So, the game finally arrived couple of weeks ago. I read and played Playbook, read the rules, played the playbook once again. And decided to continue the second Playbook game for a while… and one more turn… and one more turn… (have you played Civilization series on PC? – “one more turn” syndrome is very addictive!)
Some of our other Falling Sky sessions - all were very exciting! COIN Falling Sky – The Great Revolt (52 BC) scenario AAR Falling Sky – 52 BC scenario again Falling Sky – 54 BC – Pax Gallica - face-to-face session [REVIEW] Falling Sky 2nd Edition + Ariovistus My second real play – 52 BC scenario My first real play – 54 BC scenario My second solo – 54 BC
I prepared deck for short play, so 3 winters (if I recall correctly). I played with each faction, executing best move possible. No bots.
First year
- Saw a clash of Romans and Belgae – Ambiorix can do really nice damage, and actually 3 legions went to fallen! (with 4 on track, fulfilling one of two Arverni victory conditions)
- Romans tried to react and did some damage
- But all that gave a lot of time to Arverni, which took advantage and decimated Aedui, expanding into western regions of Gaul
- First winter saw Arverni short 1 ally from victory… But with almost all warbands built up, they seemed to be in good position to win soon!
Second year
- Arverni decided to start looking for additional ally disc in Sequani region, which proved to be big mistake
- Romans lost almost all subdued regions, and decided that they need to restore Supply Line (Sequani of course)
- Belgae very cleverly stayed off the fight, and used 7 Germanic Warbands to harras Arvernin owned Mandubii
- Auedui built two citadels (Birbicate, Avaricum) and started slowly to rally
- Second winter saw Romans in very poor position (8 points), Arverni and Belgae close to victory, Aedui in the middle
Third year
- that was year of miracles; first Belgae – using 7 German and 10 own Warbands, completely razed Mandubi region, taking control of it (and finally building the citadel); at this moment in time Belgae had 18 points – so close to victory if game just finished!
- but it was not to be so! Romans decided to strike back, and completely obliterated Atrebates region (with 3 Belgae Allies and 3 points for control)
- Arvernin moved from Sensones, and devastated 3 regions to stop spreading of Aedui disease…
- … but nothing could stop Aedui now! They built up warbands in previous year, and now used them to gather resources and with Suborn, place allies, remove allies or add their warbands. It was so powerful Special Ability that they took over Venetii, Brittain and even Gergovia! Also contested Pictones. Devastation was not able to stop them in in the end THEY WON! A result no other faction was able to foreseen!
What a game! Arverni so close to victory! Then Belgae dominating decisively, and in the end – Aedui winning. Nobody wile tell me that Aedui is weak faction, oh no. You can really make a lot of noise with them – just need time to prepare, gather resources, and sent agents everywhere.
Romans, well… Tended to keep too much forces in one place and their supply line was always threatened…
Final image of my game:
Now time for 54 BC scenario – I like it as start is from minimal number of forces, and whole Gaul is open!
The Boardgames Chronicle 
I agree with you Michael. I’ve played and own all the COIN games through Pendragon (but that’s the end for me; have all the COIN I need now) and after years of many tries of using the various Bots, in the end I find playing all four or both (Colonial Twilight) sides the most fun. Working the Bots have always felt more work than fun to me, and takes away from the narrative pace many of the COIN series creates (Falling Sky and A Distant Plain are my favorites).
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