Post originally by castiglione at 2005-02-03 11:52:01
Converted from Phorums BB System

I have to agree with Old Geezer on the morale rules.

Without rules dictating when units break and flee, you tend to get horrific kill rates since everyone just fights to the death. In real life, casualties tend to be lower than in the case of wargames which don't have morale rules since: a) when the situation is hopeless, troops will usually surrender rather than face certain death, or b) RUN AWAY. "Fight to the last man" type situations generally only occur when a unit is cornered against an enemy that is not willing to take prisoners or in the case when the troops are fueled by fanaticism of some sort.

Almost every "realistic" wargame has rules which dictate when troops finally give up, throw down their swords and run for the hills.

RPG's don't need morale rules for PC's since each player is generally emotionally vested in his character and doesn't want to see him/her die - so if the situation calls for it, the PC will run (if the player is smart).

Wargames need morale rules since a player controls many units and isn't as emotionally vested in each unit and isn't so concerned when someone gets crushed in the face of overwhelming force.