This is what I love about Last Blitzkrieg [BCS] - Running through the options in an activation.

This is what I love about Last Blitzkrieg [BCS] - Running through the options in an activation.
Last Blitzkrieg [MMP, 2016]
Designer: Dean Essig

[@lynnbrower4244]

Nathan, I agree with your comments because what you laid out is the reason why I like BCS so much. From the beginning I have promoted the thesis that all BCS games are two games in one. The first game is playing the units of each Formation Activation to make the best use of their capabilities. This first game is a function of learning the rules for Formations, Movement and Combat. The second game is easier to state but harder to learn. Choosing which Formation to activate next and assigning goals/objectives to to that Formation is the second game. That's all, just choose a Formation. This second game is IMO harder to master. I am still learning and trying to master the second game.

[@AdamH75]

Couldn’t agree more Nathan - yours and The Tabletop’s Edge’s thinking out loud, strategy and tactics have convinced me to get this. Solving logistical puzzles and not just rolling dice blindly is far more interesting. As for Clervaux, here’s a little history by Mark Felton:
ruclips.net/video/_DyCo3aQSs8/видео.html&ab_channel=MarkFeltonProductions

[@russellmassey9324]

Peiper strides into your HQ and slaps you. "March! Westward with all speed! Less talk and more action!"

[@marcoantoniofacchini2679]

I discovered this system some months ago thanks to a wargamer friend of mine and it was like a revelation. Still lot of study and practice in front of me l, but let me say i understand why you do love this system.

[@dubarnik]

It's clear that you are enjoying this game immensely. I think Dean Essig nailed the logistics, support, and combat perfectly. But as a simulation of the overall battle, does it feel right? I mean, how historical is it that you make plans for each activation, for each turn? Did the Germans make/change plans frequently during the campaign, such as changing objectives and travel routes? Does the optional order system address this issue, forcing a continuity of planning from turn to turn? Thanks in advance - your videos are amazing and your replies, thoughtful!

[@calvinboy24]

The Germans did change routes quite frequently during the battle. There's understanding that the Rollbahn (as depicted on the map) were to be adhered to which was not the case at all. The Rollbahn were really just suggested paths along the most straight paths northwest towards the Meuse River. KG Peiper is an obvious one as he was slated to move along Rollbahn D but purposely ventured into Rollbahn C (12th SS Panzer Division's route) where he needed to. But my favorite example of a formation that deviated from their path was the 116th Panzer Division. Slated to move along the Rollbahn for LVIII Pz Corps, its first day's advance was delayed by stubborn resistance from the 112th Regimental Combat Team. Finally reaching the Our River at Ouren, it was determined that the bridges could not support the weight of tanks (in the game this is represented as the bridge effectively collapsing). The whole division was sent south to cross the Our at Dasburg where the 2nd Pz Div had crossed and was in a completely different Corps sector. From there, it crossed then headed a bit north to Heinerscheid where it proceeded over tracks (not on good Rollbahn roads) south of Houffalize (its original route was north of Houffalize) and got right north of Bastogne and tried crossing the Ourthe near Ortho when the bridge there was blown. It backtracked (again) to Houffalize, crossed north and went along a very windy track (now finally on its original designated Rollbahn) to La Roche-en-Ardenne. Instead of crossing west back over the Ourthe, it proceeded north where it fought in a series of inconclusive actions to hit Hotton from the east. Failing that, it went back to La-Roche, crossed over the Ourthe River then got stuck trying to take Marche-en-Famenne by the US 84th Infantry Division and fought a number of static battles until the end of December around Verdenne, Marenne, and Menil. These are just two examples of Germans deviating from their plans and there's plenty of others, particularly with the stubborn defenses at Bastogne (delaying Panzer Lehr and 2nd Panzer who travelling south and north, respectively, around Bastogne), St. Vith (Fuhrer Begleit Brigade weaved along track through bad wooded terrain to avoid the Goose Egg there), and the successful defense of Rocherath-Krinkelt that cause the shift of the 12th SS Panzer Division from Rollbahn A/B/C to hit the underside of the 2nd, 99th, and 1st Infantry Division at Domaine Butgenbach.
You can track the actual routes taken by the majority of the Panzer formations here, overlaid on the Last Blitzkrieg map:
cf.geekdo-images.com/vPQdwLUjEg2Yi_Rvcj9XAQ__original/img/T3ZM-Wg0MIKuPG6rG2W09_i4IzU=/0x0/filters:format(jpeg)/pic2555017.jpg

[@jeffwesevich1239]

@@calvinboy24 Jeez Carl -- if you're going to try to argue without any facts, I just dunno... :-)

[@dubarnik]

@@calvinboy24 Wow! Wonderful reply, Carl. I appreciate the detail. I've already purchased the game but am still learning the system via BbF. Thanks again!

[@SHAMUS991]

Good questions which Carl has answered for my part there is a tension between a perfect simulation and a perfect game, game being fun and enjoyable. I have found the BCS and particularly OCS (as I have played more often) fun because the designer does not overly constrain me but gives me insights into considering the consequences of decisions made and like the real situation sometimes those consequences are unforeseen. If I spend 160 quid on a game I want to be motivated to play it more than once it feels like both these systems do that.

[@steveoh9285]

BCS plays so well solo because of all the fascinating challenges/puzzles it offers the player, as you note. Solitaire study doesn’t have to worry about taking too long when playing an opponent. However, playing BCS opposed is also great because it is beneficial to have another player help you with the rules/conceptual complexity. In solo play, I find myself making multiple errors! What a super-fun system…

[@Stiglr]

You mentioned in your build-up that this kind of analysis is a reason you like *solo* gaming, specifically. Can you expand on that? What of this kind of analysis would you or could you NOT do if playing opposed? As one specific example, do BOTH players know that some of the units on the map are "done with all activations" for the turn, and that those two German units can act with no fear of American response?
Also, how hard is it for you to "ignore what you know" when switching sides and playing "the other guys" in a game of this size? I find it INCREDIBLY difficult to offset omniscience when playing solo... which is why I avoid it as much as possible, and only use solo play for "practice" or for learning or refreshing on the rules in preparation for opposed play.
And, I have to take every chance I can to applaud your approach and your presentation. I wish I could be half as succinct and direct as you are when I do my videos!!!

[@WARdROBEPlaysWWII]

Could t agree more on his presentation. - so good.
And agree on his thoughts on solo. It’s just easy to play at your speed when you can make little snippets of time. I’m an only child and have been soloing my whole life.

[@WiseGuyHistory]

Yeah what Todd said above; the ability to take my time, come and go from a game, and not worry about the speed. It makes it more of a 'study' than a 'competition'. When I play with friends we always play games that can be finished in 1-7 hours.

[@SHAMUS991]

Nathan, thanks for doing this though in your excitement and as I am new to the system I found this video a little difficult to follow. Just feedback rather than a criticism as both you and TTE have encouraged me to get into BCS and I thank you for that!

[@WiseGuyHistory]

Yeah I hear you; I think I was trying to capture the complexity of factors that goes into a single Formation Activation, and it became a bit messy.

[@MrProsat]

Geez, do I have to re-buy this game? I played the heck out of it and sold it.... Now these videos (am playing A Time for Trumpets now) are making think I wish I hadn't sold it....
You and Table Top are doing a great job discussing this game.

[@WiseGuyHistory]

Thanks J; have you looked at Panzers Last Stand? Might offer you something different if you've played a lot of LB?

[@MrProsat]

Just bought it. But i will play one more campaign of LB, out into JAN with the new counters in PLS. I have a book to read on Konrad before i play PLS. I dont know much about this operation.

[@Your_Moms_Boyfriend_]

Great video! What program do you happen to be using to play it on the computer?

[@WiseGuyHistory]

I use Vassal, and you just download the module for the game.

[@Your_Moms_Boyfriend_]

@@WiseGuyHistory thank you much!