Friday 24 February 2017

On the Table....

On the gaming table currently is Unhappy King Charles!  I first purchased this game back in 2011 and enjoyed my first game over Vassal, but had never managed to get a proper game to the table....until now!

UKC is a card-driven, point-to-point game focused on the English Civil War of the 1640s. In terms of the games that I am familiar with, UKC's mechanics have quite a bit in common with Washington's War. It's a step up in complexity, but getting up to speed with gameplay is mighty rewarding. I really do admire this game and enjoy the 'cat and mouse' thrust and parry nature of it, together with planning strategic plays according to a hand of cards. As befits a civil war too, there is no single front line, with tugs of war to wrest control going on in virtually each point of the compass.

Local gaming buddy Brett - a relative newcomer to these types of games - is playing Parliament, while I am the Royalists. Last night we completed 1643, and it was a mightily dramatic turn. My royalists had an extra card in reserve - known as an 'Ace in the Hole'. In addition, they were able to play an event that awarded another card from the deck. IN ADDITION, the aggressive Parliamentarians used two combat cards during battles. IN ADDITION, the King's forces won a major battle, allowing a victory card to be drawn as spoils.

As a result, the Royalists were delivered with the rare opportunity of playing 4 cards in a row after Parliament's hand had been exhausted. Not to miss this golden opportunity, Charles succeeded in ending Essex's siege of Oxford and sending him packing, his forces choosing to disperse. More than that, Royalist forces were able to mask London (preventing it from acting as a source for tracing supply) and isolate the entire SE and E of England, resulting in at least half a dozen control markers being removed in those regions.

When it came to calculating if a sudden victory had been triggered, Parliament was just able to prevent ultimate defeat by a margin of 2-3 control markers.  

This may prove to be Charles' single greatest moment to restore the monarchy in England, but we will see....certainly it will become more difficult, if history is a guide.  

A most excellent game - hats off to its creator, Charles Vasey Esq!

Long Live the King!

Charles' army masks London....Parliament beware!
Happy King Charles?


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