3W (1984, $9.95)
Designed by Edward Furey
Magazine Game: The Wargamer 34

Players 2
Period Victorian
Scale Tactical
Turn 10 minutes
Map 50 yards
Unit 10 men

Components
1 12 page rules folder bound into magazine
100 die-cut counters
2 21 1/2" x13" unmounted mapsheets

Counter Manifest
42 red: 31 soldiers; 6 leaders; 3 improved positions; 2 gatling guns
35 white: 30 tribesmen; 5 leaders
10 green: 10 tribesmen
9 orange: 6 soldiers; 2 leader wounded; 1 leader
4 yellow: 4 improved positions

The Wargamer says:

“Afghanistan and the Northwest Frontier have been aptly referred to as the 100 year ‘Imperial Migraine’ by British historians. A mountainous region of subartic winters and miserably hot summers, it is inhabited by a fierce and independent people. The British involvement in this land and, more specifically, the Empire’s military (mis) adventures are the subject of this issue’s feature game.” Historical background article by designer Ted Furey.

3W says:

“[A] tactical level game, simulating the constant struggle between the forces of the Raj and their various opponents, e.g., Afghan native irregulars and regulars and the fierce Pathan Tribesmen, of the Northwest Frontier. The period depicted here is the mid 1870’s through the early 1880’s. The scenarios are primarily hypothetical occurrences that are representative of the actions that took place in this area during that time period.”

The reviewers say:

“Although the design concepts seem very standard, several distinct features are included which give the game a North west Frontier flavor, circa 1870s-1880s. The sequence of play allows offensive, defensive, and British volley fire in every phase, plus liberal opportunity fire during movement and simultaneous melee attacks. It can be a real shootout ... the game plays easily and tensely. The scenarios, from 10 to 17 turns long, have two basic themes, with variations. The primary script finds one player defending the buildings or fort or hill; either side can be the attacker or defender ... A couple of situations find the British entering in a convoy column, unsuspecting, while the Natives wait in ambush.” James Gordon in S&T 101.

“[T]he Europeans hold most of the aces: better arms; Volley Fire; better morale; better leadership. Nonetheless, being less numerous, they can not afford to take casualties, as they will if the Afghans get into melee range ... The two abstract maps can be rearranged to match the scenario, but both show rugged terrain ... the subdued use of color is easy on the eye ... The rest of the graphics are mediocre ... The rules are better proofed than most published by 3W ... [G]ives a feel of cliff-hanging action in the back of beyond.” Tom Izbicki in Grenadier 31.

Comments

The obligatory 3W errata for Khyber Rifles appears in The Wargamer 35, p.49.

Collector’s Notes

Not likely to draw the same attention as Eastern Front or North Africa flavored issues of The Wargamer. Also, new-old-stock Wargamers which seem to still turn up from time to time. Boone lists low, high and average prices of 3/10/6.00 at auction and 5/32/12.59 for sale.

Other games by this designer

None that we could find!

Capsule Profiles Games That Begin with "K"

Kriegspiel
Kamikaze
KampfPanzer
Kingmaker
Knights of Camelot
King of the Mountain
Khyber Rifles