This is a run-through of how to play Combat HQ using Mission 1 from the rulebook. Written as an After-Action Report between the US and Germany, it includes commentary on the rules and why certain decisions were made.
MISSION 1 – MEETING ENGAGEMENT
This introductory battle is a straight-up infantry fight that introduces the core rules of Combat HQ.
Time: October 1944
Location: Northern Europe
The map is for a 6’x4’ table and shows the layout of the terrain for the battle. Don’t worry about re-producing it exactly – near enough is good enough. The important thing is that the woods and hills break up line of sight and that the objectives are placed towards the centre of the table. If you are playing with a larger or smaller table add or remove some terrain.
Woods: The woods are Broken Ground (half speed) and provide light cover (+1D).
Hedges: Hedges cost a Fixed Move to cross and provide light cover (+1D).
Hills: The hills are Broken Ground (half speed).
Objectives (Black Dots): The two objectives are strategic targets that each generate one Morale at the end of each turn.
Deployment Zones: The German Deployment Zone is at the bottom of the map and the Allied one at the top. Units are deployed in their respective Deployment Zones.
Objectives are marked with yellow chips to make them obvious. Normally, I’d either place a more discrete marker (eg a small stone) or simply state that the hill and the field are the objectives for this game.
