We have included the new Terrain Effects Chart especially for those folks who have put out their unfolded maps. This will be on a single chart in the game, front and back. As with most of the Total War charts, rules and errata, this will be available for download once the games go out. In addition, we will have some versions with color. The first of these will be the Master Terrain Key for those with a color printer.
Arthur has returned from care and will resume work, at least part time. He will be staying with me for a few weeks so we can help make sure he doesn’t overdue it. I have been working with Arthur the last several days sorting the remaining material needing work and what that will take.
This was simplified by a call from the printer stating that they feel it will be necessary to go with a fixed printing slot. The new slot is May 22nd. They will try to fit us in as time is available but set-up and small runs like a single chart does cost more for them. The complete print runs will take 5 to 7 working days which is consistent with their previous schedule. We will start the mailing as soon as they are finished. This is not what we were expecting but we had been warned it could happen.
During this time, we’ll be doing some additional checking on TW and two other projects. We will resume displaying samples of the Total War material from the OBs, the charts and rules in the next few days.
Arthur wants to especially thank all of the folks who have wished him well and the many gamers who volunteered to help.
We want to thank all of the folks who have offered to help during this period and we appreciate your support. We have four long-time volunteers working with us to cover Arthur’s functions and we even get a bit of Arthur’s time. This seems to be working well and we should be able to put forward an estimate early next week.
While we are working on Total War for the printer, we will be showing brief samples of the rules, OBs and charts. We’ve selected three samples here from the GE Ground and Air Rules. We understand that there may be questions about rules presented in isolation and we will try to answer them as we have time.
Taken from Special Ground Units F. Cavalry.
The term ‘cavalry’ includes all units with any of following unit type symbols: horse cavalry, camel cavalry, sleigh cavalry, mountain cavalry, mechanized cavalry, horse artillery and pack transport.
Cavalry units have movement advantages in certain types of terrain shown on Exception column of the TEC. Their REs also count towards adverse terrain expertise when attacking or defending various types of terrain [15A] during favorable weather. All cavalry except horse artillery and pack transports have APZOCs [15N2].
Cavalry count double their RE size for transport [6D] and port capacity [6C].
1. Exploitation. Cavalry units may move up to ½ of their movement rating during the exploitation phase.
2. Retreat before Combat. Cavalry may attempt to retreat before combat [11I] except during mud weather.
3. Mountain Cavalry Units. A mountain cavalry unit is both a mountain unit [15L] and a cavalry unit; however it always moves as a cavalry unit.
4. Mechanized Cavalry Units. Cavalry were sometimes assigned mechanized or armor assets to increase their combat strength. This is shown with a small, subordinate armor symbol within the diagonal line of the cavalry symbol. These units function in all respects as cavalry except that they also have AEC/ATEC abilities as shown on the UIC.
5. Horse Artillery Units. A horse artillery unit is both an artillery unit [15D] and a cavalry unit. It always moves as a cavalry unit.
6. Pack Transport Units. A pack transport unit is both a transport unit [15V] and a cavalry unit; however it may not attempt to retreat before combat.
7. Bicycle Units. Bicycles have attributes of both infantry and cavalry units. Treat bicycle units as cavalry when moving on roads (but not overland) during the exploitation phase in good weather. For all other purposes treat bicycle units as infantry.
Taken from Transportation Lines A. Railroads.
6. Rail Breaks. A unit may break a rail line in a hex by spending 2 MPs in the hex. Bombing [21A] and partisan sabotage [15N4] may also break rail lines. Rail movement may not be used to enter or leave a broken rail line hex. Breaks may be repaired [14A]; a rail line may be used in the turn it is repaired.
Use a rail hit marker to mark a broken rail line in a hex. Use line cut markers (on the flip side of rail hits) to mark a broken stretch of rail line. Immediately after a rail hit is repaired [15I1], remove or adjust the rail hit or cut markers and place a rail movement delay in the hex. This represents the rail delay caused by the damage and repair of the rail line and such hex counts as two (five) hexes for operational (strategic) rail movement that phase. Remove all rail movement delay markers at the end of each movement phase.
Taken from Airbases A. Capacity.
2. Temporary Airfield Capacity During Rain/Mud/Snow Weather. During Poor weather turns, the maximum capacity of a temporary airfield is reduced to 1. Simply flip all 2-capacity temporary airfield markers over to their 1-capacity sides during the initial phase of the turn. Retain all current airfield hits. Example: A 2-capacity temporary airfield with 1 hit would be flipped to its 1-capacity side and then have its capacity further reduced to 0 because of the hit. While Poor weather exists, the temporary airfield cannot be repaired above 1 capacity.
We have had a serious problem come up. I have known and worked with Arthur for more than eight years and I have never seen him this troubled. In getting the last of the files ready for the printer, it was evident that some of the work was not quite ready. As painful as this is, there may be nothing we can do at this point but to press ahead and finish the work as quickly as possible.
Arthur is going into care and I will have limited access to him for the next couple of weeks. I am bringing in some outside help and will be taking over the responsibility for completing the needed work on Total War. My best initial estimate is two weeks. It is only an estimate and I will update you when we have had a chance to thoroughly review the remaining files and the work they need. During this period of finishing the game components, we will not have much time to attend the phone or most emails. If you leave a message or e-mail, I will try to get back with you as soon as possible.
Everyone connected with the project wants this wrapped up now. I will give folks a progress update every few days on this website and/or the EuropaAssociation list. There does not appear to be anything that cannot be finalized. We will also begin to put up samples from the rules, charts and OBs, starting in the next few days. We have met with the printers and they have agreed to work our remaining jobs into the printing schedule quickly. They may be able to print the remaining components as they are ready for print rather than accepting and printing them as a package deal.
We want to thank all of the folks who have sent well wishes to Arthur. He is getting better. I know he appreciates the thoughts. He will be slowly returning to his schedule. We have had an offer from a volunteer to donate a used CPAP machine for use while he sleeps. We will be getting him a new mask (apparently this needs to be done periodically anyway). The medicines seem to have worked with the rash that was contributing to his inability to sleep. I will remain the current contact for the company until Arthur has passed the clinics ok.
We will be submitting the rules and OBs to the printers for proof copies. Arthur will be reviewing the proofs and working with the printers on any issues found with the proofs. We have asked the printers to let us know if they have any earlier printing slots available to do even part of the printing. They reminded us that that was not part of the package we negotiated with them (all work done at the same time) but they will get back with us if it is possible. If a short slot can be made available to us, we will try and slip in the charts since they have our card stock awaiting the full printing. If that happens, we will display samples on this site, much like we did with the maps.
