Paths of Glory 9.2.5
This module is made possible by the efforts of Joel Koepp who led most of the module 7.0 efforts which formed the backbone of all that followed; Claudio Ciardelli who added the Deluxe Historical map, snazzier card decks, and pushed forward with automation features; and Brian Reynolds who incorporated the rest of the 2018 Deluxe Edition art assets, streamlined the interface, and continued bug-fixing and automation polish. Thanks also to everyone who has contributed to the module over the years, including Davout, Kaiman, Pmanlig, ampercival, and egg_salad!
The module is presently maintained by Brian Reynolds - please report any problems to brian@brianreynolds.net.
Introduction
This version of the POG Vassal module is aimed at modernizing the capabilities and graphics to reflect the latest release of the physical game. The new artwork from the Deluxe 2018 edition is included, along with functionality enhancements with a particular focus on streamlining play.
Getting Started
The latest 2018 rulebook includes two scenarios - the Historical Scenario used in most competitive play and the Campaign Scenario representing more closely the "classic" original rules. You can choose to play the Historical Scenario either on the original "classic" map by Mark Simonitch or the new "deluxe" map by Terry Leeds. The original Campaign Scenario is only supported on the classic map.
Updated Functionality
1. Choosing a Side
The side you choose gives you access to its hand of cards.
Central Powers |
Allied Powers |
To better facilitate hand security for live and non-ACTS play, a Solitaire player side has been omitted. To play solitaire, either change sides back and forth or add a Solitaire player side to the module on your own, following the procedure shown on the Paths of Glory module page at the VASSAL site.
2. Cards
To reduce window clutter, card decks have been placed on the main map below the board. Instead of creating several scenarios that include/exclude the Optional cards, they are in their own labeled decks for inclusion if you wish. Click the red "Add to Game" button to automatically add the Optional cards to their respective decks (or "draw specific cards" and move them to the proper decks manually, if you wish to use only certain cards).
Deal cards to each player using the menu in the main toolbar. The extension cards are available in a separate window accessible from the commands ribbon on top of the game board.
Playing Cards
Select a card in your hand, right click, and choose from: Play as Event (Ctrl-E), Play for OPS (Ctrl-O), Play for RPs (Ctrl-R), Play for SR (Ctrl-S). Combat Cards also have these options: Play as Combat Card (Ctrl-C), or Discard (Ctrl-D). Combat Cards get played to locations below the game map. Events that adjust War Status or VPs will modify those values automatically. Some of the options are greyed out or removed based on the game status (Ex: Play as Event is not available on Turn 1 for Reinforcements events).
3. Units and Markers
Control markers, forts, trenches, armies/corps, and the various map markers (Attack/Move markers, etc) are separated into different game piece layers
to prevent accidental movement and stacking. The drawing order from bottom to top is: Forts, Control Markers, Trenches, Units (armies/corps), then everything else. Units placed in a space will stack with other units there (double click to expand a stack so that individual pieces can be clicked on). Trenches and other markers do not "stack" and can therefore be dragged/adjusted around for better visibility. As of 9.2, an effort has been made to make hotkeys consistent across various counter types (e.g. Ctrl+F is always the "Flip"), and to have counters "flip" to the same back-side as they'd have in the physical game (so e.g. control markers can be flipped AP/CP).
Activation Markers
Activation markers have been significantly debugged since 9.2. With any unit OR stack selected, you can use Ctrl+M or Ctrl+A to activate the stack for movement or attack (you can also right click). All activation markers can be removed by the toolbar button, and are also removed when the turn is advanced.
Reinforcements
The Reinforcements Card from the 2018 edition is now supported, providing useful organization and visualization for available armies and corps. When playing via ACTS, the easiest way to deploy these units is to right click on them and pick the destination from the menu (e.g. AH armies will offer "Vienna" and "Budapest"). Units can also be dragged straight to their on-map destinations if desired.
4. New Functionality
Logfile Reporting
Substantial work has been done to clean up and de-bloat the logfile, to help with live and non-ACTS play. In particular units no longer report cosmetic adjustments within the same space or zone (i.e. no more "AH1 Budapest to Budapest" spam). Reporting has also been improved for other game-state changes such as when trenches are added, forts besieged, etc.
Placing Action Round markers
At start, and after turn advance, the Action Round markers are positioned one next to the other rather than stacked. Dragging the markers to their appropriate boxes as used is easiest, though you can also right-click on the current Action Round marker to send it to appropriate box (OPS, Event, RP, SR...)
Replacement Points markers
When a card is played as RPs, the Replacement Points markers are moved automatically on the tracker.
War Status
Each side's war status will be adjusted automatically by the play of events. War Status markers may also be moved manually if desired. The Combined War Status marker moves automatically to the current sum of AP and CP War Status.
Near East Restrictions
Right-click the four static Near East restriction markers to flip them over when each one is used in a turn. They will automatically flip back to their available side when the turn is advanced.
Movement Indicators
The choice of whether or not to display movement of units is set to follow the player's preference--use the Mark Moved Pieces tickbox in File -> Preferences. Movement trails default to off, but can be enabled for units via right-click.