Viva El Cristo
Spanish Civil War Rules


Viva... is an interesting little set of rules detailing grand-tactical combat during the Spanish Civil War (SCW). The digest-sized booklet runs some 14 pages plus covers. Stands of troops, single guns and single vehicle models represent companies of the appropriate type. An inch represents ap-proximately 75 yards; the rules specify no time scale. Players issue orders chits to battalions, two at a time (orders can be Move, Fire, Rally, or Mount/Dismount).

A turn consists of two bounds; one chit is turned over and acted upon each bound. This forces players to plan ahead just a bit. The play sequence each bound is move, fire, dose combat. Viva... uses simultaneous movement. Charging units receive movement bonuses and movement for all units distinguishes between road, cross country, and rough country.

Fire combat takes place at short, medium, or long range. A fire effects table provides hits at each range as a result of the roll of 1D6. Ten hits removes a stand. Fire ranges vary by weapon type and firer troop quality/training level. Antitank fire works similarly. Normal small arms cannot harm AFVs, but due to the light armor used, almost all heavy weapons can...

Indirect fire scatters and causes casualties on its own fire effect table. Target cover and movement all affect casualties. Viva... addresses, simply, both troop training/quality and troop morale. The former, as noted, affects fire combat.

Morale determines whether a unit can fire, whether it will charge or withstand a charge, and whether it will even advance, based on a units morale dice roll. Morale ranges from Elite (7) to Local Militia (3). A unit casts 1D6, add their morale value, and subtract their casualties. The final value must exceed given values to allow the unit to perform various actions. A low result often means retreat or rout. Melee involves comparing forces, casting 1D6, comparing modified results, and seeing who falls back (and what casualties they take...)

The emphasis with Viva... is short and simple. The rules mechanisms are all clear, but due to the brevity of the rules, may require a couple of readings to sink in. Some parts I fully understood only after querying Pat, who muttered something about revising and expanding the rules sometime in the future to make them clearer. He provides lists of which of the many troop types involved in the SCW have which type of training and morale, in order to make things a bit simpler for the neophyte.

In any event, for $3.00 you get a straightforward, playable (and importantly, entertaining!) set of rules to introduce you to the SCW. Pat provides a catalog (on the inside back cover) of his own 20mm miniatures for the SCW, as well as various troops, references, and equipment available from other sources, which are welcome, as so many seem to know so little about this significant war. Available from your local game store; if unavailable, order direct from Historical products Company, c/o Patrick A. Condray, 8234 Kings Arm Drive, Alexandria, VA 22308.- BILL RUTHERFORD

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