I've unboxed the game this week. At first the rules were a big challenge for me, because I'm a fairly novice wargamer. Your video's about HOD are really helpfull. Thanks for a great job, Zilla.
My only complaint is that you don't get to roll dice in the battles -- but that didn't stop me from ordering it! Also, I thought for a moment that having the General escort the supply convoy back and forth was a little gamey and that no general would want to do that. But then I remembered how an American admiral in the battles against the Barbary pirates (showcased in the game Shores of Tripoli) spent his entire deployment holed up in Malta with his wife and new baby daughter. And now it makes perfect sense to me -- the General (who would have purchased his commission in this era!) doesn't actually want to be where the fighting is! So he leads the supply convoy back to the cushy fort every Sunday where he has a fine wine with dinner with the fort commander. And of course he brings enough troops with him to protect himself!
Great points! I think too, it's helpful to consider how small the forces were here. The entire war had less than 1k casualties combined for both sides. :)
Thanks, SOLO! It's a very unique game, I haven't played anything quite like it before. The logistics element in particular feels quite well done. Not too cumbersome, yet an interesting game mechanic to play. Thanks for stopping in!
I watched your video on the best games you played in 2022 this afternoon. Your enthusiasm for HoD perked my interest, so I have just watched your 3 videos on this game back-to-back. Good, clear commentary on how the rules work, coupled with enthusiasm for the game. Must see if this is still available in the UK, because I think I'll buy it.
I'm glad you enjoyed the series, it's quite a unique game, unlike anything else I've played, and a nice little knot to untangle. If you are able to find it, I'd be curious to hear what you think of it.
Well, I have finally been able to buy a copy, so I set it up and ran through your videos again yesterday and today, while playing one (very slow = first time) game, and I enjoyed it. This is a good game, so thanks for your videos which led me to buy it🙂
Going to pick up a historical book or two on the topic, get into the game and then come back to this 3rd video as needed. It's a tad spoilery for me. I'm digging how multifaceted the game looks... logistics, weather, 3 scales of detail. Just about perfect.
That sounds like an excellent plan. It really feels unlike any game I've played so far, in particular with regards to "playing" logistics and supply. :)
Great videos. Thx so much. And particularly interesting if one is a South African (like me!). The game looks superb, with its combination of strategy, tactics and operational elements. (Like Zilla Blitz, though, I have the problem of multiple table use, so completing a game may be challenging. But playing halfway seems nice too, giving one a feel for how the war actually went, or may have gone!)
A lot to take in and keep an eye on, the cards help make the game flow easier to follow. The weather rolls have not been favourable & looks a tough ask for the British to win. Excellent tutorial as another game might be on the horizon.
Thanks, coyi, the main positions look quite challenging to take, for sure, and there are a lot of ways the campaign can go sideways for the British. I'm finding it an intriguing game, and quite original from other games I've played. I still have a good bit to learn. :)
Interesting game. I have a monster sized book on the Boer wars I picked up at a library sale years ago but have not read yet. This could be a motivator.
@@ZillaBlitz it's called "The Boar War" by Thomas Pakenham. Published 1979. 618 pages in hardcover not counting all the information, indices at the back.
Not always a big fan of supply rules because I have listened to an army supply officer talk about it and basically he says REAL supply rules would be dull and tedious, and wouldn't alter the outcome. But I have read quite a bit of the boer war history, and the supply issues that come up in this game sound a lot like the kind of issues that the narrative should include.
Yes, while I think logistics are important, they can most definitely be boring, especially to play. I think this game and the Levy & Campaign series do logistics well. Fun and thoughtful. :)
I was initially put off by the inclusion of supply management. Seeing that the player does not have to choose how much of which type but uses a random system is prodding me toward getting this game!
I confess I wasn't sure if I'd like supply management/logistics in a game like this, but I found it added a gentle layer of complexity and challenge to the tactical side. You've got to be a bit selective in where and how you attack, because you most likely won't have the wherewithal to attack as much as you'd like. I've liked it in Levy & Campaign as well. It's a whole side of gaming that I didn't realize I'd enjoy. If you do pick this up, I'd be curious to hear how you like it.
Hi - It's been a year since I played this so I'm a bit foggy on the details of the playthrough at the moment. I know that Godfrey (the designer) watched all the videos, so if there isn't a note listed in the known errors section then I suspect it was played correctly, unless the rules have been modified since then. It's possible it could be an error though.
I've unboxed the game this week. At first the rules were a big challenge for me, because I'm a fairly novice wargamer. Your video's about HOD are really helpfull. Thanks for a great job, Zilla.
Glad you found them helpful, Michiel! They don't cover everything, but I'm glad they got you headed in the right direction. :)
My only complaint is that you don't get to roll dice in the battles -- but that didn't stop me from ordering it! Also, I thought for a moment that having the General escort the supply convoy back and forth was a little gamey and that no general would want to do that. But then I remembered how an American admiral in the battles against the Barbary pirates (showcased in the game Shores of Tripoli) spent his entire deployment holed up in Malta with his wife and new baby daughter. And now it makes perfect sense to me -- the General (who would have purchased his commission in this era!) doesn't actually want to be where the fighting is! So he leads the supply convoy back to the cushy fort every Sunday where he has a fine wine with dinner with the fort commander. And of course he brings enough troops with him to protect himself!
Great points! I think too, it's helpful to consider how small the forces were here. The entire war had less than 1k casualties combined for both sides. :)
It's the level of detail thats drawing me in! I love that! Ok, and the maps. And the cards. And the artwork in general 😊 Really Good revealing videos!
Thanks, SOLO! It's a very unique game, I haven't played anything quite like it before. The logistics element in particular feels quite well done. Not too cumbersome, yet an interesting game mechanic to play. Thanks for stopping in!
I watched your video on the best games you played in 2022 this afternoon. Your enthusiasm for HoD perked my interest, so I have just watched your 3 videos on this game back-to-back. Good, clear commentary on how the rules work, coupled with enthusiasm for the game. Must see if this is still available in the UK, because I think I'll buy it.
I'm glad you enjoyed the series, it's quite a unique game, unlike anything else I've played, and a nice little knot to untangle. If you are able to find it, I'd be curious to hear what you think of it.
Well, I have finally been able to buy a copy, so I set it up and ran through your videos again yesterday and today, while playing one (very slow = first time) game, and I enjoyed it. This is a good game, so thanks for your videos which led me to buy it🙂
These videos are so good I wish there was a #4!
Having said that, you've nicely paved the way for me to give this game a try this week...thanks!
Thanks again, they were fun to make. :) There are a few mechanics not included, but I'm glad it'll be helpful getting started! :)
Going to pick up a historical book or two on the topic, get into the game and then come back to this 3rd video as needed. It's a tad spoilery for me. I'm digging how multifaceted the game looks... logistics, weather, 3 scales of detail. Just about perfect.
That sounds like an excellent plan. It really feels unlike any game I've played so far, in particular with regards to "playing" logistics and supply. :)
Great videos. Thx so much. And particularly interesting if one is a South African (like me!). The game looks superb, with its combination of strategy, tactics and operational elements. (Like Zilla Blitz, though, I have the problem of multiple table use, so completing a game may be challenging. But playing halfway seems nice too, giving one a feel for how the war actually went, or may have gone!)
Thanks for stopping in, Leon, and I'm glad you liked the videos. This is a fascinating mesh of systems in one game. I've really liked this one.
A lot to take in and keep an eye on, the cards help make the game flow easier to follow. The weather rolls have not been favourable & looks a tough ask for the British to win.
Excellent tutorial as another game might be on the horizon.
Thanks, coyi, the main positions look quite challenging to take, for sure, and there are a lot of ways the campaign can go sideways for the British. I'm finding it an intriguing game, and quite original from other games I've played. I still have a good bit to learn. :)
Interesting game. I have a monster sized book on the Boer wars I picked up at a library sale years ago but have not read yet. This could be a motivator.
Oh, what book was it? I'm a huge fan of book/game combinations. :)
@@ZillaBlitz it's called "The Boar War" by Thomas Pakenham. Published 1979. 618 pages in hardcover not counting all the information, indices at the back.
Thanks, Robert! (Sorry for the slow reply, it's easy to miss follow up replies.)
Not always a big fan of supply rules because I have listened to an army supply officer talk about it and basically he says REAL supply rules would be dull and tedious, and wouldn't alter the outcome.
But I have read quite a bit of the boer war history, and the supply issues that come up in this game sound a lot like the kind of issues that the narrative should include.
Yes, while I think logistics are important, they can most definitely be boring, especially to play. I think this game and the Levy & Campaign series do logistics well. Fun and thoughtful. :)
I was initially put off by the inclusion of supply management. Seeing that the player does not have to choose how much of which type but uses a random system is prodding me toward getting this game!
I confess I wasn't sure if I'd like supply management/logistics in a game like this, but I found it added a gentle layer of complexity and challenge to the tactical side. You've got to be a bit selective in where and how you attack, because you most likely won't have the wherewithal to attack as much as you'd like. I've liked it in Levy & Campaign as well. It's a whole side of gaming that I didn't realize I'd enjoy. If you do pick this up, I'd be curious to hear how you like it.
Hi zilla how are you last day of Ramadan and tomorrow Is Eid but hop hope your well
Heya Ateeq! Things here are good, glad to hear that things are well with you!
@@ZillaBlitz im good thanks
Strategic card #1 should have had units in box move up shouldn;t it?
Hi - It's been a year since I played this so I'm a bit foggy on the details of the playthrough at the moment. I know that Godfrey (the designer) watched all the videos, so if there isn't a note listed in the known errors section then I suspect it was played correctly, unless the rules have been modified since then. It's possible it could be an error though.