WarCry (2003) Board Game – Board Game Guys

WarCry is a card game that was released in 2003 by Sabertooth Games. It is designed for 2-4 players and has a runtime of around 20 minutes. The game is set in a fantasy world where players take on the role of powerful warriors battling it out in epic fights.

Game Components of WarCry

Miniatures: 3-15 fighters per warband, including a leader.

Cards: Terrain Deck, Deployment Deck, Victory Deck, Twist Deck for mission setup.

Dice: Six initiative dice and one wild die per player.

Warband Ability Cards: Faction-specific and generic abilities.

rulebook: Contains core rules and universal abilities.

How To Setup WarCry

Players create their warbands, each totaling 1000 points, and determine the terrain, mission goals, and any twists using the card decks or dice rolls. The setup involves dividing the warband into smaller groups: Dagger, Shield, and Hammer groups, which are deployed based on the Deployment Card. The Victory Card defines the game’s objective and duration.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Hero Phase: Players roll six dice and a wild die to determine initiative and special abilities.

Reserve Phase: Reinforcement groups may be deployed based on the mission parameters.

Combat Phase: Alternating activations with four actions: move, disengage, wait, attack.

Game Objective: Varies by mission, including objective holding, treasure grabbing, or specific fighter elimination.

Initiative System: Player with the most single dice rolls acts first; special abilities require specific dice combinations.

Combat Resolution: Single roll for attacks, with no defensive roll; damage based on strength and toughness.

Player Experience

WarCry is designed for quick and engaging games, lasting around 30 minutes once players are familiar with their warbands and missions. The game emphasizes strategic positioning, order of activations, and the use of special abilities. The simple yet elegant rules make it accessible to new players, while the depth in abilities and mission variations keeps it interesting for veterans.

Pros

Simplified Rules: Easy to learn and teach, with minimal complex mathematics.

Quick Games: Matches can be completed in under 30 minutes.

Strategic Depth: Positioning, ability combos, and initiative management add complexity.

Variety in Missions: Randomly generated missions and twists keep the game fresh.

Accessible Campaign Mode: Each warband progresses independently towards its goals.

Cons

Limited Model Customization: Warbands must consist of fighters from the same faction.

Randomness in Setup: Can lead to imbalanced missions if not managed well.

Less Detailed than Other Games: Simplified mechanics might not appeal to fans of more complex Games Workshop titles.

Personal Thoughts on WarCry

WarCry is ideal for players looking for a fast-paced, skirmish-level wargame with a strong narrative focus. It is particularly suited for those new to tabletop wargaming due to its straightforward rules and quick gameplay. The game’s design makes it easy to introduce to younger players or those transitioning from other board games. However, fans of more intricate and detailed gameplay might find it too simplistic. Overall, WarCry offers a fun and dynamic experience that blends strategy with cinematic action.

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