Trench Club is a board game set in the backdrop of World War I, where players take on the roles of soldiers fighting in the trenches. Designed by Philipp K. Berger and published by PKB Games, this game provides a realistic simulation of the challenges faced by soldiers during this historic conflict.
Game Components of Trench Club
1 Game Box1 Plastic insert1 Game Board (~80x60cm/ 31×24″), double-sided with 2 different maps2 Rule Books (English and German)~300 Markers for damage and experience (grey, white, yellow, red)~20 Metal coins4 Faction mats (~30x20cm/ 12×8″; France, Great Britain, Germany, Austria/Hungary)1 Damage/experience mat (~10x20cm/ 4×8″)27 12-sided dice (12x grey, 12x green, 3x red)48 Unit miniatures (12 each for France, Great Britain, Germany, Austria-Hungary)8 “Special Forces” unit miniatures8 Unit cards for the Special Forces unitsHourglass (to limit the time per turn for more stress and excitement)14 extra large miniatures for Forts (bunkers)18 Double-sided cardboard chips with flags12 Cardboard tokens for start positions44 Double-sided cardboard tokens as proxies for extra units8 Token attachments as carriers for damage/experience markersSome Plastic bags.
How To Setup Trench Club
Setting up Trench Club involves several steps. First, players divide into factions, each using their starting units to build three armies. These armies are then randomly placed on the game board. The game includes a quick start guide that allows players to begin playing immediately by reading one paragraph and then playing the corresponding turn phase. The full rule book is available for more detailed setup and rules.
Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
Turn Structure: Each turn consists of four steps – Move, Declare Attacks, Combat, and Money Transactions.Movement: Units move from one hex to another, paying movement points based on terrain.Combat: Units track damage and experience using plastic poles and markers. The number of dice rolled is determined by the unit’s damage, and the target number to hit is determined by the target unit’s experience.Money Transactions: Players receive “War Bonds” for controlling fort locations, which can be used to repair damaged units or deploy new ones.Objective: The goal is to tactically outmaneuver and defeat the opposing forces, utilizing terrain, unit strengths, and strategic setup to gain an advantage.
Player Experience
Trench Club offers a complex strategy game that is surprisingly easy to learn. Players appreciate the detailed miniatures, individual strengths of different nations and units, and the balanced chances of winning. The game’s variable start setup and high re-playability keep players engaged. However, the game has significant issues with component and production quality, such as brittle plastic and necessary repairs to miniatures. The lack of pre-set scenarios also detracts from the game’s thematic coherence.
Pros
Easy to Learn: Despite its complexity, the game has an intuitive ruleset.High Re-playability: Variable start setups ensure no two games are alike.Detailed Miniatures: Units have distinct strengths and appearances.Balanced Chances: Each player has a fair chance of winning.Experience and Damage Tracking: Innovative system for tracking unit experience and damage.
Cons
Poor Component Quality: Brittle plastic and frequent need for repairs.Lack of Pre-set Scenarios: No included scenarios, making setup feel random.Thematic Ambivalence: The game’s simulationist nature is not well-supported by its design.Money Transactions: This mechanic can feel out of place in a tactical game.
Personal Thoughts on Trench Club
Trench Club is for fans of tactical miniatures wargames who are willing to overlook some significant production issues. It offers a deep and complex strategy experience with high re-playability, but its lack of thematic coherence and poor component quality may deter some players. For those who enjoy creating their own scenarios and are patient with setup, Trench Club can provide hours of engaging gameplay. However, for a polished and thematic wargaming experience, other options might be more satisfying.
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