Each chapter begins with a succint table found in the later Quick Ref. Then detailed descriptions of the game mechanics with really clear examples follow - Discipline, Orders, Movement, Shoot and Close Quarter Combat. Nothing revolutionary there but the game does offer a series of excellent and innovative mechanics I'm well keen to try out as soon as Pendraken deliver my 10mm order of WWII goodies!
Squads range in status from confident to suppressed, shaken, demoralised and onto surrendered/knocked out. In essence squad A fires at enemy squad B, modifiers are applied, dice rolled to a target number and this yields a number of HITS. These are noted as the target squad rolls an experience check (saving throw) to prevent hits converting to casualties. The final score yielded is the number of models removed, but the hits actually scored are compared to the unit's status to determine whether a morale check is in order. If so the unit either falls back or decides to chance rolling for the test with the chance of standing ground if the test is passed or degrading status if failed. So a similiar arrangement to the League's other staple WWII skirmish system wherein the half-squad-shoot mechanic is replaced by the Experience "saving" roll yielding a similar effective result. The thing I think I fancy about this system however is how the VOLUME of fire is the catalyst to the discipline mechanic, wherein being fired on by a HMG, a mortar or a dude with a waterpistol may or may not trigger the test and if so at different modifiers to the discipline roll than the "if I shoot you you take a morale test - period".
We'll see in gameplay how this all comes about.
Orders-wise units can Hold (great cover use, no move, improved Opportunity Fire), Sneak (move slower, improve cover, may Opp Fire t), Advance (shoot and move, no cover), Run (may not shoot or hide, no cover, assault bonuses). The orders are placed via markers and carried out - in the original game - in an IGOUGO fashion with Opportunity Fire offering the chance to interrupt the opponent's turn. We'll see in League games if the beloved Activation mechanic should be implemented or perhaps even test out an Epic 40k "roll for activation" mechanic.
Another superb facet is the army selection structure is based on the scenario giving a Combat Effectiveness rating for each side and the lists are rated by the basic platoon's CE rating with extra add-ons being worth x support points. Thus to choose sides you buy a basic command plus two squads platoon and bolt on bits as required to reach the CE value - all in single and double digits so calculations are simple and elementary!
The rulebook includes dozens of vehicles off the bat with more published in the Armored Assault supplement and the Eastern Front covered in the Operation: Bagration book (both of which are in the mail to me).
I've done a few solo encounters thus far and yup, I think it's high time to introduce yet another ruleset to the stable!
With Pendraken selling figs 10/$2 I've ordered a reinforced platoon of every side in the original book with vehicles for less than $100 and the leftover buildings from my BKC project (the complete scenario section details 9 scenarios complete with victory conditions and army selection criteria as well as a linked campaign system and random scenario generation table...whoa!) ensure there's sufficient terrain for all the scenarios to be decked out on a 4x4' for ease of both transport and clean-up. After all aside from Cpl A the rest of the League is somewhat spatially-challenged so it's a great way to ensure we can meet more regularly when the whole game, terrain and figs can be carried even on my humble scooter!
More to follow on the evolution of this new little gem of a game which I'll rate, having only carried out some solo test games, a definite 7/10 for an off the shelf system.
More reviews to be found here and here and the publisher's site is located here
Ciao!
Comrade S. returns to the painting front to tackle ACW brigade number four!
