It's Getting A Bit Chile

 

"It's Getting A Bit Chile" is a set of table top wargame rules for fighting battles during the 1879-84 Pacific War (also known as the "10 Cent War"). The game is played on a gridded playing surface. For 6mm/10mm/15mm figures 3" squares are used. For larger figures bigger squares up to 6" will be required. The rules contain a section on converting them for use without  squares. The war was very important in the development of South America, with its consequences only being resolved finally in the late 20th century. The armies are colourful (the Bolivians even have cuirassiers) and of a manageable size, compared to their European contemporaries.

Army Size and Figures
The rules were written for 15mm figures on 30mm wide bases, but any frontage will do, provided that two bases side by side fit inside the square. An infantry battalion consists of four bases with 3 x 15mm figures on each, cavalry regiments 2-4 bases with 2 figures each. Three battalions normally constitute a brigade, and a division 2-3 brigades. Two divisions aside will fit comfortably on a standard wargames table, making an army of 12 - 18 battalions, but smaller sized games work just as well, as do larger. Specific figure ranges are available in 15mm from Outpost Wargames Services and 10mm from Pendraken. 6mm figures from a variety of manufacturers for the ACW & contemporary European wars can be used to make up the armies if preferred.

Troop and Weapon Classifications
Most troops are of the same quality, although some may be classed as Poor Quality (i.e. worse than most others on the table) or Top Quality (i.e. better than everybody else). These are relative classifications. Weaponry is likewise mostly undifferentiated, except where units are noticeably issued with "old" rifles. Both sides have access to Gatling Guns and their equivalents, and also rifled field guns. Both sides employed tactics based upon what had been observed in the Franco-Prussian War, although the Chilean C-in-C was accused of being almost Napoleonic in his grasp of tactics, and the Bolivians sometimes formed squares when threatened by cavalry in what was mainly an infantry war.

Units must be deployed in strictly historical formations, and these will affect their speed of movement, their firing and hand to hand effectiveness, and their ability to deal with Disorder.

Style of Play
The system is IGO-UGO, with players alternating turns. Each turn has a structured turn sequence:

1. Declaring Charges
2. Movement (retreats/routs, then charges, then normal movement)
3. Rallying
4. Fire/Defensive Fire
5. Hand to hand combat

The Rally phase, unusually, occurs part way through the turn, and encourages commanders to be active in managing their troops. Each commander has a command card, which shows his unique abilities.

Movement is by square, and the system has a unique approach to dealing with terrain. Troops are not necessarily slowed down, but accumulate unit disorder if they try to move too quickly. Commanders can therefore decide whether to drive their men forwards through difficult terrain aggressively, or be more cautious and halt periodically to dress their ranks.

Combat System - Firing
Depending upon the formation, a battalion has a number of "Firing Bases". Players roll one dice per base. This is initially a d8, but may degrade to a d6 or a d4 as the unit becomes more and more disordered. When firing the dice are totalled, and Disorder markers are inflicted depending upon the formation of the target and other tactical factors. This means that you are not relying on rolling high numbers to inflict a hit or get nothing. Accumulating the score across the unit's dice roll evens out the odds. When units reach a certain level of disorder they start to retire, before finally breaking and fleeing if not rallied. Bases are rarely removed, the aim being to keep the carefully painted figures on the table for as long as possible.

Combat System - Hand to Hand
A similar system to firing is used with hand to hand, with the dice rolled being based upon the unit formation, and the score to hit based upon that of the opponent. The actual outcome of the melee is determined by comparing the number of Disorder markers each side inflicts, and results in clear melee outcomes, not long drawn out combats.

Morale
Morale effects are built into the combat/disorder system, and separate morale checks are not required.

QRS
The back cover is a quick reference sheet, that contains all you need to play the game once you have read the rule book.

Other Information
The rules contain a brief history of the war, and a timeline of events. They are illustrated in colour with photographs of game play, clear diagrams, unit flags to scan and use, and contemporary illustrations. A sample scenario (The Battle of Dolores , November 1879) is included, as well as a painting guide and English language bibliography.

Reviews of the rules are available on Amazon.

A description of the rules can be found on these blogs: Wargaming Miscellany,  Palouse Wargaming Journal

There are also several action reports on the main WGFGUP blog:
February 2021 
February 2020
December 2019
November 2019