Rand Game Associates is a new wargame publisher which sells by subscription. For $17.76 (22.75 less a 4.95 discount coupon enclosed with their advertisement you get 9 games - one every 6 weeks for a year. The initial game is LEE VS. MEADE: THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG.

First, the service is excellent. I received the game less than three weeks after mailing the order. A welcome change from the 6 week to 6 month delay often encountered.

PHYSICAL QUALITY: The game is shipped with an attractive case designed to hold all nine games of the first volume. At first glance the case (12 1/2 x9 1/2 x 3") appears too small for this, but a closer look reveals that it will indeed suffice.

MAPBOARD: The map is printed on stock of about the same weight as the boards that come with S&T Magazine but with a better finish. There are none of the annoying little bumps and ridges as with the thicker mounted boards and the map appears durable enough if handled carefully. The surface is only 17x17" but is plenty big enough for the purpose.

The background is an attractive green with black and brown contours, the whole board overlaid with a white grid of 144 1 3/8" squares. The board resembles an actual artillery map but there is no confusion because the background is meaningless as far as play goes. More on that later.

UNIT COUNTERS: The 72 die cut unit counters representing infantry divisions, cavalry brigades and artillery regiments are 5/8" (rather than the usual 1/2") with rounded corners for easy handling. They are colored blue and gray with the symbols, numbers, and unit ID's in black. They punch out cleanly and easily and have a nice finish. Altogether, a cut above the average.

RULES: The rules are professionally printed in a 12 page 8" x 8" booklet which includes example of play and Historical Commentary. They are mainly straight forward and simple although suffering occasionally from unclear phrasing. A few minor ambiguities and contradictions exist, but these are easily disposed of after a little thought.

ACCESSORIES: LEE VS. MEADE also contains two tactical analysis/combat computation charts, 2 sets of 6 each tac cards, Union and Confederate order of appearance charts, a turn recorder and a die.

MOVEMENT: Movement is carried out by a unique but simple method called the "TimeSpace" system. The cost of moving from square to square is printed on the common boundary of each sector. These costs vary from one to five depending upon the terrain and direction of the move (diagonal moves naturally cost more as the distance is greater).

Movement rates are standard: 5 for infantry and artillery, 8 for cavalry, horse artillery and commanders. Thus movement is extremely simple. A quick glance at the board shows you exactly where either side can get to in the next turn.

COMBAT: To attack, infantry and cavalry must move into attack position. This is done simply by expending the movement points necessary to enter the enemy held square but placing the attacking units on the boundary line. Artillery may attack normally or bombard from a range of one square. Only bombarding artillery may attack diagonally. Once units are in attack position, several things must be considered. First the attack classification is determined. Attacks are classified as frontal, flank, pincers, double envelopement or encirclement according to the number and combination of sides attacked from.

Next the attacker chooses 1 of 6 possible attacks while the defender chooses from 6 defenses. The results are cross indexed on the tactical analysis matrix. The result can end in an immediate withdrawal by one side or the other or direct the players to any of 6 combat computations charts where the battle is resolved. Defensive terrain (squares containing triangle symbols) and the presence of commanders can add or subtract from the die roll. The idea of a combat matrix has been around for a long time, but the result is little more than a rather pointless guessing game. This matrix is decidedly different. The type of attack or defense you choose will depend upon a number of factors. Things to be considered include: the overall situation, the attacker's objective, attack classification, odds and the presence or absence of artillery.

For example, some matrix combinations favor the defender at low odds and the attacker at higher odds, on others, the attacker benefits if he has a certain type of attack class if.cation. The attack and defense choices care rather complex in themselves, Some choices are for specific purposes only while others are quite risky and will rarely be chosen except under special circumstances or when you are pretty sure of your opponents choice. The wide variety of factors to be taken into account makes this an extremely interesting and intriguing system. The many possibilities guarantee that the game won't pall after a few playings. The combat computation tables are not particularly bloody, but losses really hurt in this game, so you have to sweat out every attack.

SCENARIOS AND OPTIONAL RULES: There are 4 scenarios depicting different phases of the battle and any scenario may be played out to the end of the last one at turn 41. Victory conditions are based on casualties and terrain held for the individual scenarios and only on casualties for the battle game.

One minor annoyance are the obvious misprints in the scenario set ups. There are two optional rules: one for screening where the contents of certain stacks may be hidden and one for off board cavalry raids.

All in all, LEE VS MEADE is a very interesting game with many innovations and refinements. The price for the subscription is reasonable and if following games are as good as this one, a sub is well worth your while. The next three games are to be Saratoga 1777, Cambrai, and Napoleon's 1814 Campaign.