From: Jeff Boschmann <jboschmn@rconnect.com>
Subject:      Re: GMT's BNA

Dave Cann wrote:
>
> All this talk of north Africa is making me curious.  I'd prefer a playable
> game and I've heard that BNA is quite playable compared to the CNA-like
> monsters (as well as DAK I assume).  Could someone briefly explain GMT's
> Battle for North Africa's "activation system"?  Is it a chit-pull-like (ala
> Glory)?  Nothing on WebGrognards or GMT's website...
>
> Thanks,
>
> -dave

Dave,

BNA is similar to Glory in its turn sequence.  The players roll for
commander availability (which helps coordinate attacks) and initiative.

Each player pays to activate their units.  The activation cost is
printed on the Activation Markers (AM).  Instead of all units
immediately going in the activation pool like in Glory, the player has
to pay Resource Points (RP) to place a unit in the pool. In the primary
activation phase, the inivative player choses an AM and plays it,
followed by the rest of the pool as drawn in random sequence.  The last
AM in the pool is not put in play, as in Glory.

A secondary activation phase follows the first.  In this phase, all the
remaining units are activated, beginning with the initiative player.
This phase is primary movement or construction only, attacks are
severely limited.

Those are the basics.  There is a simple air game, withdrawl of Allied
units, Italian surrender and other things are well.

I like this game.  I know it probably does not compare to DAK, but it is
fun in its own right.  The only real annoying part is the few missing
AMs (Tobruk's name is missing also, but that is not big deal, just a
stupid oversight by someone).  The activation markers lend themselves
well to solitaire play.

As to balance, I do not know yet.  I have only played it twice.  The
second time I played the campaign solitaire.  Just as the British were
about to begin their counterattack on the Italians, O'Connor was
captured and the only Armored div. was randomly withdrawn.  The Brits
got another Armored div. the next turn, but it too was withdrawn
(rolling too many "0"s :-() within a turn.  Needless to say, the
Commonwealth forces had not driven the Italians out of Egypt when Rommel
and his panzers arrived.  Ouch!

I will set this one up again in the near future.  It runs well,
especially if you are familiar with RHB's activation system.  A lot of
fun, but of course, not even close to DAK.

Jeff