Doug,
You asked for Bitter Ender scenario feedback over in the Bitter Ender folder, but it probably makes more sense to post it here.
Bill
Doug,
Here is one man’s take on the Bitter Ender scenarios.
Round 1:
RPT141 Volunteers Became Scarce: (50:50) Pretty balanced. Korean War setting may limit some player’s interests. South Koreans need to be careful about not overcommitting to the defense of the forward village area on Board
DTF-6 Magnificent Beast of Prey: (60:40 pro-German Defender) The Russians face a tough slug into the village area.
FrF93 Wiener Walzer: (55:45 pro-Russian Defender) I feel like if the Russians set up well and bag the expected number of Turn 1 German SPW 251/1s and then concentrate on reducing just one bridge area that this scenario could be hard on the Germans. Please see AAR here:
http://www.gamesquad.com/forums/index.php?threads/so-what-scenarios-have-you-played-recently.73136/page-384
WO31 Ma Deuce Delivers: No input, but this saw an awful lot of Round 1 play at Bitter Ender.
RPT160 Willie Und Fritz: (70-30 pro-German Defender) Neil Stanhagen and I played a Friendly of this on Thursday night before the tournament. Neil had a great set up with the two at start German Panthers in Stone VC buildings along the water front. Given the distance and time for the Russians to get the job done, I definitely like the Defenders in this one.
Round 2:
RPT143 Rebel’s Roost: (55:45 pro-Attacking Americans) Might be more balanced than this if the Defending North Koreans are careful with their two T-34/85s at set up. My opponent set his up such that I could get them in a crossfire pretty early one and then the American FP advantage took over.
FrF94 Death From Above: (50:50) Another quality, non-meat and potatoes offering from the interesting minds at Friendly Fire. Played the first couple of Turns of this to get a sense. Interesting, different, options for both sides.
WO32 Corps Value: (50:50) This Balance assessment is dependent upon how wickedly capable the defending North Korean player is at crafting a quality defense that remains as uncertain as long as possible. The Americans have super quality Marines, but not a lot of them to go around (NOTE the Chapter W Footnote 16 reference in SSR3! You miss it, you most likely lose). Another fine Pete Shelling offering (another of my favorite designers!)
ITR16 Fighting Tank Busters: No input, other than your day may go as your OBA goes. Not my first choice for tournament play.
X12 Nowhere To Hide: Caves, Trenches, and Pillboxes…
Round 3:
DTF-3 True Grit: (50:50) Doesn’t really get much better than this. A great PTO-light Japanese vs. Dutch affair by
Peter Struijf and Chris Mazzei from their most excellent Death to Fascism scenario pack. Longer AAR here:
http://www.gamesquad.com/forums/index.php?threads/so-what-scenarios-have-you-played-recently.73136/page-384
FrF97 Wrecking the Rentals: (55-45 pro-Russian Attacker) I think the Russian Attackers just need to go balls to the wall in this one and take their lumps but blow by the out-of-place German defenders, get into the VC area and hang on.
DTF-5 AK ‘44: (55:45 pro-Partisan Defender) I lost this as the Partisans in Albany against Gary Mei (a very high quality opponent), but word has it that a Partisan nut in their backfield is hard to break.
Fahrenheit 352: (50:50) I was a Hatten playtester, so it has been awhile, but my two playings of this were both close.
Liberating Bessarabia: No input.
Round 4:
RPT145 Bouncing Check: (xx:xx) Set it up and played the first two Turns. One needs to be comfortable with the Korean War module Steep Hills (W1.3) before giving this a spin as the Board 81 & 83 LOSs are IMO hard to Grok right out of the box.
WO30 As Luck Would Have It: (55-45 pro-German Attacker) Played a couple of Turns of this. A true “Tourney-sized” scenario that IMO didn’t offer a lot of flavor.
DASL A10: No input.
ASL115Huns of Steel: Not much input. Set it up and thought 9 Turns is really just six as the Hungarians are going to spend the majority of the first 3 Turns getting to the point of engagement. This is on my “To Play List”, just haven’t got there yet.
CtR-7 Desperate Hours: No input. Own it, but haven’t looked at it yet.
Round 5:
DTF-4 Death to Fascism: (50:50) Another fine offering from
Peter Struijf and Chris Mazzei from their super awesome Death to Fascism pack. Hell, it’s the totle scenario so it has to be good. Just don’t set up too far forward against Steve Pleva or there will be a price to be paid. ?
FrF98 Amerikanskaya Suka: (52-48 pro-German Defender) Great scenario. Please see my full AAR here:
http://www.gamesquad.com/forums/index.php?threads/frf98-amerikanskaya-suka.151652/
ASL137 Khamsin: No input. O for life in DTO.
CtR-20: No input. Own it, but haven’t looked at it yet.
FrF92 Arms Race: (xx:xx) So, Friendly Fire has an awesome reputation for scenarios that make you go “huh” when you first encounter them. Much like their FrF69 To Ashes, a masterpiece, this scenario will basically leave you scratching your head. I don’t want to say too much about it other than play it and enjoy it.