Band of Heroes -- VASSAL instructions

[KG_Kharkov]

All, here are the instructions I sent Frank in case any of you are also interested:

Lock N Load is a wargame series using an impulse based action system -- which is a fancy way of saying each player takes alternating "impulses" within a game turn activating units -- this is different from squad leader and many other games where typically one side moves all its units and attacks while the other side defends (and then vice versa). This gives the game a more simultaneous feel to it. The first two modules covered Vietnam era combat. Band of Heroes is the third module in the system and the first to deal with WW2. It is a stand-alone game. You do not need to own the other LNL products to play this. BoH comes with 6 boards, tons of cool counters a slew of scenarios, a rulebook and a few other odds and ends. Download the PDF demo from the main page of the Lock N Load site. Pages 11 to 32 contain the full rules for LNL (all that are omitted are Vietnam specific rules which obviously you don't need).

The Lock N Load site has an animated example of play -- it's the third news item down on the main page.

Vassal is a game engine that allows you to play board games in cyber space. Think of VASSAL as your cyber gaming table and each module as the specific game you put on that table. You get VASSAL at www.vassalengine.org (http://www.vassalengine.org/). Just click the quick launch link on the left and it will install. I put mine in my Programs folder and created a folder called VASSAL to house it in. Once that's done, create a sub-folder in your VASSAL folder and name it Modules. Create another one and call it "Saved Games". The following link takes you to a basic tutorial for installing modules for VASSAL: http://wiki.vassalengine.org/doku.php?id=getting_started:getting_started (http://wiki.vassalengine.org/doku.php?id=getting_started:getting_started)

Now, go to the Lock N Load site and download the Band of Heroes module for Vassal here: http://www.locknloadgame.com/lnl_download4.htm (http://www.locknloadgame.com/lnl_download4.htm)

Unzip the module file and take the .mod file and place it in your VASSAL-Modules sub folder that you just created. You will also find some VASSAL user information in the LNL download that you just downloaded.

Now, open VASSAL. After putting in user information (your user name and password), click on Load Module (this step may be reversed -- don't have vassal at work). Load the BOH module from your module folder. Then click File -- New Game. You will now be asked to pick a board. Pick any board, and then click on the Counters tab at the top. Click and drag counters onto the map and voila -- instant game.

Once you do all this, let me know and we'll get on TS to connect you with the VASSAL server.

Mark and I were saying that this game is perfect for multiplayer.

[KG_Panzerschreck]

Purple and gray dont mix. My eyes almost crossed themselves trying to read those links LOL.

[KG_Cloghaun]

I'm bumping this thread since we're going play it & I've also stumbled upon this very good review at the ACG.

http://www.armchairgeneral.com/articles.php?cat=64&p=2483&page=1

[KG_Kharkov]

I now believe there is a direct link from the Band of Heroes website (in the downloads section) which will take you directly to downloading VASSAL.

[KG_Panzerschreck]

I DL'd the free printable version of the game that has the instructions with it and John's ASL scenario too! LOL.

Now i need to get VASSAL. :salute[1]:

I also made John a nice present the other day. If we all get rolling and playing this game, ill do the same for everyone who has the game. Here is an example of what im talking about -

http://kg.frozenwebhost.com/Panzerschreck/BOHAMajJJAmerican.jpg

http://kg.frozenwebhost.com/Panzerschreck/BOHASniperJJ.jpg

http://kg.frozenwebhost.com/Panzerschreck/JJAmericanBOHHero.jpg

[KG_Kharkov]

These are completely awesome counters. How can this not make you excited to at least download VASSAL and see what the boards and pieces are like.

[KG_Panzerschreck]

Im sure we'll get quite the reaction out of the first counter, lol. I just realized the innuendo.

[KG_Panzerschreck]

I'll have to go to my Nephews place to DL VASSAL. Its a 30 Meg DL.

[KG_Cloghaun]

http://65.165.24.1/_store/download.asp?Category=12

Band Of Heros Complete VASSAL MOD (http://65.165.24.1/_siteFiles/downloads/BOHVASSAL.zip)
File contains complete VASSAL MOD and helptext in one file. 19MB

Is this what I need? Anything else?

[KG_Kharkov]

Assuming you have the actual VASSAL program installed, this is all you need to download.

VASSAL is your game table.

The module is your game.

[KG_Cloghaun]

Allright, I don't understand this crap at all.

I'm at the VASSAL site. The option I see to take is "download (http://www.vassalengine.org/community/index.php?option=com_static&dir=downloads&page=index.html&Itemid=26) the installer for Windows (http://www.vasl.org/vassal/VassalWindows.zip)," - at the top left of the page. I got it. Now I have a zip file called VassalWindows. There isn't any help doc in the zip.

And no, I couldn't do the quick launch vassal. Access was denied, even after updating java.

[KG_Kharkov]

Frank:

Here's my instructions. I literrally just clicked on the "Quick Launch" button and skipped downloading the installer. It will ask you to create a folder to put it in, and I put mine in one called VASSAL. Call me at work if you have problems. I'll send you a PM with the number. If me, the tech idiot, can figure this out, you certainly can.


Vassal is a game engine that allows you to play board games in cyber space. Think of VASSAL as your cyber gaming table and each module as the specific game you put on that table. You get VASSAL at www.vassalengine.org (http://www.vassalengine.org/). Just click the quick launch link on the left and it will install. I put mine in my Programs folder and created a folder called VASSAL to house it in. Once that's done, create a sub-folder in your VASSAL folder and name it Modules. Create another one and call it "Saved Games". The following link takes you to a basic tutorial for installing modules for VASSAL: http://wiki.vassalengine.org/doku.php?id=getting_started:getting_started (http://wiki.vassalengine.org/doku.php?id=getting_started:getting_started)

[KG_Cloghaun]

"The Quick launch doesn't work for me"

[KG_Kharkov]

Wierd. You don't even get a pop up asking you to download the file?

[KG_Cloghaun]

"Access to the specified device, path or file is denied."

[KG_Kharkov]

very strange, because I get the pop-up download when I click it on here at work.

[KG_Cloghaun]

I found an old folder that has Vassal. I remember I went through this grief before trying to get it. I have it now.

[KG_Kharkov]

I'll e-mail you the jnlp file. Maybe that can get you started.

[KG_Soldier]

Frank, just below the quick launch is another pink message that reads "download the installer." That's the one I used. It will get you the latest version. Here's the link where it takes you: http://www.vassalengine.org/community/index.php?option=com_static&dir=downloads&page=index.html&Itemid=26 Then click on the web launcher.

[KG_Panzerschreck]

Im headed out now to get my DL's. Hopefully ill have them installed and figured out in time for the meeting tonight! :beerglass

[KG_Cloghaun]

Ok,

I have a folder on my desktop named VASSAL. When I open it, I have the following 4 items. The item on the right is executable & appears to launch the program. The item 2nd from right is an update icon. I clicked on it & I think it somehow updated the version of VASSAL. I am at 2.9.9 now.

See photo-

http://img390.imageshack.us/img390/764/vassal1ic1.th.jpg (http://img390.imageshack.us/my.php?image=vassal1ic1.jpg)

[KG_Kharkov]

I'm guessing the newest one is the one that is the executable that launches the program. Now you just need to make some sub folders if I recall correctly, one of which is to house the modules themselves. The modules have a .mod ending if i recall correctly.

[KG_Panzerschreck]

I got the dl finished and i finally got VASSAL & the BOH mod to work. Yeah! Props go out to John & Steve for the help on TS tonight. :beerglass :star:

[KG_Kharkov]

Woohoo! That's awesome Kent! It's too bad we couldn't get it to work while we're on. OK, I'll post something later today with our BOH Action Plan!

[KG_Soldier]

I made it home early from workshop last night and saw Steve, Kent, and John on Ts, maybe a few more, had a bite for dinner, sat back at the computer, and they were gone--damn. I was locked and loaded!

[KG_Panzerschreck]

I made it home early from workshop last night and saw Steve, Kent, and John on Ts, maybe a few more, had a bite for dinner, sat back at the computer, and they were gone--damn. I was locked and loaded!

Looks like someone needs to get their priorities straight. :rofl:

[KG_Kharkov]

That sucks. Steve and I were able to synch up a board and move pieces around. I sent Steve a PDF of the rules. I think we'll start with the demo scenario about Vierville. Steve hit the wall and logged to get some rest and Kent had tech issues, so I logged and chatted with the wife for a bit then read a book.

I still need to refresh myself on the fire mechanics. It is very hard for me to shift from ASL fire resolution to the mechanic used in BOH.

[KG_Kharkov]

I need to call Jim today and get him to download all this stuff.

[KG_Panzerschreck]

I couldnt risist teasing anyone out there who might still be on the fence. Check out the StugIIIG & Tiger I counters.

http://kg.frozenwebhost.com/Panzerschreck/BOHSSTigerI.jpg

http://kg.frozenwebhost.com/Panzerschreck/BOHSSStugIIIG.jpg

[KG_Kharkov]

The Brit and even the new French counters look awesome too. Check out the preview at the LNL website.

[KG_Panzerschreck]

Ya know John, the more i look at this game, the more it looks like the Squad Leader series. The Boards for this game could be used as SL Boards, even the roads line up. The AFV Counters are very similar as well. I will say that BOH's artwork is miles above Avalon Hill's in the Counter department. Dont get me wrong, im not complaining, its just giving me that "Old Feeling" again. Thats a good thing BTW.

[KG_Kharkov]

It's a very good thing and is frankly what got me to buy the game. ASL is a masterpiece of game design but it requires commitment and has a steep learning curve so new folks to the game get easily intimidated by its pure size.

This takes a lot of the basic ASL principles and adds in one great feature which is the alternating you go, I go, operations phase mechanic.

I think this is frankly a better game to get folks like Frank used to playing board games since it is simpler than ASL. Plus it's one of the prettiest games on the market which certainly doesn't hurt.

[KG_Panzerschreck]

It's a very good thing and is frankly what got me to buy the game. ASL is a masterpiece of game design but it requires commitment and has a steep learning curve so new folks to the game get easily intimidated by its pure size.

This takes a lot of the basic ASL principles and adds in one great feature which is the alternating you go, I go, operations phase mechanic.

I think this is frankly a better game to get folks like Frank used to playing board games since it is simpler than ASL. Plus it's one of the prettiest games on the market which certainly doesn't hurt.

Gotta agree with everything you said there, especially about the "Cardboard Virgins". Hey....i think i just coined a term, lol.