At Any Cost: Metz 1870

cost metz game simulate situation west metz fortress day august game design playable twoplayer brigadescale game allow player experience unique tactical warfare matchup characterize fighting francoprussian warthis era generally overlook gaming industry fascinating study napoleonic tactic uniform slamming headon modern kill technology prussian military juggernaut arm new steel krupp breachloade artillery piece far outclass french gun prussian doctrine adapt lesson learn austroprussian war allow junior officer exercise initiative aggressiveness french army arm modern deadly chassepot rifle firearm advanced argue deployment win war french addition french army equip ultimate secret weapon mitrailleuse machinegun en masse game system make clear french soldier despite misconception contrary fight valiantly battle right ndash ndash win engagement leadership morale tenacity win day prussiansall factor seamlessly embed cost game system player challenge utilize advantage minimize disadvantage game prussian player able withstand early severe numerical disadvantage use brave audacity prussian soldier artilleryman win day french player overcome lethargic uninspired command structure army rhine allow tough wellequippe infantry fight unhinderedat cost metz feature blind sword chitpull system emphasize ldquofowrsquosrdquo military conflict fogofwar frictionofwar fortunesofwar chit pull player challenge tough decision base assessment current situation unlike traditional chitpull mechanism blind sword system ensure combat unit count conversely count yield environment tense action constant surprise ndash environment challenge playerunitsall brigade artillery group french army rhine prussian second army take action represent order battle strength point equal infantryman cavalry trooper heavy artillery piece light artillery piece addition unit cohesion rating represent unitrsquos morale training experience plus movement allowancesystem highlightscombat cohesion system combat system ldquofirepowerrdquo base utilize unitrsquos size cohesion rating determine effectiveness combat system drive twod dice mechanic differentlycolore dice roll simultaneously colored die generate initial result second white die simultaneously inform player physical casualty suffer unit morale effect enemyrsquo fire assault combat system use differential mechanism result dynamic combat outcomeorder system player choose possible order activate brigade operate ndash attack defend march regroup order specific parameter provide benefit restriction order choice critical unitrsquos performance activationchitpull system blind sword chitpull system generate challenging action difficult decision player feature different type chit reside cup special effectsactivation chit activate unit list corp cavalry division scenario activation chit french player feed game piecemeal represent slow reaction time french command structure french player option speed process cic chit special activation chit prussian player chiefofstaff chit french player commanderinchief chit chit allow player select division prussian player brigade french player activation activate activate later turn opportunity activate unit twice turn event chit event chit assign player start turn player select chit place cup obviously event want event chit randomly throw turn ndash remain event chit place cup preselecte chit manner player assure draw particular event chit initially choseeach event chit unique event different command common event unique event tactical nature specific effect option player consider event example auftragstaktik krupprsquo gun beat zone moulin arsquo cafe battlefield condition command common event strategic option prussian player attempt speed reinforcement andor change arrival location curtail effect prussian aggressive tactic event french player play french player use command event hasten activation chit availability attempt cancel effect crippling bazainersquos malaise eventprussian strategic movement order add player input strategic offmap movement approach prussian force scenario offer opportunity use unique hide prussian strategic movement system involve prussian player openly move unit special pointtopoint map result hide french player vary prussian force arrive map system set prussian player assure arrival time content force solitaire friendly version feature wellmapthe map rdquo x rdquo hexagonal map entire west metz hex equal approximately yard contain significant terrain detail ndash elevation slope wood town quarry etcscenariosthe game include scenariosthe afternoon crisis small limited battle depict french advance fond de la cove august th scenario serve teaching experience new player twilight guard ndash small limited battle depict fighting st privat august th point result prussian guardsman casualty inflict minute scenario serve teaching experience new player battle marslatour ndash battle begin continue entire day variation offer ndash historical freesetup deployment option historical reinforcement schedule variable schedule utilize prussian strategic movement system battle gravelottest privat ndash ndash entire daylong battle variation offer ndash historical freesetup deployment option historical reinforcement schedule variable schedule utilize prussian strategic movement system campaign scenario ndash game begin marslatour scenario continue past day campaign victory condition achieve campaign scenario ndash game begin august th french player march entire army rhine map escape verdun secondary option protect army destruction prussian armyrsquos movement entirely prussian strategic movement system enter game map scenario give player option shape entirely new campaigncomponent ndash rdquo x rdquo map ndash rdquo countersheet ndash rulebook ndash playbook scenario historical note example play ndash game track card ndash prussian strategic movement card ndash player aid prussian french ndash tenside dice blue red white