table strategy
Mick’s post-game summary Well what can I say? A bit of luck can go a long way. I think the general plan I had was right, but I was frustrated by the cramped conditions as the planes came together. After the first couple of turns of the game and my failure to effectively target the DH.4 I thought that all hope was lost. The rear gunner was deadly early on racking up a massive amount of damage on my Fokker. I had misjudged my Immelman Turn thinking it would bring me around quick and back into the fight. But it opened to much distance between the Albatros and the Allied planes and this took Baumer out of the fight. By this stage
I figured I may as well try to do as much damage as possible to the DH.4 before it exited. And in the final moments of the game I snatch victory from the jaws of defeat with a lucky card. This scenario is a really hard one to defend in, even if you play on full sized area. But the challenge can be what makes it fun. Scenarios are a great way to play Wings of War as it gives the game more purpose and sets up specific challenges to meet. There are quite a few scenarios in the deluxe set and it’s easy enough to make up your own.
Adam’s post-game summary What a game! Overall I think my strategy was sound. Flying straight for the target as fast as I could limited the turns Mick had to shoot me down. I was lucky that when our aircraft closed as there were a few turns there were Mick’s fighter’s bases overlapped the DH.4’s. This meant Mick was unable to fire at the DH.4 as the aircraft were too close. The DH.4’s tail gunner was obviously on the ball dealing a massive 7 points of damage to the Fokker in one turn. This lead to a few edge of the seat turns as the Fokker tried to nail the DH.4 and the DH.4 returned fire. The damage cards just weren’t with me unfortunately after that point. Having taken my photo I thought I thought I was home and hosed until I drew
the “explosion” card. Goodbye DH.4! With one card, Mick grabs 2 points for shooting down an aircraft and prevents me from getting my 2 points for exiting the gaming surface after taking the photo. To minimise my lose I was forced to exit the SPAD and give Mick another 1 point. I really enjoy the scenario play of Wings of War as a change from the “shoot ‘em up” style of game. The scenarios provide a clear goal and end conditions for the game. They also prevent the game from degenerating into aircraft endlessly flying around in circles that can sometimes happen with a pure dogfight game. I thoroughly suggest giving scenarios a go.
Adam and Mick are the owners of WarPuppy Miniatures, Games & Hobby House. Both are avid gamers who have been playing for a long, long time. You can find out more about WarPuppy and their range of miniature, card, roleplaying and board games and warpuppy.com accessories at warpuppy.com. If you are interested in exploring Wings of War: A Game of WWI Air Combat further, be sure to tune into Australia’s Worlds End Radio podcast for a further review with Adam, Mick and JJ at worldsendradio.com. Also be sure to visit WarPuppy’s A Dog’s Life in the article section of the website for a video review of the Deluxe Set contents and game.