Robert Wesley
Nepal
Aberdeen
Washington
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"Fortress America Expansion Pack #1"
  
I'll begin this with the notice that at this particular time, I have just completed playing a game using this "Expansion" set and several items cropped up of which they are being taken into consideration. That could result in a 'revision' being issued, and in fact, 'OUR' game started off with a couple of them to begin with. Here's what we ended up playing with: ALL of the 'Regular' EXPANSION's Rules except for these~(1)-The amount of Infantry types allowed using their *SPECIAL* ability was reduced to (4) from (8); (2)-"Long Range Bombers"-was NOT used and in it's place "Heavy Bombers" was instituted with them being able to 'roll' (2)-D8s for when they 'Attack'.
Other 'Questions' arose about the ability for "Transport Helos" to 'pick up' Partisans-this is going to be 'clarified', but in 'OUR' game, they were treated the same as "Regular Infantry". A 'proposal' was mentioned about the "Partisans" being restricted to having to begin a MOVE PHASE in the same AREA as a "Transport Helo" in order to be 'Transported' by those. The argument for this 'proposal' is that "Partisans" are NOT as well equipped as "Regular Infantry"(i.e.-Communications, co-ordination, etc.). and that it would take some 'extra effort' on their part in order to execute this 'mission'. It could just end up being allowed as it is now, in order to 'give' the U.S.A. Player some MORE 'flexibility'.
Another concern was the ability of Helicopter borne "Infantry" to be able to "*SPECIAL* 1st Move into and then Capture unoccupied Cities". During 'OUR' game, this was NOT allowed, but it is being reconsidered and could become a standard function in future ones. It should be NOTED that "Paratroops" CAN 'Paradrop' into such a situation(an unoccupied CITY) which is ultimately MORE 'risky' than a tentative 'Heli-Borne Assualt' would entail.
Yet another 'item' that was revealed is the 'Defensive' ability of the "Defensive Hover Tanks" when they are 'targeted' by LASERS and this is being 'proposed' to become 'revised' to make it more difficult(requiring a higher 'to hit' number on the die roll) than it currently stands to reflect their increased benefits.
During the playing of this, it was also brought up that when selecting 'casualties' from among the *SPECIAL* types and the 'regular' ones involved, that some consideration should be given for the 'owning' player to choose from them. Although in 'OUR' game, the 'Defender' was always making the choice, this could become 'revised' to allow for leniency on the part of incurring losses of these *SPECIAL* types. I would hope that since there has been some reduction in the amount of *SPECIAL* Infantry types allowed for use in this, that there should be a means of compensating for that! There should be an "Official" release with an UPDATE covering ALL of this in the near future, and once that's been established, then a 'Great' Expansion will become an even 'Greater' one!
Since there are numerous ways to utilize the many varied ablilites of these *SPECIAL* Units, it will be up to the Players involved to determine just what it is that suits their own playing style. Play it with certain 'Units' for one game, and then give the 'others' a try to see how well you do using them. Overall, everyone enjoyed trying these out and look forward to giving it "another go at it" using some of the ones that weren't used in the game that we played. That's the NICE thing about it, you'll have plenty of 'means' to try out with this SET and you can expect to see even MORE as the Designer(Steve Wood) has promised to provide such, possibly to include a SET of CARDS for the "Invaders" to use as well! I've even inquired as to whether he will "take a glance" at some 'proposed' "Partisans" CARDS that have appeared in the "Fortress America" game section of the BGG. They may become another 'add-on' to be taken into account to inject added interest in this oft neglected 'sister' game of the "GameMaster's Series".
oh, and "Runes", then kindly sit on a  of yours and continuously *SPIN* until YOU can fully comprehend ALL of this!
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Jakob Schneider
Germany
Brühl
NRW
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I ''really'' tried to read this review, But the idiot 'who' has written it just 'doesn't' know when to 'use' quotation marks and 'formatting tools'.
Un'readable'.
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Dave Heberer
United States
Woodinville
Washington
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I think idiot is a bit harsh. I really couldn't say that the reading of the rules made me understand the expansions abilities and reasoning more than reading this review.
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Just another Secret Santa
United States
Tennessee
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Yeah, that was a lil harsh. Nonetheless, quick question: where the heck can we buy this expansion? I have been looking for about a year for it and have yet to even see it up for sale anywhere. Any suggestions? thanks.
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Stephen Persons
United States
Cheektowaga
New York
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Stud121501 wrote: Yeah, that was a lil harsh. Nonetheless, quick question: where the heck can we buy this expansion? I have been looking for about a year for it and have yet to even see it up for sale anywhere. Any suggestions? thanks.
I second this question! (I didn't even know they had made an expansion.)
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Robert Wesley
Nepal
Aberdeen
Washington
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Runes wrote: I ''really'' tried to read this review, But the idiot 'who' has written it just 'doesn't' know when to 'use' quotation marks and 'formatting tools'.
Un'readable'. Maybe YOU ought to forego your "handle" of 'Runes', and adopt something more simple-minded then eh? How about "pictures-reader" for that, as it would become MORE appropriate in this instance? You sorry-assed detractors MUST then have the mental acumen of pre-schoolers for your "reading comprehensions", but I don't wish to disparage those kids any with this inference, ya kno?
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Posted Fri Aug 20, 2004 4:58 pm
