Solo Wargaming – FOG Query

monty_oz · Post by **monty_oz** » Sat Mar 27, 2010 8:57 am

Dear Forum,

I noticed on page 12 of the main rules, there is a statement that FOG can be played solo. I am a member of a wargaming club in Melbourne (NWA) and we often play FOG, but I would like to play FOG solo to help me understand the rule mechanisms.

Is there any information available regarding playing FOG – solo?

Regards,

Matt

ShrubMiK · Post by **ShrubMiK** » Sat Mar 27, 2010 9:35 am

I don't think there is anything specific.

There is nothing to stop you simply choosing two armies of however many points you prefer, take turns in your head of being each of the players, and dploy terrain, troops, and then fight the battle exactly as would happen if you really were two different people. If all you want to do is familiarise yourself with the rules, this would be perfectly sufficient.

Having some means of defining different plans for each side, and how they react to the changing situation can be helpful though, making it more of an interesting exercise. You can also add in all sorts of extra stuff if you like, like random events.

There have been some books on this sort of thing written over the years:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_nos ... ng&x=0&y=0

Also battle scenarios can help, especially where they have some additional rules for solo play, e.g. I've used this a lot over the years for solo games:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_nos ... os&x=0&y=0

shadowdragon · Post by **shadowdragon** » Sat Mar 27, 2010 4:01 pm

Hi Matt,

I just about only play solo. The books ShrubMiK linked are useful and the solo play mechanisms can be tacked onto just about any set of rules. One think I've found to make solo play more interesting are mechanisms that constrain your options as a commander of both sides. It gives the two sides different "personalities". I posted to After-Action Reports based on solo play using the Charles Grant books....which reminds me I've been meaning to add some post-game reflections for the second game but haven't got around to it for a number of reasons. Perhaps I should add to both posts information on the solo play options.

viewtopic.php?t=14473
viewtopic.php?t=15053

One challenge I found in learning the rules solo is that you end up suffering from "group think" of one. If you make a mistake there's no one else to point that out until you re-read the rules. It wasn't until after my first game I realised that normal movement was I-go-then-you-go. I had used simultaneous movement.

Now if one gets into a heated argument with the opponent in solo play.....well, professional help is recommended!

Rekila · Post by **Rekila** » Sat Mar 27, 2010 9:29 pm

I have played solo. And my advice is. Put your theories to the test. You will be happy when they worked, but believe me: the real fun comes when you are wrong, indeed very wrong, and you end with a completely unexpected result, (and a new theory!) For that war games were invented after all

smaul1 · Post by **smaul1** » Sat Mar 27, 2010 11:03 pm

Shadowdragon

that is what we did wrong starting out today, we didnt realize that other than the joint phase one size does all the others and then it is the other persons turn. ooops.

We figured it out, didnt matter much since it was mostly during the first few turns while moving up to each other, but it made a lot more sense when we didnt do it together.

mbsparta · Post by **mbsparta** » Sun Mar 28, 2010 12:10 pm

I would not recommend playing FoG solo unless you already know the game pretty well. Figuring out the layout of the rule book can be very tedious at first. So tedious in fact that I gave up on the game at first trying to learn it solo and then with another player who didn't have a rule book. A couple of months later I ran into a guy that had the rule book and wanted to give the game a try. Our leaning curve, with two heads and two rule books was much faster and much more enjoyable. Once you have a good grasp of the rules then there should be no problem with solo play. But having said that, for whatever reason, this game is best when played against a living opponent.

Mike B

Blathergut · Post by **Blathergut** » Sun Mar 28, 2010 1:40 pm

But if you don't have another body, this forum is excellent for asking any questions.

shadowdragon · Post by **shadowdragon** » Mon Mar 29, 2010 12:26 pm

I would not recommend playing FoG solo unless you already know the game pretty well.

As mentioned, you sometimes don't have the option.

this game is best when played against a living opponent

In general, I agree, but there are some people out there....well, let's just say that playing solo isn't always the worst option.

Also, as was mentioned, I've found answers for all of my questions right here on the slitherine boards.