Reply To: Nam68 AAR – Search Sweep, 16th September 1968

[phaidknott 7023xp 1]

Sounds like it could be solo gamer friendly as well (if deployment is handled by another card draw and you add a simple “AI” flowchart for how the VC/NVA act on the table), more pertinent in this day and age what with all this shielding (alas I’m in that boat, and although I never bothered with the solo aspect of the hobby before I’m starting to keep an eye on it).

Playing previous Vietnam games I was usually playing the VC/NVA (because no-one else would do it). It was usually me vs 2 or 3 US players kitted out with all the technology the US had at the time (I’ve faced Cobras, Skyraders with Napalm, M113 ACAV (always the ACAVs never the standard version), M48s, Huey Gunships, whole 105mm batteries) all with a humble platoon or two of VC and NVA with perhaps a mortar and a MMG or two.

Even trying to suggest the US players might want to look at buying some South Vietnamese Army got looks of utter confusion as they are apparently “crap” (even though most of the actions were between South Vietnamese and VC/NVA forces). I guess US players in this era are the historical version of “Space Marine” players in 40K (attracted to all the toys).

So it’s looking good from what I can see (a lot closer to what happened than almost every other rulebook I’ve seen), but you perhaps DO need to get those South Vietnamese army lists up before adding more “western” forces to better reflect (and possibly balance) the game. But that’s just my opinion ad a battered and bedraggled VC/NVA player.

And finally all the US players used to call me a spoilsport when after triggering an ambush and inflicting some casualties I’d bug out if things like Helicopter gunships started appearing. To me in a platoon sized game if a helicopter gunship  and/or armour appear, unless the VC/NVA are prepared for it then it’s game end (as the forces would retreat if able…as would anyone).