CARDS AT SEA
ADDING AIR POWER TO NAVAL WAR
MORE SHIPS AND MORE FUN
It seems that whenever a new game system
comes out that includes ships from WW II, variants
appear that eventually include every WW II BB,
CV, CA, etc. That was true with the
Bismark/Midway system, the War at Sea/Victory in
the Pacific system and so on. In keeping with this
tradition, this module expands Naval War in one fell
swoop. This module adds every BB and CV that
participated in WW II, along with a couple of Land-
Based Air units.
ANATOMY OF A GOOD VARIANT
When making a good variant, there are 2
sets of objectives. One set of objectives are those
that MUST be followed. In this variant, these
include:
1. Any new rules must be short and simple, since
the original rules are short and simple. You will find
this to be the case. The lack of volumes of new rules
is meant to allow the incorporation of this variant
with a minimum of fuss and hardship.
2. Any new rules must preserve the fast-paced,
“beer & pretzels” nature of the original game. You
will find that the new rules, while exploring new
possibilities, allow you still to have fun, fast-paced
action, typical of a card game.
1 VAIPA EXPRESS
The second set of objectives are adding rules
and units that are interesting, but don’t violate the
first set of objectives. In this variant, they include:
1. More units.
2. More realism.
3. A campaign game.
SPECIAL RULE #1
HALF-A-CHANCE
Some cards have 3 asterisks (***) by their
salvo value or air strike. These attacks are only
successful 50% of the time.
When a battleship (BB) attacks, roll a six-
sided die. On a roll of 4-6, the attack is successful
and the damage card may be placed normally. On a
roll of 1-3, the attack is not successful, and the
damage card is discarded.
When an aircraft carrier (CV) or land-based
air unit (LBA) has 3 asterisks and makes an attack,
there is a 50% chance that a successful air attack
was a false report. Roll the die normally for an air
attack. If a hit is rolled (1 normally, 1 or 2 for a
kamikaze), roll a second six-sided die. A roll of 4-6
means the report is accurate and the target is sunk.
A roll of 1-3 means the report was false and the
target was not sunk.
ISSUE # 7