What I've been up to: East Front Series by GMT Games

It is no secret that I am a slight GMT Games fanboy. After dabbling in OCS by MMP Games I decided I wanted to also learn the East Front system by Vance von Borries. 

Awards & Honors (First Edition)

1998 Charles S. Roberts Best World War II Board Game Nominee

1998 Charles S. Roberts Best Wargaming Graphics Nominee

I was at first a little scared of the series and taken aback by its complicated movement rules. But like anything else I decided to dive in and I have actually....almost...learned it. Sure each game in the series introduces its own rules like an OCS game but they are not as thick. While OCS covers almost EVERY battlefield the East Front series is very limited. Maybe that is what I like about it. It really gives the feeling of struggling against the weather and command structures. The game is heavily reliant on weather effects. Air combat is done nicely and feels like it serves a purpose but is not as deep as OCS with its refits and airbases. Combined arms attacks are included as well as Soviet HQ's and everything from armored trains to air dropped supplies. Army Group North game in particular has a bunch of well done maps and tutorials. If you can get your hands on a copy grab it.

I also like the supply rules a lot better. You can only use what you have and until you spend it you cannot put anymore out. 

I have begun a series of tutorials on Instagram as usual and will be playing Battle of the Sea of Azov scenario this week. I kicked off the Instagram tutorials with some movement information. Another great site you can visit is the War Galley site dedicated to East Front:

http://www.wargalley.com/efs/

#EastFront movement has many layers. Each turn is broken down into different movement types. This is further modified by weather that turn and type of unit movement. This 341st Battalion of the 16th Motorized is infiltration capable (yellow 9) and is Motorized (orange box). The weather is frost. Check the phase and movement type for the Axis on the chart. Full MA is available. Check the weather chart note the 4 on frost turns. 4 = -1 MP. So the adjusted movement for that unit is 8 MP #eastfront #gmtgames #hexandcounter #boardgames #tabletopgaming #bgg #wargaming

A video posted by Gamer Hudson (@gamer.hudson) on Jul 18, 2016 at 9:31pm PDT