"Band of Brothers game series, by Worthington Press" Topic

Worthington Publishing puts out the Band of Brothers tactical World War II game series. These are fairly simple and straight forward, and concentrate on having to suppress the enemy and then go in to finish them. You don't generally get to just shoot them up from a distance, because they come back from all but the most effective shots. But you do have to suppress them, because getting shot while moving in the open hurts. Designer notes:

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(You might have to be a member at boardgamegeek.)

They are running a Kickstarter for the series: Screaming Eagles, Ghost Panzer, and Texas Arrows. If you have SE and GP, you can get TA with pieces to fix SE up to more recent rules. You can get all three games for $119. USD

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I think the game could use a little bit of cleanup, but really is simple and effective. The SE scenarios get to be a bit samey (paratroopers clear Germans out of somewhere), but have still been fun, and once we are familiar, flow quickly. My wife and I played one recently where I (US) had to get her (Germans) off of a road by end of turn 7, and while she felt she was being wiped out, she figured out she needed to just make it hard for me to get them all, and ended up winning. The games have been exciting. (She says she doesn't like it because she gets worked up, but that's a benefit!)

The scenarios in Texas Arrows are supposed to be more varied and interesting, and I can't wait. While I have no connection to Worthington Publishing, I've backed for new versions of the games (they're improving maps, the box, etc). I'm already satisfied with what I'll get, but if they get the rest of the scenarios and the custom counter trays, I'll be even happier.

andy

I always thought the system made sense. I've miniature gamed to the point where I think superimposing buildings and roads on a hex grid looks all skewy…and gives me a headache. The rules would work great if ported to a miniatures format.

More info here:
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See "Why BoB?" for a good intro.

andy

Sounds interesting, but that's a lot of dough for paper and cardboard.

I think I'll stick to minis.

I have the first BoB game they released years ago and thought it was overpriced for what you get. The map board and counters are flimsier compared to other popular WWII tactical hex-and-counter games like Lock N Load's 'Band of Heroes' or GMT's 'Combat Commander.' The artwork is nice though and the rules fairly easy to learn.

That's some of what they are addressing this time around. The boards will be mounted. Counters aren't any thinner, I think, than CC, which I like. I think the markers (not the unit counters themselves, but the Moved, Used, Suppressed, etc) should be smaller, because hexes get crowded. I made a bunch of my own with a printout and a hole punch, some cardboard and glue.

The main thing about this game though is the play. I like their take on suppression and attacks. I feel like I've gotten my money's worth, and will still feel that way when the new stuff comes out in the fall. Maybe I'll give away my old set.

andy