What I Did On My Holidays 2

Los Battles de Gringos

by Alan Sharif

Speaking of wristage Richard Bergs latest DTP, Los Battles de Gringos, (BSO), has also been played. This is, confusingly, a two, three or even four game set. Originally intended as a two game set a third title was added at the last minute as an optional extra. A fourth title was then provided as a freebie to those who ordered early after a delay in fulfilling initial orders due to a hold up in production. I have all four titles, which makes me a newie by your definition.

I have a strong dislike for Berg's 'Victory' system as seen within the pages of Vae Victis. Its 'rubber routers' are an exercise in tedium to me. Happily this game does not use that system, or a derivative of it. Units suffer casualties so that nasty things can, and do, happen.

Graphically it's a mixed bag. The unit counters are excellent featuring quite detailed icons. They are rated for combat, morale and movement. As is often the case with DTP's, these must be mounted on to card (supplied) and cut out. The maps look hand drawn then colour photocopied. I find them acceptable but would not be surprised if others did not. The rules look like photocopies of a typed sheet stapled together in the top left-hand corner. Perhaps they are. The map and rules are poor compared to other DTP efforts and whilst not preventing play do this section of the hobby no favours. There is certainly room for improvement.

This is a simple game with the phasing player using a die roll to activate individual formations. The same formation can not be activated consecutively. Each formation moves and has combat once activated and a player continues in this way until one of his formations fails its activation roll. The non-phasing player then becomes the phasing player and activates one formation for 'free' before rolling for each subsequent activation. US units are more likely to activate successfully than the Mexican players are. A game continues in this manner until either player achieves his victory conditions. This is generally when the opposing player has suffered the number of casualties required by the victory conditions. There are no 'game turns' in the traditional manner.

Movement is standard whilst combat comprises of ranged artillery fire, small arms fire, and shock. All of these are resolved via a die roll with modifiers applied with each type having its own CRT. Modifiers apply for many things including range, terrain, morale, facing, unit strength and cavalry charges. These serve to give the game a tactical feel that I enjoy. Units suffer losses, shown as reduced strength, and may also become disordered requiring a successful die roll to rally. Units are also able to recover some, but not all, losses by avoiding combat.

The four battles covered are Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Rio Sacramento and El Brazito. The latter is the bonus game and is little more that a brief skirmish, historically lasting only around half an hour. Each title has is own short and simple exclusive rules. Resaca de la Palma is my favourite with the Mexicans positioned in a trench like dry lagoon. Unfortunately they will need the help as US units are better armed, have higher morale and are rated higher for activation. Generally the initiave is in the hands of the US player with the Mexican having the odd opportunity the react to US moves before losing the initiave again. Reading the history books this seems a reasonable simulation of events. One battle that is unlikely to match the history books is Palo Alto. Historically both sides did little more than pull faces at one another and exchange a couple of rounds of artillery before the Mexicans withdrew. I can not see any gamers following that course of action. Special rules are included in all titles to give a balanced, but unhistorical, game to those that require it.

I found each battle to result in a short and enjoyable game. Yes, a Berg game that does not take forever to play. The one sided nature of the battles, and the game system used, make this a good outing for solo play. Wristage is high but these are small games, which helps limit the effects of this. A good game, on a rarely covered topic, that I shall be holding on to for now.

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