Today I played my first game using the new rules Victory at Sea, by Mongoose Publishing. My 'partners in crime' Scott and Matt assisted in wading through the rules and learning how to play.
For our first game, we selected a 3 point game at the raid level. The opponents were Germans and Americans. Jerry brought a CA, 2 CL and 3 DD to the table. The US field a CV, 2 CA and 3 DD. The scenario was "Victory at Sea" – basically a slugfest.
Turn 1
The US (me!) win the initiative and force the Germans to move first. The Z class DD's make a beeline for the Enterprise, while the cruisers manuver to bring their broadsides to bear on the US cruisers.
The US cruisers return the favor, while the 2 US screen the CV. The last DD sprints toward the German cruisers to gain position for a future torpedo attack. The US aircraft already airborne (SBD) close on the German cruisers.
A gunnery duel between the US cruisers and the German light cruiser Konigsberg, results in the Koningberg taking hits and catching fire. In the ensuing repair phase, Konigsberg continues to burn.
Turn 2
The US again win the initiative. Movement continues as before, the US DD's screening the carrier lay down a smokescreen, blocking the Z class destroyers a clear shot at the Enterprise.
A general engagement breaks out. The screening DD's fore torpedoes at the Z class DD, while the third US DD fires torpedoes at the Prinz Eugen just before being crippled by the combined fire of all three German cruisers.
SBD swoop down on the light cruiser Koln, blasting the ship out of the water. One Z class destroyer is shredded by a torpedo strike, while another slips through.
Turn 3
The surviving Z class DD's close to torpedo range. Enterprise is savaged by torpedoes and takes heavy damage. The Konigsberg sucumbs to 8" gunfire, but in the process the Astoria is crippled by torpedos from a Z class DD.
Turn 4 – A stern chase is a long chase
Prinz Eugen continues to close on the US force, while the American cruisers screen the damaged Enterprise. Devastor and SBD close on the Prinz Eugen, but inflict little damage.
Turn 5
The gunnery duel continues, with the Americans scoring hits that fail to penetrate the armor.
Turn 6
Astoria finally falls victim to Prinz Eugen's guns, but Eugen is crippled in return. As the Germans have one remaining destroyer left on the table, they graciously cede defeat.
Thoughts
Victory at Sea is a fun game. The games origins in A Call to Arms is very clear, but in this case, it helped us quickly pick up the game. Speed of play was quick – espcially for consulting the rules during the first play through. As long time historical players, we had some quibbles with unit ratings, but given the d6 system, some coarseness is to expected.
Torpedoes are brutally effective. The Japanese Navy is a lethal killing machine with its DDs.
Ultimately we have a fun time pushing ships around the table. Several folks stopped by and expressed interest in the game and at least one copy of the rules sold.
is back from Council of Five Nations.
