Making adjustments in my search for appropriate solo randomness  for The Sword And The Flame (TSATF).

The most pressing problem was the reaction of Chinese forces placed on reverse slopes.  After playing through a couple of turns decided to go with dicing for passive, aggressive and fanatic designations for all Chinese units when placed on the table.

Passive will hold in place until enemy is  no more than six (6) inches away.  Aggressive units will move as the situation dictates, and Fanatics will move to contact towards the nearest enemy unit regardless of situation, distance, etc.  A percentage die roll of 10 or less (0 =0) results in a passive designation, with 20-70 creating an aggressive unit, and fanatics at a higher roll.

Given the high number of Boxer riflemen  (probably higher than historical), any lightly wounded Marine casualties are recorded, but the figure stays in the fight.

The Marines encountered resistance while approaching the ridge to the west.  The ridge to the east was unoccupied.

The passive Boxers emerged from the reverse slope, and engaged the Marines with firearms.  Their next move will be into melee.

The other two Marine squads continued to advance, occupying the east hill and advancing through the saddle between ridgelines.

Force composition die rolls were made as  both units were within twelve (12) inches of the next two ridges.  The results were not pretty, with two aggressive units, each equipped with a high number of firearms,  are now situated on each ridge crest.

Tomorrow’s  turns should prove interesting.