[net.games] A blow by blow replay of an Ogre game by net mail

jonab@sdcrdcf.UUCP (Jonathan Biggar) (12/15/83)

(This is a reposting because this article did not get to most of the net.)

Here is a blow by blow replay of the first recorded Ogre* game by netmail.

The participants were:

Ogre: Jon Biggar, System Development Corp.,
	{allegra, burdvax, cbosgd, hplabs, ihnp4, sdcsvax}!sdcrdcf!jonab

Defending Force:  John J. Lang, Colorado State University,
	{decvax!cca!hplabs, ucbvax!hplabs, lbl-uni!boulder}!csu-cs!lang

We used a technique for rolling dice that envolved exchanging encrypted
random number seeds and then labeling each die roll with a unique
sequence number from which to generate the result. This eliminates
all possibility of cheating, because at the end of the game, the
random number seeds can be decrypted and each player can check
that the other player used the correct die rolls.


The initial starting setup:

	Hex     Unit                    Hex     Unit
	0701    Command Post            0507    3 str. Infantry
	0606    Howitzer                1009    3 str. Infantry
	1006    Howitzer                1208    3 str. Infantry
	0602    Missile Tank            1306    3 str. Infantry
	1003    Missile Tank            0807    2 str. Infantry
	1317    Heavy Tank              1106    2 str. Infantry
	1612    Heavy Tank              0709    1 str. Infantry
	1616    Heavy Tank              0811    1 str. Infantry
	1818    GEV                     1017    1 str. Infantry
	1916    GEV                     1116    1 str. Infantry
	2115	GEV

[Lang:  I chose this combination because I wanted a balanced force.  I
liked the having 2 Howitzers so that they could provide covering fire
for each other.  The Command Post was set up to force Jon to run down
the right side of the board, this way it would be easier to predict
his moves.  I also wanted to spread my force out to give me a chance
to react to his first moves. ]

OGRE TURN 1:

[Biggar:  Looking at his starting position, I decided that my best method
of attack would be to go up the side nearest the Command Post.
It was the most direct route, and I would not have to worry about
being flanked on both sides.  (I would not loose potential targets
when I went after other targets.).  Also, I could hit one howitzer (1006),
without being within range of the other one.]

Ogre moves to 2821, 2720, 2619.  No fires this turn.

DEFENDER TURN 1:

To: Command eastern theater
>From: Command Post 1135
Message:
    I thought you said that there were no OGREs in this Sector?


movement by type

unit  start  movement           unit  start  movement
MslT  0602   0703 0804          3Inf  1208   1308 1408
MslT  1003   1104 1205          3Inf  1009   1109 1210
HvyT  1612   1712 1813 1914     3Inf  0507   0607 0707
HvyT  1616   1717 1817 1816     2Inf  1106   1207 1308
Hvyt  1317   1417 1416 1516     2Inf  0807   0908 1008
GEV   2115   2215 2316 2417     1Inf  0709   0809 0910
GEV   1916   2017               1Inf  0811   0810 0910
GEV   1818   1817 1816 1916     1Inf  0916   1016 1116
3Inf  1306   1307 1408          1Inf  1116   no move

Fire:
Gev @ 2417 fire treads #23 (Die roll 6: result X)

Gev Second Move:
Gev @ 2417 to 2317 2217 2117 /* RUN AWAY RUN AWAY */

[Lang:  Well he did what I expected he would do.  I was also able to
draw first blood, not much damage but a moral victory.  I started
pulling my 1 point Infantries together so they can do something
interesting.  I my ending position should keep my GEV's relatively
safe.]

OGRE TURN 2:

[Biggar:  It seems to me that having all of those units so far
	  back from the crater line will hurt his game.  It will
	  take too much valuable time to get them into action.
	  I will go with the usual Ogre strategy: Crush, Crumple and Stomp.]

(INTERNAL CONSISTENCY CHECK: unknown reference to "mosquitoes",
 TAKING CORRECTIVE ACTION TO PREVENT REOCCURRENCE.)

Move:  Ogre @ 2619 moves 2519, 2419, 2319

fire:  1 primary on Gev @ 2017 #5 (Die Roll: 1 result: No Effect)
       4 secondaries on Gev @ 2117 (Sure kill)

[Biggar:  Damn the mosquitos, full speed ahead]


DEFENDER TURN 2:

[Lang:  "Hey Fred, I think it is shooting at us."  Well, I got lucky
that time.  Looking at my starting position I can see my missile tanks
started to far back to do me much good for a while.  I could either
pull back and try to get under the protection of my Howitzers, or try
to delay his advance.  The later case sounds better because pulling
back to fast will not give me enough time to stop him.  This turn I
will continue to bring up my forces, and try to draw him off with my
GEV's. I can also take a couple of pot shots at his treads. ]

Move:

unit  start  movement                   unit  start  movement
MslT  0804   0805 0906                  1Inf  1408   1509 1610
MslT  1205   1306 1307                  2Inf  1409   1410 1511
HvyT  1914   1813 1812                  1Inf  1409   1509 1610
HvyT  1816   1715 1714 1713             3Inf  1210   1311 1412
HvyT  1516   1616 1615                  3Inf  0707   0808 0909
GEV   2117   destroyed                  2Inf  1308   1409 1410
GEV   2017   2118 2219 2220 2321        2Inf  1008   1109 1210
GEV   1916   2017 2118 2219 2220        2Inf  0910   1010 1111
2Inf  1408   1508 1609                  2Inf  1116   1115 1114

Fire:
Gev @ 2321 fires treads #10 (Die roll 3 result: No Effect)
Gev @ 2220 fires treads #5  (Die roll 2 result: No Effect)

Gev second Move:
Gev @ 2321 to 2421 2521 2621
Gev @ 2220 to 2321 2322

[Lang:  Happy Hunting]


OGRE TURN 3:

[Biggar:  There seeming to be no sense in charging into his Heavy Tanks yet,
 I will stay back and finish off the Gevs so that nothing will be
 behind me.]

Move:  Ogre @ 2319 to 2320 2421

F to get them into action.
	  I will go with the usual Ogre strategy: Crush, Crumple and Stomp.]

(INTERNAL CONSISTENCY CHECK: unknown reference to "mosquitoes",
 TAKING CORRECTIVE ACTION TO PREVENT REOCCURRENCE.)

Move:  Ogre @ 2619 moves 2519, 2419, 2319

fire:  1 primary on Gev @ 2017 #5 (Die Roll: 1 result: No Effect)
       4 secondaries on Gev @ 2117 (Sure kill)

[Biggar:  Damn the mosquitos, full speed ahead]


DEFENDER TURN 2:

[Lang:  "Hey Fred, I think it is shooting at us."  Well, I got lucky
thatove:
unit  start  movement           unit  start  movement
MslT  0906   1007 1008          3Inf  0909   1010 1111
MslT  1307   1308 1409          2Inf  1609   1710 1711
HvyT  1812   no move            2Inf  1610   1611 1712
HvyT  1713   no move            2Inf  1511   1512 1613
HvyT  1615   no move            2Inf  1410   1511 1612
GEV   2621   Destroyed          2Inf  1210   1311 1412
GEV   2322   Disrupted          2Inf  1111   1212 1112
3Inf  1412   1513 1614          2Inf  1114   1214 1213

Fires: None

[Lang:  Trying to make the best of a bad situation]


OGRE TURN 4:

[Biggar:  His line around his heavy tanks is looking nasty.
 If I go straight in, he'll kill me.  So I'll just stay back,
 finish off that last Gev, and let him make the mistakes.]

Move:  Ogre @ 2421 to 2321 2221 2120

Fire: 1 main & 4 secondaries on Gev @ 2322 (sure kill)

[Biggar:  just taking some target practice.]


DEFENDER TURN 4:

[Lang:  My last GEV is gone.  This removes my ability to hit and run
latter in the game.  Lets move a little closer and wait for his
attack. ]

Move:
unit  start  movement
MslT  1008   1009 1010          2Inf  1711   1712 1813
MslT  1409   1410 1411          2Inf  1712   1713
HvyT  1812   1813 1814          2Inf  1613   1614
HvyT  1713   1714               2Inf  1612   1613
HvyT  1615   1515 1516          2Inf  1412   1513 1514
GEV   2322   Destroyed          2Inf  1112   1213 1314
3Inf  1614   1514 1515          2Inf  1213   1214 1215
3Inf  1111   1212 1313

Fires: None

[Lang:  well, he won't get close enough.  Of course I don't want
 to encourage him too much.]


OGRE TURN 5:

[Biggar:  The only way I am going to get through that line is to
	  skirt the edge and hope that I can kill his units as
	  they close.  Actually, I think I have been pretty lucky
	  so far.  I have only lost two tread units for the price
	  of all his Gevs.  He seems to be hanging back just
	  inside the range of his howitzer.  I can't see why because
	  I still could attack his units from outside of his
	  howitzer fire.  Well, here goes nothing.]

Move:  Ogre @ 2120 to 2020, 1920, 1819

Fire:
1 main on Heavy Tank @ 1516 #12 1/1 odds (result: disrupted)

[Biggar:  I hope I have done the right thing.  Luckily I disrupted
 his main tank so that I will only have to face fire from 1 this turn.]


DEFENDER TURN 5:

[Lang:  He shifted to the left.  I guess I should have expected this.
Now we get to see how mobile my force is.  I am going to have to engage
him now.  This will give him the first shot, but I can't wait much
longer.  I have to reduce his movement to 2, and take out his missiles,
or my howitzers will never survive long enough to stop him. ]

Move:
unit  start  movement           unit  start  movement
MslT  1010   1111 1212          2Inf  1813   1814 1714
MslT  1411   1412 1513          2Inf  1713   1714 1614
HvyT  1814   1815 1816 1817     2Inf  1614   1615 1515
HvyT  1714   1716 1615 1616     2Inf  1613   1614 1514
HvyT  1516   Disrupted          2Inf  1514   1414 1314
3Inf  1515   1516 1517          2Inf  1314   1214 1215
3Inf  1313   1414               2Inf  1215   1316 1417

Fire:
Heavy Tank @ 1817 on Main Battery, #16  1/1 odds (result: 3 a miss)


OGRE TURN 6:

[Biggar:  I'm glad he missed!  I seem to have lured several of his
	  units close, I shall try to see how many I can destroy
	  this turn.  This is quite a gamble because it puts me
	  in range of almost all his units next turn.]

Move:  Ogre @ 1819 to 1718, 1617, 1517
(overrunning 3 Infantry Squads @ 1517, reduced to 2 squads)

Fire:
4AP on 2Inf @ 1417 2/1 odds #11  (roll: 4  result: Destroyed)
4AP on 2Inf @ 1517 2/1 odds #13  (roll: 1  result: miss)
2 secondaries on Heavy @ 1516 2/1 odds #16  (roll: 3  result Disrupt/Destroy)
2 secondaries on Heavy @ 1616 2/1 odds #18  (roll: 6  result Destroyed)
1 main on Heavy @ 1817 1/1 odds #21  (roll: 2  result miss)

[Biggar:  What a wonderful thing, a cybernetic brain!)


DEFENDER TURN 6:

[Lang:  That last round hurt.  I am down to 1 Heavy and lots of
grunts.   I am going to take another try at his main battery, and a
shot at one of his missiles.  If I get lucky and take both of them out
I will still have a chance.  The rest of the Infantry that I can get
there will be on his treads. ]

Move:
unit  start  movement
MslT  1212   1213               2Inf  1714   1614 1514
MslT  1513   1614               2Inf  1614   1514 1414
HvyT  1817   1717 1616 1515     2Inf  1515   1516 1416
HvyT  1616   Destroyed          2Inf  1514   1414 1314
HvyT  1516   Destroyed          2Inf  1314   1214 1215
2Inf  1517   Holds              2Inf  1215   1316 1417
3Inf  1414   1515 1516          2Inf  1417   Destroyed

Fire:

[Biggar:  What a wonderful thing, multiple brains!]

HvyT @ 1515 & 2Inf @ 1517 & 2Inf @ 1417 on main battery 2/1 #9
					(roll: 1  result miss)
MslT @ 1213 & MslT @ 1614 on missile 2/1 #12
					(roll: 4  result destroyed)
3Inf @ 1516 treads 1/1 #6  (roll: 2  result miss)
2Inf @ 1416 treads 1/1 #15  (roll: 2  result miss)

[Lang:  If my troops survive this thing they are going to spend a
month on the target range.  This time he should have more targets, so
maybe more people will survive.
 Jon, may your Ogre be turned into a plow tractor.]


OGRE TURN 7:

[Biggar:  I can't believe how badly he is missing.  I should be
  in a lot worse shape.  With a little fancy maneuvering and
  a lot of luck, I should be able to destroy or disrupt half
  his mobile force this turn.]

Move:  Ogre @ 1517 to 1416, 1417, 1316

Fire:
2AP      on 1Inf@1416  2/1  #22  (roll: 4  result: destroyed)
2AP      on 1Inf@1417  2/1  #25  (roll: 5  result: destroyed)
4AP      on 2Inf@1215  2/1  #28  (roll: 4  result: destroyed)
2 second on 3Inf@1516  2/1  #31  (roll: 5  result: destroyed)
2 second on 2Inf@1314  3/1  #33  (roll: 6  result: destroyed)
1 main   on MslT@1213  2/1  #36  (roll: 2  result: disrupted)

[Biggar:  That was the most incredible batch of die rolls I have
  ever seen!]

DEFENDER TURN 7:

[Lang:  Well, there is nothing wrong with his targeting program.  With
only 1 heavy tank, 1 working missile tank, and 6 infantry it will
soon be over.  Looking ahead to the next turn the best I can expect to
do is take out 1 weapon, or get him close to a 2 movement.  As a
result he could take out 4 of my 6 Infantry, and at least 1 and
probably both of my missile tanks, this would leave me 1 heavy, 2
Infantry, and 2 Howitzers.  Not enough to stop a basically fresh
Mk. III.  So, like rats leaving a sinking ship, the men in the Command
Post head for the hills.  Everyone else runs away too. ]

Resigns.

[Lang:  If I had this to do over I would deploy much further forward.
This would help me give as much as I got.  I would also get some
different dice. ]

*Ogre is a Steve Jackson Game.
-- 
Jon Biggar
{allegra,burdvax,cbosgd,hplabs,ihnp4,sdccsu3,trw-unix}!sdcrdcf!jonab