The game needs at least three Players, one to take the role of commander of side A, one for side B and an Umpire. The Umpire’s role is to rule on the effectiveness of Arguments based on the Briefing. Other Players may be added if there are more sides or there are sufficient Players to adopt the roles of subordinate commanders. Briefing Because this is a game of opinion and argument, abundant information and Briefing are vital to a good game. Access to a set of reference books and papers before and during the game is useful. Before play begins, a written Briefing for each Player and the Umpire should cover the following subjects. As much as possible should be presented in tables or bullet points. Strategic background This should cover the strategic reason for the action including the hopes and goals of each side. Where these are relevant, the knowledge of the commanders as to the position and intentions of their own and enemy Units should be noted. These commanders’ assumptions can be changed or added to by Argument during the Battle. Command structure There should be a specified Chain of Command to explain the components of the Formations and Units of both sides relevant to (but not necessarily present at) the battle. Players will be assigned commands according to historical roles. The number of Player-commanders on both sides at the lowest level of subordination used should be equal. The Briefing should cover the strengths and weaknesses of the significant commanders. This can cover health, emotional state and political status as well as professional competence. Formation initial orders The opening orders of the various Units and Formations should be specified. These should cover current objectives and any standing orders. Players may change these orders by Argument. The state of a Unit of Formations orders are important components in arguments about its behaviour. Composition of Units This is the main repository of information as to the capabilities and conditions of the Units, Formations, fortifications and other defences. The subjects covered might include, but are not limited to: Numerical strengths Formations deployed for fighting (line, columns etc.) Weapons and capabilities Style of fighting Level of training Morale or enthusiasm Communication with other Units and command Formations Supplies of ammunition, food etc. Preparedness Speed Strength of protection Weaknesses and vulnerabilities All the Units of a Formation may have the same status and if so can be covered by a blanket statement to save repetition. Example “All Units in 23 brigade have full ammunition supply”, “All Roman maniple Units are assumed to have helmet, shield and chain mail armour and are equipped with up to three pilums, a sword and a dagger ”. Locations and places The Briefing should specify actual locations or permitted areas of deployment for each Unit or Formation. If appropriate, the fact that the location is not known by the enemy should be stated. Furthermore, if the enemy believe the Unit or Formation to be in a particular location other than the actual, this should also be stated. Environmental conditions This covers the relevant status general to both sides such as weather, sea conditions, roads, time of day or visibility. What needs to be included is at the discretion of the Umpire. Conditions can be changed by Argument. End conditions The Briefing should state how each side could achieve victory and what conditions or events will end the game. More Table Top Matrix Games: Historical Miniatures Introduction Preparation: The Battle Arena and Critical Distance Scales Ground Formations and Units Players The Battle Rules Arguments and Results Players and Umpires Notes Back to Table of Contents -- Matrix Gamer #30 To Matrix Gamer List of Issues To MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 2002 by Chris Engle. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com