The Guards

A deteriorating situation in sub-Saharan Africa necessitates the deployment of a reinforced guards infantry battlegroup. But how will the Crown's soldiers navigate the shifting loyalties of civilians and militia fighters on the battlefield?

	World of Conflict A combination of The Guards and Maneuver Warrior, World of Conflict covers battles through the contemporary world. Reconfigured maps from MW and TG inhabit a new box with the 3d edition rules and all-new scenario books, which update and balance the battles from the previous games.
	Our new p500 site will be going live very soon. Look for pre-order info on World of Conflict when it does.
	The Guards: The actions of a British light infantry battlegroup in sub-Saharan Africa, including several unique new mechanics that deal with civilian populations and the ability of insurgents to hide within the population. Tribal politics also play into the scenarios.

Sample Counters from The Guards

	The British infantry battalion are augmented with a company of light armored vehicles. The Scimitars provide fast armored firepower all over the battlefield, but in the rainy season, they may find their off-road mobility hampered by the weather.
	The militia forces pull double-duty. In some scenarios they are the government forces that assisting the Brits in the missions. In others they are a well-organized arm of the tribal insurgents trying to fend off The Guards.
	The tribal leaders are individuals who cross tribal lines and lead the fight against the British. Read more here.

Errata - yes, there's always errata...

There are a few goofs:

• Yes, we know the Scots Guards wear khaki berets, not the red ones pictured. Originally, the battalion were going to be paratroopers, but when we decided to change to the Scots Guards (an incredibly cool unit if there ever was one) we meant to get the art updated, and then never did. Next time we're in Edinburgh, we'll make an extra donation at the museum as atonement (and yes, Brant does get to Edinburgh every 2-3 years...).

• On the OPORDs for TRIBAL WAVE and GUARDS HAMMER, the maps at the bottom of page 1 are incorrectly labeled. The left side map should be labeled Map 2. The correct map is pictured, it's just incorrectly labeled. This has been corrected on later printings, and doesn't apply to every copy out there.

Additional content

Download: OPORD STEEL LION (US mission)

Download: OPORD HOMEWARD BOUND (TRIBAL MISSION)

Download: Blank OPORD pack

BONUS content: new rules: civvies

BONUS content: tribal commanders

Warfighter Series rules for civilians

There are two key roles that civilians tend to fill on the modern battlefield. The first is that of concealment or other passive involvement in the conflict, in which they provide some form of support to one or more sides in the ongoing combat. The second is the role of escapee, trying to remove themselves from the war zone. While there are certainly other roles that civilians may play in battle, these are the two key ones we've chosen to focus on for the game.

Refugees

Refugees tend to look for safe passage from the battlefield. They may be escorted or not. They may be protected or not. But in any case, they are on the move, and trying to leave the area. These refugess will clog roads, tie up intersections, drain local infrastructure, and commandeer supplies (especially water and fuel) wherever they may be found.

Refugees may be in need of escort by one or more units. These escorts may involve protection while leaving the battlefield, or they may involve being moved against their will to a new location.

Refugees do not typically take part in the battle. Although they may be targeted, they are rarely (if ever) doing any shooting of their own, and then only in self-defense.

Passive participants

As passive participants, civilians may provide support to one side. This support may come in the form of food, clothing, and shelter - logisitics to allow the combatants to continue. It may be simple concealment by allowing combatants to blend in to daily life. Other, more active levels of involvement may include transportation, documents, indirect support (through legal systems, protest marches, etc) or information gathering.

The key to passive participation is that in the real world it is not an "either/or" state. It is a continuum, with varying degrees.

Civilians in the Warfighter Series games

In the Warfighter 101 games, civilians play rather simplistic roles, to streamline gameplay. They are either refugees to be escorted, or they are passive participants awaiting the opportunity to join the battle.

Later games will include varying levels of passive participation, such as information-gathering, logistics, and media manipulation.

Tribal Commanders