Command at Sea (CaS) is a World War II tactical naval rules system. It can be used to simulate almost every naval operation of World War II with accurate and consistent results. Victory depends as much on the tactics and planning of the players as on the ships and equipment under their command. CaS uses the same format and terms as the other Admirality Trilogy games.

The CaS system emphasizes technical and historical accuracy woven into a streamlined, easy to follow rules structure that keeps the action fast-paced and fun. Much of the information used in CaS was drawn from declassified international naval and government documents. Combat resolution is built around a single die roll philosophy that keeps the players focused on the battle and not on the mechanics of the rules.

CaS 5th edition is now released. Updating the rules to the fifth edition also includes updating the Player’s Handbook and the Expanded Critical Hit tables. Since this is a new edition, it’s not a free update. Players will have to purchase either the .pdf or print version (or both at a bundle discount). On the other hand, the Fleet series update brings all CaS supplements up to fifth edition standard, and players’ .pdfs will be updated automatically at no additional cost. We will offer new print versions. They’ll all have "5th edition" on the cover instead of "2012 Standard," which is now moot.

The major changes in CaS 5th edition are:

• Visual detection rules (major changes)
• Searchlights, starshells, and parachute flare bombs (complete re-write with significant content expansion)
• Sonar detection rules (complete re-write)
• Depth charge attack rules (complete re-write with simplified rules)
• ASW projector attack rules (complete re-write)

The minor changes in CaS 5th edition are:

• Ship size class distinctions (specifically, the definition of a small craft)
• Altitude band definitions
• Submarine battery endurance
• Aircraft endurance
• Combat Air Patrol
• Acoustic homing torpedoes

Many rule sections were brought over from Dawn of the Battleship, Fear God & Dread Nought, and Harpoon, so that play is consistent between all four games.

In the past, each new edition has its share of typos and conflicts, since there were so many changes. We encourage (actually depend on) players to ask us questions and point out typos and inconsistencies. We post errata for all our products on our website, and when enough has accumulated, we update the .pdf file on the Wargame Vault, which automatically updates everyone who has purchased the file. So telling us about an error improves the game for everyone.

The CaS rules are used by 10 scenario books, each of which covers a specific theatre or period World War 2 the war. The books contain not only the orders of battle and historical information about each scenario, but also the ship and system data needed to play them. Also included are various "almost" and "what if" scenarios.

Command at Sea Scenario Books

Not all of the ships in the war are covered in the scenario books. The Fleet Series family of products provides data annexes containing the most complete and accurate information on the navies and air forces of WW II available. It includes statistics on ships, aircraft, weapons, and sensors that can be used to construct scenarios using the Command at Sea tactical naval rules. Each book covers a separate nation or group of nations.

• American Fleets: Statistics for the United States
• The Emperor's Fleet: Statistics for Imperial Japan
• Gruppe Nord: Scenarios and statistics for German
• Home Fleet: Statistics for British and Commonwealth forces (Australia, Canada)
• La Guerre Navale: Scenarios and statistics for France and Siam (Thailand)
• Mediterranean Fleets: Statistics for Greece, Italy, Turkey, and Yugoslavia
• Arctic Fleets: The final volume in the series covers Russia, Norway, Finland, and the Netherlands.

Command at Sea Fleet Series