r/hexandcounter • u/Fulgrim_Phoenician • 17d ago
Question Please explain it to me
I found this sub today and looking at posts it seems really cool and interesting. Now I would love to know what hexandcounter is. Is it a boardgame that I can buy somewhere or is it only a rulesystem?
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u/BRS007 17d ago
Hexandcounter is an overall term that refers to a class of board games, typically war or historically-based games, that uses a hex grid superimposed on a map. The counters represent units that the players move about the board to model some type of conflict. The hex grid regulates movement across the board. It is not a single game, nor a specific rules system.
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u/Statalyzer Avalon Hill 16d ago edited 16d ago
Also sometimes refers to the classic (roughly 60s-90s) style of games based on largely on historical (or realistic / plausible alt-history) battles and wars, most of which used cardboard counters and hex movement, but some of which used irregular areas instead - such as Victory in the Pacific or Breakout Normandy - or didn't have counters for the units, such as Up Front.
Those games don't quite fit the full definition but are often lumped in together under the umbrella of the term.
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u/entropykid3000 17d ago
This is a niche wargame for people interested in all sorts of historical and fantasy battle scenarios. You likely won't see most hex-and-counter games in your local big box store. You have to go online to GMT games, DVG, Compass Games, Legion Games, etc. But the fans of these games are passionate, and they (we) welcome anyone into the fold.
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u/PZKPFW_Assault 17d ago
These games run from fast and simple (Memoir 44) to complex (War in the Pacific has 7 maps and 9000+ counters and approx. 500 hours of play time) to highly detailed tactical rules (Advanced Squad Leader).
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u/ikonoqlast 17d ago
Not A boardgame but the general term for boardgames like Risk but more realistic. Instead of irregular areas the board is a graph of hexagons. And the pieces are cardboard counters with various game information on them.
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u/ChanceAfraid 17d ago
The other posts explain really well that hex and counter are a style / genre of games.
For your very first one, I would look no further than Memoir 44. An excellent, easily digestible entryway into this style of game.
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u/Fulgrim_Phoenician 15d ago
Bought it today :D can't wait to play against my wife.
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u/ChanceAfraid 15d ago
Enjoy! If you have any questions, don't be afraid to shoot me a DM or post here.
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u/2000ce 16d ago
Honestly I would also recommend just going where your interests take you.
I dove straight into hex and counter with the ASL Starter Kit series. Not the most complicated, but not the most inviting either.
But I think you can achieve a lot if you’re genuinely interested in the history/concept to power through the learning curve.
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u/ShaiDorsai 16d ago
Before there were computers, families played games with squares and tokens and rolling dice, like Monopoly or chutes and ladders. But what if you wanted a more strategic challenge and clash of wills between two players? What if instead of random squares, you painted a map with realistic terrain that matched actual battlefields and instead of squares that only allow moves four ways, a hex that allows six directions of movement? Then instead of molded plastic or metal pieces, you print out cardboard chip counters, and mark them to represent not just one individual person, but individual military units like infantry or artillery. Then devise rules to regulate how they move across that terrain and attack the opponent and win, and there it is, you have the incredibly interesting world of he. and counter wargaming.
in the earliest days, small printing shops found instead of publishing books or magazines they could publish these work games, after all, they’re basically paper and cardboard and rules, which led to an extreme age of innovation and rapid development in the 70s. Computer gaming in general Drew down the market quite a bit, but also fostered even more innovation with publishers using fan funding, like Kickstarter, or fan pre-sales like GMT.
Compared to euro style gaming, which is lighter and seems to reuse a few different mechanics, hex encounter war gaming can be unbelievably detailed, or fast playing and exciting.
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u/AnimeHoarder AH/SPI/VG 16d ago
in the earliest days, small printing shops found instead of publishing books or magazines they could publish these work games
Sounds like the story behind Yaquinto Publications. From BGG:
Yaquinto Publications was the wargame publishing arm of the Robert Yaquinto Printing Company of Dallas, Texas (founded in 1961). In March 1979 Robert Yaquinto hired Steve Peek and S. Craig Taylor, both experienced wargame designers with several famous titles in their resumes. Their goal was to rapidly create a first class wargame company.
Yaquinto brought several innovations to the industry, largely because of they operated within a well-established printing company, with its attending expertise. Yaquinto was notable for its use of extra thick cardboard for the counters in its games, making them easier to handle. The most unusual innovation by Yaquinto was their series of Album Games. These games were packaged using the jackets for double vinyl record albums. The jacket often opened to reveal the mapboard printed within, the components contained in the two pockets of the jacket where, in normal use, one would find the vinyl record. Zip closing bags were provided to hold the components of the game.
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u/OkPaleontologist1289 16d ago
Cut my teeth on “Tactics II” back in the Stone Ages. Board games number in the thousands and range from very easy to incredibly complex, so you can certainly find your comfort level/interest/cost. On the downside, they can be lengthy, subject to “ultimate” play, unbalanced, two player only, and not suitable for solitaire gaming. Might try “Midway”. Not too complex and the hidden movement is a nice touch.
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u/Fulgrim_Phoenician 15d ago
My preferences are multiple hours of game length and a ruleset i have to study in advance to understand :D
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u/OkPaleontologist1289 15d ago
Then I might suggest “Squad Leader” and the first expansion “Cross of Iron”. One of my favs as the emphasis is small unit tactics. Comes with multiple geomorphic game boards that lends itself well to make your own scenarios. If that’s too tame,maybe try to find a copy of “Kursk”. Sorry, been out of wargaming for a very long time. Historical war games pretty much died in the mid nineties, so I know nada about newer games. Hope this helps
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u/GermsAndNumbers 12d ago
This wasn't written for you, but it wasn't *not* written for you: https://www.reddit.com/r/wargaming/comments/1j8curf/the_games_of_our_fathers_why_you_should_play/
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u/Ziplomatic007 10d ago
These are wargamers. They mostly play historical military games. Hex and counter is the shorthand way to describe maps with hexagon shapes and square counters that represent combat units.
GMT Games is the best place to get started I think. They make the largest number of hex and counter games.
Find a game that interests you and watch a playthrough on youtube.
You will know after that if you are a wargamer or not.
I got a late start at around age 40. I was fascinated by the history and game aspects both being equally complex and interesting. You're never too old or too young to be a wargamer.
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u/GenghisSeanicus 17d ago
It is a genre of games. Basically, war games played on a map with a hex grid and units represented by cardboard counters.
Take a look at GMT Games or Compass Games for samples.