Game on the table - Crusader by Decision Games (Folio)

Normally, once I start playing a game, I will pick out the next game I want to play and read the rules (normally on the way to work), as this gives me plenty of time to read and understand them, and hunt down any errata whilst playing another game.
However, I failed to do this when playing Cheren, so the game I wanted to play next is still in the "rule reading" stage, meaning I had nothing on the table to play. Which is why I dug out this game, as the rules are pretty standard issue and were quick to read and learn, so it made for an ideal time filler.

Here is a description from the DG website:

The port-town of Tobruk was the key to Libya. The Axis had been besieging it since April 1941, threatening to push the Allies back into Egypt. The Afrikakorps, commanded by Irwin Rommel, had already defeated the Allies’ previous attempt to relieve Tobruk, Operation Battleaxe, but a new, surprise Allied offensive in November 1941, Operation Crusader, would evolve into one of the most chaotic and near-run battles of the entire North African campaign. 

Crusader utilizes the new Fire & Movement combat system that’s designed so players can augment their units with “support fire” during the course of the battle. From mortars to tanks, units can receive support assets to engage enemy positions and formations, allowing combat to develop at all levels. A single recon battalion, for example — perhaps supported by air cover — could be tasked to assault a lone enemy infantry regiment defending a key hilltop. As that attack gets underway, the recon battalion may find itself under the guns of enemy artillery. So more support fire will be necessary to take the hill, but assets are limited.

In Crusader, the attritional design of the new Combat Results Table simulates the true nature of battles in North Africa. Units are typically two-sided formations that can incur casualties, accurately replicating the realities of combat and the high losses sustained by both sides during the actual fighting around Tobruk. Winning the battle is thus a matter of maneuver, firepower and asset management.

Game Contents:

• 17 x 22” (43 x 56 cm) terrain map
• 100 die-cut counters
• One Standard Rules booklet for this series
• One Exclusive Rules booklet for this title

It sounds and interesting game to play, and judging by the rules set, a quick paced game, with quite a few interesting aspects to it!

I have cut the counters out, set it up, and I will get playing tomorrow. I will post a game report as soon as I can.
Note: green post-its are for keeping the map fixed to my board. They work quite well and do no damage to the map. They are also handy for writing quick notes down - oddly enough ha ha ha

Napoleon's First Battles - Decision Games

Things are hotting up at Marengo

Teutoburger Wald from Battles of the Ancient World by Decision Games

Teutoburger Wald depicts the battle which took place between three Roman Legions under the command of Govenor Varus, and a confederation of Germanic tribes.

Varus was en-route to winter quarters when he and his three Legions were caught in a cunning trap. Surrounded on all sides, this was to be a battle of pure survival.

The outcome for Varus was not good. He and his three Legions were destroyed, leaving this to be the worst (or very close to) defeat for Rome.

In this game, the victory conditions are quite simple. The Germanic tribes win if they destroy all Roman units by the end of turn 6. Rome wins if there is at least 1 unit left on the map by the end of turn 6 or if at least one unit manages to exit the West side of the map by turn 6.

Romans set up first, then the Germanic tribes, and this is my setup:

White, Yellow, Red and Black units are the Romans. The Germanic tribe start the game.

The biggest tactical issue the Romans faced was space. Their units needed to keep a certain amount of space free behind them to allow for retreat results, as there is no stacking allowed or retreating into EZOC (they would be eliminated otherwise). So counter-attacks were needed even if it just meant forcing the enemy to retreat, as the Romans needed the breathing space.

For the Germanic tribe, it was just a case of "get in tae them" (sorry, my old Scottish phrases coming out) or "get into the bastards!". They just had to attack every Roman unit. Force them back, make them retreat, and hopefully eliminate them when they could not retreat. They also had to make sure no gaps appeared, which would allow any Roman units to make a run for it.

I started the battle, and really, the Romans held their own pretty well for the first two turns, even though they were taking losses.However, the break through for the Germanic tribe came when they more or less destroyed the white XIX Legion, which exposed the Yellow XVIII, causing the Romans to be squeezed into an ever decreasing battle area.

From here on in, the Romans were stuffed. Maybe.

To cut a long AAR short (I like short AAR's), a chink appeared in the Germanic lines, and on the second last turn, after the Germanic tribe had made their moves and attacks, there remained one Roman unit, which decided to make a run for it. And run it did.

In the last turn, the Germanic units which were left were unable to destroy this unit and the Roman unit survived, and snatched victory out of the hands of the Germanic tribe. 

And if that was not an odd twist of fate, the unit that survived was bloody Varus himself! Ha ha ha ha haaaaa.

My Opinion of the game.

I thought it was a good game to play, as it did give you that sense of it was a battle of survival for the Romans, but also it is not a walk in the park for the Germanic tribe either.

Basic standard type rules (move, attack and rally), clean and well presented map, the counters are clean and pretty standard, and the rules were well written and quite clear to understand without having any question marks or queries.

This is classed as a low level of complexity Quad game, and it is, which is nice, as it played really well, and I really enjoyed it. I have no gripes about this game, i played it for what it is and got my enjoyment out of it!