From: "D. Holte" Subject: Re: Der Kessel? >Danny, > > What is DER KESSEL about? > >Lou Coatney, mslrc@uxa.ecn.bgu.edu > Der Kessel ("The Cauldron") It's a solitaire game covering the Stalingrad encirclement. I'm a little foggy on it; my last playtest report was submitted in February, I believe, but I'll give it a shot. 11 x 17" map (area movement), 120 counters, 25 event cards. The map consists of 64 areas covering about 35 miles x 65 miles across. Axis units are divisions, Soviets are basically Corps if I remember right. Cards determine Random events, Weather, and Luftwaffe & Relieve Force Commitment Levels and also Soviet actions. The player is allotted a certain number of Initiative Points - These are 'spent' to provide supply, conduct movement, evac wounded, attack, and/or create Prepared Defenses. You can also create Ad Hoc units. The initiative points are earned by holding ground - The more areas held, the higher the morale level and for every 5 morale points, the German receives 1 I.P. If non-evac'd wounded begin to pile-up, you lose I.P.'s. The cards also determine the actions of the Soviet 'player' (the game system.) It tells you how many attacks will be conducted, and where from. Victory is determined by accumulating Victory Points. Like I said, this is not meant to be a review in any way because it's been quite some time since I've played, and we didn't get to see the final product after our suggestions were implemented (or not. ) Eric Pass was also on the playtest, but I haven't heard from him in quite a while. Has anyone else heard from Eric? (I think he might have been moving) -Danny