ATS Catalog April 2015 - tactical-level

www.criticalhit.com
Early on the morning of 11 December 1941 the garrison of Wake Island, with the support of the four remaining Wildcats, repelled the first Japanese landing attempt by the South Seas Force, which included
the light cruisers Yubari, Tenryu, and Tatsuta; the destroyers Yayoi, Mutsuki, Kisaragi, Hayate, Oite, and
Asanagi; two Momi-class destroyers converted to
patrol boats (Patrol Boat No. 32 and Patrol Boat No.
33), and two troop transport ships containing 450
Special Naval Landing Force troops. This encounter
began the battle that is both famous beyond fame
and depicted in ATS WAKE: GALLANT STAND.
You get a stirring map of the embattled atoll, plus all
the combat counters you need to play, are included
in this substantial module. Marines in early war uniforms, Japanese naval troops, new aircraft, rafts, and
NEW FOR APRIL
2015 ORDERING
“Your Westerplatte map is a work of art!”
patrol boats. Also included are color, 3-hole punched
rules and notes, and all scenarios in color format.
But this module means so much more! It has never
been gamed at this scale and is not planned to be.
Strike that! It IS HERE and you can nail it NOW. The
counter collection provides ALL of the combat
counters you need to play and is a diverse and colorful collection with new art including those Japanese
naval troops, also construction worker volunteers,
naval personnal ... just bring your ATS Rulebook 2014
and markers and get your hands on a good book about
the battle. Then lay out the looong island map (it will
fit on a standard six foot gaming table ... and when
you hover above that map, covered in counters ....
we think you will enjoy the spectacle!)
All of the new
items are for
owners of the
ATS
Rulebook
2014!
NEW FOR APRIL 2015 ORDERING
INTEL REPORT: It is high time that we all BASH ON with ATS! The system was launched in 2002 ....
that is almost a dozen years ago. We can talk about how ‘time flies’ and all that but here begin another
conversation—on the topic of expanding the system’s horizons—and not making you wait another
release cycle for some items that have LONG been in the works. To that end, we present the LARGEST
release-cycle in the history of ATS, with the MOST genres represented.
The ATS Rulebook 2014 has been a success and has reached an audience that represents critical
mass. We need YOUR support back at the system—and up the ante to make it all fun and worth the
time investment. First, what you will get for being part of the ATS Team: order 2 or more of the new
modules with a total single order of $100.00 or more, and you’ll receive a FREE E Rulebook/Play Aid
Set update and ALL NEW pages to replace any that have updates, errata or clarifications.
In addition to a return for your direct system support, we have another surprise for you. Waiting for you
at www.criticalhit.com is a new [POINTS REWARD SYSTEM that does something different than any
other approach in kind, in any trade. We reward YOU for ALL of your past purchases by ‘pre-loading’
your Ammo Cart of ‘rounds’ aka Points—which means you have a bunch waiting for you NOW; as in
already. Now that is a little different, we can agree. And to add a few more rounds, ‘overload’ your
ammo stores to get you ready for battle—your 1 point per dollara spent is being DOUBLED right out of
the game—AND you’ll earn 2× (double) the points going forward.
Now back to the system talk. We have fielded many questions over the years about ‘when’ ATS was
going to hit the GREAT WAR battlefields. The answer was ALWAYS ‘yes’, and eventually ‘soon’. That
reply has been changed to ‘now’, as in here and now. The first two modules bring on the Germans,
French and British. You’ll need to own GWATS 1 to get the Germans and GWATS 2 addes on the
French—you build your collection that way. And ownership of the ATS Rulebook 2014 (which includes
system play aids) and standard marker counters is needed—for all the releases herein. The Great War
art is evocative, all new and you are going to love it. The Battlefield WalkaroundTM rules are easy to
implement, keeping play fun and smooth. The modules come with all the maps you need to play the
scenarios within. You owe it to yourself to give it a try!
The year 2015 was promised to be one that included some ‘island hopping’ and we beg your understanding if we include a ‘peninsula’ in there ... in the form of Westerplatte. The feedback on the map
has been terrific—there is a sample within these pages. The Battlefield Schleswig-Holstein makes an
appearance... and Poles enter the system. Plus early war SS, German Naval Marines ... and a stirring
stand on what is truly the first battlefield of World War II. In addition to all the blood and glory, cardboard
form where nobody gets hurt—you get all the combat counters you need to play. Just bring your rules
and markers! The action moves to another island, if you don’t mind us referrging to an ‘atoll’ that way ...
and ‘hop’ your attention right .. to ... it. Another ‘first battle’ ... and another exemplar of human courage
in the face of overwhelming odds. The map will treat your eyes ... the new military art includes construction worker volunteers, early war Marines, new aircraft, rafts, watercraft, Japanese naval infantry .. and
a situation that needs little description to remind wargamers how epic the struggle was. Along with the
first ever tactical-level boardgame of Westerplatte, Wake is another first.
The long-awaited CWATS (Civil War ATS) effort finally landed in 2014 and was a system best-seller for
the year! And now, adding to the McPherson’s Ridge/Bliss Farm + Wheatfield + Devil’s Den battlefields
... comes Pickett’s Charge and Culp’s Hill. A second edition of the CWATS rules are included with the
new CWATS 2nd Edition, now available, AND are included with Pickett’s Charge. With YOUR support
of these new CWATS battlefields you can expect Mannassas, Shiloh and more soon!
Prior to his unexpected passing designer and author
Ian Daglish (dec.) sent in his GWASL module materials, joining the work of other CH designers in the
effort to bring another era of warfare to the collection.
Losing top men is sad, and they can never, ever be
replaced. But their contributions, like authors of yore,
can speak to us, and we are grateful to have this
chance to make the Great War return for an encore
... on your gaming table in the form of ATS GREAT
WAR MODULE II: Blasted Woods. It is all very
straightforward, and the Special Rules give you the
handbook you need to maneuver the men and machines, some representing combat systems never
seen before, but prominent since. The Chauchet LMG,
new French soldiers, Attack a' Outrance rules and
couinters, French tanks and Guns, and more! The
French enter the fray and ownership of ATS GREAT
WAR I is required to add the Germans (and their rules
and AFV Cards).
Your collection of Polish combatants for ATS GROWS with SEALED FATE, a set of all new boards and
scenarios -- and MORE Polish units, PLUS early war German personnel (a first) and AFVs. The Stukas
crash down, the 7TP tanks attack, the Polish cavalry makes its historic appearance ... and so much
continued on page 3...
Legendary designer Ian Daglish (dec.) left behind
his take on the Great War for tactical-level gamers
and the baton has crossed the finish line in the form
of ATS GREAT WAR I: TANKSCHREKEN!
The module includes all the combat counters needed
to play plus 10 scenarios, all featuring British vs. German actions ... and of course some of them debut
tanks ... the name deriving from an attempt to keep
this new technology secret by making the enemy think
‘water tanks’ were being constructed. You also receive—as a SPECIAL BONUS—ALL OF THE
BOARDS NEEDED TO PLAY. You also receive new
AFV Cards and Battlefield Walkaround rules.
The ATS Binder rules-set is steadily getting into the hands of a new user base—
and each man is also being equipped with
his own personal Electronic Edition. Keep
those orders coming in and we'll keep the
electronic AND print editions coming out!
YOU SUPPORTED THE SYSTEM WE ARE
MATCHING YOUR SUPPORT AND THEN
SOME!
NEW FOR APRIL 2015 ORDERING
It's been a long time coming. Others tried, failed and
said it couldn't be done. We respectfully did not agree
-- and here comes the result: the Battle of Gettysburg
in tactical-level format. YOU play a part as this set
gives you everything you need to play, just bring your
10-sided dice—and a thirst for the era.
GETTYSBURG: TURNING POINT 1863 2ND EDITION is the core module for the series and is back
with the maps made over in the style you asked for—
GEO ART LOOK. At CH we embrace freedom of
choice, so you can also get the ‘old style’ maps, in a
2nd Edition of the massive module. BOTH include
over 700+ new color die-cut counters, sporting new
Civil War art from one of the best illustrators of the
genre. Easy-to-use Special Rules. A set of scenarios
that all play on the McPherson's Ridge and Bliss Farm
maps -- all provided like an old AH game with 2 or
more folding panels, no more flimsy paper, ripped
seams, puffy, counter'bouncing. Your cat will NOT end
the War Between the States with one leap! No, YOU
will fight it out to the bitter end, brother against brother.
This product does more than meets the eye. It is the
core module to get you into Civil War gaming without
having to learn a new system -- without having to
paint a pile of miniatures (not that we don't think that
is a great idea!)
GETTYSBURG: PICKETT’S CHARGE continues the
series and also equips you with a second edition presentation with all known errata input in the rules, plus
the counters you need to play the enclosed scenarios.
ALL counters needed to play are included—just bring
your 10-sided dice.
Pickett's Charge was the infantry assault ordered by
Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee against Maj. Gen.
George G. Meade's Union positions on Cemetery
Ridge on July 3, 1863, the last day of the Battle of
Gettysburg during the American Civil War. It is
considerd by many to be the high-point, and most
dramatic moment of the Battle of Gettysburg. If you
have even a passing interest in the battle, you owe it
to yourself to BE THERE ... with the help of CWATS.
GETTYSBURG: CULP’S HILL RETRO MAP 2ND
EDITION continues the series also provides you with
ALL the counters you need to play. You’ll need the
CWATS 2nd Edition Rules and play aids from the
CWATS Gettysburg Turning Point 2nd Edition OR
from CWATS Pickett’s Charge.
During the Battle of Gettysburg, July 1–3, 1863, Culp's
Hill was a critical part of the Union Army defensive
line, the principal feature of the right flank, or "barbed"
portion of what is described as the "fish-hook" line.
Holding the hill was by itself unimportant because its
heavily wooded sides made it unsuitable for artillery
placement, but its loss would have been catastrophic
to the Union army. It dominated Cemetery Hill and
the Baltimore Pike, the latter being critical for keeping the Union army supplied and for blocking any
Confederate advance on Baltimore or Washington,
D.C. If you have even a passing interest in the battle,
you owe it to yourself to BE THERE ... with the help
of CWATS.
www.criticalhit.com
INTEL REPORT continued...
more... including more light Panzer action than in
any prior release, across the crops-laden fields. The
collection of boards included is evocative, and add
to the new AFV Cards for the new AFVs provided.
When the original ADVANCED TOBRUK was released it has enough juice to get nominated for
BOARD WARGAME OF THE YEAR. For that we
were humbly grateful. It had many things that
helped launch a system and lacked really only ONE
thing: the full-size tank actions of the original. It
was scaled down for playability, deemed especially
important since it was an all-new system. Now, with
ATS GAZALA MONSTER ... you get a new collection of counters, and FULL SIZE scenarios ... PLUS
new boards ... evereything BRAND SPANKING
NEW .... to play out the battle in all of its 15+ tanks
per side glory! Inlcudes all the combat counters
you need to play, bring your rules and markers!
One of the most UNIQUE battlefields ever published—another FIRST—comes at you in the form
of the Fortress Maxim Gorki: Sevastopol. It covers
so many ‘firsts’ it begs description. Naval turrets
represented by counters on-map? Check. New
demolition rules and weapons types? Check. A play
aid for fighting INSIDE the fortress? Are ... you ...
kidding ... check! Engineers, light tanks, amazing map
.. check, check and check. If you are even a parttime Eastern Front gamer you musst come to
Sevastopol and capture (or defend) the fortress. All
the combat counters are provided ... you know the
deal ... rules and markers are all you need.
The battles in Northwest Europe in 1945 are relatively unheralded. Hitlerhjugend SS ... German Naval Marines ... all of the latest, end-of-war British armor ... a myriad collection of men and machines. And
they fight across a wide variety of terrain, different
villages, rivers, an awesome collection. It’s all here in
a two-module set that includes all the combat counters
you need when you buy BOTH modules (ALLER 1 is
German; ALLER 2 British). You are ALL IN by nailed
them both, that’s the way this set is being presented—
bring your rules and markers and dive into the large
collection of boards, colorful new counters—another
colorful collection! Ok, so no one has to have too
much fun we’ll put the counters up for sale separately
for those that do not want to bite on both modules.
We aim to please!
Years ago SPANISH FURY came your way. It was
nice ... and designer Devin did a GREAT job. But
he’s back with suggested changes .. and we’re back
with ALL NEW MAPS ... counters ... maps in winter-ized look. That’s a lot of NEW and even past
owners deserve to give it another play .. and new
owners ... this oft-misunderstood corner of the early
Eastern Front is waiting for you to come and fight it
out along the baks of the Volkhov River. Two unique
maps ... a batch of compelling scenarios ... nothing is NOT new in this ATS module. Just bring your
rulebook and markers (and some warm boots!)
HOW IT WORKS: You get coupons, loyalty discounts galore; your order gets you a copy printed
just for you; as they print, they ship and you play!
The expected delivery time is on each ordering
page. Your patience is rewarded and has been for
20 years! THE SYSTEM NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT
OF THESE NEW MODULES and then the SKY IS
THE LIMIT. My VATS guys are promised to get Virtual ATS versions of these in the works so look for
links.
This is SEALED FATE: Poland 1939, the first ATS
module to bring in the Polish of 1939. That means
tasty new counters, yes! AFVs, and personnel. PLUS
a juicy collection of scenarios all playable on the collection of 11” × 16” folding boards provided. It is all in
there in terms of the flavor of ‘Case White’ ... and the
Germans don’t always have to win! Not when YOU,
valiant owner of the ATS Rulebook 2014 edition (with
that handy E Rules edition for full searching of rules)
is in command. But you better be ready to handle
your 7TPJW tanks, because the action is going to be
HOT. Includes all the combat counters needed to play.
DIRECT BUY INCENTIVES: Once
you make your first purchase at
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You can also log in and check your orders any
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lost.
This catalog is dated April 15, 2015 and will be
superseded with new editions as new products
are added to the catalog.
This is ATS WESTERPLATTE: FIRST SHOTS OF
WORLD WAR II, an amazing assault that will live
proudly in the martial history of Poland forever. The
battleship Schleswig-Hiolstein stood off Westerplatte
to shell the defenders into submission. There was
just one thing the aggressors did not count on: the
Poles would ... not ... submit! They stood, stoic, as
the world watched in awe. And against every onslaught
the Germans could hurl at them. Stukas, more Stukas,
artillery... engineers. An amazing struggle on a map
that has been described as a ‘work of art’ and is one
of the more unique pieces of wargame cartology ever
to see print. Includes all the combat counters needed
to play.
NEW FOR APRIL
2015 ORDERING
ATS MAXIM GORKI is from prolific designer Mark
'Tank' Porterfield. Mark brought you the fruits of his
massive military library and penchant for research
with Panther Line + Berlin 1 and Berlin 2 (not to mention the Monster Berlin versions), all set on World
War II's Eastern Front. Before that, almost 20 years
ago Tank brought you Pointe du Hoc, with a healthy
on-site assist from Steve and Rob Pleva, plus map
work (and on site research too) by Phil Nobo. The
TANK is back and this time he is modeling another
uniiqe Festung, the Sevastopol bastion of Stalin's
Soviet Union and this is a MONSTER MODULE to do
his work justice.
Some of the interesting details you'll receive: Russian Naval Infantry, German demolition AFVs including Kettenkrad and Bren Carrier Demo vehicles; massive Naval Gun Turrets; Concrete Trenches; German
Engineers, Fortress rules; and so much more. Plus a
large map with healthy-sized hexes, more terrain variants, all using official ATS nomenclature for the SSRs
while avoiding 5 point type and eye-watering verbiage
bloat in what will be the largest Engineer-operation
ever gamed at this scale.
Critical Hit, Inc.
845-278-9125
M-F | 9-5
As the morning of 27th May dawned the 8th Panzer Regiment under Lieutenant Teege led Rommel’s wide
sweep around the British southern flank at Bir Hacheim. With one hundred and eighty tanks, the regiment
was arrayed in spearhead formation with the first section moving forward on a wide front of one and one half
miles by about a mile deep. At about 0715 hours, the call rang out in the headsets, “Enemy armor, twelve
o’clock!” A British lieutenant of the 8th Hussars also dryly noted enemy armor to his regimental HQ by radio.
“It looks as if Jerry’s come with a Panzer brigade,” only to correct himself moments later. “There’s more than
a brigade, its the whole bloody Afrika Korps. Alert! Alert!”
And thus began the historic Battle of Gazala. It was May of 1942, Hitler’s armies were still the masters of
Europe, with more conquests to come. And yet YOU, tactical-level gamer and ATS devotee ... has only
experienced this battle in ‘penny packets’, a tank here, two tanks there. Until NOW. Because the ATS GAZALA
MONSTER is here to rescue you from never being able to cross off, ‘big, real Western Desert warfare
experience’ ... from your bucket list. Imagine the old Tobruk orders-of-battle ... with all of their one-to-one
representations ... then knife forward with your formations of 10, no 15, wait add in Troop Leaders and panzer
leaders ... and make that 17 AFVs ... in a full-blown presentation that gives you ALL of the tanks, guns and
men (i.e., all combat counters; just bring your ATS rulebook and markers) ... and the playing area to duke it
out in.
The set also debuts the first collection of 11” × 16” folding DESERT GEO boards and a selection of overlays
to go with them.
www.tactical-level-gaming.com
STOLZENAU, GERMANY, 6 April 1945: As the war wound down in its closing days, the supply of rations to
German soldiers, even among the elite of the 2nd Marine Division and 12th SS Hitlerjugend remnants, began
to break down. Things got so bad that the average landser of these units had to rely on the generosity of the
local population for food. Facing these hungry, and likely war-weary German soldiers were well-fed, wellequipped men of the 11th Armoured Division. Despite the dire situation, local Hitler Youth units turned up the
last cadre of soldiers, tasked to hold the Weser River Line with local FlaK elements in support. And although
the Hitlerjugend teenagers had received less training than their predecessors, they were still fired with the
fanaticism that those outside of the world of the Hitler generation could not fathom—and these young boys
were well-led by hardened combat veterans. The combination, along with the nickname Panzer-Teufel (“Tank
Devils”) the unit hung on itself, would soon surprise the British, unaware that these boys embraced a philosophy, printed in their pamphlets, with concepts including, “killing is a sport” and “killing is your duty.” And the
ultimate, “Panzer-Tuefel always shoots first! The man who shoots first lives longer!” In the Stolzenau area the
soldiers of the 11th Armoured did not fare well, and received a clear message that the Germans intended to
hold the area—via the fierce resistance put up by the teenaged SS Panzergrenadiers of 3, 5, 7 and 10
Kompanies, SS-Ausb.u.Ers.Btl.12.HJ supported by light Flak and 88mm Flak from the RAD battery 5./280.
ATS ACROSS THE ALLER is alll about the war in Northwest Europe in 1945—with new color die-cut counters
in one of the most eclectic collections since BERLIN RED VICTORY!
VOLKHOV RIVER, RUSSIA, 19 October 1941: After the failure to secure a bridgehead across the
Volkhov the previous day, Colonel Jose Martinez
Esparza, Commander of the 269th Regiment, 250th
Infantry Division, ordered another crossing at 0800
hours on the 19th of October. The rubber boats however turned up late. A break in the frost combined
with heavy rain turned the single road from the rear
area supply depot at Miasnoi Bor into a quagmire
and the entire area into slush and swamp. The dejected Colonel was even forced to abandon his beloved Studebaker that he had brought with him from
Spain. Only the regiment’s seven-horsepower Ford
was light enough to slide forward. Boats and skiffs
were manhandled through the trees to the river bank.
At 1500 hours, Lt. Jose Escobedo pushed off with 2
platoons and no artillery preparation. Across the river,
the Ukrainians and Tartars of the 848th Regiment,
276th Rifle Division sat low in their slit trenches unaware of the coming attack.
SPANISH BLUE DIVISION is another Eastern Frontthemed ATS historical module from CH. It includes
all the combat counters you need to play plus AFV
Cards and Battlefield Walkaround. Just bring your ATS
rules and markers and 10-sided dice!
Check out
our latest
new site!
www.tactical-level-gaming.com