Grunt: Tactical Combat in Vietnam, 1965 (1971) Board Game

Grunt: Tactical Combat in Vietnam, 1965 is a wargame released in 1971 by SPI (Simulations Publications, Inc.). Designed by John Kramer and John Young, with artwork by Redmond A. Simonsen, the game focuses on modern warfare during the Vietnam War.

Game Components of Grunt: Tactical Combat in Vietnam, 1965

Map: A 22″ x 28″ paper hex grid map printed in black and tan, scaled at 100 yards per hex.

Counters: 100 counters representing various units, booby traps, and civilians.

Rule Booklet: Includes game rules, charts, and tables.

Game Charts and Tables: Terrain Effects Chart, Combat Results Charts (CRTs), Victory Point Record, and Turn Record Track.

How To Setup Grunt: Tactical Combat in Vietnam, 1965

The VC player chooses and places elite VC, VC militia, snipers, booby traps, Vietnamese peasants, and porters face down on the board. The American player then deploys units onto the map, using at least four helicopters or road deployment.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Gameplay System: Alternating “I Go, You Go” system where each turn represents six minutes of game time.

Movement: Each unit has six movement points (MP); plain terrain uses 1 MP, broken terrain uses 2 MP, and jungle costs 3 MP.

Combat: Units have varying combat strengths; American squads have a strength of 2, elite VC units have a strength of 2, militia and snipers have a strength of 1, and booby traps attack with a 3-to-1 advantage.

Victory Conditions: Americans gain Victory Points for capturing or destroying caches and inflicting casualties. VC gain Victory Points by inflicting casualties. Both players lose Victory Points for inflicting civilian casualties. The player with the most Victory Points after 10 turns wins.

Player Experience

**Grunt** captures the period ‘feel’ and flavor of the Vietnam War, including air strikes, Medevac evacuations, and the concept of ‘body count’ victory points. However, the game received criticism for its disorganized rules and less-than-ideal component quality.

Pros

First in Its Kind: The first commercial squad-level wargame, offering a unique tactical combat experience.

Historical Accuracy: Simulates the complexities and uncertainties of the Vietnam War, including civilian casualties and variable opposition.

Simple yet Engaging Mechanics: Despite criticisms, the game mechanics provide a straightforward yet challenging gameplay experience.

Cons

Rule Organization: The original rules were disorganized, making it difficult for players to find specific rules.

Component Quality: The black and tan map and counters were deemed “ugly” and less than ideal by some reviewers.

Limited Scenarios: The game comes with only three scenarios, each lasting 10 turns.

Personal Thoughts on Grunt: Tactical Combat in Vietnam, 1965

**Grunt** is ideal for historical wargamers and those interested in the tactical aspects of the Vietnam War. Despite its flaws, it remains a significant milestone in the development of squad-level wargames. For those who enjoy detailed, realistic combat simulations and are willing to navigate some of the game’s older design issues, **Grunt** can be a rewarding experience. However, it may not appeal as strongly to modern gamers accustomed to more polished and complex game designs.

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