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Post by mikeh on Apr 8, 2022 11:31:20 GMT -5
 Black Lions Roar, The Battle for Cantigny May 1918 by High Flying Dice. This was the first major test for the American Army when elements of the US 1st Infantry Division attacked the town of Cantigny France. The Americans with tank and artillery support from the French took the town, as you can see the Germans are pretty whittled down and being pushed out of the town from south to north. What you do not see yet is the German counter attack being readied to retake Cantigny. The counters need to be assembled, you either get them just printed out for you to mount or for a few dollars more get them mounted, seeing as they are 2 sided I bought the mounted for 6 dollars. They are mounted old school thick so this was my first go with a roller cutter and it shows but other the that the components are beautifully done. |
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Post by mikeh on Apr 8, 2022 12:31:13 GMT -5
A few things that help with solitaire play. Chit draw activation and then each chit tells you how many units can activate that turn, you get more than enough chits that you never know what's in the cup. There is also a random events table you roll on each turn that affects play. Then there are air and artillery support, or maybe not.  All depends on the roll or the random events table. Although the Americans can always depend on some artillery. Once you know how many artillery points you get you immediately, before any play, allocate points to what artillery missions you decide on, barrage, counter battery or gas. A few other things on the game. There are no zoc's or supply lines to keep track of, as expected in a WW1 game combat can be bloody especially in close assault. Artillery and air can strike anywhere on the map although you get a positive modifier if you have a unpinned friendly unit next to the hex being attacked. Combat is really quite basic, you add your attack value and any modifier, that is not more or less then one then roll 1 D6 and if modified roll is 3 or less you get a hit on the enemy unit. Effects are pinned, step lose then eliminated. At the end of the turn should the unit still be on the board all pinned markers are pulled and then need to be pinned again on the next turn, depleted units stay depleted and would then only need 2 more hits to be eliminated. So it's good to keep attacking those units to try and get them out of the way, you can attack the same hex any number of times in a turn but only one air or bombardment per turn. As you may be able to tell I'm pretty enamored with this game, easy rules yet captures the brutal way this war was fought with plenty of desperation for both sides even playing solitaire, both sides get to attack and defend instead of the Entente rollover these game can be during 1918. If you have never heard of High Flying Dice or it's been awhile since you have checked them out go over and take a look around. My game was $21.00 plus $6.00 for the mounted counters. |
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Post by mikeh on Apr 8, 2022 19:49:11 GMT -5
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Post by Whiterook on Apr 9, 2022 9:46:19 GMT -5
Awesome description of game mechanics, and after reading it, I can see why you love this game! It really is awesome. And what a great price, too! I love the game art.
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Post by mikeh on Apr 9, 2022 12:02:41 GMT -5
I am on my second play through now after getting the bugs worked out, I do this quite often with these smaller footprint games. This is the ideal size for me, I know beer and pretzel games are not everyone's cup of tea but they are mine. Especially with some good solo play mechanics thrown in. The designer (Paul R) told me he designs a lot of his game with solo play in mind and I think he did a good job with this one. My picture also does not do the artwork justice. My one quibble is the two piece map, probably my ocd kicking in there when they move apart. Forgot to mention, although a two piece map they are printed on a light card stock and not just paper so nice and sturdy and lays well on the table.
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Post by mikeh on Apr 9, 2022 13:11:44 GMT -5
Forgot, look at all the room those counters have in those hexes!
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Post by Whiterook on Apr 9, 2022 13:14:07 GMT -5
Solitaire compatible is a HUGE element I am looking to have i games, whether designed for that purpose, or ability to play as. I've actually, always been that way 'cause I play my wargames solitaire pretty much 99% of the time... lack of opponents face-to-face the primary reason, though I also enjoy the freedom of just playing without the social drama, hahaha.
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Post by Whiterook on Apr 9, 2022 13:16:21 GMT -5
Forgot, look at all the room those counters have in those hexes! Absolutely! That's getting more uncommon these days with so many games having so much complexity wrapped in that they need a LOT of factors represented on the counter. If you look at the games from the 1950-70's, they are much simpler with less. |
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Post by mikeh on Apr 9, 2022 14:34:43 GMT -5
Solitaire compatible is a HUGE element I am looking to have i games, whether designed for that purpose, or ability to play as. I've actually, always been that way 'cause I play my wargames solitaire pretty much 99% of the time... lack of opponents face-to-face the primary reason, though I also enjoy the freedom of just playing without the social drama, hahaha. Agree with everything you said. |
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All depends on the roll or the random events table. Although the Americans can always depend on some artillery. Once you know how many artillery points you get you immediately, before any play, allocate points to what artillery missions you decide on, barrage, counter battery or gas. 
