The second edition Bar-Lev is superior to the old Conflict game in every way - a better physical package, a better order of battle, a better representation of the capabilities of specialized units. It is a respectable simulation of the 1973 War, though I suspect that war can only be fully understood on a lower level - say, company/battalion, where the nature of the missile umbrella, electronic warfare, and fortification becomes clear.

The existing Bar-Lev has only one major flaw which prevents it from achieving full utility - it is possible for massed fire from artillery battalions to eliminate whole tank battalions and brigades! Now, in five years this will be possible, since the new Precision Guided Munitions give long-range shells pinpoint accuracy.

In '73 artillery was still an area barrage weapon. Artillery fire could make a tank unit button up could slow and disrupt and disorganize it - but could not alone eliminate it. The vulnerability of infantry units is only marginally higher. Artillery firing in the Artillery Phase should only be allowed to Neutralize units, which can then be eliminated by assault in the Combat Phase. Simply change all the "Destroy" results on the CRT to "Neutralize".

More Bar Lev

Introduction
Bar Lev 1
Bar Lev 2
Bar Lev 3
Second Thoughts: Looking Back on Bar-Lev