From Moves#70 WARSAW PACT 92 by James E. Meldrum The beginning of the 1990's has brought some astounding changes not only to the world we live in, but to the Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact countries in particular. Democratic reforms in both the Warsaw Pact countries and the Soviet Union have led to the reconsideration of NATO's military role and how any future European conflict might be fought. Warsaw Pact, by Task Force Games (1980) is an intriguing corps/army level simulation of a Warsaw Pact/NATO conflict done from the Soviet point of view. As such it is one of the most unique NATO games since – naturally - most of these examine a hypothetical conflict like this from the NATO/U.S. view point. Because Warsaw Pact takes such a different viewpoint, it is the perfect vehicle for simulating how another European war would have been conducted. This article contains several variants that attempt to explore how a conflict between NATO and the Warsaw Pact might be conducted in light of recent developments in Europe. Unless otherwise mentioned, all Warsaw Pact rules are in effect at all times. Use the regular rules for resolving any rules disputes. Use the 1980's order of battle for both sides in all variants with the following changes: 1) Deploy all East German, Polish, Hungarian, Bulgarian, and Rumanian units in their own countries only, and consider them to be neutral. 2) Place one of the NATO 6-6 breakdown units in Berlin (1606). This unit represents NATO forces in Berlin and may not move for the duration of the game. 3) Use the theater nuclear forces option (15.615) as standard but change the VP modifier to +40 to reflect the use of aircraft in place of missiles. 4) Set up all of the Soviet units normally designated to begin play in East Germany in Poland instead. Those Soviet units normally beginning play in Hungary and Bulgaria start in the Soviet Union instead. 5) Players may use all starting conditions except the surprise attack (15.42) option. Also try using the mutual and balanced force reductions (15.64) at any level. 6) Deploy all NATO units in their regular locations. Scenarios 1) Current Situation (1992) Play the 1980's scenario as modified above. 2) War of German Reunification Deploy Soviet units in East Germany as m the regular 1980 scenario. Hostilities exist between NATO and Warsaw Pact on turn one but only West German units may move and attack on turns 1 and 2. West German units may enter East Germany. The NATO player controls all East German units. No other NATO units may move, attack, or enter Warsaw Pact territory until the start of turn 3. If non-German NATO units are attacked or Warsaw Pact forces enter NATO territory before turn 3, then all NATO units are released from these restrictions immediately. Both sides reinforcements appear normally. The NATO player must hold Berlin to win. If the NATO player wins but fails to hold Berlin, the game is a draw. VP modifier is +15. 3) United Germany East and West Germany begin the game as a single national entity in this variant. All German units are controlled by the NATO player and may deploy anywhere inside East/West Germany. Non-German NATO units may deploy only in West Germany, and may neither move or attack until they are attacked. VP modifier is +15. Do not use the NATO Berlin unit. 4) Neutral Warsaw Pact This scenario is the same as the regular 1980 scenario except that all Warsaw Pact countries are neutral and remain in their own countries unless attacked. East German forces are controlled by the Soviet player. VP modifier is +50. All Warsaw Pact forces are immediately released if NATO violates any Pact country's neutrality. 5) Warsaw Pact Self Defense Only Same as variant 4 with all Warsaw Pact forces neutral unless attacked or a NATO unit enters their country. As soon as a NATO unit violates a Warsaw Pact country's neutrality, that country (only) may move and attack under control of the Soviet player. VP modifier is +30. 6) Western European Union This variant assumes that the United States has withdrawn completely from NATO. Play variant 3 but do not use U.S. units. One other non-U.S. NATO units appear two turns earlier than indicated. Units appearing on turn 1 are used as initial units and may deploy anywhere in West Germany. Shorten the game to eight turns and remove all Warsaw Pact units. No NATO units may enter Warsaw Pact territory. NB submitted by John Kula (kula@telus.net) on behalf of the Strategy Gaming Society (http://www.boardgamegeek.com/~sgs), originally collected by Andrew Webber (gbm@wwwebbers.com)