Frederick’s War

FREDERICK’S WAR

Frederick’s War is a new GamePlan offering, designed by Ron Draker. This is a well developed game and a lot of fun to play. We’re looking forward to releasing it and urge folks to preorder now to save 20% and help this game come to fruition.

In 1756, Frederick the Great launched a preemptive strike on Saxony and his archenemy Austria, sparking the Seven Years War and pitting the most powerful countries of Europe against the fledgling state of Prussia. Frederick’s gamble nearly destroyed Prussia, but a few stunning victories over numerically superior forces, many delaying actions, British gold, and the timely death of Tsarina Elizabeth of Russia saved Prussia and ensured Frederick’s place in history as a great general.

Frederick’s War recreates the fierce struggle for mastery of Central Europe. Using the well-proven, card-driven action system (Hammer of the Scots, Liberty, Crusader Rex), the game showcases the importance of maneuver, fortresses, sieges, supply, and the potentially costly option of winter campaigning. The countries of Prussia, Austria, France, Russia, and Sweden are represented with units for leaders and artillery, heavy and light infantry, cavalry, Cossacks, and fortresses.

Get Crusader Rex!

Crusader Rex review

I just read a nice review of Crusader Rex posted on Strategy Zone online by Johnny Wilson.

http://www.strategyzoneonline.com/articles.php?p=652&page=1&cat=52

EuroFront 2 FAQ

Our announcement of the plans for the release of EuroFront 2 (and Eastfront 2/WestFront 2) have people really excited. However, I have recieved a ton of e-mail from people with good questions and to try to answer them all at once, I have compiled this FAQ. Readers, please advise me if you have any other questions – soon I’ll just edit the preorder pages for these items with this info….

And for those who have not heard the EuroFront 2 news, click here!

Frequently Asked Questions:

What’s in EastFront 2?
The game contains 2 maps and 130 blocks + labels. The extra 10 blocks are additional troops required by the expanded map area. The game rules have not changed, but some scenarios have minor modifications.

What’s in WestFront 2?
The game contains 2 maps and 130 blocks + labels. The extra 10 blocks are additional troops required by the expanded map area. The game rules have not changed, but some scenarios have minor modifications.

What’s in EuroFront 2?
Like EuroFront 1, this product is not a game in itself. The maps and units from Eastfront and Westfront are required. EuroFront contains blocks and labels of all the minor powers in both Axis black and Allied Blue. It also contains all units from the original MedFront game and new units for the NorthFront and Mid East areas. There are also full color OB cards and complete system rules that include revised EuroFront scenarios for 1939-44.

UPGRADE PATH
I have all the current games – how do I get just the parts I need to upgrade?

The blocks and boxes from the old games are the only components you can reuse. If you reuse them, you’ll need to buy:

EuroFront 2 80 (provided you preorder)
4 maps 60 (provided you preorder)
20 blocks 4
EF labels 10
WF labels 10
TOTAL $164

SAVINGS $ 76 (compared to the cost of preordering all three games new)

NOTE: Our supplier of blocks changed in 2000. Upgrading is only suitable if you bought the games after 2000.

It is our intention to release the three games in as short a time as possible. 500 preorders are not required and we may in fact cease taking preorders very soon. The games will be released 1-2 months apart: EastFront, then WestFront, then EuroFront, with the first part being ready this March.

The four maps will all be printed at the same time. These maps are suitable for play right away with EuroFront 1 rules except the new areas will simply be out of play. You can, if desired, get the maps as soon as they are printed, and then follow the upgrade path later without getting the maps again.

I just preordered the three new games, but what will happen with my earlier preorders for the mapset and NorthFront block expansion?

To make sure folks don’t get two copies of the same maps, we have cancelled mapset pre-orders for those who have pre-ordered the new games? However, if you really still want the maps (as a second copy) please advise and we will reinstate your preorder.

We also cancelled all the preorders for the block expansion – these blocks are now in the game EuroFront 2.

People who have not cancelled their mapset preorders because they intend to upgrade as described above, are well advised to preorder the EuroFront game to save roughly $20.

Crusader Rex Rules 1.3 Posted

Greetings,

An amended set of rules for Crusader Rex has been posted. Click here to download.

After digesting and considering reports of hundreds of games we have made a couple of important tweaks to the game to make playing the Franks a little less harrowing.

The most significant change is a relaxing of the winter limits in Originally Friendly cities. It is now possible to winter 3x the Castle value.

The intent and the effect is to take away some of the stress of wintering and make it possible to garrison a good sized force even if much of the map is in enemy hands. This actually affects both players equally, however, due to the offensive punch of the Saracen player at the start of the game, the Franks see a more tangible benefit right away.

For example, the Franks can winter with 9 blocks in Antioch while the Saracen player can still only winter with 3. By contrast the Saracens can winter 12 blocks in Egypt (Franks only 4).

Additional changes include:

  • Franks decide who is player 1 on ties. This gives the Franks a small advantage in controlling the flow of play on ties.
  • Frank deployment adjustments restricted to the same Kingdom (Jerusalem, Tripoli, Antioch).
  • Saracen starting forces reduced to 4 nomads.
  • Tripoli is like Tyre (max. 2 units can storm). The citadel was located on a narrow strip of land and was very difficult to attack in force.
  • Saracen Emirs and Pilgrims are permanently eliminated (like Crusaders, Hospitallers, and Templars).
  • Adopted the term withdraw for the move to a castle and for calling off a storm attempt. This is to reduce confusion regarding retreats which are now defined only as to another town.
  • Winter Campaign card allows 1 move OR supports one group over winter. This allows a group to maintain siege over winter.

The knights’ charge rule was also changed in a previously unposted version 1.2. Some gamers received this set of rules. All games packaged include the latest rules (presently 1.3).

Good gaming…

PS. A nice review of Crusader Rex has been posted to Gaming Report.