COMMAND DECISION REWRITE UPDATE Much has happened since last July, when I last sat down to report on what was going on here at GDW. The CD rewrite is now finished and in the stores. The major question for the readership, therefore, is "what did we change?" The answer to that, is the differences between CD I and CD II are for the most part evolutionary, rather than revolutionary. Scale, time, and game mechanics me as much the same as before. The major difference between the two sets of rules is in their layout. CD I is written in a narrative form, while CD II is laid out in a sequential form. The difference between the two systems can be illustrated by comparing the following two sections: CD 1: pp 12-13 ANTITANK FIRE: 1 Paragraph RANGE: 1 Paragraph HITTING: 1 Paragraph PENETRATION AND DAMAGE: 5 Paragraphs, 1 Example TERRAIN: 2 Paragraphs, 1 Diagram SPECIAL ANTITANK AMMUNITION TYPES: 2 Paragraphs CD II: pp 23-24 7.1 ANTITANK FIRE: 2 Paragraphs 7.11 RANGE: 1 Paragraph, 1 Example 7.12 ACCURACY: 1 Paragraph, 1 Example 7.13 MODIFIERS TO ACCURACY: 1 Paragraph, 1 Example 7.15 HULL DOWN TARGETS: 1 Paragraph, 1 Diagram 7.14 PENETRATION AND DAMAGE: 2 Paragraphs, 1 Example 7.16 SPECIAL AMMUNITION TYPES: 2 Paragraphs, 1 Example 7.17 CRITICAL HITS: 1 Paragraph, 1 Example We attempted to lay out the rule on a step by step basis, so if there is a question, the answer can quickly be found. In the above case, the exarnples walk someone through the firing process on a step by step basis. Areas where players will note differences between CD I and CD II rules are: damage to AFVs, types of command and staff stands, as well as the ability of stands to call artillery fire. One additional troop quality category has been added to lessen the gap between veteran and experienced. Again, almost all of these changes were either discussed in the CP, or have already shown up in OTT. There has been one other major change in the rewrite. The planned Armies of the Middle East will not be out, but rather will appear at a later date. In my discussions with Frank as to what the rewrite of CD needed to include, he wanted to ensure that there was a complete supplement for World War II, including the Japanese, USMC and French, as well as the US Army, British, Italian, German and Russian. We looked at several different formats for this booklet, and ended up with the following, that will appear with the rules: ARMIES OF WORLD WAR II Volume I: Divisions of the Major Powers This is a 224-page booklet covering the divisional organizations of the following powers: Poland, Rance, Great Britain, the United States. Germany, Italy, Japan, and Russia. (We realize Poland is not a "great power" but it gives you someone to fight with the 1939 Germans.) As you can see from the format, we intend to issue at a later date at least two more volumes, one on the minor powers of World War II and one on the non-divisional units of the major powers. I need to thank all of the readers who sent in their ideas and suggestions for the rewrite. Some were playtested and used, some were playtested and rejected, and some were ideas that many of us were working on at the same time. Winners of the promised sets of rules are: Jeff Glasco, Tom Harris, James Lee, Gunther Bellows, Mike Jasinski, P.C. Hendry, John Kinder, Rich Bliss, Jim Nevling, Mitch Osborne, Frederick Paul Kiesche III, Rick Nance, Micheal Monnternarano, Ed Rohrbaugh, Dudley J. Garidel, Tom Ballou, Moko Cwiklinski, Rob Davidson, John Holtz, Micheal McVeigh, William Rutherford, Warwick Young, Dean Spitz, and Tom Thomas. COMMAND DECISION TOURNAMENT Frank has long wanted to do a Command Decision National Championship at Origins, and so, starting with this year, GDW and GHQ will sponsor the First Annual Command Decision Tournament. We are hoping to be able to nin qualifying rounds at regional conventions, and the following rules are in effect. A team is to consist of four members and up to an equal number of alternates. To register at a participating convention, a hobby shop must be willing to sponsor the team. No financial commitment is necessary, and a hobby shop may sponsor more than one team if desired. Each team must represent a hobby shop, however. We will publish a scenario in the next issue of the Command Post along with additional reinforcing assets for each side and a point cost to purchase diem. Teams will be expected to have one of each army with them when they arrive at a convention. In each round the team will alternate bids in auction style for the choice of sides. The high bidder is allowed to choose sides. 11c opposing team receives the points bid by the high bidder and may use them to purchase reinforcing assets for their side. Convention organizers wishing to participate by holding qualifying events should contact the editor. Back to Table of Contents -- Command Post Newsletter #7 To Command Post Quarterly List of Issues To MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1992 by Greg Novak. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com