Date:         Thu, 24 Feb 1994 13:12:53 -0700
From: John D Burtt <jdb@INEL.GOV>
Subject:      AS
To:  CONSIM-L@vm.ucs.UAlberta.CA
 
Bob Rogers has asked for a quick summary of Attack Sub (AH)
 
Attack Sub is a card game.  Both surface ships and subs are involved.
Cards provide the detection levels or the detection countermeasures.
The higher the detection level the better and harder the attacks become.
Scenarios are sub vs sub or surface vs sub (which includes helicopters).
 
Excellent "feel" rules about who can benefit from detection.  If a sub
detects a surface ships he's the only one who has the detection marker
raised.  If ANY member of a surface group detects a sub ALL members of
the surface group raise their detection levels on the sub.  This one
isn't quite as fast and furious as GMT's Rise of the Luftwaffe but you
can run several battles in an evening.
 
Recommended, but after GMT's RoL.
 
john
 
Date:         Fri, 25 Feb 1994 06:25:04 EST
From: "T. Rooker" <trooker@xobu%RELAY.NSWC.NAVY.MIL>
Subject:      Re: AS
To:  CONSIM-L@vm.ucs.UAlberta.CA
 
JB> Attack Sub is a card game.  Both surface ships and subs are
JB> involved.  Cards provide the detection levels or the detection
JB> countermeasures.  The higher the detection level the better and
JB> harder the attacks become.  Scenarios are sub vs sub or surface vs
JB> sub (which includes helicopters).
JB>
JB> Excellent "feel" rules about who can benefit from detection.  If a
JB> sub detects a surface ships he's the only one who has the detection
JB> marker raised.  If ANY member of a surface group detects a sub ALL
JB> members of the surface group raise their detection levels on the
JB> sub.  This one isn't quite as fast and furious as GMT's Rise of the
JB> Luftwaffe but you can run several battles in an evening.
JB>
JB> Recommended, but after GMT's RoL.
 
Of course it isn't fast and furious, ASW isn't fast a furious like a
dog fight.  What AS does provide is the cat and mouse feel of submarine
combat, without the long boring periods of time between detections.
Once the detection levels build I have found that the play gets just as
exciting.  The attacker is trying to increase the detection level or
launch weapons, while the target is frantically trying to reduce the
level, or evade the torpedos.  In these situations the cards are flying
as fast and furious has I have seen in any card game :-)  Of course I
have seen other games where the sub quietly builds up the detection
level, puts a load of torpedos into the carrier and slips away.  Very
realistic, but somewhat boring.  As much as I like sinking birdfarms, I
have to admit it is not exciting play.  The balance of the deck is such
that in most games the detection level is more symmetrical, so that
both players must juggle between attack and defense.
 
Terry