Jan (he/him) | Let's Play History
@letsplayhistory.bsky.social
(War)Gaming historian. 📚🎲
Vegan foodie. 💚😋
Libertarian socialist. 🏴🚩
Hiking explorer. 🏞🚶
Intersectional feminist. 🏳️🌈✨
Critical postfoundationalist. 📖💭
Strategic pessimist. 🤔🤨
Pragmatic pacifist. 🕊️🛡️
¡No Pasarán! ✊
Vegan foodie. 💚😋
Libertarian socialist. 🏴🚩
Hiking explorer. 🏞🚶
Intersectional feminist. 🏳️🌈✨
Critical postfoundationalist. 📖💭
Strategic pessimist. 🤔🤨
Pragmatic pacifist. 🕊️🛡️
¡No Pasarán! ✊
1915.3/3 Can ENT recover?
ENT Initiative.
Events: Bulgaria at War, +1 CP Production. Lusitania torpedoed. Heia Safari (+1 attack die in Africa, +1OV).
Resource Point Collection: ENT 12, CP 14.
Naval Control: 6, U-Boote sink 4 ENT RP. 3, Blockade reduces CP RP by 2.
ENT Initiative.
Events: Bulgaria at War, +1 CP Production. Lusitania torpedoed. Heia Safari (+1 attack die in Africa, +1OV).
Resource Point Collection: ENT 12, CP 14.
Naval Control: 6, U-Boote sink 4 ENT RP. 3, Blockade reduces CP RP by 2.
February 10, 2026 at 8:20 PM
1915.3/3 Can ENT recover?
ENT Initiative.
Events: Bulgaria at War, +1 CP Production. Lusitania torpedoed. Heia Safari (+1 attack die in Africa, +1OV).
Resource Point Collection: ENT 12, CP 14.
Naval Control: 6, U-Boote sink 4 ENT RP. 3, Blockade reduces CP RP by 2.
ENT Initiative.
Events: Bulgaria at War, +1 CP Production. Lusitania torpedoed. Heia Safari (+1 attack die in Africa, +1OV).
Resource Point Collection: ENT 12, CP 14.
Naval Control: 6, U-Boote sink 4 ENT RP. 3, Blockade reduces CP RP by 2.
Offensives: 3OV GER ≥4 vs FR: 1, 2, 6 (±1), 4 artillery = -2OV FR, -1OV GER.
Athena cannot attack.
2OV AH ≥5 vs RU: 5, 6 (±1), 2 artillery, recon re-roll: 6 = -3OV for RU!
Free attack in Africa: 2OV: 4, 6, artillery 3, re-roll 3 = -1OV ENT.
CP out of RP.
Merchant Navy +1 ENT Production.
Athena cannot attack.
2OV AH ≥5 vs RU: 5, 6 (±1), 2 artillery, recon re-roll: 6 = -3OV for RU!
Free attack in Africa: 2OV: 4, 6, artillery 3, re-roll 3 = -1OV ENT.
CP out of RP.
Merchant Navy +1 ENT Production.
February 10, 2026 at 8:12 PM
Offensives: 3OV GER ≥4 vs FR: 1, 2, 6 (±1), 4 artillery = -2OV FR, -1OV GER.
Athena cannot attack.
2OV AH ≥5 vs RU: 5, 6 (±1), 2 artillery, recon re-roll: 6 = -3OV for RU!
Free attack in Africa: 2OV: 4, 6, artillery 3, re-roll 3 = -1OV ENT.
CP out of RP.
Merchant Navy +1 ENT Production.
Athena cannot attack.
2OV AH ≥5 vs RU: 5, 6 (±1), 2 artillery, recon re-roll: 6 = -3OV for RU!
Free attack in Africa: 2OV: 4, 6, artillery 3, re-roll 3 = -1OV ENT.
CP out of RP.
Merchant Navy +1 ENT Production.
Spending 2RP to reinforce GER and AH each by 1OV.
Research: 2RP on Trenches: 2 (+2), success. 2RP on Raiders: 6 (+1), success, +1 for Naval Control. 1 RP to implement trenches in AH.
Athena spends remaining 2RP on Attack and Defence ... both fail.
She cannot reinforce.
Research: 2RP on Trenches: 2 (+2), success. 2RP on Raiders: 6 (+1), success, +1 for Naval Control. 1 RP to implement trenches in AH.
Athena spends remaining 2RP on Attack and Defence ... both fail.
She cannot reinforce.
February 10, 2026 at 7:59 PM
Spending 2RP to reinforce GER and AH each by 1OV.
Research: 2RP on Trenches: 2 (+2), success. 2RP on Raiders: 6 (+1), success, +1 for Naval Control. 1 RP to implement trenches in AH.
Athena spends remaining 2RP on Attack and Defence ... both fail.
She cannot reinforce.
Research: 2RP on Trenches: 2 (+2), success. 2RP on Raiders: 6 (+1), success, +1 for Naval Control. 1 RP to implement trenches in AH.
Athena spends remaining 2RP on Attack and Defence ... both fail.
She cannot reinforce.
1915.2/3
Events: Italy at war! Lettow-Vorbeck in Africa (CP can attack for free, permanent), Battle of Gallipoli.
Collect Resource Points: CP 13, ENT 11 -1d6: 5 for Gallipoli. Lovely.
CP roll 6 on Naval Patrol, U-Boots strike, -4RP to ENT. ENT rolls 5 = -3RP for CP.
CP truely have the initiative.
Events: Italy at war! Lettow-Vorbeck in Africa (CP can attack for free, permanent), Battle of Gallipoli.
Collect Resource Points: CP 13, ENT 11 -1d6: 5 for Gallipoli. Lovely.
CP roll 6 on Naval Patrol, U-Boots strike, -4RP to ENT. ENT rolls 5 = -3RP for CP.
CP truely have the initiative.
February 10, 2026 at 7:51 PM
1915.2/3
Events: Italy at war! Lettow-Vorbeck in Africa (CP can attack for free, permanent), Battle of Gallipoli.
Collect Resource Points: CP 13, ENT 11 -1d6: 5 for Gallipoli. Lovely.
CP roll 6 on Naval Patrol, U-Boots strike, -4RP to ENT. ENT rolls 5 = -3RP for CP.
CP truely have the initiative.
Events: Italy at war! Lettow-Vorbeck in Africa (CP can attack for free, permanent), Battle of Gallipoli.
Collect Resource Points: CP 13, ENT 11 -1d6: 5 for Gallipoli. Lovely.
CP roll 6 on Naval Patrol, U-Boots strike, -4RP to ENT. ENT rolls 5 = -3RP for CP.
CP truely have the initiative.
ME 2OV ≥5 vs OE: 2, 3 (-2) = nothing.
GER 3OB ≥4 vs FR: 1, 5, 6 (±1), 5 artillery = -1OV GER, -3OV FR.
Both are out of RP at this point.
+1 Merchant Navy = +1 ENT Production.
End of turn.
Good turn for the CP. FR and RU desperately need reinforcements now.
GER 3OB ≥4 vs FR: 1, 5, 6 (±1), 5 artillery = -1OV GER, -3OV FR.
Both are out of RP at this point.
+1 Merchant Navy = +1 ENT Production.
End of turn.
Good turn for the CP. FR and RU desperately need reinforcements now.
February 10, 2026 at 7:29 PM
ME 2OV ≥5 vs OE: 2, 3 (-2) = nothing.
GER 3OB ≥4 vs FR: 1, 5, 6 (±1), 5 artillery = -1OV GER, -3OV FR.
Both are out of RP at this point.
+1 Merchant Navy = +1 ENT Production.
End of turn.
Good turn for the CP. FR and RU desperately need reinforcements now.
GER 3OB ≥4 vs FR: 1, 5, 6 (±1), 5 artillery = -1OV GER, -3OV FR.
Both are out of RP at this point.
+1 Merchant Navy = +1 ENT Production.
End of turn.
Good turn for the CP. FR and RU desperately need reinforcements now.
She spends 1RP to reinforce RU, roll of 3 doesn't cause political unrest.
Offensives: 2OV (it's 3, but I decide to only spend 2RP) GER ≥4 vs RU: 4, 6 (±1), 6 artillery = -3OV for RU.
Russia vs AH 2OV ≥5: 3, 5 (-2 MG and Shortages) = no effect.
AH ≥5 vs RU 2OV: 1, 3 (±1), 6 = -1OV to each.
Offensives: 2OV (it's 3, but I decide to only spend 2RP) GER ≥4 vs RU: 4, 6 (±1), 6 artillery = -3OV for RU.
Russia vs AH 2OV ≥5: 3, 5 (-2 MG and Shortages) = no effect.
AH ≥5 vs RU 2OV: 1, 3 (±1), 6 = -1OV to each.
February 10, 2026 at 7:21 PM
She spends 1RP to reinforce RU, roll of 3 doesn't cause political unrest.
Offensives: 2OV (it's 3, but I decide to only spend 2RP) GER ≥4 vs RU: 4, 6 (±1), 6 artillery = -3OV for RU.
Russia vs AH 2OV ≥5: 3, 5 (-2 MG and Shortages) = no effect.
AH ≥5 vs RU 2OV: 1, 3 (±1), 6 = -1OV to each.
Offensives: 2OV (it's 3, but I decide to only spend 2RP) GER ≥4 vs RU: 4, 6 (±1), 6 artillery = -3OV for RU.
Russia vs AH 2OV ≥5: 3, 5 (-2 MG and Shortages) = no effect.
AH ≥5 vs RU 2OV: 1, 3 (±1), 6 = -1OV to each.
Spending 3 RP on Def: 1, fail, but 1 Research Point for future attempts. Given that we want to use artillery to best effect this turn, 3RP on Recon Aviation: 6! 2 RP to implement in AH and OE.
Athena spends 1 RP on Att, Def, Aviation each, 2 on Naval: 4, 1, 3, 3(+1) = all but Blockade fail.
Athena spends 1 RP on Att, Def, Aviation each, 2 on Naval: 4, 1, 3, 3(+1) = all but Blockade fail.
February 10, 2026 at 7:07 PM
Spending 3 RP on Def: 1, fail, but 1 Research Point for future attempts. Given that we want to use artillery to best effect this turn, 3RP on Recon Aviation: 6! 2 RP to implement in AH and OE.
Athena spends 1 RP on Att, Def, Aviation each, 2 on Naval: 4, 1, 3, 3(+1) = all but Blockade fail.
Athena spends 1 RP on Att, Def, Aviation each, 2 on Naval: 4, 1, 3, 3(+1) = all but Blockade fail.
CP Reinforcements: 1 in GER and OE for a total of 2 RP.
CP Research: 3 RP on heavy artillery: 2 (+2), barely a success, good to have spent 2 RP for the modifyer. 3 RP on attack (gas ...): 6, success. Spending 4 RP to implement both for AH and OE, too.
CP Research: 3 RP on heavy artillery: 2 (+2), barely a success, good to have spent 2 RP for the modifyer. 3 RP on attack (gas ...): 6, success. Spending 4 RP to implement both for AH and OE, too.
February 10, 2026 at 6:48 PM
CP Reinforcements: 1 in GER and OE for a total of 2 RP.
CP Research: 3 RP on heavy artillery: 2 (+2), barely a success, good to have spent 2 RP for the modifyer. 3 RP on attack (gas ...): 6, success. Spending 4 RP to implement both for AH and OE, too.
CP Research: 3 RP on heavy artillery: 2 (+2), barely a success, good to have spent 2 RP for the modifyer. 3 RP on attack (gas ...): 6, success. Spending 4 RP to implement both for AH and OE, too.
1915.1/3 MP Initiative
Draw 3 events (1915 cards had been shuffled into the current deck): Russian Offensive is discarded, it only applies to 1914. Ypres and Shell Shortage give a huge favor to CP. We gotta do some research!
Production: 10 RP for ENT, 13+3 RP for CP.
Rolled a 1 on Naval Control ...
Draw 3 events (1915 cards had been shuffled into the current deck): Russian Offensive is discarded, it only applies to 1914. Ypres and Shell Shortage give a huge favor to CP. We gotta do some research!
Production: 10 RP for ENT, 13+3 RP for CP.
Rolled a 1 on Naval Control ...
February 10, 2026 at 6:41 PM
1915.1/3 MP Initiative
Draw 3 events (1915 cards had been shuffled into the current deck): Russian Offensive is discarded, it only applies to 1914. Ypres and Shell Shortage give a huge favor to CP. We gotta do some research!
Production: 10 RP for ENT, 13+3 RP for CP.
Rolled a 1 on Naval Control ...
Draw 3 events (1915 cards had been shuffled into the current deck): Russian Offensive is discarded, it only applies to 1914. Ypres and Shell Shortage give a huge favor to CP. We gotta do some research!
Production: 10 RP for ENT, 13+3 RP for CP.
Rolled a 1 on Naval Control ...
Athena attacks GER from FR 3OV, thereby out of RP, ≥5: 1, 3, 5 (-1), counter-attack doesn't apply, because GER attacked other country this turn = no effect.
Additional reinforcements: ENT Merchant Navy +1 = +1 Production.
End of turn.
Correction: German Colonies never suffer counter-attack.
Additional reinforcements: ENT Merchant Navy +1 = +1 Production.
End of turn.
Correction: German Colonies never suffer counter-attack.
February 10, 2026 at 6:29 PM
Athena attacks GER from FR 3OV, thereby out of RP, ≥5: 1, 3, 5 (-1), counter-attack doesn't apply, because GER attacked other country this turn = no effect.
Additional reinforcements: ENT Merchant Navy +1 = +1 Production.
End of turn.
Correction: German Colonies never suffer counter-attack.
Additional reinforcements: ENT Merchant Navy +1 = +1 Production.
End of turn.
Correction: German Colonies never suffer counter-attack.
Athena attacks Austria-Hungary, highest chances for RU 2OV ≥5: 3, 5 (-1) = no effect.
AH attacks RU 2OV ≥5: 2, 5 (-1) = no effect.
Athena attempts to attack Bulgaria which is neutral, cancled.
CP pass to save 3RP.
Athena attempts to attack OE which she can't. Serbia 1OV ≥5 vs AH: 2 (-1) = fail.
AH attacks RU 2OV ≥5: 2, 5 (-1) = no effect.
Athena attempts to attack Bulgaria which is neutral, cancled.
CP pass to save 3RP.
Athena attempts to attack OE which she can't. Serbia 1OV ≥5 vs AH: 2 (-1) = fail.
February 10, 2026 at 6:24 PM
Athena attacks Austria-Hungary, highest chances for RU 2OV ≥5: 3, 5 (-1) = no effect.
AH attacks RU 2OV ≥5: 2, 5 (-1) = no effect.
Athena attempts to attack Bulgaria which is neutral, cancled.
CP pass to save 3RP.
Athena attempts to attack OE which she can't. Serbia 1OV ≥5 vs AH: 2 (-1) = fail.
AH attacks RU 2OV ≥5: 2, 5 (-1) = no effect.
Athena attempts to attack Bulgaria which is neutral, cancled.
CP pass to save 3RP.
Athena attempts to attack OE which she can't. Serbia 1OV ≥5 vs AH: 2 (-1) = fail.
Athena attacks Ottomans for 2 from Middle East ≥5, rolls 3, 6 (-1, natural 6 is always a success, though) = -1OV for OE.
Assuming Schlieffen didn't count, 3OV GER attack ≥4 vs RU: 1, 3, 6 (-1) = -1OV each.
Assuming Schlieffen didn't count, 3OV GER attack ≥4 vs RU: 1, 3, 6 (-1) = -1OV each.
February 10, 2026 at 6:11 PM
Athena attacks Ottomans for 2 from Middle East ≥5, rolls 3, 6 (-1, natural 6 is always a success, though) = -1OV for OE.
Assuming Schlieffen didn't count, 3OV GER attack ≥4 vs RU: 1, 3, 6 (-1) = -1OV each.
Assuming Schlieffen didn't count, 3OV GER attack ≥4 vs RU: 1, 3, 6 (-1) = -1OV each.
Offensives: CP hold initiative.
2OV (-2RP) in Africa ≥5 (tech doesn't apply): 1, 4, insufficient, ENT counter-attacks (1 in attack roll) = -1OV for CP (Africa can only be reinforced by events).
2OV (-2RP) in Africa ≥5 (tech doesn't apply): 1, 4, insufficient, ENT counter-attacks (1 in attack roll) = -1OV for CP (Africa can only be reinforced by events).
February 10, 2026 at 6:03 PM
Offensives: CP hold initiative.
2OV (-2RP) in Africa ≥5 (tech doesn't apply): 1, 4, insufficient, ENT counter-attacks (1 in attack roll) = -1OV for CP (Africa can only be reinforced by events).
2OV (-2RP) in Africa ≥5 (tech doesn't apply): 1, 4, insufficient, ENT counter-attacks (1 in attack roll) = -1OV for CP (Africa can only be reinforced by events).
At least she didn't put up the Naval Blockade yet.
February 10, 2026 at 5:45 PM
At least she didn't put up the Naval Blockade yet.
ENT spend 1 RP and research MGs as well. Athena automatically implements improvements in all countries FOR FREE!
ENT can't reinforce.
ENT can't reinforce.
February 10, 2026 at 5:43 PM
ENT spend 1 RP and research MGs as well. Athena automatically implements improvements in all countries FOR FREE!
ENT can't reinforce.
ENT can't reinforce.
Collect Ressource Points, CP: 13, ENT 9. Roll of 2 on Naval Control indicates U-Boote failed raiding, no RP lost for the ENT.
Spending RP: CP can't reinforce, spend 1 RP and research Machine Guns (3+), automatically providing -1 on enemy attacks against GER, 2 RP to apply to AH and OE, too.
Spending RP: CP can't reinforce, spend 1 RP and research Machine Guns (3+), automatically providing -1 on enemy attacks against GER, 2 RP to apply to AH and OE, too.
February 10, 2026 at 5:38 PM
Collect Ressource Points, CP: 13, ENT 9. Roll of 2 on Naval Control indicates U-Boote failed raiding, no RP lost for the ENT.
Spending RP: CP can't reinforce, spend 1 RP and research Machine Guns (3+), automatically providing -1 on enemy attacks against GER, 2 RP to apply to AH and OE, too.
Spending RP: CP can't reinforce, spend 1 RP and research Machine Guns (3+), automatically providing -1 on enemy attacks against GER, 2 RP to apply to AH and OE, too.
However, The Miracle on the Marne forces a re-roll of both successes, dice give 2, 3, not sufficient. FR doesn't lose any OV! That's a bad start for the CP, at least Russia doesn't get their strong offensive event.
February 10, 2026 at 5:29 PM
However, The Miracle on the Marne forces a re-roll of both successes, dice give 2, 3, not sufficient. FR doesn't lose any OV! That's a bad start for the CP, at least Russia doesn't get their strong offensive event.
1914. MP initiative (in solitaire always the player, with offensives being the exception).
3 events drawn. Schlieffen Plan grants immediate free offensive against France, bonus cancelled by Belgian forts.
GER operational value is 3, dice give 2, 5, 6, two match Attack Value of 4+ = -2 OV for FR.
3 events drawn. Schlieffen Plan grants immediate free offensive against France, bonus cancelled by Belgian forts.
GER operational value is 3, dice give 2, 5, 6, two match Attack Value of 4+ = -2 OV for FR.
February 10, 2026 at 5:24 PM
1914. MP initiative (in solitaire always the player, with offensives being the exception).
3 events drawn. Schlieffen Plan grants immediate free offensive against France, bonus cancelled by Belgian forts.
GER operational value is 3, dice give 2, 5, 6, two match Attack Value of 4+ = -2 OV for FR.
3 events drawn. Schlieffen Plan grants immediate free offensive against France, bonus cancelled by Belgian forts.
GER operational value is 3, dice give 2, 5, 6, two match Attack Value of 4+ = -2 OV for FR.
The reason it caught my interest is how much I enjoyed Strategic Command WW1 on my computer. Always felt like the strategic ressource management could be a neat aspect for a wargame, and here we go.
February 10, 2026 at 3:51 PM
The reason it caught my interest is how much I enjoyed Strategic Command WW1 on my computer. Always felt like the strategic ressource management could be a neat aspect for a wargame, and here we go.
Here's the footprint on my dining table. All set up and ready to go for a solitaire playthrough as the middle powers using the Athena bot to play as the Entente.
February 10, 2026 at 3:19 PM
Here's the footprint on my dining table. All set up and ready to go for a solitaire playthrough as the middle powers using the Athena bot to play as the Entente.
Sure, had been a while since I last wrote something for The Kommandeur! 🫡
February 10, 2026 at 3:16 PM
Sure, had been a while since I last wrote something for The Kommandeur! 🫡
"This war, like the next war, is the war to end war." 🎶
La Der des Ders by Arnauld Della Siega, published by HEXASIM, is a strategic level wargame focussing on ressource management between offensives and technological advancements.
Great graphics, event cards, solitaire deck, recessed tech boards.
La Der des Ders by Arnauld Della Siega, published by HEXASIM, is a strategic level wargame focussing on ressource management between offensives and technological advancements.
Great graphics, event cards, solitaire deck, recessed tech boards.
February 10, 2026 at 2:51 PM
"This war, like the next war, is the war to end war." 🎶
La Der des Ders by Arnauld Della Siega, published by HEXASIM, is a strategic level wargame focussing on ressource management between offensives and technological advancements.
Great graphics, event cards, solitaire deck, recessed tech boards.
La Der des Ders by Arnauld Della Siega, published by HEXASIM, is a strategic level wargame focussing on ressource management between offensives and technological advancements.
Great graphics, event cards, solitaire deck, recessed tech boards.
Reposted by Jan (he/him) | Let's Play History
Professional wargaming on the front page of BGG. A first?
February 10, 2026 at 8:05 AM
Professional wargaming on the front page of BGG. A first?
🎯 Very happy to hear that the participants found the exercise insightful and that it helped them understand a commander's role much better.
📨 We'll be playing this out as a classic play-by-post/e-mail. Very curious to see how it develops!
📨 We'll be playing this out as a classic play-by-post/e-mail. Very curious to see how it develops!
February 8, 2026 at 12:14 AM
🎯 Very happy to hear that the participants found the exercise insightful and that it helped them understand a commander's role much better.
📨 We'll be playing this out as a classic play-by-post/e-mail. Very curious to see how it develops!
📨 We'll be playing this out as a classic play-by-post/e-mail. Very curious to see how it develops!
"I've done all the preparations, fate will do the rest", as Napoleon said. Lucky we get to do this by #wargaming in a safe-to-fail environment, right? Better train your brains now, before it's too late.
February 8, 2026 at 12:14 AM
"I've done all the preparations, fate will do the rest", as Napoleon said. Lucky we get to do this by #wargaming in a safe-to-fail environment, right? Better train your brains now, before it's too late.