Infantry Counter Art

[Whiterook]

For decades, game designer/manufacturers used an age-old convention of Infantry being represented by a NATO symbol on their counter. For many older Grognards, this is much loved and nostalgic… I personally cut my teeth on such games, but back in those days, I need to school myself on NATO symbology! Even today, I need to look some up, which is fine, but another step in the learning and playing process. An example of this would be Lock ‘N Load Publishing’s, “Nation at War” series…




The other side of that coin is, many game companies today, use artwork on their Infantry counters actually depicting soldiers. An example would be Lock ‘N Load Publishing’s, “Tactical” series games where a Squad is represented by two soldiers, a half squad by one soldier….




And in yet a new style, some companies combine these two design elements. An example would be Mark H. Walker’s, “The Long Road” by Flying Pig Games…




In my humble opinion, I prefer counter art where the Infantry combatants (those who fight with rifles, sub-machineguns, light machineguns, rocket launchers, mortars, anti-tank guns, recoilless rifles, fangs, claws, etc.) are represented not only by a NATO symbol, but also an illustration of the weapon or soldier or beast/paranormal entity on their counter. I love the look of that, and I think it definitely makes it more accessible for beginning wargamers who may not be particularly schooled in NATO symbology.

[josta59]

Yeah, I like the combination. I sure don't know what those symbols mean, but I like them being included with the art. It helps us learn what they mean! I didn't even know those were NATO symbols, so I just learned something. Thanks!

Just saw the "fangs, claws" bit. Ha! Those should have NATO symbols, too.

[Whiterook]

May 5, 2022 13:58:40 GMT -5 josta59 said:

Yeah, I like the combination. I sure don't know what those symbols mean, but I like them being included with the art. It helps us learn what they mean! I didn't even know those were NATO symbols, so I just learned something. Thanks!

Just saw the "fangs, claws" bit. Ha! Those should have NATO symbols, too.

NATO symbols can generally be reflective of the era of combat, I suppose, as modern weaponry in 1940 was different than 2022   …but they’ve stayed the same in many, as much as they have changed with new (I state the obvious).

A lot of the older Wargames used the NATO symbol in their World War games and after. I imagine that’s because wargaming in many ways has roots to wargaming in the military, where instructional maps of battles waged used illustrative containers (blocks, rectangles, triangles) with symbols of what that unit was (Infantry, Mortars, Armor, Paratroop, etc.). Here’s a simple guide to some…



In the wargaming hobby, chits are the individual units you move, as you know. On the chit illustrations in the previous post shows, most chits have the gaming factors presented in them, and one of the most prevalent mechanics used today is: Top left is Armor Piercing Forepiwer; bottom left is High Explosive Firepower; upper right is Armor Defensive Factor; bottom right is Close Assault attack value; bottom middle is Movement factor (also known as Movement Points). Morale is generally outlined at the top right. 

Some systems use colored blocks or circles, or triangles under the factors to denote special abilities, like Anti Aircraft, fixed weaponry, wire guided missiles, and so on.

There are of course, other variations, but generally, this is pretty common. Well, in my humble opinion, anyway!