SG: New Board Games at Spirit Games

[Spirit Games]

South China Sea

'God save thee, ancient Mariner!From the fiends, that plague thee thus!Why look'st thou so?With my cross-bow I shot the ALBATROSS'.- The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, 1798Indeed a mixed blessing now looms and precipitate action could trigger disaster. The global system that enabled China's peaceful rise has also resurrected the multi-polar world that faded in 1945. The South China Sea has emerged as a place of increasing friction between those poles.The game, South China Sea, offers players a space within which to explore options and alternatives for dealing with complex, multi-party, maritime conflict in that region. Games usually begin with rounds of competitive card play keyed to real world economic, political, and diplomatic events which may or may not escalate to military action. Should an armed clash erupt, players use hex-and-counter mechanics to adjudicate combat between opposing air, sea, and land forces. Of course, eager "grognards" could skip the card play in favour of kinetics from the start.The precise factors affecting play vary from one scenario to the next, and players could make their own! But, in general, card options include things such as: economic sanctions, freedom of navigation operation, the Chinese Coast Guard, high-level visits, etc. with pauses for negotiation among players, played out over turns that simulate 3-7 weeks of time. Military options centre on the use of individual ships, missile batteries, squadrons of aircraft, or battalions of troops to deny access or assert dominance over key terrain features on a map scaled at 45 nautical miles per hex in turns that simulate 3- hours each.
Source: South China Sea

[Spirit Games]

Guilford, Saratoga, Brandywine (Tri-Pack - Battles if the American Revolution)

The first three volumes from GMT's Battles of the American Revolution Series, back in print due to popular demand:Saratoga, 1777The British formulate a campaign to end the rebellion. General John Burgoyne's army is ordered south from Canada. his objective was Fort Ticonderoga and from there, Albany, and a rendezvous with British forces coming from New York City. North of Albany stood an American army, blocking further progress in a strong defensive position on Bemis Heights. Burgoyne was determined to attack and reach Albany, unaware that Howe's army was not moving north to meet him. On his own initiative he, and most of his army, had sailed for Pennsylvania. On the American side, command dissention reigned. Benedict Arnold defied Gates' order to remain on the defensive, and sallied forth to meet the British in the woods where their artillery would be of little use. The fighting at Freeman's Farm would be savage. Here no farmer's militia, but rather Continental Regulars stood toe to toe with Europe's finest. The sanguinary nature of the fighting was summed up best by American Brigadier General John Glover, who said, "Both sides seemed determined to conquer or die."Brandwine, 1777General George Washington, holding interior lines at Morristown, New Jersey, was unsure whether Howe would move north in support of the British invasion from Canada, or whether he would move south against the Capital. Once the armada set sail southward, Washington shifted southwest and took up a naturally strong defensive position on the high ground behind Brandywine Creek, astride the main road to Philadelphia. Washington posted his troops advantageously and in depth. Control of the fords of the Brandywine would be key to his position, and although a possible flank attack was discussed, it's likelihood was discounted on the strength of local information. With some 14,000 troops, including crack German mercenaries, and elite American Loyalist units, Howe's British army was about to execute a flanking manoeuvre of "Jacksonian" proportions.Guilford, 1781Guilford depicts two of Nathaniel Greene's most famous engagements:Guilford Courthouse. British General Cornwallis' veteran army was dwindling daily due to lack of supply. He was gambling on local Tory support and sought a battle of annihilation to crush the Americans before his own forces withered away. Greene also sought a major battle. His army was as strong as it was ever likely to be, but he was painfully aware that the nearly 3,000 militia in his ranks could not be relied on to stay. Each commander hoped to deliver the coup de grace.The Battle of Eutaw Springs was noteworthy for a number of reasons: the parity of the opposing forces, the fierce quality of the fighting, and the fact that the American militia and partisans under Francis Marion (The Swamp Fox) fought in a set-piece fashion and held their own. Like Guilford, the battle was considered a British victory, but the British withdrew to Charleston never to emerge again.Game Contents2 double-sided mounted Game MapsFour CountersheetsOne Series RulebookThree PlaybooksSix Player Aid Cards16 Tactics Cards2 D10 dice - red and blue
Source: Guilford, Saratoga, Brandywine (Tri-Pack - Battles if the American Revolution)

[Spirit Games]

Shadows of Brimstone: Undead Outlaws and Undead Gunslinger Deluxe Enemy Pack

Outlaws are a common occurrence throughout the region around the ruins of Brimstone. Even before the town exploded, the Dark Stone rush lured in Outlaws and bandits by the thousands. Once the Darkness came, countless numbers of those Outlaws fell into shadow. Some became Mutants, others fell to the curse of the Lycan, and many more began to rise from the grave as Undead. It wasn't long before the Undead Outlaws fell back into their old ways of robbing, rustling, and mayhem. The most famous of all is a dark, rotting figure known only as The Undead Gunslinger. Whoever he was in life, no one can say for sure. But in death, he has become the most cold killer in the land, earning the nickname of the 'Fastest Dead in the West'. He travels the roads and shadows, challenging any who cross his path to a duel. Few survive to tell the tale. Feared for his quick draw, his cold silence, and his sinister stare, The Undead Gunslinger is an unstoppable force, back from hell and hungry for revenge!This Deluxe Enemy Pack contains everything you need to add sinister Undead Outlaws and the legendary Undead Gunslinger to your games of Shadows of Brimstone! Included are 6 Undead Outlaw models and 1 Undead Gunslinger model, Enemy Record Sheets for them, a host of new cards themed around these ghastly outlaws that have come back from the grave for revenge - including all the the Threat Cards needed to add them to your games, and 2 new Missions focusing on these deadly new Enemies!Contents:Rulebook with 2 new missions and painting guide1 x Undead Gunslinger6 x Undead Outlaws7 x 30mm Bases2 x Large Enemy Record Sheets40 x Game cards1 x Dice-cut counter sheet
Source: Shadows of Brimstone: Undead Outlaws and Undead Gunslinger Deluxe Enemy Pack

[Spirit Games]

BattleCON: Raritti Sikhar Cartomancer

RARITTI SIKHARCARTOMANCER"Fate has more in store for me than I thought."Type: Specialist / Difficulty: MasterRaritti has a set of Fate Cards that give her a variety of bonuses as the Duel progresses. She relies heavily on these bonuses for her success. She cannot fully control which bonuses she gets when, but has a set of tools in her kit that give her some control over what Fate deals her. Find order in chaos and let Fate guide you to victory!
Source: BattleCON: Raritti Sikhar Cartomancer

[Spirit Games]

Millennium Blades: Professionals Mini-Expansion

CONTENTSContains 50 additional cards for Millennium Blades, including two new Characters from the Millennium Blades universe and two sets with a professional theme.Protor von Grandprie Extra CharacterGreline Alcartone Extra CharacterMystic: The Reckoning Expansion SetThe Sports Set Master Set
Source: Millennium Blades: Professionals Mini-Expansion

[Spirit Games]

Antidote: Lab Alliance

A GAME EXPANSION TO ANTIDOTE:A GAME OF DEDUCTION, DECEPTION, AND MORTALITY.Expand the world of Antidote with five new ways to play, including support for up to nine players, team play, new turn actions and special cards, and sinister new Lab Romance characters.Contents:36 Formula cards17 Team cards9 Expansion Lab Assistant cards2 Syringe cards6 Adrenaline cards3 Quarantine cards3 Truth Serum cards8 Lab Romance cards26 Five-point counters14 two-point counters1 Rule booklet
Source: Antidote: Lab Alliance

[Spirit Games]

The Masters' Trials: Wrath of Magmaroth

The legend says that in a time of great danger, masters of the elemental orders will leave their ancestral retreats and join forces to restore peace to the world. From the once-dormant Tekirin volcano, the vengeful Magmaroth has emerged. Born of earth and fire, its goal is to mould the world to its image: primal and ruthless. The time is now for the masters to face their destiny.In The Masters' Trials: Wrath of Magmaroth, players each represent one of the masters from the orders that have banded together to face the evil elemental.Build your own character, roll and move dice to use the powerful techniques you have mastered and work in concert with the other players so that you can defeat Magmaroth before time expires!CONTENTS:216 Cards188 Tokens20 Dice13 Boards4 Player aids1 Rulebook
Source: The Masters' Trials: Wrath of Magmaroth

[Spirit Games]

Professor Evil and the Citadel of Time

PROFESSOR EVIL BUILT A TIME MACHINE TO STEAL SOME OF HISTORY'S MOST FAMOUS TREASURES - AND IT'S YOUR JOB TO RESCUE THEM! HE'S LOCKED THEM AWAY IN HIS SPOOKY CASTLE AND DEVISED A SERIES OF SINISTER TRAPS TO KEEP THEM SAFE.TEAM UP WITH YOUR FELLOW ADVENTURERS TO SNEAK INTO THE MANSION AND RECOVER THE TREASURES. PLAN CAREFULLY AND USE YOUR UNIQUE SKILLS TO UNLOCK DOORS, DEACTIVATE THE TRAPS, DISTRACT THE PROFESSOR, AND STAY OUT OF HIS WAY. YOU'LL HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER IF YOU WANT TO BEAT HIM.CAN YOU GRAB THE MONA LISA, THE ROSETTA STONE, AND EXCALIBUR BEFORE TIME RUNS OUT, OR WILL THESE PRICELESS ARTEFACTS BE LOST FOREVER? THE RACE IS ON!CONTENTS1 Game board5 Character tiles42 Cards6 Standees6 Treasure markers1 Clock marker18 Doors18 Treasure markers12 Switch tiles3 Dice
Source: Professor Evil and the Citadel of Time

[Spirit Games]

Here I Stand: Wars of the Reformation 500th Anniversary Edition

Here I Stand: Wars of the Reformation 1517-1555 is the first game in over 25 years.to cover the political and religious conflicts of early 16th Century Europe. Few realize that the greatest feats of Luther, Calvin, Loyola, Henry VIII, Charles V, Francis I, Suleiman, Magellan, Cortes, and Copernicus all fall within this narrow 40-year period of history. This game covers all the action of the period using a unique card-driven game system that models both the political and religious conflicts of the period on a single point-to-point map.There are six main powers in the game, each with a unique path to victory: the Ottomans, Hapsburgs, French, English, Protestants, and the Papacy.Here I Stand is the first card-driven game to prominently feature secret deal-making. A true six-sided diplomatic struggle, the game places a heavy emphasis on successful alliance-building through negotiations that occur away from the table during the pre-turn Diplomacy Phase. Backstabbing is always possible, especially because the card deck is loaded with event and response cards that can be played by any power to disrupt the plans of the powers in the lead.The game's lineage includes both SPI's A Mighty Fortress (1977) and The Napoleonic Wars (2002). From this base, the game adds mechanics unique to the 16th century, including New World exploration, Mediterranean piracy, publication (and burning) of religious treatises, and theological debates that can result in the burning at the stake of losing debaters. Here I Stand is an innovative game system, being the first to integrate religion, politics, economics, and diplomacy in a card-driven design.GAME CONTENTSFive full-colour Counter Sheets22 x 34 inch full-colour Mounted Map135 Strategy cardsSix 8.5" x 5.5" Power cardsRules BookletScenario BookletTen 6-sided diceTwo Reference cards
Source: Here I Stand: Wars of the Reformation 500th Anniversary Edition

[Spirit Games]

Guam: Return to Glory

On December 10th, 1941, Guam became the first American territory to be lost to an enemy nation during World War Two. Three years later, the Americans returned to take it back.The landings were originally planned for June 18th, but the heavy casualties and fierce resistance caused the Americans to rethink their plans. Further reconnaissance of the beaches was performed, the scope of the preliminary bombardment increased dramatically, and the 77th Division was added as a floating reserve.Guam was subjected to the greatest naval shelling and air bombardment of the Pacific War to the point. The actual assault took place on July 21st and was unique in that the two landing areas were almost 7 miles apart. The two assault divisions would land on either side of the Orote Peninsular, link up, and seize the Airfield and liberate the Marine Barracks.Waiting for them were 18,500 Japanese soldiers with orders to stop the invaders or die."Oh, Mr. Sam, SamMy dear Uncle SamWon't you please comeBack to Guam"- Guamanian song"I will not lose my courage, but now is the time to prepare to die! If one deserves to live, hope for death. Be prepared to die! With this conviction, one can never lose...Look upon us! We have shortened our expectancy of 70 years of life to 25 in order to fight. What an honour it is to be born in this day and age."- Unknown Japanese soldier
Source: Guam: Return to Glory

[Spirit Games]

Next War: Poland

Next War: Poland, is the fourth volume in the Next War Series. This game moves the action from Asia to Europe and allows players to fight a near future war in Poland as the Russians and their allies invade and NATO responds.A large portion of Poland is represented by the Operational (hex) map, while the Baltics are represented by a Strategic Display (similar to Next War: Taiwan's). The Russians are not the behemoth of the Cold War, but they possess good material and a much better trained army than before. The Baltics, using new rules and mechanics, may fall quickly, although their forces may put up some resistance and make an appearance as reinforcements, while the front quickly establishes itself in eastern Poland as the Russian 6th and 20th Armies push forward to seal the Suwalki Gap while NATO rushes forces into the area spearheaded by the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps and followed up by whatever nation's troops respond to the Article 5 declaration. The question is, can NATO stop the Russians or will Poland be overrun while Russia presents the world with a fait accompli?A game turn is composed of:Weather Determination. Bad weather can severely hamper air and naval operations and can significantly slow ground operations.Initiative Determination and Air/Naval Phase, wherein Air Superiority levels and air availability are determined and Sea Control is established or modified.Special Operations Phases in the Advanced Game allowing players to utilise their special operators in various recon and raid missions behind enemy lines.Strike Phases in the Advanced Game allowing players to launch air strikes, cruise missiles, and artillery and SSM strikes.One or more Movement and Combat Phases that allow both sides to move, react, and fight, with an advantage to the Initiative player on non-Contested turns.Arrival of Reinforcements and ReplacementsVictory DeterminationCombat resolution examines not only unit strengths but also efficiency (representing training, doctrine, and morale), as well as the terrain where the combat takes place. The CRT tends to be very bloody in nature, reflecting what we believe will be a degree of attritional warfare early due to the lethality of modern weapons. As in many games, casualties represent not only actual combat losses, but also losses of unit cohesion brought about by the rapid pace with which modern armies are able to engage and exploit on the battlefield.GAME CONTENTSOne 22" x 34" 4-colour one sided mapOne 22" x 34" 4-colour one sided Strategic Display4 Counter Sheets1 Standard and Advanced Series Rules Booklet1 Game Specific Rules Booklet2 (identical) CRT/TEC Player Aid cards1 Standard & Advanced Game Player Aid card1 Advanced Sequence of Play card1 Standard Sequence of Play card1 NATO & US Setup & Reinforcement card2 (identical) Advanced Game Tables cards1 10-sided die
Source: Next War: Poland

[Spirit Games]

Raise Your Goblets Limited Edition

A GAME OF TOASTS, POISONING, AND FLAWLESS ETIQUETTE FOR 2-12 MISCHIEVOUS PLAYERSIn the ancient kingdom of Otravia, everybody loves the King. But even more, everybody would like to be the King! To change the line of succession in your favour, all you need is a drop of poison in the right Goblet... Get ready for a game of cunning, bluff, and deception! Hide your Wine behind your Screen, Pour some Poison in your Target's Goblet, and keep a drop of Antidote always at hand...one of the other players is scheming to poison you!YOU HAVE TO BE PREPARED WHEN THE TIME WILL COME TO RAISE YOUR GOBLETS!Components1 Rulebook6 Goblets6 Coaster rings52 Plastic beads6 Player screens21 Character cards6 Target cards6 Winetaster cards47 Victory Point tokens
Source: Raise Your Goblets Limited Edition

[Spirit Games]

Junta: Las Cartas

THE BOARD GAME CLASSICAS A COMPACT CARD GAME!Welcome back to the beautiful island of the Republica de las Bananas! Nothing has changed here: players are members of a corrupt junta filling their pockets as quickly and efficiently as possible (thanks to the constant stream of foreign aid money coming in). Your methods are ruthless: players are plotting against each other, buying votes, hiring assassins, and blowing up buildings - and, from time to time, starting a coup against the president to hopefully become the new president.Junta: Las Cartas provides the full experience of its big brother Junta in a compact card game format. At the same time, it is the perfect entry point for newcomers to the Junta universe!CONTENTS:114 game cards6 reference cards1 rulebook
Source: Junta: Las Cartas

[Spirit Games]

Dungeon Draft (includes limited edition promo card)

Pull up a chair and get ready to go deep into the dungeon. Players will use epic weapons and heroes to defeat terrifying monsters. The catch: the only way to gain these remarkable items is to draft them from the community deck before your opponents. Upper Deck delivers a strategic drafting game built for those who love to...wait for it...Draft!
Source: Dungeon Draft (includes limited edition promo card)

[Spirit Games]

Agricola: Yellow Expansion

11 New Occupations9 Minor ImprovementsComponents:20 Cards5 FiguresYou need the "Agricola" base game to play this expansion.
Source: Agricola: Yellow Expansion