Incursion is a board game that was released in 2009 and designed by David Ausloos, Keith Lowe, and Tears of Envy. It is a science fiction wargame set during World War II, featuring miniatures and dice rolling mechanics. The game has been praised for its unique blend of action points, grid movement, and variable player powers.
Game Components of Incursion
Miniatures: Detailed metal and resin figures, including power-armored US grunts, Nazi zombies, werewolves, and other supernatural creatures.Game Board: Represents the tunnels and labs underneath Gibraltar.Battle Cards: A deck of cards that can be played to change the game dynamics or gain advantages.Model Cards: Cards representing each model, used for reference and stacking battle cards.Command Points (CP) and Action Points (AP): Used for turn bidding, model actions, and special abilities.Doors and Items: Elements that can be interacted with during the game, such as opening doors or activating items.
How To Setup Incursion
To set up Incursion, players start by choosing a mission dossier and laying out the game board. Each player places their model cards in front of them and shuffles the battle card deck. Models are placed next to eligible entry points as described in the mission. Players discard any leftover command points from the previous turn and draw new ones based on the mission’s requisition points (RP) level. The Allied and Axis players then bid with CP to determine who goes first in each turn.
Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
Turn Structure: Each turn is divided into two phases: Maintenance and Action. During the Maintenance phase, players replenish CP, discard and draw cards, and bid for turn order. The Action phase involves activating models to perform movements, shooting, hand-to-hand combat, and special actions.Command Points and Action Points: CP are used for turn bidding, converting to AP for model actions, or using for special abilities. AP are used for specific model actions like moving, shooting, or performing hand-to-hand combat.Battle Cards: These cards can be played to introduce variability and tactical options, such as spawning extra zombies, giving speed boosts, or causing environmental hazards.Game Objective: The Allies aim to shut down the Nazi’s supernatural operations, while the Axis seeks to thwart the Allied efforts and continue their experiments.
Player Experience
Incursion offers a fast-paced, tactical, and thematic gaming experience. Players can customize their armies with a variety of unique characters and battle cards, ensuring no two games are the same. The game combines the excitement of blasting through hordes of zombies and supernatural creatures with deep strategic gameplay, making it highly engaging and varied.
Pros
Variety: Numerous options for army composition and battle cards ensure high replayability.Tactical Depth: Solid rules and strategic options make for fast and engaging gameplay.Thematic Fun: The game’s setting, miniatures, and art contribute to a fun and immersive experience.Customization: Players can mix and match different units and cards to create unique scenarios.
Cons
Complexity: Some rules and rulings can be confusing and may require clarification.Cost: The game and its expansions can be pricey, especially if you opt for all the metal miniatures.
Personal Thoughts on Incursion
Incursion is perfect for fans of tactical board games, especially those who enjoy the blend of historical and supernatural elements. It’s ideal for players who appreciate detailed miniatures, complex strategies, and high replayability. While it may have some quirks in the rules, the overall experience is highly rewarding and fun, making it a great addition to any board game collection.
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