Sergeants

[bob48]

I refer, of course, to the miniature game by Lost Battalion Games. I know its been around for a while, and it has been greatly added to since it first appeared, but, to the best of my knowledge, it has never been readily available in the UK.

That has now changed, however, as Second Chance Games have just announced they they are stocking what appears to be the whole range, plus of few more games my the same publisher.

https://secondchancegames.com/index.php/component/virtuemart/manufacturer/lost-battalion-games-1

I will admit that the game has always intrigued me, and the lure of pre-painted (20mm) figures is, for someone who's eyesight does not allow them to paint figures any more, is a substantial draw.

Unfortunately, like so many games these days, its out of my budget range, unless the missus manages to win something substantial on the Lotto.

I'd be very interested to know if anyone has any experience of playing the game.

[JudgeDredd]

I see the words "money pit".

That looks like the kind of system you could just keep throwing money at.

I admit, I've not played miniatures since Memoir '44 and my introduction to wargaming...but I don't think I'd ever say never to giving it a go.

[bayonetbrant]

We had it in the program at Origins for a few years, and it was a huge hit with the crowd because it is gorgeous when it's on the table

It does play pretty quick, and even with a bunch of individual dudes, game management doesn't feel like it bogs down

However, it does take up a ton of space because every one of those guys has his own character card. Even though those cards aren't very big, they take up a bunch of space around the edge of the table once you get enough of them

[Barthheart]

It’s a great game. Rules are easy enough, but do take a bit of rereading to get the jist, or have someone teach you.
The base game box has enough for two people to have at each other in small skirmishes. The add on boxes add more terrain tiles. You’ll have to buy more soldiers separate from the map tiles. That is really where the money sink is, more figures.

The main draw, for me, was that each soldier is an individual, not just in the pack he comes in but across the entire game system. Some when you buy more soldiers you know the new one’s stats will be completely different from any you bought before, note this means good and bad!  It really makes them all come alive as characters.

They do have vehicles and rules for them but they are not as well developed and Lost Battalion seems to not be doing much these days…

More later,  I need to finish the bacon on the BBQ.

[Barthheart]

Ok, some more.

There is some 3D terrain and rules for the system too, but I found the rules fiddly and just slowed the game down for not much more fun.
The terrain printed on the map tiles some find odd but once you get into the system I don’t find them any less useful/effective/fun.

The game play is done by giving yer guys orders for 3 phases each turn. You build your orders deck from the cards you get with each of your soldiers. Some specialist soldiers come with more cards and different types of orders that give them their special abilities.

Scenarios are built around orders for each group of soldiers. There’s also a story deck built from the game cards selected for that scenario . This is used to generate what can happen each phase in a turn and random events.

It really is a very unique and fun game to play. And once you get rolling, plays very quickly and gives some very satisfying fire fights.
I’ve played with up  to 6 players and it a blast.

The larger matches will take up a lot space.

[bob48]

Yeah, it really does look like a fun game.