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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Thanlis" data-source="post: 4869474" data-attributes="member: 6011">The text says:"LAND COMBAT: The basic system is that from CHAINMAIL, with one figure representing one man or creature." (Page 25, Underworld & Wilderness Adventures.)It also says, on the same page:"PLAYING AREA: Paper counters and a hexagon or staggered-square playing board should be used in those cases where it is not possible to use miniatures figures."The mention of paper counters is fascinating, because the quote typically used to prove that D&D didn't use miniatures is this:"Minature figures can be added if the players have them available and so desire, but miniatures are not required, only esthetically pleasing." (Page 5, Men & Magic.)Except people often skip the context. That sentence continues: "Similarly, unit counters can be employed -- with or without figures -- although by themselves the bits of cardboard lack the eye-appeal of the varied and brightly painted miniature figures."I interpret that as meaning that you use figures, but if you don't have figures, it's cool -- you can use unit counters instead. I think that interpretation is borne out by the text from U&WA, which clearly says that you use those counters if you don't have minis.Now. Did players of the time actually use miniatures or cardboard counters all the time? I dunno, I wasn't there; I wouldn't be surprised if the play evolved away from the rules as written. Play always does. But the text of the original booklets is not terribly ambiguous.</blockquote>

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