How to Play Wargames
How to Play Wargames Wargaming techniques are methods that are generally applicable to any type of game. They are just more applicable to wargames because wargames have more things going on in them. There are more elements to apply technique to.
As described above, one of your basic techniques is analyzing your units. Once you have analyzed them you then have a second technique known as effective deployments.
Because most wargames have playing pieces are deployed on a hexagonal grid, the positioning of these forces helps determine the forces effectiveness. For example, your lighter and slower units are generally garbage and are best put in the front line where they can absorb the enemy's initial blow. Your weak but fast units are often best deployed on flanks where they can rush about or at least slow down any enemy attempt to surround you. Your strong but slow units are generally best deployed right behind your weak front line unit so as to move up and stop any attempt at pushing into your position. Your strong and fast units are best used as your general reserve to be kept in the middle of your position so that they can rapidly be shifted anywhere either to defend a key area or to exploit a successful attack. Range fire units (units such as artillery or archers, etc. that can "fire" their combat power over two or more hexes) are usually deployed to make maximum use of their ability to project their combat power over a wide area. Thus, missile units can reinforce non-missile units. Needless to say, when you're analyzing a unit's effectiveness a missile unit becomes important far beyond its basic combat and movement ability.
For any other specialized unit, the same applies. For example, some games have leader units which are necessary to get the combat units to move, fight or do just about anything. These units must be deployed so as to enable you to do what you want to do. Put them in the wrong place and you're going to be high and dry when it comes to getting things moving.
Note that the above advice on using various types of units also applies to chess, and has been the accepted wisdom in military circles for several thousand years.
Just to sit down and attempt to develop different (and one would hope better) deployments for a particular game is an interesting exercise which many players indulge in. This type of activity often leads to interesting surprises, as when the player who has done his homework unveils a new and more effective deployment on an unsuspecting opponent.
Many players prefer to tinker with the game in this manner rather than actually play it. Tinkering is a low-hassle, mentally stimulating, take-things-as-they-come activity. Playing the game tends to be a bit more intensive even if you're only playing against yourself. Most gamers tend to be people who like to tinker with things and games are eminently "tinkerable."
The
Importance of Quality of Play
