GTS (Grand Tactical Series) Impressions

[@1adam12stm]

Thanks so much for the comments on the game! A few things that you mentioned, I can address. As for the fussiness, I made CSS with that in mind. CSS has everything that GTS has but much has been added into the mechanics and taken out of the player's hands. it turns out, however, that many players of GTS really enjoy the complexity (even if not really needed) and to try and regain that market and make those players happier, I am going to make a ACSS (advanced Company Series System) system that still addresses some of the weaknesses of GTS (at least to me) but adds back in things like far more sophisticated artillery rules and an advanced assault procedure (as well as a fair amount of other things). I'm hoping to get both groups of players happy. As for the more common complaint as to why TGD has 1.1 rules but uses 2.0 rules - that was an MMP call. I had spent several months making 2.0 (both for TDC and TGD) but MMP decided that they wanted 1.1 in TGD and didn't want to upgrade TDC. I think they were looking at Crete coming out after TGD but having an older rules system would hurt sales. Now the obvious answer would be to ask Joe to make Crete using 2.0 (which he did anyway). But MMP didn't want to do that for some reason. Of all my company games, Where Eagles Dare is still my favorite. I used to call it PhD GTS gaming and the final game once you've mastered the others. The lack of scenarios was my call. I found no one played the scenarios in TDC so after all that time making TDC scenarios seemed wasted, I focused on the campaign game. That was a bad call on my part and I corrected that will a vengeance in TGD. The scenarios in WED were all just with the intention that a player wanted to get to the campaign game as quickly as possible. One thing I am quite proud of in both WED and TDC, is unlike so many other monsters that players basically set up and play a short part of the game only to reach an early decision (GTD is sort of in this camp too), many, many games of TDC/WED go the distance. Thanks again for looking at the system and letting people know what you thought. Adam

[@christianf5131]

Adam, I haven’t been able to play a game of yours yet, but I’ve preordered Test of Faith, and eyeing a few others. Your games look incredible and review highly, so I’m excited to finally dig into a few or your works. I was curious, are you at all involved with the reissue of The Devil’s Cauldron MMP is releasing?

[@1adam12stm]

@@christianf5131 Hey Christian! It’s a straight reprint from what I’ve heard. MMP didn’t ask me to help out.

[@christianf5131]

@@1adam12stm ahh bummer :( still, I may need to get it as it’s said to be great!

[@theemptysprue2]

Cracks me up to watch these old videos of yours. You have come a long way! I'm thinking of playing Devils Cauldron, hence the dredging of the old videos.

[@historyonthetable]

Great video. I bought into GTS this year and got to play through about 3 turns. Loved what I saw, wish I had time to circle back to it.

[@MikeCurtis7663]

It was a pleasure gaming with you at Winterfest!

[@ardwulfslair]

Same here! GTSFest next year!

[@CptEggman]

I love that you're doing GTS, I'm just getting into it, thanks! BTW, you should look into getting a cheap mic mount so we can't hear you touch your desk when you speak :)

[@ardwulfslair]

Or I can avoid drumming on the desk while filming. Either way, it needs to get cleaned up.

[@vincentstella5131]

Nice video and commentary on your thoughts of GTS. I was lucky to have picked up a copy of both TDC and WED at decent prices even after they went OOP. Given how long the expected reprint of both games has been and now the potential to morph the two games into one, I think I'll just be grateful I have them even in version 1.0 and not worry that they can't be upgraded to 2.0 rules. IF 2.0 and the monster version ever materializes, I'll think about it then. Thanks again for the update.

[@GamesfromtheFront]

Glad you're joining for what is the premiere Market Garden gaming experience. :)

[@findle70]

Really trying to find a way to make it to a weekend of the winterfest this year, being an hour away. Always really intrigued by WED, would love to see how that works in that kind of setting. Looking forward to future videos!

[@MatthewBaileyBeAfraid]

I want a Guadalcanal Campaign in GTS.

[@GamesfromtheFront]

Yeah, Adam missed the boat on the scenario (lack of) volume. I play for the campaign game these days.

[@canuckcoastie]

Great video, thanks for posting!

[@gregorycampagna8138]

Informative vid. Box fart is a bonus

[@MatthewBaileyBeAfraid]

I am so thrilled to hear someone use the word “infrastructure.”

[@ErwinLau]

Got to move to rules 2.0, at least in the Assault.

[@andrewmartini8893]

I Enjoyed this review since I just acquired a copy of WED - cheers!

[@rdw5150]

GTS 2.0 are better. I played CSS for a couple of sessions and while some things are better, GTS, overall is better. CSS rules and errors driv me nuts! Streamlined is not better, but I am a 20 year ASL guy. The lack of compatibility of 1.1 and 2.0 pisses me off. Thanks for this video.

[@MrElliptific]

what series is CSS?

[@christianf5131]

@@MrElliptific company scale system, I think it’s a Compass Games series

[@TheBlueTweezers]

Cool. Haven’t done any GTS. Looking forward to the next video to compare with my CSS playthough.

[@ardwulfslair]

I have watched your CSS vids with great interest! I'll circle back to CSS after the con, I think.

[@danepatterson8107]

There are big problems with this system and picking those 2 titles means you're using an antiquated version of the rules. This is being updated to the 2.0 rules, which will require major overhaul to the assault combat rules in your version.

[@ardwulfslair]

Yes, but who knows when that'll be out? Years, probably. At any rate I should have a much firmer opinion of GTS in about six weeks.

[@danepatterson8107]

@@ardwulfslair WED has an enormous footprint for a whole CG. Day of Days likewise but not as OBTUSE (geometrically speaking) as WED. One thing I'm dying to know about WED is how 30.Corps functions (chit stats in other words) and, if one is only playing WED, how they arrive and exit

[@paulsaunders6536]

No planned update as far as I am aware. Both systems are fine, just roll with changes when moving between the games.

[@MrElliptific]

Thanks for the video. I was very much hesitating, especially in regard of the price. BCS might be more the series for me.

[@clarkcommando1983]

🎉a favorite of mine

[@tunabros]

I'm completely new to GTS based wargames. What games do you recommend first?

[@ardwulfslair]

No question of Surrender is the easiest and cheapest entry point in the series, but some find the subject uninteresting. Barring that, Operation Mercury - it's huge but there plenty of small scenarios to learn on.

[@danepatterson8107]

I dislike GTS. If you have to check it out, get Operation Mercury because it has a smaller footprint. I found the purple fire rating capability in that title gave the CW a mathematical certainty that they would win. The game system isn't epic or fun in my mind.

[@ardwulfslair]

Both of the previous games I've seen ended in solid German victory. But then I wasn't playing the Germans in those! So we'll see.

[@danepatterson8107]

@@ardwulfslair I was speaking only of my OP. Mercury experience. I think that's poor game design. The pre-order for Devil's Cauldron is very near its P#. Please try to give that a mention. Yes, I don't like GTS much but maybe I'm the one who is wrong. Only played it solo

[@GamesfromtheFront]

@@danepatterson8107 If you fight the British head on throughout the campaign in OM you will lose. That is the wrong way to do it and the Morale system discourages it. You might be missing the point.

[@jamesmcleod3447]

@@GamesfromtheFront I agree. And I also disagree that the purple fire rating is a killer. It is powerful certainly, but people have made exactly the same comment about German black stripe independent tanks in TGD. The point is play round the opposition's strengths not head butt them straight on. It is actually hard to hold Malmeme airfield as CW. I think I have managed it once out of 3 plays. Once that falls it is a domino effect. The biggest thing I dislike about the purple fire rating is its name... it implies just light mortars are making the difference - it is much more a philosophy not a weapon type.

[@ricbish]

Man, how can you even sit for ten hours? Seems like way too much time for a game! I like Wargames but that's just too much!

[@ardwulfslair]

Well, we broke for lunch. After all that time setting up we wanted to get a turn in!