Quick Start
Please read the "How to Use This Module" file in the Help menu. Sorry about its length, but if you read it carefully,
it should answer nearly any question.
This module now automatically adjusts VPs! It offers many shortcuts meant to spare users from manual piece movement and typing messages.
Playing Without ACTS (Automated Card Tracking Service)
- Choose a Scenario
- Campaign Scenario (Turns 1-7)
- Tournament Scenario (Turns 3-6)
- Choose a Side
- Start Logging (File menu -> Begin Logfile)
- Make Setup Adjustments if Playing a 2-5 Player Game (Skip in a 6 player game)
Use the submenu in the main toolbar's Player Aids menu to trigger the appropriate setup modifications for the number of players in the game.
- Deal Cards and Treasures
Using the menus in the toolbar of the Cards display, deal cards (and treasures, if applicable) to all players according to the setup in the Scenario Book.
- End Logging (File menu -> End Logfile)
Send this logfile to the other players, or save it to a shared location (e.g., Dropbox).
- Record HRE Religious Preference (6 player games only, Spring Deployment of scenario's first turn)
While the HRE player has his hand window open during Spring Deployment to choose his retained home card, he will find 3 pieces from which to choose his secret religious preference. Right-click the desired piece and choose "Select as Religious Preference"--the other two choices
will be removed and the message window will note that the choice has been made. To reveal the chosen religious preference during the game, simply drag the piece onto the map.
Notes on PBEM and Logfiles
All players should be using different module passwords. Don't leave the password blank. If you will be using the module on multiple computers, your password must be 100%
identical on all computers or you will find yourself unable to access your side at some point.
Player sides are locked by a user's password. If a player needs to drop out of a game, try and get them to do a quick log or saved game in which they switch sides and become an "observer" before they depart the game. Otherwise
a replacement player will be unable to take control of the side (it will be locked to the old player and unavailable for selection).
Tips for avoiding logging difficulties:
- Make 100% sure you step all the way through a logfile when playing it back.
- If using the Load Continuation feature to load multiple logs sequentially, double and triple-check that you haven't missed any logs and have loaded them in the correct sequence,
or your game will get board state mismatches with other players. VASSAL does not do any board state agreement checking!
- Preferably, don't use Load Continuation at all--review multiple logs independently, and only play back the one immediately preceding your turn before logging your own play.
Playing With ACTS (Automated Card Tracking Service)
Follow the instructions above, but skip Step 5. The deck and all player hands will be maintained on the ACTS website, though you will still need to retrieve new ruler cards
from the decks in VASSAL when needed.