Pax Baltica

VASSAL Module Help File

playtest version 0.92 (2010-04-16)

by Scott Muldoon for GMT Games

please direct inquiries to silentdibs@gmail.com

SCENARIOS

Players choose one of the four scenarios during set up.  Selecting either the Swedish or Coalition sides will disallow viewing or manipulating the other side's blocks.  Selecting "observer" makes all blocks visible and accessible to that player.

PIECES MENU

The Pieces menu contains flag markers for each nation to be used both on the Replacement Point Level track (already in place) or as Garrison markers.

There is also a general black disc marker for use on the Season, Year, and Swedish Attrition tracks (already in place).  All markers can be created, cloned, and deleted as necessary.

BATTLEBOARD

A battleboard has been provided for those who wish to spread out their units during large battles; the button toggles showing/hiding a separate Battleboard window.  Units can be dragged to or from the window.  Columns are provided for each combat class (A through D) and rows for the defender and attacker.

MAP

The Map board includes:

Season track: with a black disc to mark the current season.

Year track: with a black disc to mark the current year; the spaces are large enough to hold blocks that go on the track (i.e. Russian reforms).

RP Level track: National flag markers are used to track each nation's current RP level.

Sequence of Play: a brief summary of the sequence of play is provided, complete with Action Roll chart.

Swedish Attrition Track: with a black disc to mark the current attrition condition.

Replacement Pools: Each of the five replacement pools works like a draw pile. To draw a block at random, drag one from the appropriate replacement pool (it will remain concealed to opponents.) The pool is automatically shuffled when units are returned to it.  Use the pool's contextual menu to draw specific blocks from the pool when necessary.

Inactive Stacks: Each side has a stack of inactive units (face up) for units that are out of play and not included in the replacement pools.  If you're looking for a unit to add to the game and can't find it, it's probably here.  Any unit removed from play and not placed in a pool should be added to the appropriate Inactive Stack.

Territories: Units and markers do not "snap" to territory locations and can be freely placed and stack on the playing field.

UNIT BLOCKS

All unit blocks begin on-map, either in play, in the replacement pools, or in the Inactive stacks.  Unit blocks cannot be created, cloned, or deleted.  Blocks which are visible to you but concealed to your opponent will have a grey-out filter.  Blocks which are concealed to you are a solid color.

Menu Commands:

CTRL-C -- Conceal/Reveal: toggles whether the unit is concealed to opponents or visible to everyone.  Concealed unit blocks have a grey-out filter to their owner's and are a generic solid color to opponents.  Revealed blocks are the regular block art to both players.

CTRL-R -- Send To Replacement Pool: This sends the unit to its nation's replacement pool, which is then automatically shuffled. Do this when the unit is destroyed or if so directed by an event.

CTRL-] -- Add Step: Adds a step to a unit (note this merely rotates the graphic and is not prohibited for units at full strength.)

CTRL-[ -- Lose Step: Reduces the unit by one step (note this merely rotates the graphic and is not prohibited for units on their last step.)