WAS-WAR AT SEA

1. TITLE: War At Sea
2. PUBLISHER: The Avalon Hill Game Company (TAHGC)
3. SCOPE: (World War II) Battle of the North Atlantic
4. TAHGC CATALOG VERBAGE: European theater aerial/naval action of WWII. Ideal starter game for historian, military buff and novice.
5. GAME BOX VERBAGE:
6. YEAR PUBLISHED (EDITIONS): 1972. Originally published by Jedco Prior to acquisition and further development by TAHGC.
7. CREDITS
   • Historical Research & Design: John Edwards
   • Game Development: Don Greenwood
   • Artwork: John Edwards, Scott Moores, Jim Hamilton
   • Box Art: Robert D. Watts, Leeward Publications,Inc.
   • Playtesting: B. Barr; J. Connolly; S. Greenwood; R. Hamblen; M. Saha; M. Uhl
   • Printing: Monarch Services
   • Typesetting: Colonial Composition
8. NUMBER OF PLAYERS: 2
9. WGA COMPLEXITY SCALE (1-10): 3
10. TYPICAL PLAYING TIME (HOURS): 60-90 minutes
11. MAP SCALE: Sea Areas representing the Atlantic, Baltic, Barents, North Sea, and Mediterranean
12. UNIT SCALE: Capital Ships, Land Based Air, Uboats, Convoys.
13. TIME SCALE PER TURN: Approximately 6 months
14. NUMBER OF GAME TURNS: Eight
15. ARTICLE LISTING: Click here
16. GAME INVENTORY: ### unit counters; approximately 12" x 22" mounted mapboard; rulebook, 1 die; rulebook. 11"14"1.5" flat game box.
17. WBC & AVALONCON HISTORY: WAS has been a tournament title since Avaloncon 1991. Vince Meconi is the current gamemaster of the WBC WAS tournament.
18. PBEM TOOLS:
• A WAS application VASSAL module is available and has been optimized.
• I have played 10+ games using a simple formatted Microsoft world file.
19. PBEM OPPORTUNITES: A Boardgamer Players Association (BPA) single elimination tournament is held annually. Contact BPA if interested. A continuous King of the Hill WAS PBEM ladder occurs on the four month cycle. Nick Markevich is the current moderator of the WaS AREA King of the Hill (KOTH) PBEM Ladder. PBEM ladder guidelines and rule clarifications are found on Nick's WAS site or send Nick a quick email. KOTH Round 25 started 11/15, new rounds typically on a 3 month cycle.
20. WARGAME ACADEMY COMMENTS: WAS has both a forte and foible of its simplicity with battles determined by casting a high volume of die rolls. However the is subtle strategy and player style which makes it difficult to master as there is no patent winning strategy in the tournament setting where players bid Points of Control (POC) for side. However the bid travels in both directions due to individual player preferences. WAS is an excellent introductory game to military history boardgaming with an extensive article base. As I grow more fond of shorter games easily to play due to limited time, I have regained a respect for this title. WAS was the precursor to VICTORY IN THE PACIFIC.
21. WARGAME ACADEMY GAME TOOLS: Softcopy rules, PBEM text format (zipped) and formatted word (zipped) document are available for general use., Vassal tool, extensive article archives.