WAR PLAN ORANGE 1936 - Our tabletop historical miniatures group presented a naval Jutland-type battle at the KC Mo. HAHMGS Con with each fleet having a 10 ship battle-line of BBs & BCs and supporting cruisers, DDs, troop transports, a small CVL each, and a sub each ! Our battle-game supposed the Japanese moving on the Phillipines and the US having broken their codes knew about it and meeting just north of Luzon . We too had read Bywater's book and had the Avalanche boxed game and a booklet by Ben King also available for OOBs . The tabletop action on a large blue table started with small airstrikes on each fleet with very few planes each which were fought off with cap fighters and AA fire . Also as each fleet entered the table they had to deal with sub-attacks with air-cap, spoting, and AS defense (DDs) . Then each fleet launched torpedo attacks with their light ships on each others battle-line which were driven back by cruisers and DDs which in turn were attacked by each battle-line ! The Japanese line broke into smaller groups as their BCs could advance faster toward the enemy which put them in range of the US BBs which was their undoing ! The Japanese also had to protect their troop transports which was an extra burden ! We enjoyed presenting this tabletop historical miniatures battle at the convention and had 12 players in it having a fun time ! I see by your video that your game is more of a strategic map/counter game while we enjoy a quick and dirty tactical miniatures battle. :-)
My best opening tip is for the US to be methodical in where and how you build your first fleet base. Trying to build it within long range of the JP is going to get your fleet train sunk and then things can easily go off the rails.
Looks great! I'm currently learning EotS, and I'm waiting for this one to arrive. I'm a huge fan of your work. P.S. The destroyer at 18:27 I think is Mutsuki.
I also own the original edition Empire of the Sun, but never tackled it. I was thinking of buying Plan Orange in hopes this will serve as a viable way to wade into this game system in a bit more managable fashion.
+John Sy I have not played in a rated tournament in almost 4 decades, so I have no idea, but I would guess around 1500. Chess is part of my DNA, but I mostly play against my son these days.
WAR PLAN ORANGE 1936 - Our tabletop historical miniatures group presented a naval Jutland-type battle at the KC Mo. HAHMGS Con with each fleet having a 10 ship battle-line of BBs & BCs and supporting cruisers, DDs, troop transports, a small CVL each, and a sub each ! Our battle-game supposed the Japanese moving on the Phillipines and the US having broken their codes knew about it and meeting just north of Luzon . We too had read Bywater's book and had the Avalanche boxed game and a booklet by Ben King also available for OOBs . The tabletop action on a large blue table started with small airstrikes on each fleet with very few planes each which were fought off with cap fighters and AA fire . Also as each fleet entered the table they had to deal with sub-attacks with air-cap, spoting, and AS defense (DDs) . Then each fleet launched torpedo attacks with their light ships on each others battle-line which were driven back by cruisers and DDs which in turn were attacked by each battle-line ! The Japanese line broke into smaller groups as their BCs could advance faster toward the enemy which put them in range of the US BBs which was their undoing ! The Japanese also had to protect their troop transports which was an extra burden ! We enjoyed presenting this tabletop historical miniatures battle at the convention and had 12 players in it having a fun time ! I see by your video that your game is more of a strategic map/counter game while we enjoy a quick and dirty tactical miniatures battle. :-)
Thanks Mark. Just picked up the game and am looking forward to trying it. I am fascinated by this period and the war plans of the two sides.
Excellent Overview! Thanks for the kind words! I anticipate this one will be a very popular title.
Thanks for the video, Mark. I have ordered my copy and am looking forward to trying this one out!
+DownriverRick Thanks for the support, much appreciated.
Thanks for making this. I was looking for some opening move tips. Got it!
My best opening tip is for the US to be methodical in where and how you build your first fleet base. Trying to build it within long range of the JP is going to get your fleet train sunk and then things can easily go off the rails.
Looks great! I'm currently learning EotS, and I'm waiting for this one to arrive. I'm a huge fan of your work.
P.S. The destroyer at 18:27 I think is Mutsuki.
This is totally fantastic!
Thanks for the overview. The technology differences make for quite a difference in play.
Just ordered it...looking forward to giving it a whirl
+Lenny Glynn Thanks for the support Lenny, I hope all is well.
Very impressive chess book collection. :) New in Chess Yearbooks too.
The Macon/Akron counter is cool as hell.
I also own the original edition Empire of the Sun, but never tackled it. I was thinking of buying Plan Orange in hopes this will serve as a viable way to wade into this game system in a bit more managable fashion.
+Jeffrey Miller As I said in the video this is not an EotS starter game, but the scenario is less complex on the political side.
My order is in!
+Bob Bergeron Thanks for the support.
War Plan Orange was one of the "Color plans" of the War Dept.
thank you
This looks amazing. Unfortunately living in South Africa makes procuring it very difficult :/
Cool chess books, Mark! :) Just curious, what's your USCF rating?
+John Sy I have not played in a rated tournament in almost 4 decades, so I have no idea, but I would guess around 1500. Chess is part of my DNA, but I mostly play against my son these days.
Gah, waiting for international shipping to be resolved!