Can you provide some specific information about the 'naval disaster' event to which you alluded (like the wording on the card)? It sounded like the event is powerful enough to deter a player from pursuing a naval-centric strategy because the card might appear at some point in some of the games played. The fact that there is an expansion deck with "toned-down" events concerns me a bit.
There are 15 random event and if I remember right, about 4 of them cause a reshuffle, so there is a chance you won't see it at all. The naval disaster affects Carthage on 1-2 (d6 roll) and Rome on 4-6. If one were to draft the Devotio card, it shifts the die roll one in his favor. If Rome has the Corvus strategy card, add one to the die roll. The affected player loses all ships in his fleet. If you have the seamanship strategy card, instead, you lose half of your fleet. The corvus strategy card makes Rome a real powerhouse in naval battles. This is one of the great equalizers. It is also quite historical, as Rome had their fleet wiped out by a bad storm. There is also a (Rome only) ship building strategy card that allows the player to build 2 ships for a single action. It costs 1 colonist card and 5 silver. Normally, this takes 2 colonist cards, 6 silver, and 2 actions. Again, quite historical as Rome did historically build their fleet up quickly -- twice. There are also a pair of storm at sea random events that cause the affected player to lose half of his fleet (ignore event if you have seamanship strategy card). Additionally, their is a spying strategy card that allows the owner to look at the top card on the event deck. Simply put, naval disasters/storms at sea are just a set back. They are not a game ender. I have played games without seeing the naval disaster. I can't remember ever playing a game without seeing a storm at sea. But I can tell you with all certainty that if you abandon the naval strategy, you will lose, especially if you are Rome - you won't even get to turn 8. It's like being afraid to draft your leader cards because you worry too much about the "Leader dies" random event showing up. Or not drafting mercenaries because there is a "Mercenaries revolt" card. As for toned down events: I don't used them and never will use them. If I remember right, naval disaster causes you to lose half your fleet and storms at sea cause you to lose 1-2 ships. Too wimpy. Those are for the audience who despise the luck/fortunes and dogs of war aspect of wargaming. Of all the many games I lost -- and I have lost many -- I never said, "If only naval disaster hadn't come up." Instead it was more like, "If only I had drafted more cavalry" or "if only had drafted more bribe-blocking cards!"
Nice Job, enjoy your reviews, couple of questions: When's the next Hamtag video and any chance Bart you would do a review of the games on your shelves? Nice looking collection. Thanks again, keep up the good work.
Finally after Holidays were over and I was able to get some free time I have gone through the rules and watched a few different videos again to review the how to play the game. Are there any play through that you know of? I can't find any and they would help to make sure I am playing this mostly right.
I have almost finished my first VASSAL game...i'm thinking of making a play through series of videos showing each card play and giving brief synopsis of my thoughts that went into moves. Maybe one video per game turn. Problem is I don't have a good video camera...what would you recommend that would be budget friendly that could be set on a tripod in a static position overlooking the game board?
A lot of people can and do use their phone with a good mount for a tripod. The cameras on the new phones are top notch. An attachment for your phone that allows it to be connected to a good tripod should do. I then lean my tripod over the table and get a good overhead shot. But I'm about keeping it fun and quick.
I'm a little cautious of someone's opinion on this game when they say they tried but haven't been able to get the Halifax Hammer to work in AFAoS. What kind of playtesting on this can someone do who can't execute that?
Keithustus, bro, is your HH winrate above 90% on yucata.de? If not, then don't poo on someone else for not being able to get it to work. I have played about 40 games of AFAoS and I can't reliably win with HH against an opponent who is not a complete noob. My opinion of the game is not affected.
Hyper-thinning was designed out of the game. The designer knows the Hammer and designed the game to nerf it. As far as play testing: 5 years worth. I was involved in 3 years of it. That is why no body has been able to break it after being out for 2 years.
This is very strange indeed. Halifax Hammer is very easy to pull out in AFAOS if you know about it. I’m able to do that in 80-90% of my games. And, to do that, you don't need some extraordinary skills. Obviously, I'm not playing AFAOS anymore, the game I broken. But I do have this one preordered because I like the idea and concept.
Totally different. Same setting unique take with the deck building mechanic. Also Hands is designed for two players Mare 3-5 or 2-6 with expansion. Chief
Sorry Jim. You said beyond game mechanics. Maybe this will illiterate. Like watching Band of Brothers and Saving Private Ryan. Same setting different scope both intense.
****** Chief, been looking at a Kickstarter game called "Vengeance"... very much like a revenge movie... very story driven.... tons of fun. Check it out and see IF you like it.
just got my hands in the sea, it's quite nice. Can't wait to play it and will benefit greatly from Judd's explanation. thx fellas!!!
Thank you
Thanks for the Vassel Model explanation!
Thanks for the review can't wait for my KS copy to be shipped over here!
Well done Judd.... can't wait for my KS copies to show up
Idea for Hamtag topic: Most aesthetically attractive wargame best components, most beautiful counters, most overproduced etc
Great idea...we need to get the gang BACK together.
HAMTAG!!!
Just showed up. Looks great.
Please include your thoughts after you have played a few games
Can you provide some specific information about the 'naval disaster' event to which you alluded (like the wording on the card)? It sounded like the event is powerful enough to deter a player from pursuing a naval-centric strategy because the card might appear at some point in some of the games played. The fact that there is an expansion deck with "toned-down" events concerns me a bit.
There are 15 random event and if I remember right, about 4 of them cause a reshuffle, so there is a chance you won't see it at all.
The naval disaster affects Carthage on 1-2 (d6 roll) and Rome on 4-6. If one were to draft the Devotio card, it shifts the die roll one in his favor. If Rome has the Corvus strategy card, add one to the die roll.
The affected player loses all ships in his fleet.
If you have the seamanship strategy card, instead, you lose half of your fleet.
The corvus strategy card makes Rome a real powerhouse in naval battles. This is one of the great equalizers.
It is also quite historical, as Rome had their fleet wiped out by a bad storm.
There is also a (Rome only) ship building strategy card that allows the player to build 2 ships for a single action. It costs 1 colonist card and 5 silver. Normally, this takes 2 colonist cards, 6 silver, and 2 actions. Again, quite historical as Rome did historically build their fleet up quickly -- twice.
There are also a pair of storm at sea random events that cause the affected player to lose half of his fleet (ignore event if you have seamanship strategy card).
Additionally, their is a spying strategy card that allows the owner to look at the top card on the event deck.
Simply put, naval disasters/storms at sea are just a set back. They are not a game ender. I have played games without seeing the naval disaster. I can't remember ever playing a game without seeing a storm at sea.
But I can tell you with all certainty that if you abandon the naval strategy, you will lose, especially if you are Rome - you won't even get to turn 8.
It's like being afraid to draft your leader cards because you worry too much about the "Leader dies" random event showing up. Or not drafting mercenaries because there is a "Mercenaries revolt" card.
As for toned down events: I don't used them and never will use them. If I remember right, naval disaster causes you to lose half your fleet and storms at sea cause you to lose 1-2 ships. Too wimpy. Those are for the audience who despise the luck/fortunes and dogs of war aspect of wargaming.
Of all the many games I lost -- and I have lost many -- I never said, "If only naval disaster hadn't come up." Instead it was more like, "If only I had drafted more cavalry" or "if only had drafted more bribe-blocking cards!"
Thanks. That's what I wanted to know. I'm away from my more secure computer right now, but I plan to order it. Looks like it scratches a unique itch.
Cool. I'll play with you if you want.
Gotta parse it out first, but that sounds good
Nice Job, enjoy your reviews, couple of questions: When's the next Hamtag video and any chance Bart you would do a review of the games on your shelves? Nice looking collection. Thanks again, keep up the good work.
Finally after Holidays were over and I was able to get some free time I have gone through the rules and watched a few different videos again to review the how to play the game. Are there any play through that you know of? I can't find any and they would help to make sure I am playing this mostly right.
I have not seen any. Sorry
I have almost finished my first VASSAL game...i'm thinking of making a play through series of videos showing each card play and giving brief synopsis of my thoughts that went into moves. Maybe one video per game turn. Problem is I don't have a good video camera...what would you recommend that would be budget friendly that could be set on a tripod in a static position overlooking the game board?
A lot of people can and do use their phone with a good mount for a tripod. The cameras on the new phones are top notch. An attachment for your phone that allows it to be connected to a good tripod should do. I then lean my tripod over the table and get a good overhead shot. But I'm about keeping it fun and quick.
Bonding With Board Games iPhone 5S good enough you think?
Camera is great phone can. E a little hard to work with.
I'm a little cautious of someone's opinion on this game when they say they tried but haven't been able to get the Halifax Hammer to work in AFAoS. What kind of playtesting on this can someone do who can't execute that?
Keithustus, bro, is your HH winrate above 90% on yucata.de? If not, then don't poo on someone else for not being able to get it to work. I have played about 40 games of AFAoS and I can't reliably win with HH against an opponent who is not a complete noob. My opinion of the game is not affected.
Hyper-thinning was designed out of the game. The designer knows the Hammer and designed the game to nerf it.
As far as play testing: 5 years worth. I was involved in 3 years of it. That is why no body has been able to break it after being out for 2 years.
This is very strange indeed.
Halifax Hammer is very easy to pull out in AFAOS if you know about it. I’m able to do that in 80-90% of my games.
And, to do that, you don't need some extraordinary skills.
Obviously, I'm not playing AFAOS anymore, the game I broken.
But I do have this one preordered because I like the idea and concept.
Great video! On a side note...where did you get your shelves?? looking for some new ones for my game room and those look awesome!
When I finished my basement I had a carpenter come in. The corner behind us is deep and fits all my long games.
Just got my Kickstarter :-)
So, attacker should win in 4 turns if the city is not fortified, but in 6 turns if it has fortifications? Didn't sound right. Or i misheard it.
Attacker or defender MUST win in 4 turns in open battle or 6 turns if the space is fortified, or else it is a draw.
How close, beyond game mechanics, is this game to Mare Nostrum? I'm curious... what is the price point?
I never played Mare Nostrum. Sorry. Pricepoint is $50 from their website.
www.knightworksgames.com/store/
Totally different. Same setting unique take with the deck building mechanic. Also Hands is designed for two players Mare 3-5 or 2-6 with expansion. Chief
Sorry Jim. You said beyond game mechanics. Maybe this will illiterate. Like watching Band of Brothers and Saving Private Ryan. Same setting different scope both intense.
****** Chief, been looking at a Kickstarter game called "Vengeance"... very much like a revenge movie... very story driven.... tons of fun. Check it out and see IF you like it.
Will do. Thanks Jim
Dude, where's my theme music? ;)
Ha...that is for your solo reviews...I'm no Juddalo
Judd, we all hear the Star Trek theme on your reviews.... Just can't play it cuz of licensing
We can make you a member at the next Gathering of the Juddalo's...whenever that is.
I'm in.... now I just need to get to Kansas
Thanks guys!
No, thank you Dan. Great game and wonderful mechanic stays alive. Chief.