PBEM - Hints, tips, and tools

[DarthMaximus]

Okay, due to some requests for information about Play by Email/Forum I’m creating this thread to help every one out.

I’ll edit this post later and add in the links to the:

AAMC - Dicey (do not enter a game number)
http://aamcbunker.net/other/login.html

AAMC - Map page (with the Ghoulord Map), wrap around map, etc.
link broken - dicey.net link - out

Wrap Around Map (from AAMC):
link broken - dicey.net link - out

Rules (from AAMC):
link broken - dicey.net link - out

DAAK - LowLuck Dicey
http://www.daak.de/indexe.php?sprache=e

Revised Map
http://www.wizards.com/avalonhill/images/aabigmap.jpg

Frood AACalc and Dice Roller
http://frood.net/aacalc/

Additonal Map link (from DAAK), just go to the download area
http://www.daak.de/indexe.php?sprache=e

Any questions/suggestions about PBEM?

Edit:
Added Revised map pic
Added in Frood Dicey Link
Deleted broken AAMC links.  You can download Abattlemap at DAAK and also rjclayton has provided some links.

@rjclayton:

TripleA.  This one is not just a mapping utility, but a game system as well.  Comes with all the maps.
http://triplea.sourceforge.net

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ABattlemap.  This one comes with all the maps for A&A.  It’s not the prettiest but it does have some nice features.
http://wartime.3.forumer.com/index.php?s=59fd42b6d1e201c058f239accd63dde6&showtopic=104

–-------------------

Mots Mapview.  Looks like because of copyright issues, it is difficult to get the modules (maps) for Axis and Allies for this program:
http://www.motcreations.com/mv_download.html

Here is a working link to download the Mots Mapview AAR Module (AAMC links are dead):
http://www.geocities.com/aa_4online

–--------------------------

Here’s a pretty good how-to

http://p078.ezboard.com/ftheofficersclubfrm49.showMessage?topicID=1.topic

[madscientist]

What do you open the maps with? They are just a bunch of 0’s for me

[DarthMaximus]

That’s weird.

Once you load the Ghoulord program (I made my own A&A folder and saved it there), there should be an .exe to click on.  Once you click on that it should bring up the map with pieces loaded on to it.  There is a “save” and “load” button.

To scroll around on the map you must hold down the “right mouse button” and scroll with it held down.

Try this:

Make a generic A&A folder (or temp folder)
Click on the Ghoulord map and do a “save as” to whatever folder you created
now find the .exe in the folder and click on it, it should bring up the map

Edit:

I’m talking about this map:

AAAMap v.96 Beta.Â

[madscientist]

That worked. Thx.

[djensen]

Has anybody tried using Vassal to play A&A “online?”

[Guest]

OK, I must be a total idiot…

I have changed my display settings to be low enough to open that map.  And I can see it.

But how in the heck do you work the mechanics of it?  Such as:
How do you add a “bid” piece before starting?
How do you set your buy?

VERY confused.  Would love some detailed post of how to make a game with this map work :-)

[Avin]

What operating system are you using? I use Windows XP, 1024x768 resolution with 32 bit colors. I don’t have a problem opening the program.

To move units, you click on a stack of units and drag them somewhere.

There is a toolbar you can use to add new units or delete existing ones (it will change the cursor to the currently selected item). If the cursor is a unit, it will place that unit -that can be used for either placing bidded units, or newly purchased units. If the cursor is a bomb, it will delete one unit from the stack you click on. If the cursor is the cross, it will move units or stacks of units. The map program basically just moves the sprites around on the static background, it doesn’t have any built in understanding of the game itself, by the way, so it doesn’t enforce any movement, placement, combat, etc. That’s up to you to do.

[Alyosha00]

Ok I’m trying to figure out how to best PBEM with my father in Law.
I want to use a software map and he will use the real deal. He also wants to use real dice instead of the online dicey.
Right now I have the programs TripleA and ABattlemap.
My questions are as follows
Can I use triplea with out the online Dicey?

Is there a better map the ABattlemap it’s a little confusing?

Does anyone have some tips for the format of an E-mail I would send to him is there a template of some kind?

[DarthMaximus]

I think the ABattlemap is most common, but you can try Mot’s Mapview.

It’s #2 in this Link:

http://www.dicey.net/nuke/modules.php?name=Downloads&d_op=viewdownload&cid=1

Here’s a couple sample turns:

Sample 1

First Email

Russia Round 1

Buy 8 inf

Combat Move

1. W Sp sz – 1 sub vs. 1 sub (kar sz)
2. Ukr – 3 inf, 2 arm, 1 ftr vs. 7 inf (5 cauc, 2 kar), 2 ftrs (1 kar, 1 mos)

2nd Email

Results

w sp sz - cleared, wol
ukr - taken with 2 inf, 2 ftrs

Non-Combat Move

2 ftrs land in kar
4 inf to kar from mos
2 arm to kar from mos
1 inf to yak from sfe
1 arm to yak from sfe
2 inf to yak from eve
1 trn to uk sz from kar sz

Placement

8 inf on Kar

Collect 27

Land/Cash

R:  27/$27
G:  29/$32
U:  30/$30
J:   25/$25
A:  36/$36

Summary

***** Russia *****

*** Ukraine S.S.R. (Ukr) ***
2 Infantry

*** Karelia S.S.R. (Len) ***
13 Infantry
3 Armor
2 Fighter
1 Industrial Complex
1 AnitAirCannon

*** Russia (Mos) ***
1 Industrial Complex
1 AnitAirCannon

*** Yakut S.S.R. (Yak) ***
6 Infantry
1 Armor

*** Soviet Far East (Far) ***
1 Infantry

*** United Kingdom Seazone (NOR) ***
1 Transport

*** Spain Seazone (AZO) ***
1 Submarine

Sample 2

Germany Round 1

Purchase-10inf(2)left

#1 Ukr(2inf)
      3inf arm f/EEuro
            Result:Held w/inf 3inf arm retreat to EEuro

#2 AES(inf arm)
      5inf arm f/Libya    via FeAfr
            Result:Taken w/4inf arm

#3 FeAfr(mt)
      arm f/Libya

#4 FwAfr(mt)
      inf f/Alg

#5 WMedSz(bb)
      bb trn f/CMedSz
            Result:Cleared w/o loss

#6 LabSz(trn)
      ftr f/FinNor
            Result:Cleared w/o loss

#7 UkSz(bb 2trn)
      ftr bmb f/Germany
      ftr f/WEuro
      ftr f/EEuro
      sub f/BalSz
            Result:Cleared w/3ftrs bmb

NonCombat
3ftrs bmb f/UkSz to EEuro
ftr f/LabSz to WEuro
2inf f/WEuro to SEuro
2inf f/FinNor to EEuro
4inf f/Germany to EEuro
2inf AA f/SEuro to EEuro
2arm f/Germany to WEuro
arm f/SEuro to WEuro

Placement-Germany

SumUp
WEuro-5arm ftr AA
Germany-10inf AA ic
SEuro-2inf ic
EEuro-13inf arm 3ftrs bmb AA
FinNor-inf arm
AES-4inf arm
FwAfr-inf
FeAfr-Flag
BalSz-trn
WMedSz-bb trn

R 27/27
G 33/35
B 26/30
J 25/25
A 36/36

Note:  With ABattlemap, it has a way to list the unit summary so you can cut and paste it.

[Alyosha00]

Excellent thanks for the tips vry helpful  :-D

[Hurkyl]

I tried different map tools over the years (ABattlemaps, TripleA, MapView, and a few others) and I still think MapView is the best tool for PBEM.

If I remember correctly, when I started playing on this forum it was the most popular. That was back in 2003.
I think it lost it’s popularity since the creator of MapView MotCreations don’t distribute the A&A modules anymore (copyright issues).

I recently made a long search on the net for the modules but could only find the original A&A and an ugly revised modules.

Fortunately, last month, I found the Europe and Pacific modules sitting in my old computer at my parents house!

If anyone wants them, just send me a message with your email and I’ll send it to you.
It would be even better if the admins want to host the files on this site :D

Let me know

Edit:
Fixed the link to the Mapview website

[Guest]

I guess it should be posted here that ABattlemap has a few bugs… specifically with the designation of sea zones in the extreme south eastern Pacific.

If you are using ABattlemap, and your opponent is using a real board, the SZ numbers to NOT match up south of hawaii and east of New Zealand.

When moving/engaging in combat in this area, be sure to specify with descriptions instead of just SZ number to aboive confusion.

[Nix]

Solomon island SZ is labeld 46 in Abattle map, but is 45 in real game, Eastern australia is labeld SZ41 but that isn´t correct i have been told, think it was 46….

[Jermofoot]

So, what is the preferred map?  I’m tired of walking into the other room to check the board out…

[Guest]

If both players are using battlemap, then go with that.

Otherwise, the real board should be the rule.

And if folks are using different methods (one battlemap, one a board) then when you move into the south east pacific, list name as well as SZ # :-)

[critmonster]

ok, i’m trying to enter the modern era and have abattlemap downloaded but i cna’t see the entire map, it gets cut off south of rhodesia and west of china, what simple thing am i missing here?

[Sankt Hallvard]

You might try right-clicking the map and moving your mouse meanwhile to scroll the view of the map.

About the sz-labeling in Abattlemap, there is a fix for it that is downloadable on this site: http://www.dicey.net/nuke/modules.php?name=Downloads&d_op=viewdownload&cid=1

It’s currently unavailable, but I guess it might be working any time soon.

[critmonster]

duh, thanks :oops:

i think i am nearing being ready to try a game :mrgreen:

[DarthMaximus]

I added a Revised map pic to the first post.  Mainly for my own benefit, but still couldn’t hurt to have there.  :-)

[Guest]

THANK YOU DARTH!

With all of the issues with ABattlemap and SZ numbering, having that image posted will help prevent a LOT of potential issues!