I will cover using Abattlemap as that is the mapping utility most players here use.
1. ABattlemap and the AA50 module can be found in this thread.
http://www.axisandallies.org/forums/index.php?topic=12873.0
2. Abattlemap is a mapping utility. It is basically an electronic board it does not roll dice or remove killed units.
3 Some Abattlemap helpful tips:
A) To move pieces you can either move each one individually with the mouse or, you can use shift+mouse to move 5 units, control+mouse to move ten units or shift+control+mouse to move entire stacks.
B) The same keyboard/mouse combinations work to add and subtract pieces from the board. Basically, it replicates the old chips (including the 10 chips that many people have added to their boxes. Tongue )
C) It will keep a running tally on how many navy units you have (in IPC value) and how many combined land/air units you have.
D) As you add and subtract flags, it automatically adjusts the IPC value of each nation for you. Great for collecting income since you don’t have to worry about miscounting.
E) Many people will put flags in the Sahara to represent rounds of play. They will also use flags in Saudia Arabia to represent cash on hand for each nation. (This pertains to Revised)
F) To get a unit list, go to View ==> List Units
G) If your toolbars disappear, go into the directory and delete the abattlemap.ini file (it’s the only ini file in there.) Restart battlemap and the program will rebuild your ini file and put the toolbars back in the default location. To stop this from needing to be done, do not put the toolbars on the extreme sides of the board. (XP and Vista will kick them off the screen where you cannot see them. It’s whacked.)
H) To open a file you have to open Battlemap then open the file from inside battlemap.
4. Find an opponent.
5. Start a thread in the play games section or respond with your turn in your opponents thread.
6 Dice are rolled via the forum. For 4 infantry and 3 tanks attacking you would type in
;aaa 4@1 3@3;
except instead of ; use :
that will give this:
Rolls: 4@1 3@3; Total Hits: 24@1: (3, 5, 3, 1)3@3: (6, 4, 1)
or for single or multiple dice rolls (techs or SBRs)
type in:
;dice 1d6;
for one die or for 3 dice
;dice 3d6;
again substitute : for ;
Rolling 1d6:
(1)
Rolling 3d6:
(2, 4, 5)
7. Purchases, combat moves, combat results, non-combat moves and placement are all typed out. We all have slightly different styles and I would recommend looking at some game threads to get a general idea of what a turn should look like.
8. As far as League games, the '09 Revised League has started. To participate post or reply in the Find opponents thread.
9. The only current Tournament is a Revised Tournament in the semi-finals stage.
I hope all this helps you or anyone else looking to join us in online play here. I play both face to face and online. Honestly I have come to prefer playing online for numerous reasons. Mainly because it is easy to find opponents, there is no need to finish the game at one sitting, and you never have to worry about the pieces getting knocked about on the board (the dreaded attack cat). Abattlemap takes a bit of getting used to but I think it is well worth it once one becomes adjusted to playing with it.
