Black Swan is a team-based trick-taking card game that was released in in 2012. Designed by Hami, the game is suitable for 2 to 4 players and has a runtime of approximately 30 minutes. The game is categorized as a family card game with shedding and stops mechanics.
Game Components of Black Swan
Blocks and Units: Representing various military units, including air, artillery, armor, and infantry.Map: A large vinyl map of Europe, which can be enhanced with extra components like flags and markers.Resource Cylinders: Used for tracking supplies and other resources.Blitz Discs: For special operations like double land combat turns, amphibious, and airborne operations.Naval and Air Combat Mechanics: Including firing order and hit application rules.
How To Setup Black Swan
Setting up Black Swan involves placing the map, arranging the blocks and units according to the scenario, and distributing resource cylinders and other components. The game includes detailed rules and player aids to streamline the setup process. The physical components, such as flags and markers, add a visually appealing and tactile element to the game.
Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
Firing Order: Determined by class, with CVs firing first, followed by HS, then LS, and lastly Subs. All units of a class fire simultaneously.Naval Combat: Hits are applied to the same class of enemy unit if present, otherwise to the highest strength enemy unit.Supply Mechanics: Supply can only be traced through friendly controlled or contested sea zones. Reinforcements can only be delivered through friendly controlled areas.Ground Combat: Combats are resolved in a single round, with the army having fewer unique unit types retreating. This encourages the use of combined arms.Special Operations: Blitz discs allow for double land combat turns and special operations like amphibious and airborne attacks.Objective: Players aim to control key areas of Europe, manage supplies, and execute strategic military operations to achieve victory.
Player Experience
Black Swan offers a highly strategic and historically plausible experience, streamlining elements from predecessor games while introducing new mechanics. The game is visually appealing, with strong three-dimensionality and a satisfying tactile element from the blocks and resource cylinders. The game’s complexity is balanced by its simplicity in rules and execution, making it accessible yet challenging.
Pros
Streamlined Mechanics: Combines the best elements of previous block wargames with new and interesting mechanics.Historical Plausibility: Maintains a strong historical context while ensuring the game is playable and strategic.Visual Appeal: The game components, including flags and markers, enhance the visual and tactile experience.Strategic Depth: Provides nuanced and complex strategic gameplay, particularly in naval and ground combat.
Cons
Complexity: While the rules are streamlined, the game still requires a significant amount of strategic thinking and planning.Abstraction: The game’s abstraction to maintain playability might not appeal to all players.
Personal Thoughts on Black Swan
Black Swan is ideal for players who enjoy block wargames and are looking for a game that balances complexity with playability. It is particularly suited for those interested in World War II history and strategic military operations. The game’s unique mechanics and historical accuracy make it a standout in its category, but it may not be the best fit for casual gamers due to its depth and complexity.
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