V-Sabotage (2016) Board Game

V-Sabotage is a board game that was released in 2016 by Triton Noir. The game is set during World War II and players take on the roles of spies and secret agents working together to sabotage the enemy’s plans. Designed by Thibaud de la Touanne, V-Sabotage features miniatures and a unique blend of cooperative gameplay and strategic wargaming.

Game Components of V-Sabotage

Modular terrain tiles (small, medium, large)

Commando character cards with special abilities and starting items

Enemy tokens and miniatures

Weapons and equipment

Objective cards

Event cards

Dice for stealth checks and combat

Alarms, doors, trap doors, and other terrain features

How To Setup V-Sabotage

To set up V-Sabotage, players choose an operation and select the corresponding terrain cards, which include outdoor and indoor tiles, objective points, enemy entrances, alarms, and more. Each operation has specific setup requirements, and players can also create their own scenarios by combining different terrain cards. The game includes 26 level cards that can be mixed and matched to create unique scenarios.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Stealth Mechanics: Commandos move between tiles, becoming stealthy on small tiles, visible on large tiles, and paying double movement to stay stealthy on medium tiles.

Combat: Simple dice-rolling mechanism to hit enemies; close combat is possible only when stealthy and automatically kills the target.

Enemy Movement: Enemies spawn at entrance points and move towards visible commandos or according to random event cards if no commandos are visible.

Alarm System: Setting off the alarm doubles the number of German reinforcements.

Objective Completion: Players aim to complete specific objectives such as retrieving documents or planting explosives while avoiding detection.

Player Experience

V-Sabotage is known for its tense and unpredictable gameplay, requiring careful planning and patience. Players must navigate through German bases and sites, avoiding guards and alarms. The game features random events that can either hinder or help the players, adding to the excitement and challenge. The simple mechanics are designed to immerse players in the theme of stealth and sabotage.

Pros

Immersive Theme: Simple mechanics that capture the essence of stealth and sabotage effectively.

Modular Scenario System: Highly flexible and allows for creating custom scenarios.

Tactical Depth: Requires strategic planning and teamwork.

Fast Setup and Play: Games typically last 1-2 hours.

Cons

Luck Element: Stealth checks and combat involve dice rolling, which some players may find too random.

Alpha Gamer Issue: Potential for one player to dominate decision-making.

Setup and Maintenance: While setup is generally quick, managing miniatures and tokens can be cumbersome.

Personal Thoughts on V-Sabotage

V-Sabotage is ideal for fans of cooperative games and those who enjoy tactical, stealth-based gameplay. It is particularly suited for players who appreciate the World War II theme and are looking for a game that challenges their strategic thinking without overwhelming complexity. While it may not be perfect for everyone due to the luck element and potential for alpha gamers, it offers a unique and engaging experience that is both thrilling and immersive.

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