Tank Charts

Rules

by Rod Burr

TANK CHARTS is a set of rules packages issued over the last few years. Despite the title, these a intended to be a complete set of rules rather the just charts with vehicle data. The scale of the rul uses individual tanks and infantry fire teams. The author states that a future installment of will include additional rules to allow usage of differe ratios scaled up for use in fighting larger actions. The basic idea is that as much of the information as possible should be placed on heavy card char rather than buried in the rule book. This means th the actual text of the rules is quite short, while the number of charts to be used is quik large. The new concept introduced by these rules, however serves to keep the number of charts each individual has to deal with to a manageable level. This idea is to have a separate chart that is complete for each AFV. Rather than having to consult separate charts for the chance to hit a target, gun penetration, speed, etc., all this information included on a single, clearly laid out chart on an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet. Therefore, each player or needs to deal with the chart or two covering I own vehicles, rather than being forced to consult 6 different charts as is required in rules such TRACTICS.

The strongest points in these rules are those dealing with tanks. The author has gone to great pains in his research. One example of this is that rather than merely using penetration figures as quoted some of the more common sources, he has also added muzzle velocities and further references to correct for such unstated variants such as type a quality of armor against which the tests were conducted.

The rules are able to use separate target sizes, road and cross country mobility speeds, performance factors, and observation factors for each vehicle. The last which represents the quality and number of vision devices (ports, periscopes, etc.) is a significant addition to the normal aspects considered in other rules.

Even with all this, the charts are quite readable and easy to use. Another nice touch included in the rules is an initiative die roll based on nationality and year to determine which side has the choice of move sequence for each turn.

Infantry and artillery rules were not published until the second supplement following the original set. These look reasonable, but are significantly less innovative and original than the tank rules. The artillery rules, in particular, appear overly complex for the number of aspects of the real world they cover. There are still no morale rules or command contol rules. It is promised that they will appear in set No. 5 -- the 4th supplement).

Overall, these rules do a very good job of simulating the "hardware" aspects of warfare, but to this time neglect what I feel are the most important factors in small unit combat, morale and command control. Anyone intending to use these rules will have to add his own to cover these areas. The coverage of vehicles for all the major combatants of WWII is very good with the complete set of charts available with the exception of Japan.

One drawback of the use of separate charts is that the full set of rules represents a lot of printing on heavy card stock, and the price reflects this. So far a total of four sets have been published. The first set contains the basic tank and AT rules, while the third includes the infantry and artillery rules. All four sets include different data charts, with the second and fourth being just expansions to range of vehicles covered. The rules are published by Forrest Publications, P.O. Box 2637, La Habra, CA 90631. Sets 1 and 3 cost $8.50 each, while 2 and 4 are $5.50 each.

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