10-09-2012, 03:48 AM
As you can tell from my signature line, I tend to enjoy the one off armed forces. Actually, we could consider Lithuania two off since they didn't actually fight any of the battles in this supplement (except for #10, which is not showing them at their best).
Hugmenot started the process of giving an impression of the scenarios upon completing a supplement and I would like to follow suit. Therefore, my thoughts upon completion of Iron Wolves are:
A Sickening Good Time
#3 - Holy Vilnius - This one was interesting in the choices available to the both players. Although my Poles won this one it was a fascinating fight.
#8 - Bet Lietuvis Neprazus - I don't know what this means but it plays as a giant sprawling infantry fight where the Soviets have the numbers but have to fight their command structure at least as much as the Lithuanians
A Pleasant Evening
#1 - Across the Nieman - Germans have to cross a river and trash the Lithuanians. They bring a ton of artillery. The Lithuanians pray... a lot.
#4 - Common Cause - Horses, lots of horses. Lithuanian and German cavalry fight against Polish cavalry. There are always cavalry scenarios sneaking about but this was a lot of horses fighting a lot of horses, and the Lithuanian cavalry is better than the German
#9 - Iron Wolves - Lithuanian tanks fight against Soviet tanks and the winner is Lithuanian infantry. A neat study in armored tactics.
Better than a poke in the eye
#2 - Memel Land - One of two scenarios in the supplement where it is important to "shape" the battle in order for the Lithuanians to box in the Germans. Another cavalry on cavalry battle.
#5 - Staggered Assault - This one is a little unbalanced as the Lithuanians can beat the Poles by just taking and holding the towns in their immediate front and the Poles don't have the forces to hold them against a determined attack.
#6 - Back to Memel - The Lithuanians get to turn the tables on the Germans from Scenario #1 and cross a river and crush the Germans.
#7 - Kaunas Stampede - The second of the two "shaping" scenarios, this one involving Soviet tanks (T-26s) and a small force of infantry trying to get across the mapboard.
#10 - Tyranny and Mutation - Polish Home Army units absolutely mash Lithuanian Home Guards units at night. The 6/5 Lithuanian morale says it all.
Summary Thoughts
Since this stuff never happened (again with the exception of #10 which involved captives wearing their skivvies and steel helmets) the scenarios are reasonably balanced and generally fun to play. The variety of opponents in 10 scenarios (Germans, Poles and Soviets) is fun and in one case the Lithuanians actually fight with one of these (Common Cause where the Germans are allied with the Lithuanians).
Is this a quirky supplement? You betcha, but it's still a fun time.
Hugmenot started the process of giving an impression of the scenarios upon completing a supplement and I would like to follow suit. Therefore, my thoughts upon completion of Iron Wolves are:
A Sickening Good Time
#3 - Holy Vilnius - This one was interesting in the choices available to the both players. Although my Poles won this one it was a fascinating fight.
#8 - Bet Lietuvis Neprazus - I don't know what this means but it plays as a giant sprawling infantry fight where the Soviets have the numbers but have to fight their command structure at least as much as the Lithuanians
A Pleasant Evening
#1 - Across the Nieman - Germans have to cross a river and trash the Lithuanians. They bring a ton of artillery. The Lithuanians pray... a lot.
#4 - Common Cause - Horses, lots of horses. Lithuanian and German cavalry fight against Polish cavalry. There are always cavalry scenarios sneaking about but this was a lot of horses fighting a lot of horses, and the Lithuanian cavalry is better than the German
#9 - Iron Wolves - Lithuanian tanks fight against Soviet tanks and the winner is Lithuanian infantry. A neat study in armored tactics.
Better than a poke in the eye
#2 - Memel Land - One of two scenarios in the supplement where it is important to "shape" the battle in order for the Lithuanians to box in the Germans. Another cavalry on cavalry battle.
#5 - Staggered Assault - This one is a little unbalanced as the Lithuanians can beat the Poles by just taking and holding the towns in their immediate front and the Poles don't have the forces to hold them against a determined attack.
#6 - Back to Memel - The Lithuanians get to turn the tables on the Germans from Scenario #1 and cross a river and crush the Germans.
#7 - Kaunas Stampede - The second of the two "shaping" scenarios, this one involving Soviet tanks (T-26s) and a small force of infantry trying to get across the mapboard.
#10 - Tyranny and Mutation - Polish Home Army units absolutely mash Lithuanian Home Guards units at night. The 6/5 Lithuanian morale says it all.
Summary Thoughts
Since this stuff never happened (again with the exception of #10 which involved captives wearing their skivvies and steel helmets) the scenarios are reasonably balanced and generally fun to play. The variety of opponents in 10 scenarios (Germans, Poles and Soviets) is fun and in one case the Lithuanians actually fight with one of these (Common Cause where the Germans are allied with the Lithuanians).
Is this a quirky supplement? You betcha, but it's still a fun time.