DRAFT (3/25/2022)

While knowing the tools and platforms necessary to play Paths of Glory in PBEM events won’t make you any better at the game itself, it sure will save you a lot of headaches and manual work! The following is an overview aimed at folks new to any of these platforms.

VASSAL Step By Step “Startup”:

• Install Vassal: Go to www.vassalengine.org, download the version of Vassal appropriate to your computing platform (PC or Mac), and then install it.
• Download the Paths of Glory module from www.vassalengine.org (under modules, organized alphabetically) and then copy it into a folder you can easily get to. (I created a “Vassal Modules” folder and put ALL my modules in there.)
• Launch Vassal and then, under “File”, “load” the POG module you just downloaded in step 2.
• You should then be ‘in’ the POG module, refer to the module documentation.

VASSAL Usage:

• VASSAL is the preferred tool for managing the gameboard and pieces but it is not required.
• Exchange VASSAL .vsav and .vlog files is NOT required but it sometimes can be useful for the purposes of synching up on the map positions.
• Card draws and dice throws in VASSAL are NOT authoritative, these activities should be done in ACTS.

ACTS Step by Step:

• Go to www.warhorsesimulations.com
• Scroll to the bottom of that home page and click “sign up”
• Complete the fields displayed; please use a “Real Name” that event organizers can easily match to the name you joined the tournament under. (Nothing annoys this GM more than having John Adams joining the tournament but then, during match construction, wasting a lot of time trying to scan through hundreds of names to no available because John chose to use an ACTS “real name” of “Hot Gamer Buns”!
• Switching sides: Contact the GM or use the Edit Game functionality with ACTS. Remember to log out of ACTS and log back in if you are switching sides, especially if you are about to draw cards!

ACTS Etiquette

Effective and empathetic communications are surprisingly huge factors in ensuring that your ACTS game goes smoothly. Keys to success include:

• Do not assume that your opponent speaks English as his primary language or that he is in the same timezone as you.
• Do not assume that your opponent will match your game pace; delays in responses might occur because he’s sleeping or at work.
• Be consistent with process. Example: Most folks have CP handle the end of turn and start of turn processes (rolling orders).
• Don’t hesitate to look at other game logs – not only will it help you get a feel for what others do in terms of ACTS messaging, it will also give you some new thoughts on game play.

ACTS Notation

• List all Reserve Box transactions. Example: “GEc to Insterberg, RB(7,0)”
• Avoid making up spellings for place names, it makes it harder for opponents to scan the log.
• Be consistent with usage of acronyms. Example: “BLD” is commonly used for Bar-le-Duc.
• It’s ok to copy Vassal logging text and use that in ACTS.

ACTS Switching of Sides

Probably the number one source of ACTS mishaps for new players: After bidding for sides, actually reversing the AP/CP side assignments. The easiest way to remember this is, pilfering Paul H’s saying, “you can only give, not take”, a side in ACTS.

• Side assignment is done using the “Edit Game” function. When you click that from the ACTS log main page, you’ll see:

• If you are the CP player, and want to change sides, click “Change Central Powers player” and select your opponent’s name from the drop down list box. Send a message to your opponent that they can now log in as the CP. Log out.
• Your opponent should then log in, AS THE AP player, edit game, select “Change Allies player”, and select YOUR name from the list. Log out.
• At this point, sides should be correctly assigned. It is CRITICAL that players log out and log back in using the appropriate side BEFORE drawing cards to start the game.
• When all else fails, reach out to your game moderator and he’ll swap the sides. (Or recreate the game if you mistaken drew cards as the wrong side.)