Attack! (2003) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Attack! is a board game designed by Glenn Drover and released in in 2003. It is a strategic wargame set during World War II, where players take on the roles of major powers and try to conquer each other’s territories. The game features economic elements, negotiation, and miniatures, adding depth to the gameplay experience.

Game Components of Attack!

Army Units: Infantry, Tanks, Artillery, Aircraft

Navy Units: Submarines, Destroyers, Battleships, Carriers (initially as cards, later as pieces in the expansion)

Economic Cards: Representing the economic strength of regions

Political Action Cards: Used for various medium-power effects

Gameboard: Depicts the western half of the world in 1935, with regions and sea zones

Dice: Used for resolving battles

Government Type Counters: Introduced in the expansion for neutral countries and players.

How To Setup Attack!

Setup involves each player starting with a small army consisting of 24 figures (12 infantry, 6 tanks, 4 artillery, 2 planes) and 5 naval cards or pieces. Players place these figures on the board, ensuring a balanced distribution across 4 regions. Each player chooses one of these regions as their capital and places a special Capital City piece on it. Players also receive Economic Cards for their starting regions and initial Production Points and Oil Certificates.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Expansion and Conquest: Players aim to dominate the world by adding regions to their nation through Political Blitz or military invasion.

Resource Management: Economic Cards provide funds to purchase army and navy units.

Unit Movement: Units can move on land or sea, with specific movement rules for each type.

Combat: Resolved through dice rolls, with specific elimination orders for units.

Naval Control: Navy units control sea regions, affecting amphibious movement and trade.

Political Actions: Cards allow for various strategic actions like stealing resources or shifting neutral governments.

Objective: The game ends when one player is eliminated or a time limit is reached; the player with the most regions wins.

Player Experience

Attack offers a blend of simplicity and strategic depth, making it accessible yet engaging. Players must balance resource management, unit deployment, and tactical decisions to expand their territory. The game supports 2-6 players, with the expansion allowing up to 10 players, ensuring a dynamic experience with multiple players.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simple rules with a quick learning curve.

Strategic Depth: Multiple paths to victory, including conquest, diplomacy, and trade.

High Replayability: Varied starting conditions and expansion options.

Good Production Quality: High-quality gameboard and components.

Cons

Complexity with Expansion: Advanced rules can be more complex, especially for naval battles.

Time-Consuming: Games can last 1-4 hours.

Space Requirements: The combined map with the expansion can be very large.

Personal Thoughts on Attack!

Attack is ideal for fans of strategy and wargames who appreciate a mix of simplicity and depth. It’s a great game for those who enjoy planning and executing complex military campaigns on a global scale. The game’s expandable nature makes it appealing for both casual and experienced gamers, offering a scalable level of complexity. However, it may not be the best fit for those looking for quick, light-hearted games due to its lengthy gameplay and complex rules, especially with the expansion.

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