ORIGINAL: Arckon
1/ For PBEM does it therefore mean 1 turn will take 2 email exchanges, 1 for your initial orders and then 1 for your reaction phase?
Yes, BUT the system allows both players to do their turns simultaneously, so you don't have to wait for your opponent to finish his reaction before you can do yours, for example. A bit tough to explain, but it does speed things up over the usual purely sequential process.
2/ Aprox how long does the giving orders phase take? I realise it may differ as to the size of the scenario you are playing but anyway to give a rough idea?
Really does depend. It doesn't take long for me at all honestly. The first turn is the longest as you look over the battlefield and set initial orders. Also, when in the midst of a heavy engagement, some players prefer to set their own targets and ammo, others let the auto-targeting handle it and that makes a difference in time as well. For me personally the first turn orders usually take 5 minutes or so, the others take about 1-2 minutes. I often spend more time looking through the replays than giving orders.
Regards,
- Erik