Now that Countdown markers are used on cards too, I think that creating a Global Key Command in Vassal which allows you to reduce all the markers simultaneously would be very useful.
I don't know if other players are in the same situation, but it is difficult for me to find all the Countdown markers on the map when they need to be reduced.
Beppe
It would be straight-forward to create an Axis breed of Countdown marker and add Buttons to decrement the grays (Axis) and the whites (UN). The problem I see is with Coundown markers in Time-Locked areas. The module has no notion of an area of the map being time-locked. To the module, Time-Lock is just a card.
Oh, gosh! I appreciate that, but even with experience there are some parts of the turn you languish over and others are more rushed-through. The Delay markers are very useful to languish over, as that is a moment for planning operations in their vicinity. They greatly impact the war in their local areas and, sizing those up while clocking the Delay markers I have always found very useful in helping to make decisions and plans for that turn. It is a very reflective step in the Sequence of Play... at least for me. :D
Thanks Alan for your quick answer. My problem is that I often forgot to reduce them, but you are more experienced with this game than I am, so I bow down to your mastery.
I'm not certain that will be easy. You would somehow have to know WHO OWNS EACH COUNTDOWN MARKER because you only want to reduced yours at the start of your turn, not your opponent's! :D And the, would you want you 0-value Countdown markers to just disappear? Would you remember where they used to be that is now functioning again?
Speaking only for myself, I find the distinct "D"-shaped markers pretty easy to find and, as they are absolutely vital to the war effort, spending a little time with them at the beginning of each turn keeps the strategic situation well-anchored in my mind. Naturally, your mileage varies, but I find helpful. Besides, there are usually only a handful to worry about for each side each turn, so it is really not that onerous, is it?