March 29, 1999 - Out of the Wrapper
Charles Vasey Returns to DTP Publishing with DEATHRIDE
|
|
March 29, 1999 - Out of the Wrapper |
Release date: March 1999
Desktop Publishing efforts are continuing to flourish, witnessed by a new release from noted game designer and industry pundit, Charles Vasey. "Sir Charles", as he is often referred to on AOL and ConsimWorld, has had several previous works published by professional publishers, including Clash of Arms Games.
DEATHRIDE is a DTP boardgame based on the Battle of Mars-la-Tour 1870. The withdrawal routes of the French Army of the Rhine have been occupied by units of the German Second army near Mars-la-Tour. For most of the day two German Corps plus cavalry engaged and delayed the French until reinforcements could arrive. Victory was to lead to the trapping of the French in Metz and their eventual surrender.
Led by at least four Marshals and with such exotic units as the Chasseurs d'Afrique and the Imperial Guard the French army combined splendor with grave command weaknesses. Despite its excellent rifle, the Chassepot, and having (for once in the Franco-Prussian war) the advantage of numbers the French were to fumble away their opportunities. The more dour clad Prussians (with their Hessian and Black Brunswicker colleagues) had to use their flexibility and admirable artillery to force the French away from an orderly retreat and into fighting the wrong battle in the wrong place. Losses were inevitable, and accepted as such.
DEATHRIDE uses an area map of the field of battle and brigade or regimental counters. Both map and counters are in full color ready for you to cut and paste. To reflect the way French numbers told against them the rules use a variation of the popular impulse system devised by Courtney Allen (Storm Over Arnhem) and further developed by Peter Perla (Bloodiest Day). The number of impulses (which represents the activity level) is set at so that the French are unlikely to be able to move all their army in a single turn. They must therefore choose with care where they apply their forces.
Units activate in formation and can undertake a number of activities each with its own Combat Rules. Infantry can engage in rifle fire that is less decisive than assault, but also less destructive to the attacker. Artillery can engage in bombardment, seeking to sweep the open terrain clear of large formations. Infantry and cavalry can assault, and the German artillery can spearhead such attacks. The French may use their superior rifles to build fire zones which two days later at Gravelotte were to slaughter the Prussian Guard. Cavalry is usually too weak to prevail, but against shattered troops or when making the eponymous death ride it can halt and defeat much larger formations.
In uniforms that reminiscent of Napoleonic warfare and weapons that prefigure World War One this game is an opportunity to test the events on a decisive day for France and for Europe.
Deathride comes with four counter sheets and nine map panels, plus a 32 page Rulebook and aids. You will need to assemble the maps and counters.
Placing your Order
DEATHRIDE sells for £15 including postage (£16 outside the UK) payable to Charles Vasey from Charles Vasey, 75 Richmond Park Road, London SW14 8JY.cvasey@aol.com
phone/fax 0181-876-7011In the US $25 from Boulder Games
Game Designer: Charles Vasey
Related Links
1.
2.
3.
4.
Headline News | Archives | New Products
Clubs | Events | Discussion Board
Copyright © 1999-2002. ConsimWorld.COM. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited. Web Masters are encouraged to link directly to this page, this URL is not subject to change. For general site information: kranz@consimworld.com
Headline News | Archives | New Products
Game Ratings | Clubs | Events | Discussion Board
Copyright © 1999-2002. ConsimWorld.COM. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited. Web Masters are encouraged to link directly to this page, this URL is not subject to change. For general site information: kranz@consimworld.com
Headline News | Archives | New Products
Game Ratings | Clubs | Events | Discussion Board
Copyright © 1999, 2000 ConsimWorld.COM. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited. Web Masters are encouraged to link directly to this page, this URL is not subject to change. For general site information: kranz@consimworld.com
