Onslaught (1987) – Board Game Guys

Onslaught

“Dungeons & Dragons: Onslaught” is a competitive board game published by Wizards of the Coast, designed by Nicholas Yu and Travis Severance. It is set in the Forgotten Realms universe and allows players to control adventuring parties from various factions, battling rival adventurers and confronting fearsome monsters on a quest for treasure and glory. The game was released in 2023 and has gained popularity due to its connection to the Dungeons & Dragons franchise and its high-quality components.

Why is Onslaught Popular?

“Dungeons & Dragons: Onslaught” is popular for several reasons:
– Dungeons & Dragons License: The game is based on the popular Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, which has been around for nearly 50 years and gained significant popularity during the 1980s.
– High-Quality Components: The game box includes 21 pre-painted miniatures, a double-sided game board, dice, cards, tokens, and terrain elements, all of which are of good quality and contribute to an immersive gaming experience.
– Easy Learning Curve: The game is designed to be accessible to both Dungeons & Dragons veterans and newcomers, with rules that are based closely on the combat rules from the role-playing game.
– Expansion Potential: WizKids, the publisher of the game, has expressed its commitment to supporting “Dungeons & Dragons: Onslaught” with multiple expansions, different factions, and monsters, ensuring the game’s longevity and replayability.

Game Components of Onslaught

Game board depicting the European theater

Counters and playing pieces representing military units

Rulebook

Scenarios and mission cards

Dice for resolving combat and other actions

How To Setup Onslaught

To set up the game, players first arrange the game board to reflect the initial Normandy beachhead. Next, they deploy the Allied and German forces according to the scenario being played. Each player receives their respective force’s counters and any additional resources or mission cards. The setup ensures that the historical context and military disposition of the forces are accurately represented.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Turn-based strategy: Players take turns moving and engaging their forces.

Area control: Managing and securing key geographical areas.

Resource management: Allocating resources for troop movements and combat.

Combat resolution: Using dice rolls and combat tables to determine outcomes.

Objective: The Allies aim to push through German defenses and reach the Rhine, while the Germans seek to halt this advance.

Player Experience

Onslaught offers a balanced experience for both new and experienced wargamers. It is praised for its solid design and can be played solitaire or with multiple players. The game’s scenarios provide a varied and challenging experience, making it enjoyable for an evening or a more immersive campaign.

Pros

Excellent introductory game: Easy to learn and understand.

Solitaire play: Can be played alone, offering a challenging solo experience.

Replayability: Multiple scenarios and variable setup ensure high replay value.

Historical accuracy: Faithfully represents the military strategies and challenges of World War II.

Cons

Complexity: While introductory, it still requires some familiarization with wargame mechanics.

Time commitment: Games can take several hours to complete, especially with more complex scenarios.

Personal Thoughts on Onslaught

Onslaught is ideal for those interested in World War II history and wargaming. It serves as a great introduction to more complex strategy games while also offering depth for experienced players. The game’s ability to be played solitaire adds to its versatility, making it a solid addition to any board game collection focused on historical warfare.

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