Retro 6th ed. - Tactical WW2 Variant Rules

Retro: Tactical WWII Wargame Variant Rules, 6th ed. is a tactical, squad-level World War II combat variant rules set contained in a full-color, illustrated 74-page book.  Its goal is to provide players,--experienced and inexperienced alike--with simplified rules to enable them to play and enjoy tactical wargames and modules such as Adv. Squad Leader without having to master hundreds of pages of rules and a steep learning curve.  Retro 6th ed. is a variant; you must own the necessary components (counters and mapsheets) of the "host" game to utilize Retro.

The vaiant was orginally written as a variant for Avalon Hill's Squad Leader and its modules and so, by extension subsequent ASL games.  This edition continues that tradition, and presumes this game to be the host system, even though gamers have used Retro over the years with other tactical World War II games from various publishers.

Retro 6th ed. covers the various nationalities and theaters of the war, but using a greatly simplified sequence of play.  This shortened, "I go/You go" sequence using the "Hesitation" rule, and a new Infantry Fire Table that makes morale checks unnecessary, are the biggest modifications to the standard game, although streamlining and simplification has also been applied to a myriad of details, including those for AFV and vehicular combat.

(Check out the Full Size Preview feature and read the Introduction to get a good feel for what the variant provides.)

In short, Retro is not for gamers who think "more is better" when it comes to chrome and realism and process, but for those who think that "less is acceptable" and even preferable, in the name of straightforward playability.

Retro 6th ed. consists of a 74-page color rulebook containing all standard, advanced, and optional rules, fifteen scenarios, game tables, national characteristics information, instructions for creating design-your-own scenarios, and detailed index.  This new PDF a variant countersheet and markers, and as a bonus the Reference Card Set from the 5th ed.

This new 6th edition is in full color and adds over 15 pages that include new optional rules and four new scenarios.  New rules cover PRISONERS, VOLKSSTURM/HOME GUARD TROOPS, CONSCRIPT/GREEN UNITS, OPTIONAL AXIS & ALLIED MINORS SW TABLES, a SCENARIO VARIATION GENERATOR, ORIGINS OF THE RETRO VARIANT article, MINEFIELD RECORD TABLE, RETRO SCENARIO ANALYSIS, and updated DESIGNER'S NOTES.

The variant's game system remains unchanged from the previous addition, apart from adding the new options and scenarios just noted.  This is the first new edition of the variant in nine years.

In short, if you have enjoyed previous editions of RETRO, you are sure to appreciate what this new addition offers.  

Retro: Tactical WWII Wargame Variant Rules, 6th ed. is now available in PDF format.  Designer:  Gary Graber.  Publisher:  Minden Games.