Rules & reference

Turns and phases

Each wargame turn is one complete cycle of planning and execution on the campaign board in Google Earth Pro. Within a turn, cells move through offensive and defensive phases as described in the rules deck:

• Offensive phase: recon → move → attack (move and attack may occur at the same time).
• Defensive phase: recon → move → reinforce.

Combat uses dice proportional to force size (for example, a 50-troop element attacking might roll 1d50). White cell may adjust rolls. Record damage in placemark properties; remove markers when a unit is destroyed.

Hosted portal turn sequence

On this portal, turns are gated so only the active cell uploads a board file at each step. The standard order is:

1. Blue Cell — exports and uploads a turn KMZ to the game table page.
2. Red Cell — exports and uploads a turn KMZ after Blue has submitted.
3. White Cell ghost turn — see below.
4. Turn number advances — Blue Cell is active again for the next turn.

Players edit markers in Google Earth Pro under their cell’s campaign folders, then package and upload when the portal shows it is their turn. Blind-play modes filter what each cell sees in hosted view/ KML links.

White cell ghost turn (required)

After Red Cell submits for a turn, White Cell posts a ghost turn — an After Action Report on the table admin page. This is the honor-system adjudication step.

• Describe casualties, effects, weather, rulings, and anything both sides must apply before the next turn.
• The portal does not automatically merge boards or move markers; players implement outcomes locally in Google Earth Pro.
• White cell may have already influenced combat during the turn via Discord; the ghost turn is the formal written record that closes the turn.
• When the ghost turn is posted, the campaign advances to the next turn number and Blue Cell may upload again.

Screenshot initial force laydown and send to white cell. Message white cell on Discord when recon or combat reveals something that needs a ruling during play.

Ad hoc injects (anytime)

White cell may post an ad hoc announcement at any time — mid-turn or between turns. Use these for:

• Weather or battlefield effects
• Sudden casualties or equipment failures
• Narrative events, intelligence updates, or referee rulings
• Clarifications that do not require a full ghost turn

Ad hoc posts do not advance the turn counter and do not replace a ghost turn. They are “injects” into the live game. Players should check Discord and the portal when white cell signals an update.

Blind play

Google Earth cannot password-lock folders. Security relies on role-filtered hosted views and turn exports so opponents do not receive hidden unit data. White cell uses discovered-marker folders when a referee reveal is required.