operational rules 4th edition

7/25/2019 Operational Rules 4th Edition

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Operational Combat Rules

These rules cover historical missions. If you wish to build your own fleet and carry out an

ahistorical operation, that will be covered in the Fleet Construction rules.

Definition of Terms

AW:The ships air wing.

BM:The aircrafts bomb attack rating.

DF:The aircrafts dog fighting rating.GN:The ships main surface gun attack rating.

OR:The aircrafts operational range.

PT:The units point total.

SC:The aircrafts scouting rating.

ST:The aircrafts strafing attack rating.

TP:The torpedo attack strength of the ship.

VP:Victory Points

Parameters

Each day equals 2 daylight turns and 2 night turns, each of six hours. Daylight: AM/PM/ and

Night: PM/AM. Players must agree upon a starting date, no earlier than 1935 and no later

than 1946.

Scale: 1 hex is 100 miles wide (covering approx. a 10,000 square miles area)

Hexgrid Convention: columns are numbers, rows are letters comprising the hex row on which

they are printed. (i.e. on Map G, Pacific, Sapporois part of row K, column 42. On Map C,

Atlantic, Key West can be found at AR 6)


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Missions

Bombardment: Secretly roll 1d6. You must spend that many complete turns shelling a base.

Each turn gains you 15 VP, but your fleets location must be revealed. For every 2 battleships

present, subtract 1 turn from the total turns required, but this does not effect the VP gained. If

you ever stop the bombardment, the mission is lost and the defender receives 10 VP for eachturn the position was not shelled. On each bombardment turn (handled during the Surface

Combat Phase) assign the fleets GN to various base statsand grounded aircraft. For each 5-6

that base stat or aircraft units (damage being evenly distributed) has taken 1 damage.

Carrier Raid: You must launch an attack on an enemy base using aircraft. The raid is secretly

chosen as light (1 strike with any number of aircraft), medium (1 strike with at least 5

aircraft), heavy (3 strikes with at least 3 aircraft in each strike). Aircraft must have BM or ST

ratings. If against an airfield, use your aircraft to attack the enemy's aircraft (unless they are

flying CAP) like normal, only their planes cannot strike back. Light raids are worth 20 VP,

medium raids are worth 50 VP, and heavy raids are worth 100 VP. If the raid cannot be

carried off, your opponent receives half of the VP you would have gotten. When attacking abase, if a fleet is in port the opponent must tell you. The fleet can be targeted by your aircraft

and you can divide your aircraft between attacking the base and the fleet. The fleet formation

is air defense when in port.

Convoy: Move a random number of transports from one friendly base to another for 1 turn

per every 4 ships. Transports are decided by 1, 2, 3 4d6 roll (players choice). Transports are

signified through auxiliary ships and they immediately sink the moment they take a hit. For

each undamaged transport that arrives receive 10 VP. Each lost transport is worth 10 VP to

the opponent.

Evacuation: You are trying to move forces from an enemy base to a friendly base. Transports

are decided by 2, 3 4d6 roll (players choice). For every 3 transports in a fleet you must spend

that many complete turns at the base being evacuated. Every 5 warships in the fleet will

decrease the number of turns required. Each lost transport is worth 10 VP to the opponent.

You gain 15 VP for transports that return with evacuees, and 5 VP for every warship that

returns.

Invasion: Move a random number of transports from one friendly base to an enemy base or 1

hex in an enemy controlled region. Transports are decided by 2, 3, or 4d6 roll (players

choice). For every 2 transports in a fleet you must spend that many complete turns at the base

being invaded. You must first survive a round of GN fire before a landing can begin,although the fleet also bombards the base before the landing. A successful landing is worth

15 points (20 points if the target was a base) for each transport that gets through once the turn

requirement is satisfied. If a fleet ever leaves the square of the invasion, the mission is a

failure and your opponent gains 5 VP for every transport that started the mission. Each lost

transport is worth 10 VP to the opponent. You may attempt an evacuation mission with your

remaining transports if the invasion fails. Once a base is captured, all of its stats are halved.


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Surface Raid: German surface ships must exit the map edge all the way across from their

edge. They gain VP equal to the ships that escape. They may also return to port after 5 full

days at sea and receive VP worth half their PT. They may enter port to refuel, which takes 2

turns. It can be done in any friendly base with a fleet capacity of at lest 10. They may refuel

at sea, but only on a roll of 6 on 1d6 made every other turn. They may also find stray enemy

transports every turn, but only on a result of 2, 3, 11, or 12 on 2d6. The transport is sunk, buton a roll of 5-6 the location of the German raider is revealed for the following turn. The

opponent must deploy at least fleets with transports in the area. These must travel at least 15

hexes to a pre-determined destination port.

Fleets without MissionsOn the map you divide your ships into fleets and set certain missions. If not given a mission,

then a fleet is flexible and can be moved from turn to turn without having to fulfil a mission,

but VP for missions can only be scored by fleets assigned to a mission.

HIJMSYamashi ro, Fuso, and Haruna Before the War


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Sequence of PlayDeployment Phase (Turn 1 Only)

Intelligence Phase (Turn 1 Only)

Initiative Phase

Weather Phase

Random Events PhaseFleet Mission Phase

Fleet Formation Phase

Fleet Movement Phase

First Air Mission Phase

First Air Return Phase

Non-Air Search Phase

Second Air Strike Phase

Second Air Return Phase

Surface Combat Phase

Submarine Attack Phase

Damage Control PhaseFuel and Ammunition Phase

Operational Mission Phase

Deployment PhaseEach fleet starts stacked with 2 decoy fleets that move just like their parent fleet. Fleets are

given missions to perform.

Intelligence PhaseThis occurs only on the first turn of the operational game. Roll 2d6, with the Allies adding +1

to the total after 1938 and +2 after 1941.

2-6: No Effect

7: The opponent must reveal the class of at least 3 carriers or battleships in their fleets.

Cruisers will suffice if the opponent has fewer than 3 of this ship type.

8: The opponent must reveal the class of at least 5 carriers or battleships in their fleets.

Cruisers will suffice if the opponent has fewer than 5 of this ship types.

9: The opponent must reveal a secondary Mission.

10: The opponent must reveal a primary or secondary Mission, opponents choice.

11: The opponent must reveal all Missions

12: The composition of 1 fleet is revealed, opponents choice.

Initiative PhaseRoll 1d6, with the higher roll gaining the initiative. Re-roll ties on the first turn. During

subsequent initiative phases add +1 to the result of the player who fired second during last

turns surface firephase. If tied, the initiative changes to the side that did not have it last turn.

The Initiative player decides who goes first during each phase.


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Weather PhaseOne player rolls for weather on the first turn of each day, adding any modifiers for the area

you are fighting in.

1-2: Clear. Play proceeds normally.

3-4: Overcast. All air searches are +1.5: Rough Seas. All air searches are +2. All ships are -1SP.

6: Bad Weather. Roll a further 1d6 and consult the results below.

1: Storm. All aircraft are grounded. No ships may move or fight.

2-3: Squall. All aircraft are grounded. All ships are -1 SP and ships with 5 SP or more are -2

SP.

4-6: Fog. All aircraft are grounded.

Special Area RulesThese are not precisely set and should be agreed upon by the players.

North Pacific and North Atlantic : Add +1 to the weather roll and -1 from the bad weatherroll.

Arctic: Add +1 to the weather roll, re-roll any result of 1-2 and subtract -1 from the bad

weather roll.

Arctic Ice: Fleets cannot move into Arctic ice belt hexes. The lightly shaded Artic ice belt is

not in effect from April-September.

USS Pennsylvania, Colorado, Louisvil le, Portl and, and Columbia enter ing L ingayen Gul f


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Random Events PhaseRoll 1d6 on the first turn of each day. On a 1-3 the event affects the Allies, 4-6 it affects the

Axis. Then roll 2d6 and consult the results below.

2: Collision: Roll two dice. 1-3 a destroyer is hit, 4-5 a cruiser is hit, 6 a battleship or carrier

is hit, your choice. Each ship takes 1 point of HP damage.

3: Fleet Scattered: Divide one fleet, your choice, into two fleets. Each turn afterwords you

may reunite the separate fleets on a roll of 2-6 on 1d6 otherwise they are separate.

4: Mine Field: Roll a die. 1-2 a submarine or auxiliary is hit, 3-4 a destroyer is hit, 5 a cruiser,

and 6 a battleship or carrier. From there choose a random means by which to pick the ship.

The unit takes 1 point of HP damage.

5: Engine Trouble: Roll a die. On a1-3 a destroyer, 4-5 a cruiser, 6 a battleship or carrier.

From there choose a random means by which to pick the ship. That ship must return to base

and remain there for 1d6 turns due to engine problems. It only moves 1 hex each turn.

6 : Fog/Squall Obscures Battle: When the two fleets enter surface battle do not place ships.

Use markers to indicate the forward position of the fleet (a marker for each separate column),

with the markers moving as fast as the slowest ship in the formation. When they are adjacent

deploy the fleets for battle. Battle formation is chosen at the beginning of the battle and not

at the moment of deployment. Entry direction is randomly chosen with 1-2 being left of

center, 3-4 being center, and 5-6 being right of center.

7-8: Nothing Happens. In Arctic areas treat as a result of 6.

9: Admiral Exhausted/Cautious: Choose a fleet at random. During a surface battle roll a die at

the end of each turn. On a 5-6 the fleet breaks away regardless of the results in battle.

However, these navies only breakaway on a 6: America, Britain, and Japan.

10: Poor Coordination: If two friendly fleets enter the same surface battle, one fleet of your

choice may only enter on a roll of +3, to be rolled each turn after the first. Fleets with

separate carrier forces may not combine their attack.

11: Formation Scattered: A fleet must change its formation to column for this turn. If already

in column, the fleet is set up in a 1 line column.

12: 1 randomly chosen submarine is sunk.

Shch-311, A Shchuka Class Submar ine of the Bal tic F leet


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Fleet Mission PhaseYou may secretly change a fleets mission at this time.

TowingYou may also try to tow a ship with -1 SP or 0 HP. The towing ship moves only 1 SP.

Shadowing

A fleet may also attempt to shadow an enemy fleet that it is in the same hex. It may maintain

contact if it rolls equal to or under its SP and only if the fleet it shadows does not move faster

than its SP. Fleets which are shadowed are automatically considered found on the following

turn. The shadowing fleet may not engage the fleet it is shadowing and it must move into the

same hexes the shadowed fleet moved through. The fleet being shadowed may attack, but the

other fleet may evade battle, but only on a roll that is equal to or under the lowest SP rating in

the fleet.

Anti-Submarine Surface Patrol

Once per day at least 1 destroyer can make such a sweep. On an 11-12 (10-12 for Allies, afterMay 1943) the surface ships find a submarine. Add a +1 to the roll for every escort added to

the first. The roll is -2 at night. Attack the submarine on the surface, with ramming being

possible. Then go to normal submarine rules. If the submarine survives two turns of attack, it

may attack. It can escape on the third turn of the attack on a roll of 8-12 (10-12 for Axis

submarines after May 1943).

Fleet Formation PhaseSecretly set each fleets formation as either Air Defense, Arc, Column, Loose, or Submarine

Defense at this time.

A6M2-N Being Repaired at Sea


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Fleet Movement PhaseBoth sides move fleets at the same time. Fleets are visible to everyone, but each fleet counter

is either real or a dummy, with players keeping the identity of each secret. Whenever a

dummy fleet is discovered, its counter is lost.

Movement Rates1 SP: 1 hex every other turn.

2-3 SP: 1 hex every turn.

4 SP: 1 hex every turn and 2 hexes the following turn, and then 1 hex, etc. The fleet must

maintain 4 SP to get the bonus.

5-6 SP: 2 hexes.

7 SP: 2 hexes, with a bonus of 1 hex every other turn that 7SP is maintained.

Fleet DecoysAll decoys move 1-2 hexes a turn. If they are ever discovered they are discarded. During each

night turn 1 decoy fleet may be generated per side for each un-shadowed fleet. You can never

have more decoys than you started with. To keep the other player guessing, you may freely

switch a fleets number during the movement phase if the decoy and the parent fleet are in the

same hex. Example: If fleet 8 and 10 is a decoy but 9 is real, feel free to switch the real fleet

over to 8 or 10.

Splitting and Combining FleetsFleets may be split up at this time. They may combine, but only if they spent the previous

turn in the same hex as the fleet they are combining with.

Arc Formation

Fleets in the Arc formation may not move.

Speed 0Ships with 0 SP may move 1 hex on a roll of 4-6 on 1d6. Add +1 to the die for every turn

they fail to move.

Full Movement

If a fleet moves its maximum distance that turn then roll 2d6 for each ship that moved itsmaximum SP. On a roll of 2 they burned out their engines and are SP 0 (they can still be

repaired).

USS New Or leans in 1934


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First Air Mission PhaseAircraft are now launched to accomplish different missions. They may move as many hexes

as designated by their OR, which includes the hex they take off from and need to land in.

This means the actual combat range of most aircraft is about half their OR and it always

includes the hex they take off from. Aircraft using BM have their OR halved rounded up, and

aircraft using TP are halved rounded down. However, level bombers are -2 OR per point ofBM or TP they carry.

Air missions are strictly carried out in this order.

Transfer

Combat Air Patrol

Anti-submarine sweep

Air Strike

Search

TransferAt this time an air unit may be transferred from a ship or base to another ship or base, but a

carrier or base may only ever receive 1 new aircraft unit.

Combat Air Patrol (CAP)Aircraft with a DF rating may be designated to defend a fleet for base. After every

engagement with enemy aircraft, units on CAP must return to their carriers or base on a roll

of 3-6 (only 5-6 for Americans starting in 1944).

Anti-Submarine SweepFor each aircraft sent on this mission roll 2d6. On a 10-12 they find a submarine (randomly

selected) and may use either their BM or ST rating to attack the submarine. If the aircraft as

an SC rating of 5 or higher add +1 to the die roll. The submarine evades by rolling equal to or

under its MN. Otherwise it must survive 1 air attack. MN can still be used to evade damage

like it is used normally.

Air StrikeAircraft may target fleets or bases in range, or use air search to find a fleet and then attack it.

If attacking a target not previously detected in the Air Search Phase, they must roll equal to or

under their SC rating to locate an enemy fleet using the air search rules. Also, if moving as 1

group they may only use the highest SC value of the aircraft in the group. The number of

aircraft allowed to strike is half rounded up of the carriers AW rating or the bases aircapacity. However, if the carrier had an AW of 4 or higher then it may send 3 air units per

turn. Jets can never join non-jets.

Designate WeaponsAircraft that may carry either BM or TP must designate which weapon they will be using.

The aircraft do not need to attack as 1 group, but instead may move and attack as separate

forces. Also, they need not target a fleet that was found in the Air Search Phase, but they

suffer a +2 to the SC die roll when targeting such fleets.

Drop Tanks

An aircraft can add 4 OR but it is -1 BM, TP, and SC. Another 2 OR can be added but theaircraft is a further -1 FD and DF.


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Attacking a BaseAttacking a fleet is handled as described in the tactical rules. For bases, first resolve dog

fights. Then, for every point of the bases AA rating, roll 1d6. For each 6 result 1 aircraft

takes a hit. Add to this the total AA of ships in port, halved and rounded down. Then roll 1d6

for every point of BM and ST ratings, targeting either: the bases air capacity, ship capacity,

AA, or grounded aircraft. Dice may be divided among targets. BM hits on a 3-6 and ST hitson a 5-6. Record the damage done to the base. Each hit destroys 1 point of the bases targeted

stats or the aircrafts HP, evenly divided among the planes.

When non-D aircraft attack a base, double their BM. Triple their BM if they are a L aircratft

and Allied (except for USSR) and attacking after 1943.

SearchEach carrier, battleship, or cruiser that is not crippled or disabled and assigned scout aircraft

may send those scouts to search for an enemy fleet. First target 1 fleet counter and roll 1d6. If

you roll under the aircrafts SC rating, then the identity of that fleet counter is revealed .

Athough a 1 always succeeds and a 6 always fails. Subtract -1 from the die roll if the aircraftcarrying out the mission is a Scout. When using a scout aircraft on an unmodified roll of 6

roll another 1d6. On a further roll of 6 the scout has been lost. For search results check the

Non-Air Search section. The scout may also choose to attack the fleet following the tactical

rules.

Shadowing

Search aircraft may, if they have OR remaining, shadow a fleet. Each turn they must roll

under their SC as if they were looking for the fleet.

Scout LimitsScout aircraft cannot be launched the turn after they are used.

Air Return Phase

Aircraft that was used last turn now returns to either a base or a fleet, using their used OR

points. The aircraft must return to the base or carrier they launched from if able. If they

cannot return to their base or carrier because it cannot due to damage or loss then they may

freely transfer to another carrier or base. Otherwise they are lost. In this phase aircraft do not

count the hex they currently occupy against their OR.

Non-Air Search Phase

Fleet Search

Any hex occupied by a fleet is eligible for an immediate search. If the searching fleet has

radar or scout aircraft it is successful on a 2-6. If not it is successful on a 4-6. This die roll is -

1 in overcast weather and -2 in rough seas. In bad weather only radar works and then only on

a roll of 6.

Submarine SearchSubmarines also search for enemy fleets in non-bad weather. For every submarine you

purchased, roll 1d6. For every 6 rolled, roll again. On a further result of 6, that submarine has

spotted an enemy fleet. The fleet that is spotted is randomly determined by a random means

acceptable to all players.


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Search ResultsOnce a fleet has been spotted roll 1d6 and consult the results, unless it is a decoy, which is

then removed. This die roll is -1 in overcast weather and/or if the aircraft travelled at least

half its OR distance. It is -2 in rough seas and/or if a submarine spotted the fleet. Subtract 3 if

the submarine spotted an enemy fleet at night. Modifiers are cumulative. If the die result is

ever less than 0, the scout aircraft is lost. In all cases, the opponent must tell you whichformation the fleet is currently in. If 2 or more fleets are in the same hex, then both are

discovered, but the die roll for information is made separately.

0: The opponent must tell you how many ships are in the fleet, but they can add or subtract 8

from the actual total. They may tell you if there are any battleships, but they do not have to be

honest. Yes, you can lie and say you have battleships even if you have none.

1: The opponent must tell you how many ships are in the fleet, but they can add or subtract 5

from the actual total.

2: The opponent must tell you how many ships are in the fleet, but they can add or subtract 3from the actual total.

3: The total number of ships in the fleet is known as well how many battleships and carriers.

4: The total number of ships in the fleet is known as well as how many battleships, carriers,

and cruisers.

5: The total number of ships in the fleet is known as well how many of each kind.

6: The total number of ships in the fleet is known as well how many destroyers, cruisers,

carriers and battleships are in the fleet. 2 battleship and/or carrier classes must be identified.

Second Air Strike PhaseYou may launch another strike with aircraft not used in the previous phases. When using your

SC to find a fleet, subtract -1 from the die roll if the fleet was found by any means this turn

and a further -1 if aircraft found the fleet this turn and came from the same base or carrier as

the attacking aircraft.

Second Air Return Phase

Aircraft that was used last turn now returns to either a base or a fleet, using their used ORpoints. The aircraft must return to the base or carrier they launched from if able. If they

cannot return to their base or carrier due to damage or loss they may freely transfer to another

carrier or base. Otherwise they are lost. In this phase aircraft do not count the hex they

currently occupy against their OR.

Surface Combat PhaseIf two fleets are in the same hex, they may fight, weather permitting. Before fighting, you

may evade battle, but only on a roll that is equal to or under the lowest SP rating in the fleet.

You may change your fleets formation, but only on a 1d6 roll of 3-6, adding +1 for

American and British attempts to change formation, and -1 for all navies in the Axis Minor

List (except for Sweden) as well as the Brazilian, Chinese, and Yugoslavian navies are -1 totheir die rolls. Then set up and fight the battle as per the tactical rules.


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Submarine Attack PhaseIf a submarine spotted an enemy fleet, it may engage that fleet on a 1d6 roll of 6. Follow the

submarine attack rules as presented in the tactical rules.

If a submarine fired its TP then it may in this phase reload its TP. This occurs only once per

operational game.

A submarine may also attempt to shadow an enemy fleet that it did not attack this turn. It may

maintain contact if it rolls equal to or under its SSP and only if the fleet it shadows does not

move faster than its SSP. Fleets which are shadowed are automatically considered found on

the following turn.

Damage Control PhaseAt the end of the turn after the damage was sustained, roll 1d6 each point that a stat lost and

for each level of fire and flooding. For each 3-6 you may repair either, the SP, MN, GN,

GNR, AA or reduce flooding and fire. Fire and flooding effects are cumulative so 2 fire

results require two successful damage control rolls before the fire is contained. For example 1successful damage control roll will reduce the fire or flooding from a level of 2 to 1.If the

flooding or fire is not contained during the Damage Control Phase, the ship sinks. Any

statistic that is not repaired is permanently lost. After all rolls have been made, destroyers and

submarines may re-roll 1 failed damage control roll. Cruisers and carriers may reroll 3, and

battleships may reroll 5.

Fuel and Ammunition PhaseIf a fleet just fought a surface battle roll 1d6 with a -1 modifier. If the die roll is equal to or

under the turns fought in a surface battle, then the fleet has run out of ammunition. Until it

returns to a port with a fleet capacity of 20 or more and spend 1 one day there.

After a fleet is at sea for 6 straight days roll 2d6. Subtract -1 from each die roll for each turn

passed day 6. On a roll of 2 the fleet must return to the nearest port with a fleet capacity of 20

or more and spend 1 one day there. Or they may remain at sea for 1 turn for every 10 ships in

the fleet, during which they cannot move due to refueling.

Some nations must roll to refuel after 3 straight days at sea. These include Argentina, Brazil,

Chile, China, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, France (starting in 1941), Germany (starting in

1943), Greece, Italy (starting in 1942), Japan (starting in 1943), Norway, Peru, Poland,

Portugal, Soviet Union, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, and Yugoslavia.

Operational Mission Phase

Mission FulfillmentNow declare if you are starting to complete any time sensitive mission, such as

bombardment, convoy, invasion, or evacuation. The turn you declare counts as the first turn

of your mission, so 1 turn missions are considered complete the moment you declare.


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Base GNIf attacking a base with a surface fleet, you must first survive its GN rating, which is fired

each operational turn that the base is under attack. The opposing player rolls 1d6 for each

point of GN the base has, dividing the GN as evenly as possible among all ships of 1 or 2

classes, except for carriers. If there are more ships than there are GN points, then the player

controlling the base may allocate their the GN as they see fit. On a roll of 6 a ship is hit,although transports are hit on a 5-6. The defender must roll equal to or below the ships SD,

with a -1 to the die, to survive 1 HP damage. On a roll of 5 (4 if the ship is a transport) minor

damage is suffered.

Operational VictoryAt the end of any turn, a player may choose to disengage, and thereby end the game but only

after 12 turns of play, and only if the opponent agrees to accept the disengagement. When a

fleet must roll to involuntarily disengage is discussed in each scenario.

First both sides compare the total points of their respective fleets. The side with the fewer

points is granted those points as victory points. In addition, each ship that a player has sunkcounts for VP, while each crippled ship counts for half of its points rounded down. Mission

VP are then counted. The player with the higher total is the victor, however, their total is

checked against the opponents to create a ratio. All fractions are rounded down.

Below 2-1:Marginal victory

2-1: Substantial victory

3-1: Major victory

4-1 or greater: Brilliant victory

CreditsRules: Sean Michael Chick

Art Design: Andrea Tran

Playtesters:Daniel Chick, Derek Green, Michael Kraemer, Andrew Simoneaux, Lance

Wattigney

Proofreader:Bob Polacheck

Historical Advisor:William Sariego

Mitsubishi A6M2

operational rules 4th edition

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