https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1456271622/band-of-brothers-wwii-board-game-series
My first ever KS pledge!
Quote from: bob48 on May 30, 2015, 06:01:58 AM
My first ever KS pledge!
Have you played any of the games from this series before Bob? A guy in my local wargaming group just posted a message asking for opinions on this series.
And is it me or do most people just more or less find one tactical level WW2 game and stick with that or do people invest the time and money in to several for a variety? I mean, I look at BoB and think "looks like a lite ASL, something easy enough to pick up and play" but then I think "ASL SK is simple, fun and it cost $25 and I already know and play it to death". I've played CoH, didn't care for it. I'm familiar enough with LnL to know that I prefer the way ASL works. I'm rambling but it might make for a neat discussion in another topic some time.
Gary, I have both SE and GP and have played them a lot. For me, they are without doubt the best squad level tactical games I've ever played and I highly recommend the system to anyone interested in the period / scale.
I know that the graphics style may put some gamers off, as it did me for a while, but that is more than compensated for by the gameplay.
I also know that many ASL players did regard it as 'ASL Lite' and were surprised to find that to refer to it as such is to do the game an injustice. I also have and play all the CoH games, but will not try and compare them with the BoB system. They both use very different systems and I find them both enjoyable games to play.
At the risk of upsetting ASL players.......I gave up with ASL because it just got too much of a slog to play (for me, anyway) whereas both BoB / CoH are easy to learn and do not get bogged down with rules but are anything but simplistic.
If, having played any game, you feel that the result feels 'realistic' then, regardless of the fact that the game does not have a 400 page rule book, then its a good game. The proof of the pudding, etc.
Anyway, you can download the rules and there is a vassal mod available for SE / GP so you can try before you buy.
Wow, the production value looks spectacular. I really like seeing the rule book look like an Army manual.
I have Ghost Panzers and this is a fun system. It's very easy to play but the results feel realistic. Like Bob I just pledged the KS on this.
The VASSAL module is also great and makes the system even easier to play.
I played SE with a friend and it's a good system. It's not close tp SL/ ASL, but plays good and results are acceptable. The $119 deal is a great deal in the end, but the "Stretch Goals" after #1 are lame :uglystupid2: Patches? Really?
You can always sell it off for more money if you don't like it in the end ;)
I knew I saw a video that explain infantry combat.
I just watched that a few hours ago to refresh myself on the game system. Excellent video.
Played a few enjoyable hours of this today. It really is a fast-to-play system that rewards good tactics.
Quote from: Richie61 on May 31, 2015, 09:36:04 AM
I played SE with a friend and it's a good system. It's not close tp SL/ ASL, but plays good and results are acceptable. The $119 deal is a great deal in the end, but the "Stretch Goals" after #1 are lame :uglystupid2: Patches? Really?
You can always sell it off for more money if you don't like it in the end ;)
Not in any way trying to be argumentative, and I ask this purely as a matter of interest for discussion; your comment
'Its not close to SL/ASL....'
Why would we want to compare it with SL/ASL? Its a totally different system and its not trying to be 'SL/ASL' and the designer tells us why this is so in his design notes.
As we have noted, the game gives good 'realistic' feeling results without all the rules overhead of SL/ASL. Furthermore, why should we consider that SL/ASL is any more realistic than BoB / LnL / CoH / ATS?
Is this not all just a case of personal taste, and, like many things, purely subjective?
Quote from: bob48 on June 01, 2015, 09:17:04 AM
As we have noted, the game gives good 'realistic' feeling results without all the rules overhead of SL/ASL. Furthermore, why should we consider that SL/ASL is any more realistic than BoB / LnL / CoH / ATS?
Is this not all just a case of personal taste, and, like many things, purely subjective?
Stop your whinging and let's get a VASSAL game set up, you pirate!
What! So that you can kick 7 bells out of me again?
Oh, alright then.
Bob,
The main reason folks are probably comparing to ASL is because that's what everyone knows and can easily reference.
Oh yes Brant, I'm fully aware that people use SL/ASL as a yardstick by which to 'measure' other, newer, tactical games. I'm just questioning the validity of that.
SL/ASL is well established as one of the first serious tac game systems- my argument is that it does not mean that newer games are less 'realistic' without question. Again, Jim Krohn's designer notes make interesting reading and raises some valid points about SL/ASL.
I'm not by any means trying to 'rubbish' ASL, by the way, I just think its an interesting topic for discussion.
Bah! We all know that the Lock 'n Load series is the best squad level tactical system out there. ^-^
Well, at least until Old School Tactical takes it's place. O0
I detect a hint of bias there, Vance? ;)
Hey Bob!
First off, I am in to the 3 KS game package ;) I have been looking at picking it up before now, but I buy used (I am cheap ^-^)
I will go on the record and say that me calling it SL/ ASL is really wrong. Squad Leader was a better game system than Advanced Squad Leader. ASL tried to add rules to address realistic battlefield components and just became a bloated pig of rules. Thus I should say SL/ ASL - sorry.
I compare it to SL/ ASL because I grow up of Squad Leader as a kid. Bought SL the day it was released and every module they came out. Squad Leader and Cross of Iron were the best of the
series IMO. ASL became a bloated pig of rules :knuppel2: I played SL non stop for 5 years with 3 different friends, so I use SL as a bar to relate to other squad based games.
Now I have all the BoB titles and I am not a super fan of the game system. I also have CoH and again it's a great looking series, but it left me looking for more.
Not Valor & Victory is a great system for squad sized combat and Old School Tactical is going to be a BIG hit too.
I play Combat Commander and it's a flippin' great title!
The ATS system is another good squad fighting system, but it's another AH package.
Now I too like other squad based games. GJK talked about ASL SK and thus I was addressing his post. I did post a nice video of the game system ;D
I am not an expert on the series like you, but I think it's a good/ great squad game package. O0
I am bringing Ghost Panzer to Origins again this year. This time, the counters are punched and I actually know how to play it. Vance shall not escape this year...
Quote from: panzerde on June 01, 2015, 12:00:58 PM
I am bringing Ghost Panzer to Origins again this year. This time, the counters are punched and I actually know how to play it. Vance shall not escape this year...
Wheeee..... :D
Quote from: Barthheart on June 01, 2015, 12:03:55 PM
Quote from: panzerde on June 01, 2015, 12:00:58 PM
I am bringing Ghost Panzer to Origins again this year. This time, the counters are punched and I actually know how to play it. Vance shall not escape this year...
Wheeee..... :D
We can play in all of our spare time between sessions of Sergeants and Tide of Iron and Staff Wargaming.
;D
Quote from: panzerde on June 01, 2015, 12:09:55 PM
Quote from: Barthheart on June 01, 2015, 12:03:55 PM
Quote from: panzerde on June 01, 2015, 12:00:58 PM
I am bringing Ghost Panzer to Origins again this year. This time, the counters are punched and I actually know how to play it. Vance shall not escape this year...
Wheeee..... :D
We can play in all of our spare time between sessions of Sergeants and Tide of Iron and Staff Wargaming.
;D
Shhhh... don't mention that or Brant will jam in more sessions next year! :P
no - next year we hope to have more companies + more GMs = fewer sessions per GM
Quote from: Barthheart on June 01, 2015, 11:26:49 AM
Bah! We all know that the Lock 'n Load series is the best squad level tactical system out there. ^-^
Well, at least until Old School Tactical takes it's place. O0
I think Vance nailed it,... ;)
BOB looks cool though, as do a lot of the other tactical systems out there.
The KS looks like a good value.
Well, I threw money at you, too. I have a spot on the table right here waiting for it.
And I have ASL/SK, though I've yet to break the shrinkwrap on it. I played SL years ago, but have been slow to get back into it.
I have LnL Heroes of the Blitzkrieg here, too, and LnL: Heroes of Stalingrad on the PC.
And most of the Tiller Squad Battles games.
It's all good! I'd rather have a bunch of good squad-level tactical systems to chose from than just one.
Many compare tactical WWII games to ASL's "realism". ASL isn't realistic. The numbers were fudged to make it fit and work together. There's lots of abstraction with chrome painted on top. What ASL is, is a damn fine *game* (the best WWII tactical game ever designed IMO). It's the way that the pieces fit together that make it so damn fun and you can get as chromed up as you like; if you want rafts, sewers, pungi sticks, banzai charges, parachutes, gliders and just about every piece of ordnance and vehicle used during the war, ASL is a toolbox full of that stuff. Or you can just read chapter A and play 100's of infantry only scenarios and still have a blast.
That said, I watched the video for this game that was posted here and it looks quite intriguing. Probably more realistic than ASL actually with the different levels of firepower and the alternating activations. And I'm sure that it's a fine game in its own right as well. Hell, if somebody brought it out and put it on the table, I'd enjoy learning it and giving it a spin. Don't see me selling off my ASL gear to jump in on this one however. ;)
Now they have some great "Stretch Goals" :D
GJK: I can understand ;)
I should sell off my ASL stuff someday. It's wasting away in my closet :-\ I have no plans to sell off Squad Leader :knuppel2:
Its been over 30 years since I played, SL, but the guys I used to game with had all the stuff that was available at that time and we played it a lot. I've played very little ASL, but do seem to remember thinking that it was not as good as SL.
Not played CC yet, although I have a buddy who does and I'm scheduled to have a bash at it at eventually with him.
I do have the base game of ATS, and have messed about with it a bit - it looks like hard work........
Agreed that the new stretch goals for BoB look good - much rather have game related stuff than the badges.
I want the Stretch Goal #7 now :D
^Yeah, me too O0
$83,776 and Stretch Goal #10 unlocked :D WOW!!!! :coolsmiley:
Awesome indeed.
It's all Bob's fault. I played it once with a friend, but Bob is a huge fan of the series - so I jumped in ;D
You'll not regret it - it really is an excellent system O0
LOL! I am dying to get the system on my table. I have read the rules and cheat sheets a bunch of times already :D
Proofs are in and looking AWESOME :D
(https://ksr-ugc.imgix.net/projects/1590654/posts/1509109/image-360871-original.jpeg?v=1457041369&w=560&fit=max&auto=format&q=92&s=7225707526411b21f5afa3cac67b6c83)
(https://ksr-ugc.imgix.net/projects/1590654/posts/1509109/image-360870-original.jpeg?v=1457041136&w=560&fit=max&auto=format&q=92&s=f0753162fbe42f96d3284412e21ec54d)
(https://ksr-ugc.imgix.net/projects/1590654/posts/1509109/image-360873-original.jpeg?v=1457041399&w=560&fit=max&auto=format&q=92&s=75a0941b5decabde797d1b419d738488)
Hope we get some news about projected shipping dates soon.
Or review copies for GrogHeads. (AHEM) hint hint... ;)
The Band of Brothers system is really good, it truly is one of those "simple to learn, hard to master" systems. I like that each player has something to do at any moment, there isn't any waiting around, you are engaged the entire game.
Also good to see Jim Krohn went with a unit and campaign that typically receives scant coverage for the third game.
For those, like me that are eagerly awaiting the game, here is some reading on the 36th Infantry Division "Texas Arrows", the Rapido campaign and southern France.
Duane Schultz - Crossing the Rapido: A Tragedy of World War II
http://www.amazon.com/Crossing-Rapido-Tragedy-World-War/dp/1594161062/ref=sr_1_17?m=A374VS59X5ED68&s=merchant-items&ie=UTF8&qid=1458485679&sr=1-17&keywords=world+war+two
Martin Blumenson - Bloody River: The Real Tragedy of the Rapido
http://www.amazon.com/Bloody-River-Williams-Ford-University-Military/dp/0890968527/ref=sr_1_39?m=A374VS59X5ED68&s=merchant-items&ie=UTF8&qid=1458485679&sr=1-39&keywords=world+war+two
Jeff Danby - DAY OF THE PANZER: A Story of American Heroism and Sacrifice in Southern France
http://www.amazon.com/DAY-PANZER-American-Sacrifice-Southern/dp/193203370X/ref=sr_1_24?m=A374VS59X5ED68&s=merchant-items&ie=UTF8&qid=1458485679&sr=1-24&keywords=world+war+two
I've just finished some reading about the Italian campaign and would love to get this on the table. Thanks for the additional references; I'll be adding those to my reading list.
My KS set of 3 games and all the goals came in today! I wish my life wasn't so busy and I could game all day long :'(
Meh!. I have to wait for my copies to cross the pond first. :-((
Nothing here yet, either. I suspect I'll see them yet this week though. Maybe get one on the table this weekend.
:-( and I'll still be waiting for mine...although, I do have another game on its way which I'm looking forwards to :-))
Not to mention a Pike & Shot PBEM game you need to play!
;D
Indeed. After you wiped the floor with me in the last one :-)
I checked, and there are no paratroopers under the bushes or panzers on the front step. :(
Trunk o' games arrived today. Very impressive looking at first glance. Deeper boxes to hold the counter trays. The scenario cards are a nice touch, too. It's nice to have the counter trays, though they seem to be a bit lighter and flimsier than I expected. Sizeable, though.
~@**#?^***#~
Quote from: bob48 on August 11, 2016, 06:56:33 AM
~@**#?^***#~
Did I mention that they came with a package of limited edition Hobnobs, and a coupon I can redeem for my own full-scale T-34 or Panther tank? You're really gonna love this stuff Bob, if
it ever arrives in the UK...
I know I can always rely on you to cheer me up. Thanks, Doug.
Bob
You know you said there was a "second edition" Ghost Panzers coming out (or out??)....are you getting rid of your first addition? If so, bagsy first up dibs? :smitten:
Yeah - no worries - I'll PM you later mate - just off out for a while.
oh - excellent. Name your price - I ain't looking for no stinkin' freebies ;D
WOOT!
All the new stuff arrived today. Impressed by the quality of the components, although the storage trays are nothing to shout about.
Quote from: bob48 on August 23, 2016, 10:00:38 AM
WOOT!
All the new stuff arrived today. Impressed by the quality of the components, although the storage trays are nothing to shout about.
Pretty much exactly my assessment, too.
Quote from: panzerde on August 23, 2016, 10:31:23 AM
Quote from: bob48 on August 23, 2016, 10:00:38 AM
WOOT!
All the new stuff arrived today. Impressed by the quality of the components, although the storage trays are nothing to shout about.
Pretty much exactly my assessment, too.
Ditto :(
I don't get it. How bad can a counter tray be? The worst I saw were some with a hinge between the cover and base. The nightmare being increased probability of spilling and mixing counters opening and closing the tray.
They aren't terrible. They're just made of a really light, thin plastic, and, IMO, sort of a weird arrangement of wells for holding the counters. I think the disappointment is that they were probably over-hyped as part of the KS, and what we got was just pretty ho-hum. If you went all-in for the three games and all of the extras, and then waited a long time to finally get it all to show up, the trays were a let down.
Quote from: panzerde on August 23, 2016, 12:27:14 PM
If you went all-in for the three games and all of the extras, and then waited a long time to finally get it all to show up, the trays were a let down.
This ;)
Ah I see. Well that makes sense. I just live in the happy ignorance of only using GMT trays.
Quote from: Bison on August 23, 2016, 12:42:52 PM
Ah I see. Well that makes sense. I just live in the happy ignorance of only using GMT trays.
I just ordered 20 more GMT trays, and while I probably won't use any of them for these games unless the included trays just turn out unworkable, I'm tempted!
You can do this to your BoB trays.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcf.geekdo-images.com%2Fimages%2Fpic3133810_md.jpg&hash=a07938efb362b110c54a03302f279fafa125de60)
http://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1620531/counter-tray-insert-file-available
Quote from: Richie61 on August 23, 2016, 01:25:08 PM
You can do this to your BoB trays.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcf.geekdo-images.com%2Fimages%2Fpic3133810_md.jpg&hash=a07938efb362b110c54a03302f279fafa125de60)
http://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1620531/counter-tray-insert-file-available
Are those the actual trays? If so I can understand the disappointment. I think I have 8 GMT
trays left, which I'm hoping is enough to store US Civil War, Normandy 44, and Ukraine 43.
That's an insert someone came up with. Here's a video that shows the trays and the insert being put into the tray.
Like I said, not terrible, but also not really well suited for the purpose of holding counters.
Huh. Certainly an odd design choice for counter storage.
Quote from: Bison on August 23, 2016, 02:07:41 PM
Quote from: Richie61 on August 23, 2016, 01:25:08 PM
You can do this to your BoB trays.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcf.geekdo-images.com%2Fimages%2Fpic3133810_md.jpg&hash=a07938efb362b110c54a03302f279fafa125de60)
http://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1620531/counter-tray-insert-file-available
Are those the actual trays? If so I can understand the disappointment. I think I have 8 GMT
trays left, which I'm hoping is enough to store US Civil War, Normandy 44, and Ukraine 43.
Normandy '44 is an excellent game.
No way can I be arsed to fart on with inserts - I'll just use GMT trays - I have 4 spare which will do the trick.
GMT trays ROCK! :D
Quote from: bob48 on August 23, 2016, 02:43:43 PM
Normandy '44 is an excellent game
Well if I can ever figure out how to get Vassel working perhaps we could play a game after I read the rules.
I have the Vassal mod installed for it.
I need to load up a few more modules to test out my Vassal, but right now I have a few where the map is not displaying. I have no idea what is going on to be honest, but hopefully I can figure out the issue.
Quote from: bob48 on August 24, 2016, 11:08:20 AM
I have the Vassal mod installed for it.
Was version 2.0 released yet with Texas Arrows on Vassal?
Not that I'm aware of. I'll need to check.
Quote from: bob48 on August 24, 2016, 03:37:57 PM
Not that I'm aware of. I'll need to check.
Nope, not out yet. I asked at BGG.
Well - thanks to the omnipresent Bawb, I am now the proud owner of two used board games - Ghost Panzer and Screaming Eagles - both in excellent condition. And for a very, very reasonable price to boot.
It's a shame the UK market isn't as prolific with some board games - I simply will not pay 1/2 the price of a game for postage and then again for customs costs!
I saw Bob was getting a new edition and asked on the quiet if he was willing to part with one. He decided to part with both at a great price.
So - thank you very much Bob O0
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1160.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fq499%2Fwmar1967%2FBoard%2520Games%2FIMAG1490_1_zps6xs6zlxw.jpg&hash=74851ffae9ce1ed3462186ee7c480309eaf04bb2) (http://s1160.photobucket.com/user/wmar1967/media/Board%20Games/IMAG1490_1_zps6xs6zlxw.jpg.html)
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1160.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fq499%2Fwmar1967%2FBoard%2520Games%2FIMAG1491_1_zpsweogv0c0.jpg&hash=057ccf7d7b27f10fc3c9b2dffdec002076ca26f8) (http://s1160.photobucket.com/user/wmar1967/media/Board%20Games/IMAG1491_1_zpsweogv0c0.jpg.html)
O0
That artwork is just so :smitten:
If anyone is interested in it, I have my original Ghost Panzers I could part with.
Quote from: panzerde on August 25, 2016, 05:17:39 PM
If anyone is interested in it, I have my original Ghost Panzers I could part with.
I might be interested.
Quote from: JudgeDredd on August 25, 2016, 03:00:17 AM
Well - thanks to the omnipresent Bawb, I am now the proud owner of two used board games - Ghost Panzer and Screaming Eagles - both in excellent condition. And for a very, very reasonable price to boot.
It's a shame the UK market isn't as prolific with some board games - I simply will not pay 1/2 the price of a game for postage and then again for customs costs!
I saw Bob was getting a new edition and asked on the quiet if he was willing to part with one. He decided to part with both at a great price.
So - thank you very much Bob O0
You're more than welcome. I'm happy that they have gone to a good home, and hope that you enjoy playing them as much as I did / do :-))
Quote from: Bison on August 25, 2016, 10:00:44 PM
Quote from: panzerde on August 25, 2016, 05:17:39 PM
If anyone is interested in it, I have my original Ghost Panzers I could part with.
I might be interested.
PM me and we'll get something set up!
Quote from: bob48 on August 26, 2016, 01:49:03 PM
Quote from: JudgeDredd on August 25, 2016, 03:00:17 AM
Well - thanks to the omnipresent Bawb, I am now the proud owner of two used board games - Ghost Panzer and Screaming Eagles - both in excellent condition. And for a very, very reasonable price to boot.
It's a shame the UK market isn't as prolific with some board games - I simply will not pay 1/2 the price of a game for postage and then again for customs costs!
I saw Bob was getting a new edition and asked on the quiet if he was willing to part with one. He decided to part with both at a great price.
So - thank you very much Bob O0
You're more than welcome. I'm happy that they have gone to a good home, and hope that you enjoy playing them as much as I did / do :-))
You're the man Bob!
Quote from: bob48 on August 26, 2016, 01:49:03 PM
Quote from: JudgeDredd on August 25, 2016, 03:00:17 AM
Well - thanks to the omnipresent Bawb, I am now the proud owner of two used board games - Ghost Panzer and Screaming Eagles - both in excellent condition. And for a very, very reasonable price to boot.
It's a shame the UK market isn't as prolific with some board games - I simply will not pay 1/2 the price of a game for postage and then again for customs costs!
I saw Bob was getting a new edition and asked on the quiet if he was willing to part with one. He decided to part with both at a great price.
So - thank you very much Bob O0
You're more than welcome. I'm happy that they have gone to a good home, and hope that you enjoy playing them as much as I did / do :-))
You should've kept your dice pal - I have loads. I went on a dice buying spree once with loads of different colours and sizes. But thanks again.