From: "Mircea Pauca" Subject: Review: Panzer Command (VG) Currently there is no review of 'Panzer Command' at www.grognard.com so I will try and write one. Many thanks to Hjalmar Gerber for introducing me to this game. Subject: WW2 tactical, quasi-generic 1942-43 Scale: company/counter; 500 m/hex; 2 hours/turn Complexity: 7/10 Play time: 2-5 hours (given on box); more really The game 'Panzer Command' was published by Victory Games, New York in 1984 (code 30008) as a reply to simple WW2 tactical games like Panzerblitz. The design was very innovative at the time so the designer, Eric Lee Smith repeatedly takes pains to explain the new mechanics used. Don't confuse with the computer, first-person 'Panzer Commander'. The game is intended as a generic mechanism but the map is localized, a stretch of Russia near the Chir River including Sowchos (State farm) 79, where many tank battles have been fought in 1942-43 during the Stalingrad encirclement. Each player controls some 30-50 units representing the companies of a German Panzerdivision or Soviet Tank Corps. Actions depicted are day-long, some with night pauses. The great innovation over standard move-shoot wargames is the random-order unit activation system. Each formation (typically a regiment with its HQ) has 2 chits. For each formation of both sides, one chit is put in a mug or cup, and then they are randomly drawn. For each chit drawn, each unit of the corresponding Formation can do one action (Move or Fire or Fortify or Concentrate fire or Rally etc). This represents the real-world difficulty in sub-unit coordination. The key decision is the use of Dispatch Points to activate again a formation (1 pt if planned one turn in advance, 2 pts if taken anytime on the spot ). Also, Direct Command Points can be used to do one action with one unit immediately after, or be sure a unit takes Opportunity Fire on moving enemies, or in a special 'Direct Command Segment'. Both these represent the planning, personal attention and communications of the HQ and staff. Each unit can thus perform from 1 to 5 actions per turn. (2 segments x 2 actions + 1 extra Direct Command action). These Points are regenerated by a random roll depending on unit and HQ quality - representing the vital differences in doctrine, flexibility and communications equipment between Germany and the USSR. Information on counters is the same as in PB/PL: attack+type, protection, range, speed. They are used with a differential CRT. This works OK for early WW2 but would be less adequate later when Panzerfausts, Bazookas, Panther guns etc. have markedly different capabilities against armor and soft targets. Despite greater scale than PB/PL, the game feels very tactical, with somewhat confusing LOS rules, hex-by-hex opportunity fire attempts, a substantial behind-crest bonus, target overstacking penalties and a 'concentrate fire to hex' action. Unit attrition is gradual: Suppressed (can only Rally), 1 Cohesion Hit, 2 CH's, Step Loss+2CH, Eliminated. This represents the historically greater importance of organizational rather than physical damage. A lot of game functions depend on Troop Quality, given in the scenario for each formation. T-72 and Leopard II tanks are included for comparison, being way off the normal factor scale for WW2 units. Single-blind rules (defender hidden) with written plotting are included and warmly recommended for two players. The rulebook is 60 pages thick including tables, scenarios and is richly illustrated by examples. This simulation appeals more to the chaos-loving gamer rather to the perfect planner. Because action order is unpredictable, the system works well solitaire. I've tried it - at first it's a little confusing but it gets better with some experience. There is a point-based scenario generation system based on battle types: Meeting Engagement, Set-Piece Battle, Escalating Attack (the most usual WW2 action). Overall, it's a moderately complex, innovative mechanism with more accent on 'simulation' but adequate as a game for those with enough time. Mircea-Valer Pauca (mpauca@fx.ro), Bucharest, Romania