ADC2 module for SPI Crusades

 

This module will only work in HPS Simulations Aide de Camp 2, version 2.14 and higher.

 

Published by Simulations Publications, Inc (S&T 70, copyright 1978)

Designed by Richard Berg

ADC2 published by HPS Simulations

Module creator: Nicholas Bell (nbell@icdc.com)

                  

Getting Started

Copy the folder and all included files into your ADC2 directory. It is suggested that the CRUSADES folder be kept in ADC2's 'Game Sets' folder. You must know how to use the ADC2 program, and own a copy of the game.  Look through the unit classes and pools to get a better feel for the module.

 

Errata

See various documents downloaded from Web Grognards which I have included.

 

Pieces

Contain the following information:

 

No paper roster is needed.  All leaders maintain their associated Army Strength Points on their piece.  Muslim Army Strength units are also included, but only for those cases where garrisons have no leaders assigned to the locale.

 

Change the leaders Guile and Treachery rating on their piece as called for by the rules.

 

I have included both City and Field Treasury units to “hold” Bezants on the map without the need to keep a paper record.

 

New Pieces included:

Plague Markers

Siege

Inside City

Crusader Orders

Muslim Orders

 

Class Names and Values

All units have their class values defined in their class name as follows in this example:

 

NF 4-3-1 Robert

 

Nationality, Guile Rating, Combat Rating, Rank, Name.

 

This information is best ignored – pay attention to the Piece Data instead.  Knowing the nationality abbreviations may be of help, though:

 

Flip Definitions

Units do not flip between their First and Third Crusade leaders as in the boardgame.

 

Castles flip ownership.  City Control Markers flip between the various possible owners.  Fleets flip between their full (2) and reduced (1) strength.

 

Disrupted flips to Siege.

 

Stacking

Stack symbols have been implemented for 2 units per hex, 3 units per hex and 4 or more units per hex.

 

Units have been created in a specific order to create “natural stacking” without having to use the Sort Command, so that markers are always on top of a stack.  Please examine the Extra Units Pool in each scenario module which will easily clarify the stacking order of all pieces in the game – pieces listed at the top of the list will be at the top of the stack, while those at the end of the pool list will be at the bottom of the stack.  These “extra” units are included in the case of players wishing to create new/additional units without disrupting the natural stacking order.  Of course you can also simply create units from scratch, but these will of course be always at the bottom of any stack. (Note: The Extra Units Pool can be deleted to reduce the size of the scenario .ops file)

 

Important: Players must use the Sort Command to place pieces in their proper position in stacks.  For example units inside locales should be placed under an Inside City counter at the bottom of a stack when units are in the same hex but not inside the city.  Field Treasuries should be placed directly under their controlling leader.  See the existing on-map stacks in the scenario .ops for other examples.

 

Pools

Please review the pools prior to commencing play.  Pools have been created to hold markers, air support, special units and reinforcements, and other units.

 

Scenarios

Three scenario .ops files are included:

 

First Crusade.ops

Third Crusade.ops

Crusades Base.ops (use as a base to create new scenarios).

 

Units have been deployed in their start locations or have been grouped in their start areas. Note that Manuel Butimides is adjacent
to the Crusader starting stack in the First Crusade.  Whoever 'wins' his use should place him under the players ranking leader (using the sort command)

 

Reinforcements

Please check Edit Pools.  Reinforcements have been allocated specific pools

 

Infopages

No Infopages have been created, although all tables and charts are on the map and have also been included as BMP files.  I would suggest that players can simply open them using Paintbrush (or other graphics programs) and multitask this and the ADC2 program.  This gives the player much more flexibility in sizing, positioning, and in determining which window is active.

 

Hidden Units:

Not applicable.

 

Comments/Play Suggestions:

Having a third party game master receive and implement orders from players is the most desirable recommended method of playing Crusades using ADC2.  However, if players can be honest it is not really required.

 

I have included “Orders” pieces for the Muslim/Saracen and Crusader player.  I suggest that players use the Piece Name space, which is 25 characters, to write out their orders.  Place the orders piece at the bottom of the stack or under the ranking leaders counter (using the sort command).  Use more than one orders piece if 25 character spaces isn’t enough.  For movement I would recommend using a simple code to indicate direction of movement, hex by hex.  Starting at the top of the hex, number each hexface 1 through 6 in a clockwise manner. (1=up  2=right, up  3= right, down  4=down 5=left, down  6= left, up ) For example, a stack moving from Haifa (hex 1620) to Jerusalem (1823) taking the path 1621, 1622, 1623, 1723, 1823 would have orders which read: 4 4 4 2 3

 

Player 'A' should input his orders, then send the turn to player 'B' who then inputs his orders without looking at the others player's order.  Once complete, player 'B' executes the orders for both players (communicating with Player 'A' as required).  Then reverse the order - Player 'B' inputs orders and then sends the turn to Player 'A'.    Define SOPs before play commences.  Email, instant chat, phone - whatever, to work out questions. 

 

Note that control markers flip through all the possible owners.  In the First Crusade scenario I have used the Piece Name on the Syria Control pieces to denote which faction the city belongs to.  Use more or less control markers to suite your needs.

 

I’ve also included Siege Markers to help locate those stacks with enemies “underneath” the friendly units.

 

The Plague Marker is more for visual effect, since the dire results are taken immediately upon a city so inflicted.

 

Be creative!

 

Graphics Problems:

If you experience graphics problems like only seeing the units but no map in one or more of the zoom levels, try changing your system color depth to 16 bit (or 24/32 bit if you are at 16 bit).  You can also try turning down or turning off your video hardware acceleration (this will also speed up scrolling in ADC2 if it seems choppy).

 

Questions

If you have questions about this ADC2 gameset, please contact Nicholas Bell (nbell@icdc.com).