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Agincourt: The Triumph of Archery over Armor, 1415 (1978) Board Game

Brief History and Background Information for Agincourt: The Triumph of Archery over Armor, 1415

Agincourt: The Triumph of Archery over Armor, 1415 is a wargame that simulates the famous Battle of Agincourt that took place in 1415 during the Hundred Years’ War between England and France. The game focuses on the use of longbows by the English army to defeat the heavily armored French knights.

Game Components of Agincourt: The Triumph of Archery over Armor, 1415

  • Hexagon grid map of the battlefield
  • Counters representing English and French units
  • Combat Results Table
  • Dice for resolving combat
  • Rulebook

How To Setup Agincourt: The Triumph of Archery over Armor, 1415

  • Set up the hexagon grid map on the table.
  • Place the English and French unit counters on their respective starting positions.
  • Refer to the Combat Results Table for resolving combat.
  • Roll dice to determine the outcomes of battles.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Players take on the roles of English and French commanders, strategically maneuvering their units and engaging in combat. The objective is to either eliminate the opposing army or achieve specific victory conditions based on historical outcomes.

Player Experience

Pros:

  • Historical accuracy in depicting the Battle of Agincourt
  • Strategic depth in planning movements and combat
  • Engaging gameplay for history enthusiasts

Cons:

  • Lengthy gameplay with a runtime of 180 minutes
  • Steep learning curve for new players
  • Limited replayability due to historical constraints

Personal Thoughts on Agincourt: The Triumph of Archery over Armor, 1415

Agincourt: The Triumph of Archery over Armor, 1415 offers a unique perspective on the historical battle and provides an immersive experience for players interested in medieval warfare. However, the game’s long runtime and complex rules may deter casual gamers. The build quality of the components is decent, but the availability of the game may be limited due to its age. Overall, Agincourt is worth exploring for wargame enthusiasts and history buffs, but may not appeal to a wider audience.

Game Components of Agincourt: The Triumph of Archery over Armor, 1415

  • A full-color contour map of the battlefield using a hex grid scaled to 34 yards per hex.
  • 270 counters, including 45 cardboard counters representing military units (32 French and 13 English).
  • Counters for dead soldiers and survivors from battle.
  • Rulebook.
  • Player reference sheets.
  • A twenty-sided die.

    How To Setup Agincourt: The Triumph of Archery over Armor, 1415

    Players set up their forces at either end of the board, with the English and French forces facing each other. The setup reflects the historical deployment of the armies during the Battle of Agincourt. Each turn represents three minutes of game time, and the game starts with the movement phase followed by archery fire and then melee combat if units are adjacent.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

    Mechanics

  • Movement: Each player takes turns moving units, with French units able to move one to two hexes depending on whether they are mounted charging units or not.
  • Archery: English archer units can shoot up to six arrows per impulse, with effectiveness varying by distance.
  • Melee Combat: Resolved using a 20-sided die, with damage using a step-reduction system.
  • Morale: Units are checked for morale after movement and combat.
  • Fugitives: Fugitive units move randomly and can disrupt movement of other units.

    Game Objective

  • The French player wins by inflicting casualties at a rate of less than 7 French to 1 English.
  • The English player wins by raising the casualty rate to 7 to 1 or greater.

    Player Experience

    Playing **Agincourt: The Triumph of Archery over Armor, 1415** can be a mixed bag. The game is praised for its detailed simulation of medieval warfare, particularly the effectiveness of archery. However, it has been criticized for being complex, long, and tiresome. Players enjoy the initial stages of the game, especially the tense archery phases, but the game often grinds to a halt once melee combat begins, which can be disappointing due to the lack of excitement and the predestined outcome favoring the English.

    Pros

  • Historical Accuracy: The game is lauded for its accurate depiction of the Battle of Agincourt and medieval warfare.
  • Innovative Mechanics: The archery and morale systems are novel and engaging.
  • Detailed Simulation: It treats medieval warfare as a serious subject, including details like lost arrows and dead bodies on the field.

    Cons

  • Complexity: The game is very complex with many rules and calculations.
  • Length: It can be long and tiresome, especially during the melee combat phase.
  • Unbalanced: Critics argue the game is fatally unbalanced against the French, leading to a predetermined outcome.
  • Fugitive Mechanics: The fugitive movement system can be confusing and disrupt gameplay.

    Personal Thoughts on Agincourt: The Triumph of Archery over Armor, 1415

    **Agincourt: The Triumph of Archery over Armor, 1415** is a game that will appeal to those deeply interested in historical wargaming and the Battle of Agincourt. Despite its flaws, it offers a unique and detailed simulation of medieval warfare. However, it may not be the best fit for casual gamers due to its complexity and length. Historians and enthusiasts of grand tactical games will find it fascinating, but general gamers might find it more of a history lesson than an exciting game experience.

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