Basing from Litko Aero Systems & Game Length

Discussion copied from Yahoo group
=============================================================
All,
Is it feasible to play a Kriegsspiel in the course of a typical 3
hour evening wargame session?
Regarding bases, Litko Aero Systems can custom make bases in any
size. I just ordered the bases needed for two brigades in red and blue
acrylic resin.

Nick Nascati
=============================================================
Hello Nick
How much did they cost and what exactly did you get. Also were they marked as per the block sheet ?
Mick Ford
=============================================================
Mick,
They are priced according to quantity. A bag of 50 pieces is
$5.99, a bag of 100 is $9.99. I got the bases done in 3mm thick
acrylic. Basically, I counted all the counters on the sheet and
ordered based on the numbers, so I ended up with a few extra of each
type. What I ordered split into red and blue -

25 ea. 10x10mm
25 ea. 12x6mm
25 ea. 9x6mm
50 ea. 5x5mm

The order cost me just under $40.00, and they are already
colored! All I have to do is stick on the counters.

Nick
=============================================================
Did you consider getting any 10x3mm bases for skirmishers?

Edmund Hudson
=============================================================
Edmund,
No, I didin't see that measurement mentioned anyplace.

Nick
=============================================================
Nick:

I am completly new to Kriegspiel, but I had based my question regarding the 10x3mm skimisher blocks on the images in the rulebook and these pictures:

http://www.kriegsspiel.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=47&Itemid=1

http://f1.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/sOcgRzwph31vkg1cHJ72UHS7AvXXtZKLbAdYEGa9jnSY-QwuR3DkAUHBJDftBRPkMh13yrPg3yT25pijB6XM8qX9eFgP-VWwUU0/Troop%20blocks.gif

The skirmisher blocks appear to be the same width as the 5/6 th replacement blocks (10mm) and about half as wide (3mm).

Edmund
=============================================================
Edmund,
I am as well. I based my order on the images of the blocks in
the download on the TFL website.
Nick
=============================================================
The use of skirmishers seems fairly common, based on the rules. I wonder if the TFL's could add some skirmisher blocks to the pdf?

Regards,

Edmund
=============================================================
FWIW, when I asked Herr Clarke about the skirmish bits he indicated
they were actually 9mm X 5mm. The other "missing" pieces from the
sheet up at TFL is the 2/3 exchange pieces which are 9mm deep and 8mm
wide.

Loving me some KS in the Midwest,

I remain,

Jim (thegsacon)
=============================================================
Gents

When I put the block images on the web site I only put the faces on
there. I left off the skirmish block as they have no facing image,
being just red. I also left off the 2/3 exchange piece as you can't
buy blocks in that size and, frankly, I'm not sure they really get used
much in play.

Richard Clarke
=============================================================
Richard et al,
Based on the discussion, I just cut 12 each red and
blue skirmish blocks from some laminate flooring that was scrap. They
are tiny, aren't they?

Nick
=============================================================
Is it feasible to play a Kriegsspiel in the course of a typical 3
hour evening wargame session?


Yes it is......just about. This is providing you have a high ratio of umpires to players and start on time!

Martin
=============================================================
Martin,
Let me ammend my question. How about with a maximum of 4 people?
Nick
=============================================================
Nick

Let me amend my answer Yes, provided 2 of them are umpires.

One umpire servicing 3 players makes for a slow game.

If you decide to follow this advice, you might consider having both players on the same side, against an umpire driven opponent (no need to tell the players that though!). This has the advantage that they experience the communication lags and SNAFUs which were so much a feature in a period without radios. Imperfect knowledge of their own side as well as the enemy.

Hope that helps.

Martin
=============================================================
Martin,
That should work out for us. We have one guy who never seems
to quite get a handle on the rules being used.

Nick
=============================================================
Actually Nick, you don't need to give the players the rules. In fact in some ways it works better that way!

Martin
=============================================================
In the original Kriegsspiel it was clearly intended that the players would not have access to the rules.

Robert A. Mosher
=============================================================

I guess I had better up my dosage of Gingko in that case! A lot of
pressure on the umpire.

Martin
=============================================================

I've never used them (exchange pieces) myself. Generally our group does not keep a count of casualties, on the basis that doing so slows the game, and in any event the commanders would not have access to detailed numbers in the heat of battle. We prefer a more impressionistic treatment of troops who have suffered losses.

I suspect they were used by the Prussians in the early days. But then they were primarily using the game for training purposes rather than for fun. They probably did want to analyse casualties after the game in some detail as part of the education process for the young officers. how much information they gave the players during the game is another question though.

It's my impression that the 19th C military also moved away from the detailed approach. I *think* I recall seeing photos of later k/spiel sets which did not have the exchange pieces.

Martin
=============================================================