PanzerElite
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Northern Knights game reports for the week of Oct 4-12:
I spent the first few days prior to V-Con playing Vae Victis "Semper Victor" with Terence Co. It is a 2-player game about the Roman Empire 305-350 AD. It uses a system similar to Joe Miranda's "The Ottomans", in that it uses strategem chits, but this is a legitimate 2-player game, rather than requiring 4 players to get the full flavor of the system. One can only retain up to 5 strategem chits, and must return any chits only playable by one's opponent by the end of each turn. Built into the system is the balancing effects of controlling Non-Roman forces that enter the areas controlled by ones' opponent, as well as using one's "Usurper" leader to sway unaccompanied troops onto your side.
The thing that has really stuck me about the system is how well it penalizes a player for moving out of one's own area (or diocese), as if one is outside the home diocese one cannot get replacements. As most combat movement phases have 3 turns each, excursions are either short distance or when more ambitious suffer a penalty. Each game I have played has been very evenly balanced and reminds me of Brittania crossed with "The Ottomans"; a historical lesson as much as a chaotic backstabbing contest with the last man standing claiming victory.
V-Con Oct 8-10
This was my first experience at a convention of any sort, and was apparently the first time historical boardgaming has appeared at V-Con...I found out why that might be
I had a tough time at the con mainly because there was a lot of goofballs, who were remarkably successful at luring some of my group to play silly animal games (block leader...basically a silly version of "Squad Leader"). Once we got through the first day, I managed some gameplay with "Semper Victor" which I have outlined a few impressions above.
Day 2: This was more like it. We met a few old time hex gamers who marveled at our 2 table diplay of old AH titles as well as newer games: Six Angles "Kharkov 1941-43", Games Journal #1 " G-Barbarossa", Across 5 Aprils' "Pea Ridge", and VV "Semper Victor". we look forward to gaming with these guys in the future, as I have already spoken to Brant and Gary who will likely join us for gaming next week.
I got totally slaughtered..twice!, as the Rebels in the A5A scenario "Pea Ridge". I tried to hold the center of the map and push hard to take the north, but problems in the south kept sucking my resources dry. By the end of the game, I was thinking this was a lot like WW2 Eastern Front, as I ended up fighting on 2 fronts and this became my demise.
On Oct 12th: Terence and I finally got down to playing Games Journal #1 "G-Barbarossa". This game is fairly easy play, with very SPI like rules. Move-Combat- mechanized move, being the basic game mechanic... The things that set this game apart was the anti-armour ZOCs which are only present when units are within the command radius of their leader, and Hitler's orders; which if not followed and achieved result in cumulative penalties for the German player as the game develops.
There is also they severe movement problems the German player has from turns 7-9 (snow)...making it necessary for the Germans to make hay in the first 6 turns, and then try to hold onto cities captured while the huge threat of Soviet Far East Corps descend with both quickness and intensity... Of Course, Hitler's orders mess up all the best German plans as they must decide to try something innovative and take the penalty or stop the bleeding by gaining some of the objectives Hitler is calling for...
I plan on playing this one several more times before moving on to something new. I made a critical error in not taking Odessa early on which allowed the Russians to reinforce there..This is critical, as the capture of Odessa releases Romanian troops to the Axis cause. I also feel I have a long way to go in using air interdiction to slow the advance of Russian units via rail movement. I have really enjoyed my first look at this game, and am already doing a bit of solitaire in preparation for a rematch vs.Terence on Sunday (I'll get those filthy Russians yet!)
I spent the first few days prior to V-Con playing Vae Victis "Semper Victor" with Terence Co. It is a 2-player game about the Roman Empire 305-350 AD. It uses a system similar to Joe Miranda's "The Ottomans", in that it uses strategem chits, but this is a legitimate 2-player game, rather than requiring 4 players to get the full flavor of the system. One can only retain up to 5 strategem chits, and must return any chits only playable by one's opponent by the end of each turn. Built into the system is the balancing effects of controlling Non-Roman forces that enter the areas controlled by ones' opponent, as well as using one's "Usurper" leader to sway unaccompanied troops onto your side.
The thing that has really stuck me about the system is how well it penalizes a player for moving out of one's own area (or diocese), as if one is outside the home diocese one cannot get replacements. As most combat movement phases have 3 turns each, excursions are either short distance or when more ambitious suffer a penalty. Each game I have played has been very evenly balanced and reminds me of Brittania crossed with "The Ottomans"; a historical lesson as much as a chaotic backstabbing contest with the last man standing claiming victory.
V-Con Oct 8-10
This was my first experience at a convention of any sort, and was apparently the first time historical boardgaming has appeared at V-Con...I found out why that might be
I had a tough time at the con mainly because there was a lot of goofballs, who were remarkably successful at luring some of my group to play silly animal games (block leader...basically a silly version of "Squad Leader"). Once we got through the first day, I managed some gameplay with "Semper Victor" which I have outlined a few impressions above.
Day 2: This was more like it. We met a few old time hex gamers who marveled at our 2 table diplay of old AH titles as well as newer games: Six Angles "Kharkov 1941-43", Games Journal #1 " G-Barbarossa", Across 5 Aprils' "Pea Ridge", and VV "Semper Victor". we look forward to gaming with these guys in the future, as I have already spoken to Brant and Gary who will likely join us for gaming next week.
I got totally slaughtered..twice!, as the Rebels in the A5A scenario "Pea Ridge". I tried to hold the center of the map and push hard to take the north, but problems in the south kept sucking my resources dry. By the end of the game, I was thinking this was a lot like WW2 Eastern Front, as I ended up fighting on 2 fronts and this became my demise.
On Oct 12th: Terence and I finally got down to playing Games Journal #1 "G-Barbarossa". This game is fairly easy play, with very SPI like rules. Move-Combat- mechanized move, being the basic game mechanic... The things that set this game apart was the anti-armour ZOCs which are only present when units are within the command radius of their leader, and Hitler's orders; which if not followed and achieved result in cumulative penalties for the German player as the game develops.
There is also they severe movement problems the German player has from turns 7-9 (snow)...making it necessary for the Germans to make hay in the first 6 turns, and then try to hold onto cities captured while the huge threat of Soviet Far East Corps descend with both quickness and intensity... Of Course, Hitler's orders mess up all the best German plans as they must decide to try something innovative and take the penalty or stop the bleeding by gaining some of the objectives Hitler is calling for...
I plan on playing this one several more times before moving on to something new. I made a critical error in not taking Odessa early on which allowed the Russians to reinforce there..This is critical, as the capture of Odessa releases Romanian troops to the Axis cause. I also feel I have a long way to go in using air interdiction to slow the advance of Russian units via rail movement. I have really enjoyed my first look at this game, and am already doing a bit of solitaire in preparation for a rematch vs.Terence on Sunday (I'll get those filthy Russians yet!)