http://myweb.cableone.net/williampeters ... _10-20.zip
In a separate thread it was requested that we add in an option to the game engine to be able to switch from 10 min to 15 min moves on the fly so to speak while playing Jena.
Now while this is not forthcoming I have put together something that does work provide that two responsible parties have decided to use the below format.
The above link is to a set of files that go in your main game folder. There are two PDT files and two BATCH files. One of the PDT files is a copy of the Six_Days.pdt file while the other is a copy of the file but with 20 minute turns instead of 10 minute turns. The two BATCH files allow you to copy one of the PDT files AS the Six_Days.pdt file. It overwrites your default copy.
The movement allowances have been doubled. They are:
32 - for infantry, foot artillery and supply wagons
42 - for cavalry and horse artillery
Leaders have 84 MPs. See below on their suggested use.
The times are:
20 30
20 = 20 minute moves during day and dawn/dusk turns
30 = 30 minute moves during night turns (which is standard - I didn't go to hourly moves as most players dont move much during night turns).
Instructions:
When you want to go to 20 minute turns in a game do the following:
1. Before you open up the game file you would double click on the file 20min_Jena.bat.
2. Open up the game and do your move. End the phase and then exit the game as normal.
3. Double click on the file 10min_Jena.bat to restore the default PDT file back to using the 10 minute turn lengths (especially important step as otherwise you might use 20 minute moves in another game).
To go back to 10 minute moves do the following:
1. Before you open up the game file you would double click on the file 10min_Jena.bat.
2. Open up the game and do your move. End the phase and then exit the game as normal.
Basically the batch files take one file and copy it over the default PDT file.
You must be VERY careful using these files. The obvious issue could be if you dont switch back from 20 minute moves to 10 minute moves for other games. Some members wont want to use these files for this reason alone. This set of files is for those that want to be able to switch to a faster pace of play but will be VERY careful in their use. Again, most of you (Sands Incoporated) wont use these files. However, I wanted to give anyone that feels that they and their opponent want to give it a go the opportunity to do so.
I HIGHLY recommend that you follow the instructions and its probably a good idea to only play ONE Jena game that uses the Six Days PDT file. You might ask about a campaign game scenario - I would say to just open up the .cpf file and see what .pdt file its using. The long Jena scenarios set on the large map use the Six Days PDT file.
Again, be careful using these files. When in doubt dont go this route. And for those that are not comfortable with this solution dont go here either.
Its for those of us that like to experiment in games. I highly suggest each time you do the game file that you have a printed set of instructions handy. Use them as a checklist.
Now to the practical use:
1. In games where you are moving along and pretty sure that your opponent is not in the area this 20 min. PDT file is great. You will speed up play by 2x.
2. The downside is that you still have the SAME AMOUNT OF TURNS. Therefore you need to use the Turn Track that I included with the game. You can find it in the Notes.hlp file. Once you get to the last turn on the turn track the game is over. Do not ADD new turns to the game.
3. Reinforcements and releases will still occur at the proper TIME but not TURN. Nothing will fail in this regard. Just know that on some turns you may end up with two reinforcement groups at a entry hex because if its the 1120 turn you may have one group due to arrive at 1110 and another on at 1120. They BOTH will show up on that turn. If a formation was due to release at 1140 and its now the 1150 turn that formation will release at 1150.
4. Use of the file: Neither side knows when they are going to bump into the other. The use of the file could cause some problems in this regard. Here are some guidelines but you will have to show grace to your opponent in the use of their movement:
a. I dont suggest the use of the 20 min. PDT file during Night turns for obvious reasons. As a matter of fact my opponents and I normally cease all movement for all night turns with some exceptions.
b. If you bump into a unit you should not use the opportunity to run around them with the extra MPs you have. That unit should then cease all movement and should NOT melee the unit it contacted even if its a LEADER or WAGON! Draw an imginary line across the front of that unit and use that as a baseline of your forward movement. That is the extent of your forward movement with any other units you have yet to move.
c. Once you make contact your opponent will get to make his move using the 20 min PDT file if desired or use the 10 min PDT file if desired. Its his call on which PDT file to switch to. It does not matter if one player is the First Player or Second Player. But the decision to switch lies with the player whose unit was contacted. Both players need at this point to figure based on the situation how they will handle the situation. If battle is called for then I suggest that the "Offended player" gets to use the 20 min PDT file for one move but not to get around his opponent with a flanking column. Again use common sense. You can bring up more troops to reinforce the offended units but you should not use it as an opportunity to move forces not near the area to flank the attacking player. It should be a reinforcing situation and not an opportunity to exploit the system. That is why I dont suggest this format for everyone. Especially for those that play with an attitude of "anything goes."
d. Other issues: leaders should not be used as scouts using the 20 min PDT file. Keep them with a unit and they will never go their full MP allowable distance. If you and your opponent use officers as scouts normally consider not doing this for the 20 min PDT file. It will just cause issues later on. Skirmishers also should not be used as scouts nor should you get overly agressive with cavalry or artillery (imagine sending 10 batteries of horse guns to a river line and fire across after unlimbering!). You might even decide to not allow any combat for a couple of turns if you like.
I would like to hear if anyone uses this system and how it turns out. I would play the game for fun and not for club points. Just enjoy trying it out. Or for points if you can handle situations that may arise that dont seem fair. If you cant enjoy the game using these files then dont use them!
I think they may help in those cases where its well known that no enemy units are nearby.
Finally, I tested out a game where I started the turn using the 10 min PDT file, saved the game file, exited the game and then switched to the 20 min PDT file. Results: the units gained more MPs. Thus a unit I had moved which no longer had MPs gained only those MPs it normally would have in a 20 min turn. It still was the same turn in TIME but the units now could move the 20 min PDT file MP rate. They didnt GAIN anything extra than they normally would have had they used the 20 min PDT file from the beginning of the turn.
I also tested it using the reverse. I started with the 20 min PDT file, ran into an enemy unit and reverted to the 10 min PDT file. Again, TIME was the same but the units no longer had the longer MP rates. The unit that moved had reduced MPs remaining.
Caution: if you start with the 10 min PDT file, make contact with a unit and then switch to the 20 min PDT file the unit that made contact, instead of having ZERO MPs as it did before you saved the game and exited now gets more MPs.
For this reason alone and others I may have missed I do NOT suggest you switch PDT files DURING a turn using the SAVE-Exit then switch PDT file format. Always do a complete turn using the same PDT file.
And remember - on the turns you use the 20 Min PDT file - switch back to the 10 Min PDT file after you exit the game.
Final note: NEVER send the Six_Days.pdt file to anyone if you are using this format. Even if they lost it. Tell them to update their game. The correct version is in the latest update. When in doubt update your game before you start a new one and then reapply any art packs you usually use.
Game reporting: be honest: if you only played 505 turns because you used the faster form then report that amount of turns. Dont report 520 turns if you didn't play that many. Obviously someone could come up with a 4 hour turn/PDT file format. Would it be fair to report a game using the TOTAL amount of turns that the default scenario allowed if you change the scale of the timeframe? I dont think so and I think that the club cabinet would frown on this abuse of Turns reported.
Its a club and we are here to have fun. This is a deviation from the norm for those of you that want to get into the action faster. If you want to use it then use it responsibly but also in consideration of the club structure as well.
Colonel Bill Peters
Armee du Rhin - V Corps, Cavalerie du V Corps, 20ème légère Brigade de Cavalerie, 13ème Hussar Regiment
HPS Napoleonic Scenario Designer (Eckmuhl, Wagram, Jena-Auerstaedt and ... more to come)
NWC
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