The (Unofficial) Great Battles of History

Simple GBoH

Richard Berg, one of the GBoH designers, gave permission to use the following material, a beta-test draft (updated 12/19/96) of a simplified version GBoH, with much fewer dierolls and counter-fiddling. I've HTML-ized it, but made no editorial changes. Please note the copyright information, listed below.

This information is also available in text and Word formats.

I'm sure Berg would be interested in your feedback.

Another GMT Effort to Bring Wargaming to the Masses

SIMPLE GBoH

Rules for Speeding and Easing Play of GMT's

Great Battles of History Series

This Edition Applicable to The Great Battles of Alexander

© Berg-Herman

(1.0) INTRODUCTION

(2.0) COMPONENTS

• All combat and leader counters use all their printed ratings (some of which are ignored). There are no additional/new ratings.

• We have three new charts, to replace those so designated, below.

(3.0) SEQUENCE OF PLAY

(3.1) THE SEQUENCE

A. Leader Activation. An Activated Leader may move. When he finishes movement, all (eligible) units within the activated Leader's Range may undertake actions (B).

B. Unit Activation. Units commanded by activated leader may, in the order listed,

1. Move and/or Fire
2. Shock
3. Rally.
   • This is Mandatory for those Disordered/Routed units that have not done either 1 or 2.
   • This is Voluntary for units wishing to remove Missile Hits (10.27)

(3.2) CONTINUITY

When the activated Leader has finished moving his units, the player who just went now uses Continuity to determine whether he can go again. To do so, in the Continuity Phase, he designates any Leader other than the Leader who was just activated (Exception: Elite Leader), rolls one die, and compares the DR to that Leader's Initiative Rating.

• If = or < Initiative, that leader is Activated; proceed to Phase "A" of the sequence.

• If > Initiative; play passes to his opponent, who may now activate any Leader of his choice (no DR necessary), and he goes to Phase "A" of the sequence.

1. No Player may "go" more than three times (3x) in succession. If a player has had Continuity three straight times, the Sequence automatically passes to his opponent, who may designate any one Leader, no DR necessary. However, in this circumstance, the "opponent" does not get to roll for Continuity, after he goes; play then passes back to the other player (the one who had gone 3x). That player now roll for Continuity.

2. Instead of designating a Leader, a Player may designate one of the two "groups" below, without regard to any Leader range:
   • Any three combat units, anywhere on the map; or
   • All units from any one Identical Name and Type (the top line on the counter must be the same, and the unit type must be identical -- e.g., all Scythian LC, but not the Scythian HC) that are contiguous. (See 4.33, infantry lines)

If the Player is getting a Freebie - his opponent fails his Continuity DR, or he is getting the benefit of the No More than 3x Rule - he does not have to roll for a leaderless "group".

If the player chooses to try to roll to use the above, he must roll a 0 or a 1.

Design Note: It is conceivable that, by careful use of Leaders, a player may move the same group of units three times in a row. This is the SGBoH equivalent of a good Momentum run. As for "reality", most ancient battles were resolved by the actions of less than half the units on hand. This sort of "play-out" will be pretty much what happens herein.

(3.3) WHO GOES FIRST?

• If Alexander is present, Macedonians go first
• Otherwise - and, as an exception to the above, if both players agree (and it does help balance) - high DR goes first

(4.0) LEADERS

(4.1) LEADER COUNTERS

Elite Commander: An Elite commander may attempt to go twice in succession (but not 3x).

Initiative: This rating is used to determine Continuity.

Line Command Capability and Strategy Ratings: Ignore these.

Charisma: Ignore the rating, although leaders do provide a beneficial DRM in shock.

(4.2) LEADER CAPABILITIES

When designated and activated (as above), a Leader may move. He moves before "activating" any combat units. Exception: a combat unit stacked with the leader may move with the leader. When he finishes moving, he then may activate any/all combat units of a specific, individual type (see below) that are within his Command Range. Those units may then Move, Fire, Shock or Rally.

Usually, the individual groups are any units of the same "type" (LI, HC, etc.). Unit types will be listed as per scenario (in similar fashion to Line Composition).

(4.6) LEADERS AND ENEMY COMBAT

(5.0) LEADER ACTIVATION

(5.1) HOW TO ACTIVATE LEADERS

A Leader may be activated in one of two ways:

• The opponent has either failed his Continuity DR, or has gone 3x in succession, in which case the Player may now designate any Leader (or unled group, as above) for activation.

• In the Continuity Phase, he designates any one leader, other than the leader who has just, previously gone, and rolls the die. See Continuity.

(5.5) ELITE COMMANDERS

(5.6) MACEDONIAN CONTINGENT COMMANDERS

(6.0) MOVEMENT

(6.1) MOVEMENT ALLOWANCES

6.13 no longer applies. (The "Moved" side is now used to denote "Disorder")

You may use 6.14 if you wish, but 6.15 does not apply. Leaders may move only when they have been designated.

(6.2) TERRAIN

(6.3 and 6.4) PROCEDURE AND DOUBLE-SIZED UNITS

Note that "Engaged" units - 8.3 - may not move under any circumstances.

(6.5 and 6.6) DRIFT AND COLUMN

(6.7) ORDERLY WITHDRAWAL

• There are no Cohesion Hit penalties
• The (6.72, sub3) applies, but the penalty is that the unit becomes Disordered. In addition, if it was approached from behind #2), add 2 to the DR.

(6.8) PRE-ARRANGED WITHDRAWAL

(6.9) STACKING

(6.92) A unit can pass through friendly units, but it (the moving unit) pays a cost of +1 MP (in addition to what the terrain cost is). When Routing, if the routing unit would end stacked with the stationery unit, simply move it another hex so that doesn't happen. If this still cannot be done, the routing unit is, instead, eliminated. There is never any cost to a stationary unit.

(7.0) COMBAT MOVEMENT

(7.1) FACING

(7.16) ADDITION: Reaction Facing Change: Any Full Status, single-hex unit (not double-hex units) may try to change facing one vertex (per Phase) when an enemy unit moves adjacent to it. It may not do so if a (different) enemy unit is adjacent and that player has stated he is going to attack. To do so, roll the die:

• If = or < than that unit's TQ, it may change Facing
• If > than the unit's TQ, it may not. Moreover, that unit is now Disordered.
• Cavalry changing facing in reaction to infantry movement do NOT have to DR; they do so automatically.

(7.2) ZONES OF CONTROL

However, there is a "movement" Exception to this. If a unit enters a "frontal" hex of an enemy unit with an equal or higher MA, the moving unit must stop movement for that turn. It may "move on" in its next turn.

(7.3) SHOCK REQUIREMENTS

(8.0) COMBAT

(8.1) MISSILE FIRE

(8.12) Change to "missile units may fire when activated".

(8.13-4) Remain

(8.15) Remains, with the following changes:

• The results are not Cohesion Hits, although the players use the Hit Markers. The results are now "Missile Hits", and affect only the Shock DRM (see 8.3). In addition, a unit that absorbs Missile Hits greater than its TQ is eliminated. However, a unit with Missile Hits may, instead of moving or fighting, undergo Voluntary Rally (see 10.27) to remove them.

• Elephants do not absorb Missile Hits. Instead, each time an EL gets a Missile Hit, roll the die.
  • If the DR is > than its TQ, it Rampages (see 9.14)
  • If not, nothing happens

(8.17 and 8.18) Ignore; there is no "ammo" rule.

(8.2) REACTION FIRE

(8.3) SHOCK COMBAT

PROCEDURE

There are two types of Shock: Moving Shock and Engaged Shock. Essentially, all units that are not Engaged use Moving Shock (in which the attacker gets a bonus DRM).

When all Movement has been finished, the moving player may attack any opposing units that are adjacent to, and in the frontal hexes, of any (eligible) units that either moved that turn, or that did not move, but are now within the leader's range.

Shock is always voluntary, except for Engaged units, which, if they are eligible (as above) must Shock.

The attacker designates, before resolving any attacks, which units will be attacking which defending units. He may not change this as shock resolution proceeds.

RESOLUTION

Design Note: The shock results are somewhat - but not greatly - different with this system than the original. This is more from the "one DR does all" mechanic - as opposed to the gradual reduction of unit stamina - than any desire to change tactical relationships.

To resolve attacks, the player rolls the die and applies the following DRM, if they apply:

Size Ratio:

• If one side is at least 2 Size Points greater than the other, +1 (if the Attacker is greater); -1 (if the Defender is greater)
• The DRM is +/- 2 if the difference is at least 2x.

TQ Ratio: Using the higest-rated TQ unit(s) involved, the side with the higher TQ gets a DRM equal to the difference (+ for attacker, - for defender). However, regardless of the difference the DRM may never be greater than +/- 3.

Weapons System: See the Weapons System DRM Matrix for the applicable DRM. If more than one weapons system (unit type) is available, the attacker chooses (first) which of his he wishes to use, followed by the defender.

Missile Hits: The attacker subtracts all Missile Hits on his as a DRM; he adds those of any defending units.

Flank Attack: If any units are attacking through a defender's Flank, the attacker gets a +2 DRM. (May be combined with Rear Attack.)

Rear Attack: If any units are attacking through a defender's Rear, the attacker gets a +3 DRM. (May be combined with Flank Attack.)

Terrain: See the Terrain Adjustments on the old 8.64 Table. L = minus; R = plus.

Disorder: Attacker subtracts one (-1) for each Disordered unit he has in the attack; he adds one (+1) for each defending unit.

Moving Attack: If any of the Attacking units are "Moving" (see above), the Attacker gets a +1 DRM.

Leader: Attacker adds one (+1) if he has a Leader stacked with his units; he subtracts one (-1) if defender has a Leader.

The results from the adjusted DR are as follows

DR	Result
10+	Defender Routs
8-9	Defender Disordered and Retreats
6-7	Defender Disorderded
4-5	No Effect
0-3	Attacker Disordered
<0	Attacker Routs

Results in Bold (0-6) = All units are Engaged

Results of Combat are applied immediately:

Disorder: Flip the unit to its "Moved" Side to indicate Disordered status; see Shock DRM, above. If already Disordered, the unit Routs.

Exceptions:

• Elephants. An Elephant that receives a Disorder result, Rampages. See 9.1
• Chariots. A Chariot that receives a Disorder result, Routs. See 9.2.

Rout: The unit is moved one-half (rounding up) its MA, as per Standard Rout rules. If it moves off the map, it is eliminated.

Any Routed unit Shock Attacked is automatically eliminated, with no DR.

Any time a Player rolls an '8' or '9' when rolling for Continuity he must immediately move all his Routed units one-half their MA, as above.

CAVALRY

Retreat Before Combat: If cavalry is being shocked by Infantry, before resolving the shock the cavalry player may choose to Retreat Before Combat by moving the Cavalry two hexes away (in any direction the player wishes). It may not do so if it is adjacent to an enemy cavalry unit.

Pursuit: If an attacking, moving (but not "Engaged") cavalry unit causes the defender to Rout (not just retreat, Rout), it may Pursue. Exception: Cavalry does not pursue routed/eliminated SK. Whether a unit pursues depends on its type and TQ. Roll the die; if the unit is stacked with a leader, add one (+1) to that DR. If the DR is within the Range listed for that unit/TQ, it pursues:

Unit Type

TQ	HC	LN	LC
1-4	0-8	0-6	0-5
5	0-6	0-4	0-3
6	0-5	0-3	0-2
7	0-4	0-2	0-2
8-9	0-2	0-1	0

If the unit does Pursue, eliminate the defender (the Routed unit it is chasing) and place it in the vacated hex. Then roll again:

• if the DR is > that unit's TQ, place the pursuing unit off the map, sitting adjacent to the nearest map-edge hex.

• if the DR is = or < the cavalry's TQ, it is Disordered, if it is not already so. (If it is, ignore the second Disorder).

Play Note: Don't like all this DRing? Then don't use the off-map portion of the Pursuit rule.

LEADERS

8.34 is used. However, only one DR. Roll a '0' and the leader is Dead. Any other roll is No Effect.

(8.4) PERSONAL COMBAT

(8.5) ADVANCE AFTER COMBAT

(8.6) COMBAT TABLES

(9.0) SPECIAL UNITS

(9.1) WAR ELEPHANTS

(9.14) Elephants will Rampage whenever they either receives a Disorder (without Retreat) Shock result, or a Missile Hit (as per 8.15). Elephants do not Rampage if they suffer a Disorder + Retreat, or a Rout result. They simply follow those results like any other unit.

• If the Rampage DR is higher than the unit's TQ, it is Disordered. If not, nothing happens

• If the Rampage DR is a 0,1 or 8,9 apply the above, and then the EL is eliminated, ending the Rampage

• If still around, when all Rampage checks are finished, the EL is eliminated.

(9.16) This remains, but it is a Retreat Before Combat, and if that's not possible, the cavalry is automatically Disordered (before any combat resolution).

(9.17) Ignore

(9.18) Remains

(9.2) CHARIOTS

(9.22) Instead of the standard rules, the following apply:

• A CH that suffers a Disorder, Routs instead.
• A CH that suffers a Rout, is Eliminated instead.

(9.3) SK AND LI

• SK may not attack; SK* may attack, but are treated as LI when they do.
• If SK suffer a Retreat or Rout result in Shock they are, instead, eliminated.

• Note which unit is using Hit & Run
• Note the target, as per above
• Fire the missiles as if they were being fired at one hex range (and the +1 Moving Fire DRM applies, when applicable)
• Take return fire, if any.
• all of this without moving the firing unit.

(9.4) SPECIAL CAVALRY CAPABILITIES

• They may do so against any unit on the board (even other cavalry).
• They may be within 4 MP, but not adjacent
• They may Hit & Run through a friendly combat unit. However, doing so costs the moving unit an additional MP.

(9.5) ARTILLERY

• Oxy's may fire (once) only when in Command Range of active leader.
• Oxys that are alone in a hex and suffer a Disorder are eliminated, instead. If stacked with a unit that is Disordered (and does not retreat) they ignore the Disorder.

(9.6) PHALANX DEFENSE

(9.62) Players may use double-depth PH, with the following changes:

• They may be (so) activated by anyone
• They do not need 2 Orders to move; they move like other units
• Attacking DD PH get an auto +1 DRM, in addition.
• Defending DD PH get an auto -1 DRM, in addition.
• Ignore all references to Cohesion Hits, other than from Missile Fire.

(9.7) CAVALRY FORMATION

(10.0) COMBAT EFFECTS

(10.2) ROUT AND RALLY

(10.22) There is no Rout Movement Phase. Instead, any time a Player rolls an '8' or '9' when rolling for Continuity he must immediately move all his Routed units one-half their MA, as above.

(10.23) Applies

(10.24) See the new 6.92, above.

(10.25 and 6) Ignore these sections. Instead:

• Routed units may not do anything on their own.
• They move only under Rout Movement
• If attacked, they are automatically Eliminated.

Note: This means that units Disordered and Routed during that activation phase do not undergo Rally in the same phase. And the Mandatory Rally applies to all friendly (applicable) units within Range.

To Rally, roll the die for each unit, noting its TQ - remember, Routed units have a TQ of '1' - consulting the "New" Rally Table.

• If the unit is only Disordered, -2 to DR.
• If stacked with a Leader, -1 to DR

(10.3) CAVALRY PURSUIT

(10.4) ARMY WITHDRAWAL

THE WEAPONS SYSTEM DRM MATRIX

TERRAIN EFFECTS ON COMBAT DIEROLL

SHOCK TABLE

• Size Ratio
• TQ Ratio
• Weapons System
• Missile Hits
• Flank Attack
• Rear Attack
• Terrain
• Disorder.
• Moving Attack
• Leader

CAVALRY PURSUIT TABLE

NEW RALLY TABLE

• If the unit is only Disordered, -2 to DR.
• If stacked with a Leader, -1 to DR

SCENARIO UNIT "TYPE" (4.2)

Chaeronea

The Lyginus and Pelium

The Granicus

Issus

Gaugamela

Jaxartes

Samarkand

Arigaeum

The Hydaspes

We do not recommend using the Macedonian reinforcements when playing this SGBoH.