Battleground: Crossbows & Catapults (2007) Board Game

Battleground: Crossbows & Catapults is a board game that was released in in 2007. Designed by Henri Sala and featuring art by Mike Rayhawk, this game is published by Famosa. It falls under the categories of Action/Dexterity, Children’s Game, Fantasy, Fighting, Medieval, and Wargame. The game is designed for 2 players and has a recommended age of 6 and up.

Game Components of Battleground: Crossbows & Catapults

Plastic bricks for building fortifications

Rubber-band powered crossbows and catapults

Plastic disks (caroms) as projectiles

Castle towers with integrated catapults and cannons

Wall pieces for defenses

Flags to mark castle grounds

Hero and warrior figures

Power discs for extra lives

Scenic elements like gates and prison cages

How To Setup Battleground: Crossbows & Catapults

Players set up their game mats on opposite ends of a flat surface, measuring 39 inches wide and 59 inches long. Each player builds a camp 12 inches from each side of the play area. The castle tower is placed over the treasure graphic, and walls are built around it using the wall pieces. Flags are placed to mark the castle grounds. The only rule for piece placement is that no hero or warrior can be obstructed from the opponent’s view by a weapon or building.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Setup: Players build their castles and defenses on the game mat.

Turn Structure: Each player has two actions per turn – moving a warrior, hero, or weapon, or firing a weapon.

Weapon Rules: A hero or warrior must be within two inches of a weapon to operate it.

Projectile Types: Crossbows fire caroms along the ground, while catapults fire in an arc.

Objectives:
– Knock over the enemy tower.
– Capture all of the opponent’s projectiles.
– Get four spies into the enemy courtyard.
– Knock the enemy tower over and land a projectile on the secret treasure beneath it.

Piece Movement: Warriors and weapons move six inches per action; heroes move 12 inches.

Player Experience

**Battleground: Crossbows & Catapults** is a fun, lightweight war game that focuses on the immediate gratification of firing projectiles. The game incorporates dexterity and physical skill, making it engaging for families and younger gamers. The scenic elements, such as the castle gate that pops up when hit, add an extra layer of excitement.

Pros

Interactive: Encourages physical skill and dexterity.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for younger gamers and families.

Immediate Gratification: Firing projectiles provides instant fun.

Simple Rules: Easy to understand and start playing quickly.

Creative Freedom: Players can set their own winning goals or rules.

Cons

Shallow Gameplay: Lack of deep strategy or tactics.

Limited Complexity: Primarily focused on physical skill rather than strategic planning.

Component Quality: Some players may find the components, especially the rubber bands, to degrade over time.

Personal Thoughts on Battleground: Crossbows & Catapults

**Battleground: Crossbows & Catapults** is ideal for families and younger gamers who enjoy interactive, physical games. It’s a great way to introduce children to the concept of tabletop gaming while promoting hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. However, for players seeking deeper strategic gameplay, this might not be the most satisfying option.

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