War Stories / After Action Reports board
Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2013 4:01 am
whether you're winning or losing, good games BotB generate lots of dramatic tension that can encourage storytelling... like this "Terrific game I lost" thread ( http://www.shenandoah-studio.com/Forum/ ... 1424#p1424) and the rbeyma vs gregorit battle thread ( http://www.shenandoah-studio.com/Forum/ ... ?f=7&t=401 ). How about a separate board for war stories?? I especially like to take screenshots of particularly dramatic situations in my gameplay.
here is my own first contribution:
Here's one where I appear at first glance to be on the verge of overwhelming victory as Axis at the beginning of Dec 20th. I have 3 panzer divisions, including 2 nearly full power ones (including the strongest SS panzer unit), already across the Meuse,with a protected supply line, and occupying Namur - and in positions that indeed will go on to successfully block almost all the British reserves. At the same time, I have 3 unit stack of fresh high strength panzer divisions closing in Bastogne, which is defended by a single Allied strength point, and my southern infantry forces have taken Arlon).
So, yeah, this game ended with an Allied victory by the end of Dec 22nd, with Axis holding only a shameful 22 victory points (compared with 21 VP at the start of Dec 20). The Allied player had successfully cut the crucial and narrow supply line (in a uncertain, crucial attack on Axis forces in Houffalize ) to the panzer divisions across the Meuse later on the 20th. Axis forces frantically scrambled to throw up a second supply line - throwing the Bastogne-bound panzer triple stack desperately against the Allies- if the second supply line managed to connect just once, the panzers across the Meuse would swiftly deliver victory. Alas, it was not to be - those isolated panzer divisions never managed to score any points apart from the occupation of Namur due to deft interference by the Americans. But much high drama was enjoyed in the struggle.
It's a great illustration of how the design of BotB does so well at throwing up finely tuned dramatic tensions that are exciting to play and satisfying, even if you're on the losing side...
PS here is a poem about Houffalize by General Patton that I found (this is real)
O little town of Houffalize,
How still we see thee lie;
Above they steep and battered streets
The aeroplanes sail by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
Not any Goddamned light;
The hopes and fears of all thy yaers
Were blown to heel last night.
-- George S. Patton, 1945
here is my own first contribution:
Here's one where I appear at first glance to be on the verge of overwhelming victory as Axis at the beginning of Dec 20th. I have 3 panzer divisions, including 2 nearly full power ones (including the strongest SS panzer unit), already across the Meuse,with a protected supply line, and occupying Namur - and in positions that indeed will go on to successfully block almost all the British reserves. At the same time, I have 3 unit stack of fresh high strength panzer divisions closing in Bastogne, which is defended by a single Allied strength point, and my southern infantry forces have taken Arlon).
So, yeah, this game ended with an Allied victory by the end of Dec 22nd, with Axis holding only a shameful 22 victory points (compared with 21 VP at the start of Dec 20). The Allied player had successfully cut the crucial and narrow supply line (in a uncertain, crucial attack on Axis forces in Houffalize ) to the panzer divisions across the Meuse later on the 20th. Axis forces frantically scrambled to throw up a second supply line - throwing the Bastogne-bound panzer triple stack desperately against the Allies- if the second supply line managed to connect just once, the panzers across the Meuse would swiftly deliver victory. Alas, it was not to be - those isolated panzer divisions never managed to score any points apart from the occupation of Namur due to deft interference by the Americans. But much high drama was enjoyed in the struggle.
It's a great illustration of how the design of BotB does so well at throwing up finely tuned dramatic tensions that are exciting to play and satisfying, even if you're on the losing side...
PS here is a poem about Houffalize by General Patton that I found (this is real)
O little town of Houffalize,
How still we see thee lie;
Above they steep and battered streets
The aeroplanes sail by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
Not any Goddamned light;
The hopes and fears of all thy yaers
Were blown to heel last night.
-- George S. Patton, 1945