Brotherhood & Unity (2020) Board Game

Brotherhood & Unity is a board game that focuses on the conflicts and struggles of the Yugoslav Wars in the 1990s. Players take on the roles of different factions involved in the war, such as the Serbs, Croats, and Bosniaks, and must navigate the complex political landscape to achieve their objectives.

Game Components of Brotherhood & Unity

Map: 1 22″x34″ Mounted Map

Counters: 260 9/16″ Counters

Strategy Cards: 96 cards in 3 decks (Serbian, Croatian, and Bosniak)

Player Aid Cards: 3 cards

Rulebook: 1 rulebook

Die: 1 Ten-sided die

Box and Lid Set: 1 set

How To Setup Brotherhood & Unity

To set up the game, players begin by placing reinforcements and deploying foreign units. Each player draws a specific number of cards based on the turn, with the Serbs drawing more cards and receiving more reinforcements in the early turns. The game is divided into four turns, each representing one year of the war, and each turn is subdivided into phases: the Start of Turn Phase, the Action Phase, and the End of Turn Phase. During the Start of Turn Phase, players draw new cards, place reinforcements, and deploy foreign units. The sequence of play changes between the early and late war turns, with the Serbs going first in the early war and the Bosniaks going first in the late war.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Card-Driven Mechanics: Players use Strategy Cards to perform actions such as movement, attack, strategic redeployment, and diplomatic actions.

Time Scale: 1 year per turn, 2 months per action round.

Map Scale: Point-to-point strategic level.

Unit Scale: Brigades.

Victory Conditions: Players aim to capture key regions to raise their Strategic Will points while managing their Foreign Attitude (FA) level to avoid UN sanctions or NATO airstrikes.

Turn Structure: Each turn includes drawing cards, placing reinforcements, and playing Strategy Cards to perform actions.

Dynamic Turn Order: The order of play changes between early and late war turns, reflecting the shifting advantages of the different factions.

Player Experience

**Brotherhood & Unity** offers a tense and dynamic gameplay experience, particularly due to its three-sided conflict where the Serbs, Bosniaks, and Croats compete against each other. The game requires careful planning and strategic use of cards to achieve victory conditions while managing the Foreign Attitude level. The gameplay is engaging, with a mix of historical events and challenging strategic decisions, making it a compelling experience for wargame enthusiasts.

Pros

Historical Accuracy: The game simulates the complex historical events of the Bosnian War accurately.

Dynamic Gameplay: The changing turn order and card availability keep the game engaging and unpredictable.

Strategic Depth: Players must balance capturing key regions with managing their Foreign Attitude level.

Replayability: The use of a partial card deck each game adds to the replay value.

Cons

Complexity: While the game is rated 5 out of 10 for complexity, it still requires a significant amount of time to learn and understand the rules.

Solitaire Suitability: The game has a medium solitaire suitability, meaning it is not ideal for solo play.

Turn Length: Each game can take 2-3 hours, which may be too long for some players.

Personal Thoughts on Brotherhood & Unity

**Brotherhood & Unity** is ideal for fans of card-driven wargames and those interested in the historical context of the Bosnian War. The game’s intricate mechanics and strategic depth make it a challenging and rewarding experience. However, it may not be the best fit for casual gamers or those looking for a quick play session due to its complexity and length. For those who enjoy delving into historical conflicts and strategic gameplay, **Brotherhood & Unity** is a compelling addition to their game collection.

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