Introduction by Hitler’s Reich Co-Designer & Developer Fred Schachter: Being a big fan of WWII games and of Vez Arponin’s Axis Bot for playing GMT’s Hitler’s Reich Solitaire in particular, Jan Hořínek was inspired to develop an automated Player’s Aid for assisting a Solitaire gamer navigate the rules and distinct gaming environment this version of Hitler’s Reich provides.

Furthermore, as many veteran wargamers are wont to do; Jan modified the Bot’s options so it would behave just a bit differently than the original.  What did Jan do?  Well, you’ll have to read on and check out the subject links to what Jan created in order to find out!

Thank you Jan for your creativity and wonderful support of Hitler’s Reich: A Card Conquest System Game!  Here’s the relevant extract from the email Jan provided me along with links to both versions of the Player Aids he composed.  Enjoy!

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“I wrote the app to make my own solo play easier, and since it did make my soloing easier, I decided to make it public.  The GMT bot app based on the original Hitler’s Reich rules is here  http://www.hoho.cz/app/hr/

However, I soon realized that despite being very well written, the Bot fails in executing two highly important goals.

It will almost never capture Moscow and it will almost never pull out an Axis Operation Sea Lion invasion of Britain. Which some may call a flaw.

To elaborate: When I look at the original Hitler’s Reich Bot Decision Flow Diagram, the only way that Bot can capture Moscow is via Paratroops, since it won’t attack empty areas that surround Moscow. The chance to get Paratroops in one turn is extremely small (about 4%  IF all other conditions are favorable and thus that particular algorithm path clears up). I allowed the variant Bot to attack areas adjacent to the two Allied Capitals. Therefore, my variant Bot will pull towards Moscow without being stopped by its adjacent empty areas.

As for Sea Lion – you need the Landing Craft card to pull it off, however there is very little chance the Bot will choose it (just like Paratroops). I just improved the odds.

Here is the improved Bot (I call it “Jerry Bot”) … http://www.hoho.cz/app/hr2/

This one will do both above mentioned mischiefs if you let the Axis do so.”

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