The War Game Manual 8th Basic

3.0 Setting up the game

3.1 Deciding playing order

The order in which players take their turns is decided by rolling a die. The person who rolls the highest number gets to go first (the first player), followed by the second highest (the second player) and so forth.

3.2 Choosing sides

Each player chooses a colour and then either chooses an edge of the field to begin on, or rolls for it. Each player must have an edge.

The edge a player starts on is that player's South, his right is his East etc. These compass points are particular to each player: they are not meant to match up. Compass points are used to determine Battery unit hits.

3.3 Choosing units

Players each get 60 points. Each unit has a cost (Section 7.0), and the players choose units until they either have no more points left to spend or choose to stop.

3.4 Placing units

All players simultaneously arrange their units up to 3 clicks from their edge. They should not look at each other's placement, and if possible a curtain or garment of clothing should be used to conceal the players from each other while setting up. Units can be pre-placed on terrain as long as that terrain is within the 3-click limit, and as long as the unit is allowed there.