Sponsor would then, assuming they did» eompe tent job, be admitted t0 the Steting Committee Xo halp choose a site for ORIGINS V and #0 on worth a thousand words «0 fellow slang if you ‘will 2s we eompress 41,000 words into two pages by apolying the captions below to the numbered photos found in the center spre 1. Thee deep was ueully an apt description for the scene around the Avalon Mill booth which fence again Ted the trade shove In sales thanks to thew new releases Hot off the presser, The ink ‘ae stl et at we carried tha fist boxes through the door only to diacover our fiet bit of rata "the primary and secondary ranges for the n Hill Philosophy Part 56 ‘Archer/Stinger Table in CAESAR were covered ‘Aaht 2. It wae Maryland ve Minnesota as Don Greenwood (eft) at Paul O'Net! of the Bal ‘more Avalon Hill Football Straeay League 3. met Pat MeNevin lleht) and John Strand of the "Mound, MN Inague in the FOOTBALL STRATEGY fine. Greonnood won with 9 106 ‘win over Strand and. 13-10 overtime decision ‘against MeNevin. Stand topped O'Neil 17-3 in ‘the consolation game to take thir 4, Avalon Hill V., Thomas Shaw in the mit of bis auction routine before a packed: house ‘Most valuable collector's item this year — a mint copy of Roser Commier's TRAFALGAR which ‘wont for $90, 5. Gary Gyoee, creator of DUNGEONS & DRAGONS led group of novice adventurers {through his demonstration game on Feiay eve ‘ing before a standing room only crows. 8. Duke Siefried (canter) lad the Custom Cart contingent which won show honors for bast booth and mast helpful exhibitor. 1 is hoped ‘more miniatures companies will follow the lad ‘of GHO and Custom Cast and exhibit in future ORIGINS, 7. RandallRled presided over the Presentation fof Awards and Is soen here warming up the audience before presenting the PANZERFAUST ‘wards 10 Avalon Hill for best same of 1975 (THIRD REICH) and GOW for best game of all thw ORANG NACH OBEN: 8, Virginia Lingle of Harrisoure became the first woman t0 win an ORIGINS tournament when she took top honors in the NUCLEAR WAR tuent. Stephanie Greenwood pled third in the fame event. All of which says 2 Tot for Keeping ‘women out ofthe White Howse 9, Robert Mandell of New York proved to be ‘the “most adept at_slying monsters inthe DUNGEONS & DRAGONS competition. Continue on Pope 32. Column 1 ORIGINS 11 CHAMPIONS event CHAMPION —_oIGIN 2nd Pace ‘Avalon Mil Cle 800. Paul Bokulsk Hartford, CTD, Bakult ‘AM 800 Ghost Tournemont ‘Don Bureice Durham, NCP. Kemp [DUNGEONS a DRAGONS bert anda!” Next York, NY. H. Mule AIRFORCE Gary Siemon Faswld, C7 §-Carroll FOoTgALL staATECY ‘Dondld Greanood Baltimore, MO. Meeuln ORIGINS OF vail Gragy Hendrie San Antoni, TX J. Hendry [ALIEN SPAGE Bilshener Unknown ii Combot THIRD REICH Dennis Dengel—Aloxandie, LAR More DirLomacy “ TTomomps” State College, PAB. Stone SPEEO CIRCUIT en Vane Batimore, MO Brees MOODENSHIPSAIRON MEN 125 Ba les Unknown “Lena ToBRUK 64 Joep Kurz Cleveland, OG. Lateon PANZER LEADER 120° Bud DeAgelis— NeBronewick, NJ T.Wise KINGWAKER 150 Pater Sloe 1. Filmore nioiTHor ews WAR Apes at [ge Torin Shootout 16 Amon Houg Columba, MD MANASSAS 10 Beam Andreasen Garand 73 Glocatrit Combat 2 Thomar Flimore iver Spring, MD BATTLESTATIONS Noval Minisures 20° Murray Summors a conouesT 2 Flenard Moore SP 19% Century Battle Games 64 ery Tempalss Beto FIGHT INTHE SKIES 6 ett Winsome Cine, NS NUCLEAR WAR 38 Virgina Lingle Herrioura, PA BACKGAMMON 16. Bon Heaney Unknown Armor nian z 48 Chutes Govt Hoven, oT.THE GENERAL PAGE 3 mda FIGHTING SAILS aoe TACTICS OF THE AGE OF SAIL AS APPLIED TO WOODEN SHIPS & IRON MEN ‘uarsin of matetial superiority do you need 10 win? he enemy that you will Tequite a normal superiority in every 00d, armed by experience by the applieation of common sense, and by learning more impottant clea pra fe.” as many wargamers fovered below on a ship the centerof aly embarrass the cam cause damage ranges where a lower quality enemy cannot ep "ty f0 hit anenemy when he cant it back ningep” an enemy, oF ction aguinstan otherwisePAGE 4 superior foe. However such firing wll produce a relatively tow number of hits per tatty a8 1 ecesaly fom furl long range. Thisadvantage should not blind one to the even greater advantages ‘of moving in to coset. more decisive ranges fares Superiority to the eneiny does exist 4) Keep the enemy guessing as 10 your intended maneuvers. An opponent can often be fooled by Shipsstteningto fails, en makinga move tat ould have been done under battle sal, et 5) la squadeon of Met ations keep line formation 4s long as pombe, us breaking it ead to expose to defeat in det. Do not, however, keep the line formation when the situation (anda real superiority AAC some point) calls for wading i alter having ‘mined allndvantagce possible fron hie. (6) the crew quality of theships varies, lead the ine With on ofthe lower quality ship, That vay. any Ship gts raked and distaste. it wll be this weaker ‘one, thus giving the more valuable higher quality shipsa better chance of reaching decisive ranges in ‘00d condition. 7 hp slat wel ini ves fox sect iy are best equipped. Ships of the ine shouldbe used ‘aginst enemy lines. Frigates and small vessels ‘should be sed against vessels of their Own rates, And for the attack nd defense of merchant convoys These point will ow be covered in more depth in a discussion of the operations of the various ff the diseussion assumes that bosh frigates and Ships of the line, plus possibly some merchants, fare present in the same battle. This can vay. for instance ina game whete only figates mete involved: the factors applying to sips ofthe line ‘would then apply to frgates, as they are the mont powerful units presen, IN HARMS WAY—THE, HANDLING OF FRIGATES Ash othe line was But eaeryas many. and as heavy. guns as posible, and to engage anything allot. Irwasexpected to beabletostand ina ine of battle and trade blows withanything that might pull, Alongside. Being relatively siow and unmaneuver- able, battleships operated in squadrons to support And cover one another. A frigate was not expecied Te Fill ane oe st ire rregn sor ape ces ‘wn cantor ighter: indeed, taking on 8 sp ofthe line wth rigate is usualy poor tactical usage for the tigate. There area number of god reasons why frigates should not be placed inane of bate withthe ships Of the line. Firs. a Teigate heeping station in a batlin canoe make fll seo its superior speed snd muneuerabiity wthout visrupting the Second, te space frigate occupies in thei ould hetaken by larger shipcapable of dshingout more Punishment. Third a (rignte represents weak Ink Inthe unbreakablechain of tetine. is vulnerability vill invite a concentration of enemy fre that wil iti dry Ashen ship mist of the Tine, and in sailing around the obstacle ‘beter case cam be made forthe we of rigates on the fringes ofthe main battle, Frigates can be Uheful for moving onthe ends ofa line for raking browdsdes to aid the liners, ofr keeping enemy {gates trom doing the samme. However, extreme ‘within gun rane ofthe atleshipa a misaulae Aion ea be fatal What then isthe optimum use of figates? The answer isto engage other frigates, lighter veel, Sand transports merchantmen. Frigates are. most ieaully employed nngly. or bx small Masia groups, Full use ofa frigates mobility also entails Femainig tnder tl sie ss much as possibe- Do not drop to battle sails and else Tora gunnery diel Unless the odds are highly favorable the odds appear to be even, or unfavorable, continue a ll Silk. maneuver 10 avoid combat, and wait for 8 favorable opportunity to pounce Frigate-to-ejgate engagements all roughly into sought. The wish i to quickly cripple an encmy Frigate to prevent interference with moze nportat tasks. In this ase chainshot employed from cose range (nrleraby in a rake) to destroy a ging Section. Then ul sls are Used to avovd the cripple, leaving the foe far behind, Inthe second extegors, the actual defeat of the enemy frigate ix the fobiective. This typeof wetion should be avoided ‘without a large stpeviorty in size, grade, and or fhumbers. smaller superiority makes @ victory possible, but leaves a enippled victor ay effectively fut of the game as Ws prize. This type of action should also be avoided in the close proximity of enemy ships of the line: victory is futie fan enemy Fagwagon cam easy move up to recover the pre tnd (Lo ade injury to inet) capture the eipped By far the mos interesting scenarios involving frigates revolve around. the protection and) oF tok of metehaotmen, The escorting gates have Several advantaues in games ofthis type. For one, they know enacty whetethemerchantmen will beat the end ofthe mur; therefore, they know where the ‘Vulnerable spots wil be and can maneuver tocover {hese gaps. Second, the excoting gate need only tocripplean opponent not necessarily odefetit 2 frigate mising a rigging Section is slower than a ‘merchantman, Defense of slowemoving convoy. exits oly she ocala seo fla 0 the escorts ace ordinarily less vulnerable to being crippled than the attackers, “The altacr. ofcourse, has the initsiv, and ie ‘ot restricted to any partielar pattern of sailing Maximum use should be made of fins, that i, ‘moving into a threatening attack position to force the commitment of the defender, then vesting off abruptly ata new angle fora more promisingattack ‘ith the defenders out of position. Pineer attacks, >resentingmany posable avenues ofataek, ae very Sttaeu to defen against, So Spit the areackers © threaten the convoy from as many directions as posible ‘Smaller ships although no match fora full size ‘tigate, ean be useful for defending merchattnen if nothing else they can et in the way, delay until lange ships arrive ete. Wnen atacking, these ships should detiely heep ther distance tn «esse ‘pening appears. They cam be very usefUl in pincers ‘maneuvers especially those with foreandaFigsing asthey can maneuser to leeward of the convo}, fateh merehunenen whe healing upwind As important asthe smaller ships were in the great age of al if the suation called for any Serious fighting, the ships ofthe line were sent for. ‘The dashing. racy frigates may have been the “plamour” ships of the period, but, in most eases, their commanders were the most jusio officer “There came time it he caters of most competent cptains when thei kil and seniority pica them tan the quarterdeck ofa line of atl sip. The fate ‘mations and empires often rested with these shins, fand no government could afford Co trust them To any bu the best availabe ofices The taetcs of igates are largely the tates of THE GENERAL ‘advantage of any mistakes by the foc. The acti of Handling line of batieships ae far move prece Ships of the line maneuvered in tight, ele ordered line formations. The advantage of this formation is that itis very difficult to approueh Without raking at ast as much damageasiscaused. “The ine formation develops he maximum possible itepowerasall ships haveclea ines fire $paare mutt supporting, 1 mannan this ne formation through pesiods of complicated mane vetng cals for a Bt of planning ahead, and an ‘overall plan of action, The decision to break up a Tine is Sten the eritical decison that determines vetory or defeat in actions between contending butle Recs, Novice payers often try opportunity ‘nan enemy ship. This manewver usally ess in {he detached ship beng left fr behind, and ut of the action o nits Being overwbelmed by a much larger fore afenemty ships. Sngleship detachment should normaly not be made ina leet or squadron Seaton: the easns for aking accent ae important enough, several ships should eset Forming thet owns fine of ate and acting for ‘mutual suppor. I the reason forthe detachment is ‘ot important enough to warrant sending several Ships the detachment should not be ede “The essence of iting hati with ships of the line isthe establishment ofa superiority over some portion of the enemy’ line, There are two main Frethads or doe ts 1) DOUBLE THE ENEMY LIVE: tn this mane ‘er. a portion of the fine engages a portion of the neni, while another portion hele pases Into the rear ofthe engaged section ofthe enemy's line, This ean bea difteul maneuver to make, bt when done the results are devastating (as a¥ the ‘nem is at anchor, ita portion the enemy ine too slow toavoid the maneuver (swith uncoppered ‘hips ofthe American Revolution. oF shins slowed by some wel placed Tiging fs. oF DY Moving through gap in theenemy ln. then doubling back ‘Asecton faline hist closely engaged to sk the use of fall sail can be doubled by some tundamaged ships unde fl sal 2) MASS AGAINST ONE SECTION OF Tite ENEMY LINE: This can be done if your ship are fpposed Io, oF hy taking advantage ofa superiority in ship size and/or crew quality in siprio-sip luc. It san alo be aesomplihed by advancing Abtigucly onthe enemy line xo that all ships delver their ir into the same part ofthe enemy hie as they pass while snoer section ofthe enemy line cam Tong-range shots at beat An exanle of How this can be done iustrated below‘Tikee retaH cates suUaonON AND fs BADLY | ,.0f soutie, combinations of the two methods could be used together: For instance, ifthe enemy Rear were imitially massed against, i could then be Sigh ela al the shin wou up exh it ‘rere wrecked, with Pallew’s ship the sole survivor, 1. PREVAILING WEATHER CONDITIONS. Wind Ditection: 4 Wind Change: $ Wind Velooty: 5 ~ ge ML, SPECIAL RULES ‘A. No land hexes no anchoring B. French gun factors (not eurronades) HALVED at wind velocities of (Lower un deck ‘was was inthe heay seas) C. The French player must designate on his togsneet wien gun uares constitute te mal 1s onginal total that are unusable du 1 bad weather. ‘These may be used to absorb Gunits, regardless of weather conditions There followed the most fatelul and dramatic bates Tout under sil of which Trafalgar and the Nile were but the as The scenarios below cover this racial period and some other notable omissions. SCENARIO 26 CAPE ST. VINCENT 14 February 1797 1 INTRODUCTION ‘neatly 1797, Spain signed an aliance with the Froach Although ibsezews were of poor quality. ships weren't and the French were quite willing to ‘man ther. Planning another attempt os lean the French ordered the Spanish flet and is owe Moditersinean eet 10 concentrate at Brest The French ships made it; the Spanish, blown offcourse ‘west of Portugal. procseded separately and found ‘Adm. Jers und the Brisk Mediterranean squat zon wating Inthe action that Toliowea, Commo ote Nelon's HMS Cupra boaed and captured Son Nicolas and Sar doef i 1 minutes, IM, PREVAILING WEATHER CONDITIONS. Wind Direction: 3 ind Vet Wind Change: 6 SPECIAL RULES 'A. No la hexes no anchoring. 18. Morale on all Spanish ships sto increase by ‘one level i any Uriah. sip ie foneed to stk {rmorale may not excced AV}, Spanish pointes ‘ompited at criginal value always. TORY CONDITIONS. normal breeze v. serve Fill out Spanish tincup sth French counters, once no store Spanish counters are avaiableTHE GENERAL PAGE7 SCENARIO2S, ‘THE GLORIOUS FIRST OF JUNE Bow Dir ‘cow Set Guns cme Rigging Point Name Guns Clas Nees Ne* Hull Qual Pe Rk Vale FRENCH 9 CWE TA NS ASTER A NO LION RO Aa a A ett aa ae DT Ne SATE SEA VN SSRIS AQT Sn oe femente MSL 2 kG AV S$ 4 1 ts OS Tanble Ho SOL 1 EE Sg SSNS Ips "SOL 2 a eo a oe SOL 2 SE ARE SS ASAT IOC ae Toute SOL 2 2 4 AV Ss a 1 tts Gespin Jes on Sob ea AEA YEA SA TAPES pA eae me) 2 AV $$ 4 1 ts Tenet SOL a EARS SESS OEMS se ‘Tramice SOL 2 2s ay $s 4 OT St sks Jase © so 2 APRA ENERO Nonisene i Sol t ick 8) as tk eatin 20 SOL SSRN LGA TS MIE OE MALTA MONEE ET ‘tile Le Ot ne Vengeut 4 STB (ORES SENSO Prnwie OL 2 eet eae Nodionberhod 74 SOL 3 SRSA BAVERSUS EURO OSL A Ss Enreprennt 5a 2 AY sg tt 2 demappes BOS EERE EE SE SPREADS SET TAT Nopure SOL ss 1 1 ths oF Peter SOL 2 SRSA MESES STE TED UP 38 Republican Mo Sol t 2 et oa 3s Sim Pcl SOL SESE GAA VEER GEESE SEF Spat Sepion ere - i We 8S ST to rrnisi Cova SR SE SEAT A RIOD? OT TH flrorhon 1 oe eee tonatton a a eee ae er ee Rowe TSO Nh dn aT Royal SD SEE SS REDS SUS RUE TORE PS Baas Nartorough a a ) GR OS # Ok 2 hs 0 Sofbour: enter on Yi ine behind Benen. EN, signalcond fishes bate The Danish est was they dit SCENARIO 28 ‘Mints, and te Swede the Prussian, andthe E The land area conse ofthe gh area ‘COPENHAGEN Ciara olor comese ish xap= tangent A 2 oi 1801 ering the and are cosiered 4. istRoDUCTION ‘aitin, as usual in its many confets with ‘enemies on the Continent had inposed a Blockade fipon France, Batah interference with neutral ‘Made, also 95 usual, os met with resentment In SOD. Genera Bonaparte succesded in persuading Pron, Sweden. Rusia, and Denmark to revive te League oF AMmea Neutanky of Ameren evolutionary days, when tose nations had pledged Festance to Britah contrat of trade on the high seas. Faced with 2 dirct challenge to thei naval Strategy, the Admiralty desided to dscourage the [League by aa attack om its nearest member Denia, whith ad peat paca sipped ye Copentagen operation isu combined effort, withthe tomb-vesels and frigates undet Captain Riou engaging the Trekroner battery: Rear-Adm, Nelson leading the main siuadron. ad the fest ofthe let, with Adm. Sir Hyde Parker in ‘overall command, in support. 1 was Parker, unable to see Nebo’s situation cleat, who ordered the ‘hetion broken olf tis lima: Nelson put Ms telescope to his blind ye, sid that he aw such M, PREVAILING WEATHER CONDITIONS. Wind Dicection: | Wind Velosity: 3 = Normal breeze. Wind Change: 6 ‘IL SPECIAL RULES. 'A. A numbse of Danish ships have no mast. “These may not move or raise anchor voluntarily B. The ene on-board Danish Met i conse fed anchored at star. Ships that can move may do ‘sealer the third urn. Shipso-board may ener on Drafter turn 6, on hexes Al A2. and Al thes KL C. Anchored, masless Banish ships suller no ‘res asses whatsoover, as voluntaers were continu reduce morale futor by one FOR GUNNERY. PURPOSES ONLY. Crew loses Jo not count against gunnery Clete) Cre losiey ARE ‘omputed anchor cables are cathe Dritsh may bhstrd sch vesich ONLY THEN. This rule doos not Apply to any vesels that have moved—voluataily 1D. Floating balteries (FB) have four anchor ‘ables, all of which mast be ett by suie Deore Sia Nether fect ty enter the and exes ‘ chansel through the shoal area consists of single ose of hexes running from ¥30-Y26, from Y25-M20, sod. from M20-MUB. The British may rove rely through shosl area as Jongas they sta) in thischanael Whenever British shipsdeviate for that channel except bythe stem during turning ‘Yah and Ma mia shoal bes. “oF eter an) sboat hexes at al (nor-hanne))—the British player must Toll-a die for EACH ship in shoals (and out of ‘handel -BACH turn that ships ae in shoals, A ‘oll mens thatthe ships rounded sep. 12of {he fulebook). F, the Land bexes i is game ate the entie Danish ships may. anchor im shoal and ehunne eves and in any hex within three of ld: Danish Ships nee net subj tre E above 1. SPECIAL VICTORY CONDITIONS. 'A. Award points lor atriking/ capture as before, except thatthe Danes get DOUBLE points foreach Bash ship struck. and an automate win irany & ‘plate.THE GENERAL PAGE 9 SCENARIO 27. CAMPERDOWN Bow ew Set Guns Curnde Point Name Guns Class Nn Hex Ho Qual 1 23 LR OLR Rigging Value RITISHL Venerable msn 2 KKI6 5 LG Monarch m4 SOL 2 Aas oH 4 4 4 6 § 2 2 mB Rosell mu SOL 2 * 5 L4G es Montagu SOL 2 5 wok 4 4 4 8 8 2 2 sO Bedfora mM SOL 2 : 5 LR LG Sgn EN ET Powerful ma sor 2 * 5 “Mock 4 64 4 8 8 2 2 ms oO ‘Tramp m4 SOL 2 : 5 Cee TAG ST Agincourt 6 SOL 2 * 5 nocR 4 3030 6 6 1 1 m3 20 Lancaster 4 SOL? : 5 LL PCR GS HG EA Ardent 6 SOL 2 * 5 rs a a a | Veteran 6 SOL 2 * 5 SE Director 6 SOL 2 : 5 uo 4 3 3 6 6 tt oe oD Monmouth 6 SOL 2 : 5 LLG. 4g se A gg NNT SN Adamant 6¢ SOL? : 3 no 4 3 3 6 6 1 1 mS 2 Beliguex 6 SOL 2 : 5 TA ER gg a ie 50 SOL 2 * 5 8ocR O32 2 4 a kk OT DUTCH (use French counters) Gey SOL 2 us 3 SER Wind Velocity: 3 ~ Normal bests Wind Change: & MM, SPECIAL RULES ‘A. Land sine 4s Scena 11 Ge p29).N0