At first the dice orders made no sense and turned me away from the system, but after this video I can see why this is so well regarded. I'm gonna give this game another chance.
Very well done, thank you! I've also found watching videos of Rich and Nick (or just Rich) playing through scenarios/PSC to be invaluable for understanding the use and flexibility of command dice. (Also, brilliant system for tracking who is in a house! Definitely going to borrow that!)
A great lesson in CoC, Alex. Thank you! Command radii are the secret to a well-executed strategy. The use of the dice maximizes the enjoyment of the game for all players and observers.
Nicely done squire, very clear and informative although I'll have to read up on that Ranking officer bit as I've completely missed that, but as I usually play Germans I only usually have one anyway! One thing that I always see new players doing, and that they don't seem to grasp straight away, is that you don't need to use the dice you roll. If by using them means you don't stick to your plan or you reveal troops to the enemy before you really want to DON'T USE THEM!
Cheers Iain, yeah the ranking leader is only mentioned in passing really. That's a good point about not actually doing anything as well, it's like a game of poker sometimes, you don't want to give your hand away too soon.
Well done. This command and control aspect of Chain of Command helps set it apart as a gaming experience. “Adapt and overcome” is the military phrase which came to mind watching your walk-through and explanation on how to use command dice more effectively.
Cheers Dex, yeah this is something I noticed recently whilst playing at the club. The guys were just using their 1s and 2s and ignoring the fact that they could combine and do more.
@@StormofSteelWargaming VERY helpful, I forwarded it to a couple of friends. Not only does your video explain the mechanic but shows real world tactics in game terms. We are working through 'O' Group now and I think we pretty much have figured everything out now but something similar would be a great help for 'O' group players. As a matter of fact in place of our regular game last week I set up a couple of small combats on different spots of the board to explain and play through some 'O' group mechanics and show how they can be used with real tactics. My explanations weren't nearly as lucid as yours! Well done.
@@drwatkins68 Thank you very much indeed! What would you suggest for a similar video on O Group? Which particular mechanics? The combat, for example? I've been thinking of doing a how to play video for OG, but shorter ones like this may be better?
@@StormofSteelWargaming We will have a game this afternoon, I will ask around about possible topics. Just off the top of my head patrol markers, reconnaissance, deploying company and battalion assets and deploying into an objective were areas I had problems explaining to new players. I'd say the command phase and different types of orders would make for a good video as would morale states/casualties. The whole Steady, Hesitant, Suppressed to Casualty progression can be confusing. I certainly appreciate your and the TFL play through videos, I wouldn't have bought the game without them. But, this sort of focused video might better explain some of the more difficult concepts.
Also, I am ex military and understand the importance of phase lines, jumping off points, objectives, using reserves and so forth but there are problems getting typical gamers on board with those ideas. Your video very elegantly shows using smoke and suppression to assault an objective and shows a prospective player how to use his command dice to do that. Today im going to TRY and explain and show jump off points, phase lines, zones of control for different companies and objectives with different colored yarn. Perhaps something similar would make for a good video. What the military procedure is, why it is used or important and then the game mechanic that supports using that procedure. For example, Reserves, why are they important, what are the mechanics for reserves and how does 'O' group or CoC or whatever rules reward a players good use of their reserves. Just ideas, I understand that is a lot of ground to cover!
An excellent little video and very useful for new and old players alike. I got slightly distracted while watching it though...where did you get that neat little red tractor model? I've been looking for one for my own games. :)
Cheers Lee! Lol, the tractor was made for me by Paul at Sabotag3d, drop him an email and ask about the 15mm scatter terrain he made for me and he'll be happy to help.
Hi Alex, that was a very good one. As you said in your video, the options outside the first glance, are the ones you are looking for to use the game mechanics as you should do. Greetings from Germany
Nice structured video Alex! Could you please tell me where the tractor, electric poles and the sheep come from? I also play CoC in 15mm scale, but I can't seem to find all the nice civilian scatter I'd like to add to the game board. Thanks in advance!
Thank you, the tractor and poles came from Sabotag3d, but they are not on their website, so you'll have to email Paul to ask for them. I can't remember exactly where the farm animals came from, but Pendraken do some in 15mm.
Nice explanation. What WW2 fire fight isn't at range? A lame excuse for people. To add more flexibility, and to speed up games, I allow the following for command dice. 2 = a section, or one or two teams. Two dice can be combined to make a 5 to earn a CoC point. IMHO this makes support teams more useful, and speeds up game play.
What list were you using that gave the British a ranking senior leader? The term "ranking senior" only appears once in the rules and not in any of the lists, so I assumed it was so supplemental material could use them.
@@StormofSteelWargaming Ah, thanks for that. For the most part, I enjoy CoC's mechanism and the game it provides, but it's littered with stuff like this and lots of edge cases that drive me nuts.
@@StormofSteelWargaming No, "Ranking Senior Leader" isn't just the man in charge, it is reserved specifically for more senior officers above the rank of platoon commander. From the COC FAQ: "A Ranking Leader is a specific type of Leader, not simply the most senior Leader present. A Ranking Leader is only used when a Company Commander, or similar is present." It is most common in games of "Big COC" where you might have multiple platoons in play.
Detailed but still simple - nicely done.
Cheers Pat, glad you enjoyed it!
Great video, Alex. Valuable for new and old players alike.
Cheers! Glad you enjoyed it!
good on you for this - wish more game coverage was this in depth about how to actually use mechanics. and efficiently done!
Just getting into CoC after a lot of BA, look forward to more of these videos explaining the rules.
Cheers Mark, I hope it helps you learn the game!
Well presented. I love how you have that special effects of an explosion with your intro. You share very well, thank you
Thank you, glad you enjoyed it!
At first the dice orders made no sense and turned me away from the system, but after this video I can see why this is so well regarded. I'm gonna give this game another chance.
That's great to hear, CoC really is a game that rewards replaying and experimenting with the dice commands.
Very well done, thank you! I've also found watching videos of Rich and Nick (or just Rich) playing through scenarios/PSC to be invaluable for understanding the use and flexibility of command dice. (Also, brilliant system for tracking who is in a house! Definitely going to borrow that!)
Glad it was helpful!
a great informative lesson on how to use the command dice to the best effect
Thanks Robert! Glad you enjoyed it
A great lesson in CoC, Alex. Thank you! Command radii are the secret to a well-executed strategy. The use of the dice maximizes the enjoyment of the game for all players and observers.
Cheers buddy, glad you enjoyed it. Yep, understanding the dice is imperative to understanding Chain of Command.
Nicely done squire, very clear and informative although I'll have to read up on that Ranking officer bit as I've completely missed that, but as I usually play Germans I only usually have one anyway!
One thing that I always see new players doing, and that they don't seem to grasp straight away, is that you don't need to use the dice you roll. If by using them means you don't stick to your plan or you reveal troops to the enemy before you really want to DON'T USE THEM!
Cheers Iain, yeah the ranking leader is only mentioned in passing really. That's a good point about not actually doing anything as well, it's like a game of poker sometimes, you don't want to give your hand away too soon.
Good reminders and about the errata and FAQ
Excellent summary. Really useful - thankyou
What a cracking video. Brilliantly explained.
Cheers Andy! Glad you enjoyed it.
great video Alex, some very useful ideas there all very succinctly laid out
Thanks Richard! Very much appreciated!
Well done. This command and control aspect of Chain of Command helps set it apart as a gaming experience. “Adapt and overcome” is the military phrase which came to mind watching your walk-through and explanation on how to use command dice more effectively.
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks Alex, that was really informative and insightful. Combining dice scores is one of those often overlooked things.
Cheers Dex, yeah this is something I noticed recently whilst playing at the club. The guys were just using their 1s and 2s and ignoring the fact that they could combine and do more.
Best miniatures war game of all time
Great video, clear, logical and very well explained!
Glad it was helpful!
@@StormofSteelWargaming VERY helpful, I forwarded it to a couple of friends. Not only does your video explain the mechanic but shows real world tactics in game terms. We are working through 'O' Group now and I think we pretty much have figured everything out now but something similar would be a great help for 'O' group players. As a matter of fact in place of our regular game last week I set up a couple of small combats on different spots of the board to explain and play through some 'O' group mechanics and show how they can be used with real tactics. My explanations weren't nearly as lucid as yours! Well done.
@@drwatkins68 Thank you very much indeed! What would you suggest for a similar video on O Group? Which particular mechanics? The combat, for example? I've been thinking of doing a how to play video for OG, but shorter ones like this may be better?
@@StormofSteelWargaming We will have a game this afternoon, I will ask around about possible topics. Just off the top of my head patrol markers, reconnaissance, deploying company and battalion assets and deploying into an objective were areas I had problems explaining to new players. I'd say the command phase and different types of orders would make for a good video as would morale states/casualties. The whole Steady, Hesitant, Suppressed to Casualty progression can be confusing. I certainly appreciate your and the TFL play through videos, I wouldn't have bought the game without them. But, this sort of focused video might better explain some of the more difficult concepts.
Also, I am ex military and understand the importance of phase lines, jumping off points, objectives, using reserves and so forth but there are problems getting typical gamers on board with those ideas. Your video very elegantly shows using smoke and suppression to assault an objective and shows a prospective player how to use his command dice to do that. Today im going to TRY and explain and show jump off points, phase lines, zones of control for different companies and objectives with different colored yarn. Perhaps something similar would make for a good video. What the military procedure is, why it is used or important and then the game mechanic that supports using that procedure. For example, Reserves, why are they important, what are the mechanics for reserves and how does 'O' group or CoC or whatever rules reward a players good use of their reserves. Just ideas, I understand that is a lot of ground to cover!
Great video, thank you 👍
Really useful video. Thanks
Thank you, glad you found it useful!
An excellent little video and very useful for new and old players alike. I got slightly distracted while watching it though...where did you get that neat little red tractor model? I've been looking for one for my own games. :)
Cheers Lee! Lol, the tractor was made for me by Paul at Sabotag3d, drop him an email and ask about the 15mm scatter terrain he made for me and he'll be happy to help.
This is great!
What table mat is that? Looking to pickup one up. Is it the Geek Villian you reviewed in the past?
Thank you! Yep, it's the Geek Villain mat
Nicely done. I think the 2" mortar smoke blocks line of sight, and it's only grenade smoke which just gives a -1, isn't it?
Cheers. Either way it still makes the attack easier.
Hi Alex, that was a very good one. As you said in your video, the options outside the first glance, are the ones you are looking for to use the game mechanics as you should do.
Greetings from Germany
Cheers buddy!
Nice structured video Alex! Could you please tell me where the tractor, electric poles and the sheep come from? I also play CoC in 15mm scale, but I can't seem to find all the nice civilian scatter I'd like to add to the game board. Thanks in advance!
Thank you, the tractor and poles came from Sabotag3d, but they are not on their website, so you'll have to email Paul to ask for them. I can't remember exactly where the farm animals came from, but Pendraken do some in 15mm.
@@StormofSteelWargaming Aha! Then I know how to continue my quest. Thanks!
Nice explanation.
What WW2 fire fight isn't at range? A lame excuse for people.
To add more flexibility, and to speed up games, I allow the following for command dice.
2 = a section, or one or two teams.
Two dice can be combined to make a 5 to earn a CoC point.
IMHO this makes support teams more useful, and speeds up game play.
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. Nice house rules.
What list were you using that gave the British a ranking senior leader? The term "ranking senior" only appears once in the rules and not in any of the lists, so I assumed it was so supplemental material could use them.
It just means the officer who is in charge. Ie, the highest rank.
@@StormofSteelWargaming Ah, thanks for that. For the most part, I enjoy CoC's mechanism and the game it provides, but it's littered with stuff like this and lots of edge cases that drive me nuts.
@@StormofSteelWargaming No, "Ranking Senior Leader" isn't just the man in charge, it is reserved specifically for more senior officers above the rank of platoon commander. From the COC FAQ: "A Ranking Leader is a specific type of Leader, not simply the most senior Leader present. A Ranking Leader is only used when a Company Commander, or similar is present." It is most common in games of "Big COC" where you might have multiple platoons in play.
@@marcrenouf2470 thanks for clearing that up, I missed it in the FAQ.
So a phase ends when a player used all his activation dice?
Yes, but a player can decide to pass at any point as well.