Reinforcements
New U.S. and Soviet Units
for Assault

Game Review

Review by James Baker


Designed by Frank Chadwick
Developed by John Harshman
Game Designers' Workshop P.O. Box 1646, Bloomington, IL 61701
Released: March, 1985
Catalog No.477
Price: $10.00
Complexity: Experienced
Solitaire Suitability. Fair
**** 1/2

Reinforcements is the third release in Game Designers' Workshop's (GDW) Assault modern tactical simulation system. Unlike its immediate predecessor, the game Boots and Saddles, it is not a game in itself and you must have either Assault or Boots and Saddles to use it. if you have either of these games, however, Reinforcements is a good buy that adds significantly to the options available in the system.

Reinforcements is a very apt name. The module contains two full counter sheets with many new unit types and several complete new organizations. The counters are up to GDW's usual standard with vehicle silhouettes and standard infantry symbols. In addition, the module provides a complete point system for all of the units and organizations in the Assault series allowing the players to design and balance their own scenarios. With this module and both of the earlier games of the series, players should be able to simulate most of the forces and unit types that are likely to be encountered in a tactical combat between the U.S. and Soviet forces in Europe.

There are many new unit types in Reinforcements. Perhaps the most interesting additions are on the Soviet side. These include a complete Soviet mechanized (desant) airborne regiment with the divisional assault gun (ASU-85) battalion and reconnaissance elements. Also included is a new type of anti-aircraft (AA) missile, the SA13, which will make even the powerful AH-64 helicopter fly evasively.

Also included are a battalion of T-62 tanks, one of T-72 tanks, a mechanized infantry battalion mounted in BTR-60 armored personnel carrier (APCs), and a divisional anti-tank battalion. Several units are included which are based on information contained in Victor Suvorov's book Inside the Soviet Army. These include a heavy assault gun, a multiple rocket launcher, and an antitank vehicle based on the T-62 chassis. Counters are also provided to represent the ZSU-23(4) AA vehicle.

On the U.S. side, you get a complete Air Cavalry Squadron based on the AH-64 helicopter, an aviation battalion based on UH-1H, Vulcan and Chapparal AA vehicles, the ground elements of the 5th Squadron of Divisional Cavalry, a large number of TOW missiles mounted on jeeps, and updates to the organizations of the earlier games.

With the new counters, you get organization charts for them. These charts were first developed for the Boots and Saddles game and make the scenarios considerably easier to set up.

Perhaps the most important component in Reinforcements is a complete set of point values for all the units in the series and instructions on how to create and balance scenarios, including a suggestion for a new scenario Breakout from Encirclement. With this information, the number of possible scenarios in the Assault system becomes essentially innumerable.

If you have and like Assault and Boots and Saddles, buy Reinforcements. GDW shows every intention of supporting and expanding this series and making it the one of the most comprehensive tactical systems available. I am looking forward to the future modules in the system, Bundeswehr and Cbieftan which are scheduled to include German (both sides), British and Polish forces, combat engineering rules, and rules for built up areas.

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© Copyright 1985 by Dana Lombardy.
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