Creating Counters for Vietnam Vassal
Infantry & Command Counter Templates
When first considering the design of counters I decided very early on that I wanted to emulate a proper table-top game rather than abstract it into a hex-based board-game with square counters like those used in Squad Leader.
Basic Infantry Counter Base
So, my first decision was to design counters based on the size of stands as used on the table-top.
CWC suggests particular base sizes for the various kinds of units; infantry, armour, guns etc. Although my own 10mm Vietnam collection is not based as suggested (it was created long before CWC was published) I nonetheless decided that my Vassal designs would follow the CWC suggestions. The standard size that I worked from was a stand of infantry measuring 2cm x 1cm.
Adding layers to the base image
produces a VC Sniper unit.
Taking the size of a stand as 2cm x 1cm I converted this to a simple pixel size on the basis of 1mm = 1pixel. The table-top stand equated to a counter image that was to be 200 x 100 pixels. If I was to reproduce my battlegroups it was necessary to create counters for all the units that I intended to use.
Using Adobe Photoshop I created a template for infantry bases upon which I would build successive layers to represent the different units. Since my battlegroups also include Command stands (CO, HQ and FAO) it was necessary to produce base templates for those also. CO stands were created measuring 200 x 200 pixels and HQ stands measuring 160 x 160 pixels.
In the Killing Zone
A US Infantry Platoon advancing towards the outskirts of a Hamlet unwittingly moves into a VC killing zone. The VC may not get another chance but they could inflict serious casualties this coming turn...
The ambush is sprung and the US Platoon takes a heavy hit. Two squads are wiped out. One squad sustains four hits and is suppressed. Another squad takes a further two hits. The Platoon HQ has lost 50% of his force this turn and has a suppressed unit out in the open. Fire appears to be coming from everywhere. He turns to his Forward Artillery Officer, 'Fire Mission!'....
Payback! After adjusting the barrage template for deviation, two VC infantry stands, an MG stand and the VC commander are all adjudged to be under the barrage template. A battery of US 105's hits on the button. After calculating the damage the two VC squads in the paddy sustain three hits a-piece and are both suppressed, the MG in the woods takes 1 hit, and the Commander escapes unscathed if a little shaken.
With six 105s firing the barrage templates extend across the whole front parallel to the US player's baseline and further casualties are caused; the MG squad takes another hit, three infantry squads on the other side of the killing zone take a hit each (1 suppressed) and an HQ unit takes one hit, fails its saving throw and is also suppressed.