Bomb Alley Scenario unplaytested (or I don't understand)

chicklewis · Bomb Alley Scenario unplaytested (or I don't understand)

We tried the 'Bomb Alley' Convoy to Malta scenario, but ran into a few things which make me believe either the scenario wasn't playtested, or I don't understand the game.

Firstly, in the day 1 sub-scenario, you must get 4 transports off the far edge of the board to have them continue on towards Malta. However, the game length is only 10 turns, so with a speed of '1' you will not exit a single transport.

Secondly, there are setup notes for axis submarines, but no subs included in any axis force.

What am I not understanding here? Is there another undiscovered version of this scenario which gives speed 2 to transports and includes axis submarines?

Chick

wilt57

Hehe. I looked at this scenario and thought about trying it. It was just too much extra crap to have to remember. I can see where the historical gamers could get a kick out of it, but as a casual gamer myself, it was too time consuming to get a grasp of it all. I don't want to be too critical of the writer, because there have been some really fun scenarios and I want them to continue making them.

One of the things that turned me off was the excessive rolling of dice to see if an event triggers. It wasn't just a plain old die roll either. You had to add up all these things and then subtract all those things and it got really confusing just reading it, let alone playing it.

A low amount of special rules is more in theory of this game. Give us the units, a couple special rules, and let the KISS system take care of the rest.

wilt57

jfkziegler

I agree with wilt57. I love scenarios, but I prefer the simpler scenarios like the ones in the Guadalcanal campaign. Some of the scenarios, like the Malta one, are just too complex.

ericjohn

Yeah I noticed that U-boat issue when I read it over Smile

...

In May I was working on a Malta Convoy scenario of my own to be posted on the boards, and when I started seeing the units in the Opening Salvos I decided to punt it until after Task Force.

Anyway, I hope to ressurect it in the next few weeks, and I'd like to find a few of playtesters, so if anyone is interested, let me know. I think it will be somewhat simpler -- at least it will not be "multi-stage". The main "gimics" will be in how the Axis select and stage their forces for the attack, and a bit of historical flavor representing the destroyer-tow of SS Ohio...

chicklewis

I would be glad to help you playtest, ericjohn.

Chick