Overview
Thread dedicated to the PBEM game of Brotherhood & Unity with Tamas (Croats), Habbaku (Serbs) and Bogh (Bosniaks).
What's this game?
Brotherhood & Unity is a 2-3 player card driven wargame which depicts the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1992-1995 ("Bosnian War"). The game shows all of the major events: from the siege of Sarajevo (shown in separate, detailed map), to the ferocious battles for the Posavina corridore, and desperate defence of the Bosniak enclaves. Main features are: Point-To-Point movement system, play driven by Strategy Cards, quick combat resolution (no CRT), streamlined rules and fast gameplay. Interaction between warring sides (Bosniaks, Serbs and Croats) creates an intensive and exciting gameplay experience.
BGG entry (https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/255570/brotherhood-unity)
Rules (https://compassgamesbucket.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/downloads/BrotherhoodUnity_rulebook.pdf)
Initial game state
(https://simply-digital.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Brotherhood+%26+UnityMap.png)
Edit: Updated to stop ridicule.
Quote from: bogh on March 16, 2021, 07:35:48 AMHabakuk
(https://www.serienoldies.de/images5/zirkus_main.jpg)
:unsure:
Han Habakuk å inget mer?
I should have the rules finished tonight. Managed to breeze through the first half last night. Difficult, they ain't.
Quote from: Habbaku on March 16, 2021, 01:05:48 PM
I should have the rules finished tonight. Managed to breeze through the first half last night. Difficult, they ain't.
Nope, it's very streamlined.
I am ready to go when you are.
Ditto. Serbs start on turn 1, so Habs should probably just go ahead and place his reinforcements (all ten of 'em) once he's ready. Then it's off to Tamas for his.
Are we doing a shared folder somewhere?
I wonder why it is limited to only Bosnia - perhaps so they did not have to build in a naval component to the game?
Glad to see Tamas has not forgotten the ancient union between Hungary and Croatia.
So...which units are which? The Bosniaks are green I take it? Serbs Gold and Croats blue?
Quote from: Habbaku on March 16, 2021, 06:34:27 PM
Are we doing a shared folder somewhere?
I've sent you a PM inviting you to an Airtable instance I setup for it. Let me know if that works for you or if we need to scrounge up an alternative solution.
Quote from: crazy canuck on March 16, 2021, 07:08:39 PM
I wonder why it is limited to only Bosnia - perhaps so they did not have to build in a naval component to the game?
Bosnia was a relatively self-contained theater. Serb and Croat national forces are present in the game as "foreign units" (as are the "Afghanistan Veterans" who fought for the Bosniaks) and I imagine some stuff will pop up in the event cards, but the Croatian-Serbian was already at a cease fire by the time Bosnia heated up and Kosovo and FYROM were much later. Representing the different sides in a wider scenario would also be harder, since there were more diverse interests and dissent within each group. So I think it makes sense from both a historical and a game perspective to focus on Bosnia.
Just looking at the map is interesting and kinda' creepy. Like I'd always hear about Mostar in the news, never bothered to check though that apparently the Croatians and Bosniaks were facing off on the two sides of it.
Also had a brief look at the different decks, you can note the differences like how the Serbs have all kind of arty/tank support combat cards. This should be interesting.
Mostar is really pretty (if you can look past the bullet holes). Set along the steep river banks, very lush and picturesque. Apparently lots of propaganda blamed the Serbs for the destruction of the old bridge - even though this was one atrocity they were nowhere near.
Serbs have drawn their earth-shattering hand of seven cards (2 more than their inferiors) and set up their massive kill-stacks to take back what is rightfully theirs (and that's probably the last time I'll post something like this while playing the bad guys).
Over to our Croatian, er, brethren.
Quote from: bogh on March 17, 2021, 04:15:11 PM
Mostar is really pretty (if you can look past the bullet holes). Set along the steep river banks, very lush and picturesque. Apparently lots of propaganda blamed the Serbs for the destruction of the old bridge - even though this was one atrocity they were nowhere near.
Mostar is very pretty for an afternoon/day trip.
I think the reconstructed bridge was opened by Prince Charles because he was the only neutral person both sides could agree on :lol: I think they had discussed more prominent individuals like Bill Clinton but they were, obviously, controversial with one side or other.
Croatian setup posted. Setting up a strong defense against aggression by whom used to be our neighbours.
It's not gonna' be easy to roleplay this mess is it.
:lol: No, and so I think I will skip the roleplay and comment on the positions and card plays instead.
Yeah, me too.
Quote from: Habbaku on March 18, 2021, 02:26:57 PM
:lol: No, and so I think I will skip the roleplay and comment on the positions and card plays instead.
:thumbsup:
Quote from: Habbaku on March 18, 2021, 02:26:57 PM
:lol: No, and so I think I will skip the roleplay and comment on the positions and card plays instead.
Boo! I want to hear you gloat as your commit atrocities!
The legitimate government of Bosnia has drawn five cards, placed its meager two reinforcements and look forward to a festive turn of -2 DRM due to our naive lack of preparation for war. Surely the international community will quickly intervene to prevent us from being squashed?
Map after reinforcements have been placed and before turn 1 begins:
(https://simply-digital.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Brotherhood+%26+UnityMap%2C+turn+1%2C+post+reinforcements.png)
Serbs go on the offensive! Albeit in a limited fashion. Still, the pre-attack phase went well, with 2 out of 3 of the Bosniak defenders being reduced ahead of the actual push on Brcko, Tuzla, and Srebrenica.
Over to Bogh to resolve combats and his inevitable retreats.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51049797043_0ee050f407_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kM6y7x)SerbsAttack (https://flic.kr/p/2kM6y7x)
Obviously, the Serbs want to come out of the gate swinging, right? We'll see how much steam I can keep going.
Ouch, nasty card. :(
Yeah, the Serbs probably need to hit as hard as they can (with an eye to managing their FA) while they can do it.
I don't think you are allowed to split your attacks from a single space without paying to activate the space twice (an attack can target only one space according to 13.4.1.2). So you can attack all three spaces, but all forces in Zvornik will have to attack Srebrenica (making the attack on Tuzzla a bit underwhelming). Let me know how you want to proceed.
Ah, thanks; I glossed over that that had changed from POG and didn't realize the distinction there.
Ignore the attack on Srebrenica, then, and focus all six on Tuzla please.
Roger. Srebrenica won't be reduced either, since that is contingent on it being a "defending" unit.
The minor divergences from POG will trip us up quite a lot I think.
I've resolved the attacks on Brcko and Tuzla, reversing the attack (and reduction) in Sbrebrenica.
Net result:
- My reduced army in Brcko was eliminated with no losses for the Serbs. They may advance into Brcko.
Two armies reduced and one reduced and then eliminated in Tuzla. Serbs must reduce on army and can then advance into Srebrebrenica. My two reduced armies retreated to Visiko.
I got banged up pretty bad.
Not surprising, though, I imagine. :P
The Bosniaks definitely get to play punching bag the first couple of turns it looks like.
Serbs advanced to take Brcko and Tuzla, leaving behind the forces besieging Srebrenica.
Tamas is up to see if the Croats can ride to the aid of Gond--er, Bosnia.
Croatia launches a peace keeping operation to rein in the violence, attacking Serbian-controlled Glamoc and Bosnian-controlled Travnik. Habbaku to resolve Serbian battle first.
(https://i.ibb.co/74N8JJv/c11.jpg)
Total NE in Glamoc, much to my delight. Both sides shell each other but do no damage and the Serbs hold firm.
Bosniaks suffer a crushing defeat in Travnik, with their army outright eliminated (and no losses for the Croats).
So much for the Croat "Allies" coming to our assistance! Surely, the International community will put an end to this!
The Bosniaks spent their turn replacing their losses. I am back up to full strength, but it cost me a 4 card and I lost plenty of board position.
Board state after round 1:
(https://dl.airtable.com/.attachments/a003c1ce51f53407350f5a9369425fe3/5297a199/T1-11Bosniak1.png)
The Serbs Rapidly Advance near Tuzla and begin shelling the outskirts of Srebrenica.
Srebrenica is a stalemate, with no real losses on either side.
While the world was spared the horror of Srebrenica massacres, the Bosniaks and their American PR-consultancy (Ruder Finn) has proven adept at drawing global media coverage to the Serbian advances in the North East of the country. I played a response card to drop foreign attitude towards the Serbs by one for each Bosniak space taken in the round - bringing Habs to -5 FA. NATO will start bombing his forces as a result.
Quote from: bogh on March 20, 2021, 05:36:37 AM
Srebrenica is a stalemate, with no real losses on either side.
While the world was spared the horror of Srebrenica massacres, the Bosniaks and their American PR-consultancy (Ruder Finn) has proven adept at drawing global media coverage to the Serbian advances in the North East of the country. I played a response card to drop foreign attitude towards the Serbs by one for each Bosniak space taken in the round - bringing Habs to -5 FA. NATO will start bombing his forces as a result.
:pinch: I guess he can still take a diplo action to increase his FA back.
Meanwhile, the Serbian forces massing at the NE tip of Bosnia against the Croatian town of Rosanski Brod suffer considerable losses as a Croatian Incursion (event card) from across the border north of them flips two of their units. Bogh is up.
Tamas, did you see my messages on Discord? You need to resolve a couple of air strikes - but I guess I can do it if you missed it?
Missed it sorry, unfortunately (to Habs) you are right.
So, this would not have changed my card play, as the event I played required full strength units within 2 spaces of a CRO space, meaning the one I hit was the only worthwhile target of it, so I am going to do the airstrikes (yours and mine) with my event card result already in place. But, if Habbaku wants I am happy to have my event strikes rerolled on the same targets.
Posted results. 3 out of 4 targeted Serbian units reduced, the one in the mountain space of Glamoc at the south west continues its lucky rolls and escapes NATO strikes intact. Bosniaks are up.
NATO keeps pounding the internationally vilified Serbs. Two armies in Tuzla are reduced by airstrikes.
Bosniak forces seize Konjic unopposed and formally take control of Sjev. Hercegovina, while forces in Gorazde attempt an attack against Sokolac which was weakened by NATO airstrikes previously, attempting to disrupt Serbian supply lines into Sarajevo.
Situation before attack on Sokolac gets resolved:
(https://dl.airtable.com/.attachmentThumbnails/e5f5b326cca68ab37cc2ec29785df71e/255096e2)
These crimes against the Serbian army must abate. See why we attack so aggressively? The world is out to get us! etc.
Bosniak attack successfully destroys the brigade. Advance?
Yes, just one army. Does that put the Serbs besieging Sarajevo out of supply?
Advance done. Over to Habs.
(https://dl.airtable.com/.attachmentThumbnails/af90a02ed6c2593ad34487d77f500ee1/f996d0fd)
Quote from: bogh on March 20, 2021, 03:00:47 PM
Yes, just one army. Does that put the Serbs besieging Sarajevo out of supply?
Yes, but they won't feel the effects for a bit. They have a few rounds before they all become properly out of supply.
I'll have to get my turn tomorrow evening, I think. Probably something boring like trying not to be bombed. :P
Cool.
I actually had a couple of friends over last night and played most of a full game (we had a couple of cards left in turn 4 when calling it quits). Bosniaks would likely have won it, as they managed to secure Sarajevo and push back into Serb-held territory, while the Bihac pocket never fell. Croats managed to take Trebinje (using foreign Croat forces) and Mostar, but were boxed in the central and Western regions. None of us collapsed, but the Serbs (played by yours truly) clearly overreached in the beginning and then got stuck with extended front lines and lots of troops out of place. Obviously we made plenty of fumbles with the rules and blunders aplenty, but overall it was a cool experience.
The Serbs quickly move to the relief of their temporarily-disadvantaged forces in Sarajevo and maneuver some brigades from the Bosnian enclave to link up with their brethren near the Croatian border. NATO planes are overhead, but hopefully are absent for the ensuing spoiling attack on Zavidovici.
The Serbs inflict severe losses on the sole brigade in Zavidovici, reducing it while taking no losses. Since there was only one step loss, there is no retreat or advance, so Zavidovici holds but looks flimsy.
To Tamas for his turn.
Good luck Franjo Tamasman
Quote from: bogh on March 23, 2021, 08:55:12 AM
Quote from: Valmy on March 23, 2021, 08:33:31 AM
Good luck Franjo Tamasman
:mad:
Looks like the croats have been courting the international community...
The bombs falling on my head certainly support that conclusion.
Following some more NATO airstrikes on Serbs, Croats launch a Rapid Advance into Krajina, advancing up the western border of Bosnia and repositioning for an attack on Mrkonic Grad, trying to take advantage of the recent airtstrikes. Habs to resolve combat.
I'm not at a PC with Vassal, but if you take a screenshot I can tell you whether I'll play a CC there or not.
Ah yes, meant to take a screenshot anyhow:
(https://i.ibb.co/jW5Dvkw/c13.jpg)
Combat is at Mrkonic Grad (with 2 units attacking).
No CC, fire away.
My gamble on 70% success chance did NOT pay off. No losses to either side, Bosniaks are up. Too bad, it would have been a nice offensive.
Serbia stronk.
NATO bombardments continued against Serb forces in Vogosca (the Serbian held key space in Sarajevo) and Vares, reducing brigades in both spaces.
A Bosniak brigade moved from Visoko to cut off supply again to Serbian forces in Sarajevo by closing the northern route into the city. Another of the bridges in Visoko moved to Kiseljak, relieving our Croat "allies" and taking control of the town.
Taking advantage of the heavy pressure on Serbian forces elsewhere, entrenchment in Srebrenica and Gorazde was started.
Map after third card play from all sides:
(https://dl.airtable.com/.attachmentThumbnails/e724badf5c40df6cf230a4e83471c71f/0c39115f)
Overall, I'd say the Serbian position is precarious, needing to both reopen supply into Sarajevo, reduce international pressure and attempt to exploit their initial strength and momentum. As the rest of us run out of cards (me especially, since I used an extra card as a response), Habs will have a few turns to himself - so he may not be in too much trouble. The Croats are cruising along and they are probably coming out on top, though the Bosniaks are a decent shape despite the initial beating.
Quote from: bogh on March 23, 2021, 02:53:12 PM
A Bosniak brigade moved from Visoko to cut off supply again to Serbian forces in Sarajevo by closing the northern route into the city.
This is pretty clearly a silly error on my part. There are two spaces that lead to the "1" area in Sarajevo, but only one elsewhere. I figured by moving the brigades north that they'd lock the supply line open, but now it seems like I'll have very little chance of actually getting them back in supply.
Actually are we certain Serbs get NATO-pounded on Bosnia turn as well? I think only the player after the NATO-disliked one gets to bomb them.
Yeah, I was going to double-check that when I got home. Double-bombing seems...bad.
It really is brutal, but the designer confirmed it on BGG (I think the rules as written suggest it, but aren't 100% clear).
https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/2501555/nato-bombing-question-again
It even sounds like you get bombed on your own turn too...
Quote from: Habbaku on March 23, 2021, 03:02:06 PM
This is pretty clearly a silly error on my part. There are two spaces that lead to the "1" area in Sarajevo, but only one elsewhere. I figured by moving the brigades north that they'd lock the supply line open, but now it seems like I'll have very little chance of actually getting them back in supply.
I consider this a learning game - we're still figuring this thing out (just knowing what cards are out there would make a big difference). Unsurprisingly the Serbs suffer more from it, as they need to be proactive and drive the game in the early turns, instead of reacting and stalling.
Yeah, and another error is clearly being a bit...aggressive in taking as many spaces as I have early on. Knowing the media card is floating around out there means I should be a touch more cautious, I think? But that's the balance, obviously.
Definitely a lesson learned - unless you've seen media coverage played, taking more than one or two Bosniak spaces is probably a no go - especially if your FA is below zero already. Continuously managing the FA is probably another take away - NATO bombardment is very, very bad.
Conversely I was surprised by how easily I could replace lost troops. Your initial onslaught was easily replaced, so it's more about board position than attrition. I think.
The Serbian diplomatic corps gets a move on after all these pesky shells fall on the army's heads. Perhaps if the western powers let up a bit, we might yet regain some glory...
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51066772263_ee5db86e93_o.png) (https://flic.kr/p/2kNAyfK)Diplomacy (https://flic.kr/p/2kNAyfK)
Croats start to entrench at their exposed position at the northern tip of Bosnia, while they resume their attack Mrkonjic Grad. Habs to resolve, no CC.
Bosniaks complete the entrenchments in Srebrenica and Gorazde, digging in to make Serbian attacks much harder. The brigade in Jablanice moved north to Prozor to help contain any Croat ambitions on central Bosnia.
End of round 4. Bosniaks have no more cards to play, Croat hold one and Serbs will play three more. Hopefully the Bosniak entrenchments and positions will carry them through the next few Serbian card plays.
(https://dl.airtable.com/.attachmentThumbnails/f32d23270f6f5ae61c241868a8b0715a/9aca45e4)
BTW the Serbs at Glamoc are OOS I think.
Apologies for delay; should be on track again today.
Serbian units go on the march again, this time to push the Bosniaks out of a vital line in Zavidovici. Elsewhere, link-ups with Sarajevo were made to resupply the beleaguered besiegers.
Over to Tamas for his last play.
Well done. I somehow missed the fact that you could still move out from Sarajevo with units supplied from the key space and link it up. I could have blocked you off from Gorazde. That probably makes it 1-1 on the major rookie mistakes score. Good for the game to not have Sarajevo fall early by mistake though.
Croats spend their last round entrenching their precarious hold of the northern tip, and also start digging in to protect the gains of their last offensive.
Tamas - sounds like you did nothing I need to respond to (retreats etc)? As I am out cards, the turn passes to Habs.
Sorry, didn't realise you were out of cards.
Is there any clarification on whether Limited Fuel incurred by sanctions prevents you from advancing after attack or just advancing beyond the initially attacked space? The rules are...annoyingly contradictory. Sanctions on page 8 says "beyond the target space" whereas 13.2.8 says no advance at all.
This errata / QA document says that 13.2.8 should be changed to read that no advance beyond the target space, so the sanctions section has it correctly.
https://boardgamegeek.com/filepage/207627/q-and-errata-brotherhoodunity
Habs spent his two "solo" turns upgrading a couple of units to elites and replacing his losses by replacement points.
This is the situation going into turn 2 - after Croat and Bosniak reinforcements have been put into play (Serbs get nada this turn). Our hand sizes have now evened out and the Bosniak combat modifier is only -1. This and my six reinforcements should mean that I am no longer just the punching bag.
(https://dl.airtable.com/.attachmentThumbnails/c897e44e8586ed26d8ba9e0907980f43/2da8dbe5)
(https://dl.airtable.com/.attachmentThumbnails/4e6cd044c6f968ed89d2f68fba6312ba/50dc977f)
Serbian trucks are called to the front to organize and rationalize the lines for the next offensive. We're determined to close off the northern flank before proceeding to crush Sarajevo.
I will be out of town and away from my laptop for the weekend. If the turn comes my way tomorrow, I'll make sure to put it in, but after that I'll be AWOL until Monday.
2 of the 3 victorious Croatian units in the Juzna Krajina region reposition to defend against anticipated Bosnian aggression from Zenica.
The Army of Bosnia & Herzegovina attempts a minor offensive against Vlasenica, using troops from Srebrenica, Gorazde and Sokolac in order to stave off impending attacks on Srebrenica and Gorazde. The attack is bolstered by the operations card (+2) and a combat card to nullifies the mountain terrain.
Over the Habs for the opportunity to play a combat card in in defense and/or resolve the battle.
Well, that went poorly. Bosniaks got a critical hit while the Serbs did well enough to return 2 step losses in return. Still, that -3/+3 SW is gonna pinch a bit...
To Bogh to take losses and advance.
Very bloody on the Eastern front. The Croats will enjoy spectating this, I am sure. But excellent result overall for the Bosniaks.
Two Bosniak brigades advance into Vlasenica.
Step losses in Sokolac and Srebrenica.
Over to Habs for round 2 of turn 2.
(https://dl.airtable.com/.attachmentThumbnails/cdfc332a435eff349c1e857f7dd949e1/9133f358)
Serbs commit to a Posavina Offensive to drive the Croats out of the northern flank and shore up the lines. To Tamas for CC/resolve.
Croats launch a major (event) offensive to capture the city of Zenica, the event allowing them to ignore the Urban terrain for this one battle.
(https://i.ibb.co/7CFg9Rf/c21.jpg)
Bosniaks got lucky, with the artillery shelling having no effect and the subsequent attack only doing x1 damage and the Bosniaks replying in kind.
Unfortunately, the inferiority of forces still meant that the Bosniaks took three losses to the Croats one and were forced to retreat. Stacking limits meant that only one brigade could retreat, bringing Bosniaks losses to two full brigades and Croats poised to advance into Zenica with minor losses.
The Croat forces advanced into Zenica as expected. Bosniaks used their turn to replace losses and put fresh troops back into play in Jablanica, Novi Grad (Sarajevo) and eastern Mostar.
Situation after turn 2, round 2:
(https://dl.airtable.com/.attachmentThumbnails/745d1dfae25d49fcb740d0a3457e3c22/68e0965d)
The Serbs take a much-needed breather to strengthen the ranks with this year's recruits, especially in the south where a rather worrisome hole has presented itself.
The Croats redeploy their units around the borders of the ancient Croatian homeland they have liberated in Bosnia.
The Bosniak government forms the Patriot League, bolstering a couple of damaged brigades in Eastern Bosnia and increasing strategic will by two.
End of turn 2, round 3
(https://dl.airtable.com/.attachmentThumbnails/a5b6aa73612395a6c18012851d8a0236/a539baa9)
:ph34r:
File up! Did some maneuvering mostly to get my elites into position for...defense. :shifty:
Tamas up.
Croats entrench their border with the Bosnians via an event card.
Inspired by our Croat "allies" and the "defensive maneuvering" of the Serbs, the Bosniaks decide to entrench a couple of central positions.
Board position after turn 2, round 4.
(https://dl.airtable.com/.attachmentThumbnails/d28a389d0ef09f173c75e5ae04abc7af/cb87bbaa)
Serbs play Bosnian-Croat War as event to force a discard on both enemy hands. In addition, the 2 OPs granted are used to entrench in Banja Luka and perform a spoiling attack on a hapless Bosniak brigade near Sarajevo.
Curses. The infighting with our Croat "allies" discards the last card from my hand. That's the end of turn 2 for the Bosniaks.
Croats discard, then play the even of international recognition of Croatia, slightly improving their strategic will, and foreign attitude towards them.
Out of cards as well, off to Habs to finish the turn.
The Serbs finish turn 2 off with two major offensives, annihilating the Bosniak positions in the East and taking Gorazde, Srebrenica and most places in between. Though the military succes brought to them auto-win levels in strategic will, the lack of two Serb key regions denied Habs an immediate win. Serbia is in a strong position going into round 3, but the international community is hostile to them and NATO airplanes are incoming.
The late war cards have been added, early war cards removed and all the decks have been reshuffled. The Bosniaks have reinforced their positions in Sarajevo and the central parts of the country with the turn 3 reinforcements. Next up is Tamas to place the 3 Croat reinforcements (the Serbs get none this turn) and then Bosniaks will start the turn - turn order flips on turn 3.
Board status after Bosniak reinforcements going into turn 3:
(https://dl.airtable.com/.attachmentThumbnails/7a383bc1a9ea8506d97801a0f204b449/854ed107)
The Bosniaks have basically been eliminated everywhere but central Bosnia around Sarajevo (and the north western enclave around Bihac, which has seen no action thus far). With lots of reinforcements added, the Bosniak position is very compact and really needs to break out of Sarajevo and push back out. After NATO planes softened up Serbs positions around Illidza, an initial attempt was made, but failed. Round 1 was spent by Tamas upgrading a couple of brigades to elites and by Habs bringing the international community heat down to stop the air sorties against him.
Second card play saw the Bosniaks attempt another attack on Illidza, this time eliminating the opposition and allowing supplies to flow from Croatia into Sarajevo, relieving the siege of the city. Emboldened, Bosniak forces attacked Serbian held part of Sarajevo (Vogosca) from the North and the South, eliminating the Serbs forces there and taking the key space and asserting control of Sarajevo (for the first time raising eye brows internationally as images of Serbian civilians fleeing the city streamed out). Finally Bosniak troops attacked Croat forces in Gornji Vakuf, reducing the brigade, but were unable to push into Srednja Bosna.
Board position by turn 3, round 2 (after Bosniak card play, before Croat/Serb card play):
(https://dl.airtable.com/.attachmentThumbnails/4a0ca02c0cb9478265c70440e1870d30/8d5962d2)
Croats are feeling the pressure of the Bosnian betrayal and have used the 66th Pioneer Regiment to shuffle units around, including moving their two elite units south of Mostar to prevent any further Bosnian aggression.
After securing Sarajevo and breaking the siege, the Bosniak forces are starting to push back the Serbs north of the city.
(https://dl.airtable.com/.attachmentThumbnails/11a7a34e7fd687d495442b2f4f72bb80/598b5c95)
Turn 4 begins with the Bosniaks rebuilding the forces for the final push.
End game scoring right now would be 52, 45 and 23 respectively for Serbs, Croats and Bosniaks, so the central government has some serious catchup to do, but the Croats might be able to push the Serbs into second place with a succesful final turn.
State of play after Bosniak replacements:
(https://dl.airtable.com/.attachments/cf181cf198fe978f9b8fdfbc5b7691e4/76de3f67/T4-1Bosniak1.png)
Turn 4, round 5.
Bosniaks have pushed back against both Serbs and Croats, but have no real chance of winning the game. Whoever can fend off the Bosniaks better will probably win it as Serbs and Croats are pretty close in terms of score and aren't really in positions to directly affect each other.
Current score is:
Serbs: 50
Croats: 44
Bosniaks: 26
(https://dl.airtable.com/.attachmentThumbnails/1d7673d0db3fb7003e07e8e02cb97d1e/48702284)
And it's over.
Final score is:
Serbs 64
Croats 40
Bosniaks 31
Massive victory for the Serbs, presumably leading to the unification of Republika Srpska and Serbia proper.
Congrats to Habs, well played. Thanks to both of you for a good game and a decent speed. I enjoyed it.
(https://dl.airtable.com/.attachmentThumbnails/25cd27ee005686b7b7cebc97a49711ea/210c9e16)
Good game! I have no doubts a replay would be much closer considering the lop-sidedness of the Serb early game.
I also ran a pretty high-risk, high-reward campaign at the beginning as I didn't realize just how likely it was that the Bosniaks might draw another -FA card and play on me to seal a victory. That would have been embarrassing.
Yeah, deck familiarity will make a big difference, as will a better understanding of game score / status. I feel Tamas got locked out of the action somewhat (or maybe I just missed a lot of it). Definitely lots of mistakes made on all sides.
I wish the score wasn't quite as convoluted and the classic three way king maker issue sure is there, but I really do like a lot of what it does, even setting apart the theme. Looking forward to my next play of it.
It was fun, thanks both! :cheers:
I "stayed out of the action" on purpose. One big mistake I made was not realising that non-objective areas also yield VPs. I would had (and perhaps could had) tried to push further if I knew.
I'm happy to rotate powers and go again if you guys are. I'll most likely be a bit faster this time as a few of my other PBEM games have ended over the span of this.
I'd be up for another round of it. Still some learning and exploring to do I think.
Yeah let's go for it :)
Sweet. I'll setup a new Airtable base. Preferences for sides?
Quote from: bogh on May 27, 2021, 01:05:59 AM
Sweet. I'll setup a new Airtable base. Preferences for sides?
I don't mind either side.
Does the game keep track how many civilians were killed or displaced? :)
Quote from: Syt on May 27, 2021, 02:00:33 AM
Does the game keep track how many civilians were killed or displaced? :)
No, it's sort of implied - the more cities/important towns you conquer the less the international community tolerate you
So - how about I grab the Croats, Habs the Bosniaks and Tamas the Serbs?
Is there any outside interest in following it? Happy to post maps and status from time to time in a new dedicated thread, but I won't bother if nobody cares!
Punching Bags for me sounds good. Let's see if I can avoid the worst and preserve some semblance of an army...
:thumbsup:
Cool. I've setup "Game 2" inside Airtable, so Tamas can go ahead and start it off (reinforcements and card draw).