TheBoardgamesChroniclePlayed Angola from @MultiManPub for the first time over the weekend. What a deep and innovative design (game was originally published in 1988). We loved team play, asymmetry, columns system and the foreign aid mechanic. Need more time for full session!
JustinB@theboardgameschronicle some feedback I heard (possibly the History on the Table podcast?) mentioned an issue with mega death stacks that stomp on everything. Did you come across this?
Volko@JustinB @theboardgameschronicle
My group played one of the best run-throughs of Angola just yesterday -- and I have played this game a lot.
Death stacks are not an issue: as the situation develops, everyone gets them, they counter each other, and the tiniest speed bump garrisons stop them from going anywhere fast.
Two issues that we correct with house rules (happy to share) are that blue/green is strongly favored and that the special Cabinda rules are both hard to remember and result in an ahistorical outcome.
@Volko Wow, what a coincidence to play on the same weekend!
@JustinB The Death-stacks appeared but on all sides. We did not played till the end - too long for 4 newbies to the title - and the game could potentially swing any direction.
Alexandre FR@theboardgameschronicle An amazing game! Every system in it is both innovative and coherent with the subject matter. Can't wait to play it again!
Pete@alexandrefr @theboardgameschronicle I’ve never played it but the it gets consistently positive comments every time it comes up. Added to the list.
@Pete @alexandrefr I will definitely devote more time to this!
@alexandrefr @theboardgameschronicle
Alexandre,
FYI After CircleDC, I decided to try a new modification to streamline Cabinda and make it more historical (it actually never fell). Tested it yesterday with good results: Cabinda was easy to implement, stalemated, and overall balance remained tight (game ended in a tie after the final turn).
Alexandre,
FYI After CircleDC, I decided to try a new modification to streamline Cabinda and make it more historical (it actually never fell). Tested it yesterday with good results: Cabinda was easy to implement, stalemated, and overall balance remained tight (game ended in a tie after the final turn).
@Volko @theboardgameschronicle You are now fine tuning this game faster than I can get it back to the table!
Grant@Volko @alexandrefr @theboardgameschronicle Volko, I'm guessing you'll post your house rules once you feel you've hit the sweet spot? BGG?
@pushingcardboard @alexandrefr @theboardgameschronicle
My sweet spot is:
Add a blank card to FNLA.
Add a Brigade to MPLA.
Simplify FAPLA/MPLA Set reinforcements to 3 infantry each and non-variable unit arrival to any in Luanda and/or 1 unit per port, their option.
Treat Cabinda as an ordinary City Port and FLEC Base as an ordinary Zaire space, except keep 1 box victory award for capture of Cabinda and kill 1/2 cancel retreat at Cabinda.
That's it!
My sweet spot is:
Add a blank card to FNLA.
Add a Brigade to MPLA.
Simplify FAPLA/MPLA Set reinforcements to 3 infantry each and non-variable unit arrival to any in Luanda and/or 1 unit per port, their option.
Treat Cabinda as an ordinary City Port and FLEC Base as an ordinary Zaire space, except keep 1 box victory award for capture of Cabinda and kill 1/2 cancel retreat at Cabinda.
That's it!
@Volko @alexandrefr Would be very curious to see the effect!