"Is Shako 2 value for money?" Topic

I have a lot of experience playing Shako II – having been part of one of the teams that played it during development. The system is superb, and in my very biased opinion, better than any other Napoleonic battalion level rules.

Jeremy is correct that the photos were not the best, but I advocate that in the scheme of investments (figures, time, reference books) that the production cost of Shako II, as high as it might appear, is worth every penny for someone who hasn't played Shako and wants a great set of Napoleonic rules. If you already have Shako I, my recommendation is play the system till you're comfortable with the rules, then talk to others about the rules improvements. You've already invested in the system so make use of what you have.

I don't think the production cost of Shako II would have been noticeably less if they had removed a few of the photographs that are murky. The cost reduction would have been noticeable if the production team had removed the lengthy army lists from the back of the book. One could argue though that other systems sell these same army lists as separate books.

What is superb, and second to none, is the technical illustrations which show game mechanics. This, combined with the actual rules, is what makes Shako II so great and a more playable system than the original edition.

I agree about the technical illustrations.

Putting two and two together and coming to four (plus or minus 0.5) It appears that colour was intended but they were asked to pay up front for the publication and hadn't got the resources available so they changed to black and white and on the pre-print proof runs they seemed ok but in the production run they came out as they have.

I repeat, as I have from the outset and throughout the thread, that I think Shako is an excellent system.

One can more easily forgive the book's defects for the quality of the rules. It is disappointing that the image repro should have gone wrong, given the price level.

>"How much would you pay for a set of rules that has the following…."<

None of the items you name are deal-makers or deal-breakers. It all comes down to: how good are the rules (i.e. do they suit my tastes, predilections and prejudices?). If the rules are right, you could run them off on an old Dittograph machine for all I care. If they're not, full-color 3-dimensional pictures wouldn't make up for it.

True. However, I still believe that Bill Gray got it right. IS the price point an acceptable one? And does the current state of the US economy make the price point MORE of an issue than it might otherwise be?

Frankly. I prefer the MJ12 and THW approach. Clean B&W sets with good to great rule sets at a VERY competitive price point.

Thanks,

John

I agree donlowry. I believe most rule reviews are a bit like movie reviews.
What some people say are the best they have ever played, completely suck to other people. It all comes down to, as you say to personal taste.
Yes none of the items are deal-makers I wasn't trying to sell shako II to anyone I was only asking what would people pay(or expect to pay) for set of rules that contained those items.
In other words if this book isn't value for money what do you think is?
I, like most people (who have posted here) think the price tag on shako II is at the top end of the market, But I'll also add that for me there is no better set so I got value for money.

I've got a copy of the Shako II rule tables. Do I need the book?

As I liked Shako 1 very much (and used the added advanced rules via the scenario book and Yahoo group) I bought the Sahko II rule book. I think for me, as I know the quality of the rules, and although the price is steep, I find it value for money but for newcomers I think the price is way too much. Simpler design, lesser photos/drawings/army lists would a more acceptable price and more newcomers to Shako. In my opinion a missed chance.

IF a set of rules sounded promising, got good reviews from knowledgeable gamers, I might risk $25 USD (say 12.5 GBPs) to buy them sight unseen. Much above that, I'd very much like to have a read thru first. Well thought-out rules and clear presentation are the only essentials; pictures, detachable charts, etc., are probably not worth what they add to the printing costs.

Does the new version also have a "large scale" option like the first where each stand is a battalion?

No, also 7YW is omitted