L’Attaque is a classic board game that was first released in 1909 by H. P. Gibson & Sons. It is a two-player game that falls under the categories of fighting and wargame. The game is designed around the concept of Rock-Paper-Scissors and secret unit deployment, creating a strategic and engaging gameplay experience.
Game Components of L’Attaque
Gameboard: A 9×10 square board with three 2-square lakes in the center.Pieces: 36 standing rectangular cardboard pieces per player, each with a numeric value and military rank, including Commander-in-chief, Brigadier General, Colonel, Commandant, Captain, Lieutenant, Sergeant, Sapper, Scout, Spy, Flag, and Mine.Box: Original versions come in a black leather-cloth covered box with instructions included.
How To Setup L’Attaque
Players set up their pieces facing them in the first four rows of their side of the board, ensuring neither player can see the rank of their opponent’s pieces. Each player arranges their 36 pieces in a way that keeps their rankings secret.
Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
Piece Movement: Players take turns moving one piece a single space vertically or horizontally, avoiding spaces with lakes or other pieces.Combat: When two pieces come face-to-face, the player can choose to attack. Both players reveal their pieces, and the piece with the lower rank is captured and removed.Special Pieces:Sapper: Can capture Mines without being removed.Scout: Can move any distance in a non-diagonal straight line and return to its space after attacking.Spy: Can capture the Commander-in-chief.Mine: Immobile; any piece attacking a Mine is removed from the game.Game Objective: The game continues until a player captures their opponent’s Flag or all of their opponent’s movable pieces.
Player Experience
L’Attaque offers a strategic and tense gameplay experience, requiring players to use deduction and strategy to outmaneuver their opponents. The secret nature of the pieces adds a layer of unpredictability, making each encounter a mental challenge.
Pros
Strategic Depth: Encourages careful planning and tactical thinking.Historical Significance: A precursor to modern strategy games like Stratego.Simple yet Engaging Rules: Easy to learn but challenging to master.Portability: Compact gameboard and pieces make it travel-friendly.
Cons
Limited Player Count: Designed for two players only.Luck Element: While strategy is key, there is an element of luck in piece encounters.Piece Maintenance: The cardboard pieces can be fragile and prone to damage over time.
Personal Thoughts on L’Attaque
L’Attaque is ideal for those who enjoy strategy and tactical games, particularly fans of games like Stratego. It is a great choice for anyone looking to explore the roots of modern strategy board games. The game’s simplicity and historical significance make it a valuable addition to any board game collection. However, it may not be the best fit for players seeking games with more complex rules or larger player counts.
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