Principles of Game Design

Political Events in Totaler Krieg!

Totaler Krieg! is different than other games that share its High Concept. That's because TK! uses a "panzers and politics" game engine that takes the focus off logistics and support and puts it into rolling armies over the map. The political and economic engines in this game are handled through Event Cards which players select (e.g., they're not drawn randomly) and play two to three turns in advance of their being revealed (and, thus, taking effect - so planning ahead is rewarded).

Politics are card- and table-driven with three important Political Die Roll Modifiers that always apply (listed below). In short, when the Axis are rolling, then all players will be adding one or two to their Political Events die rolls. When the Allies have the advantage or the more the US has participated in that theater (represented by the USCL - US Commitment Level - value), then one or two will be subtracted from all the Political Events die rolls. A simple, elegant system for simulating the effect of the war's momentum.

Political Die Roll Modifiers: Modifiers are cumulative.

Important: Apply modifiers in the Political Events Segment only. Do not apply modifiers in any other Segment, nor in any Segment in a Separate Peace game (including Red Star/White Star.)

+1 for each VP [Victory Point] in the Box occupied by the VP marker if Axis Tide.
-1 for each VP in the Box occupied by the VP marker if Allied Crusade.
-? The ‘Political DRM’ modifier based on the current USCL value. If the Reduced US Impact marker is in the Strategic Warfare Box, the current USCL value is reduced by one (but not below USCL 0).