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So, I've just had a loose thought, which I wonder if it could in fact add an element to gameplay in a wargame, with alternating actions.

The thought (and I must emphasise that it isn't coherent enough to be an idea yet!) is to have a second board next to the main board, in which is played a different game, but which links into the main game.

So the standard game is played as you would expect from an AA wargame - pick unit, activate unit, then alternate. units can be killed etc.

The other game is played in a different way, where players can use actions to move pieces or something to gain bonuses in the normal game. Think of it like the main board is a battlefield, and the second board is an abstract of the larger battlefield - so like if you were playing epic on one table, with a void in the middle which was represented by a standard 40k game on another table. kinda.

So if you have less actions than the opponent, you have more opportunity to make moves on the second board and gain some advantages on the main board- not sure what, but perhaps orbital strikes, reinforcements, I don't know. Maybe assistance from ghosts, if that fit the setting.

Or, perhaps have the second board used to assign win conditions, and the main board be to give utility on the second board. kind of like when you get killstreak rewards in call of duty games?

so troops take objectives, and so can hack into the network, meaning their moves can take place on the second board whilst they're there...

This could be a good mechanic for a stealth-based infiltration game, where you are trying to infiltrate and hack into a secret base. stop moving to make moves on the hack board, but start moving again in time to avoid the guards. 2 players hacking and NPC guards to act as enemies...

anyway, has anyone seen or played any games where there are 2 contrasting boards in play? maybe one to offer a handicap system so the game doesn't swing too far and become less fun (asyou have less models, they become more heroic and get the luck of the devil, movie-hero style)?

This would work well in a board game, but less so in a wargame.

In a sense, the Osprey Game Kobolds and Cobblestones is somewhat of an example of "playing two different games at once" in that the card mechanics are driven by Poker hands so that you are trying to get a good Poker hand to play and also moving miniatures around the board too.

Not two boards, but an illustration of the concept in a slightly different way.