SOUTH CHINA SEA: Wargame

1-COM1050

Integrated political-military simulation of near future contention and conflict around the South China Sea. Players take on the roles of China, the United States, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. They simulate current political tensions through card play and structured negotiation keyed to real world events in an effort to move the needle to their side. Unfortunately, the cards with the greatest chance of moving that needle, such as Chinese Coast Guard and U.S. Freedom of Navigation Exercise, are also most likely to trigger armed conflict. If and when that happens, play transitions to traditional hex-and-counter format on a map scaled at 45 nautical miles (nmi) per hex and turn scale of 3-7 hours.

Derived from Breaking the Chains (BtC), but includes political turns and uses smaller units such as air squadrons, ship pairs, and land battalions. The SCS map shows more detail, but less territory. SCS employs streamlined versions of BtC's turn structure and strike mechanisms that expedite play by dispensing with numerous cycles and strike paths. SCS nodded to ergonomics by putting all scores on one side of each counter - less flipping. Most important, SCS allows naval units to move more than one hex in a single turn, but includes a mechanism, based on stealth, that enables the other side to check multi-hex moves to create a more dynamic, variable, and volatile environment. This last adjustment allows quick moves at a distance, but prevents close-in ships from jumping through the beaten zone of modern anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCM), 290 nmi in some cases. And, every turn has the option for a negotiations phase with some structure to enhance political play if desired.

Game Components:
* Two map sheets for a total area about 21 by 41 inches
* Three Countersheets totaling 390 3/4-inch counters
* Deck of 37 political cards
* Two player aid cards
* Rule/scenario book
* Two Dice
* Box and Lid