The Arduous Beginning 1
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The Arduous Beginning is the last of four Frank Chadwick eastern front games published by Victory Point Games in my collection. This is my first play of the game.
Setting it up, it feels familiar: a large, powerful German force on the left (west), sparse, weaker Soviet forces on the right (east). Since the rules to these games are very similar, my plan as the Germans is to race to the eastern edge and cut off communication on the map to prevent Soviet replacements. I will attempt to do this as fast as possible.
The Soviets task is to keep open communication on the eastern edge, specifically, ensure at least one hex remains free of a German counter or EZOC.
Here's what the setup looks like:
Turn 1
The Germans didn't get as far as they'd hoped, they got a NE result
against one of the Soviet armies in the south, which is kind of a
blocker.
Here's the situation after the Soviet response:
Turn 2
The Soviets are stronger early on in this game, much more so than in any of the other three games in the series. Take a look at the situation below, and see that the Soviets practically have a second line established:
All those swamps in the south are cramping Nazi style.
Turn 3
Soviets are definitely well into the game here. I'm suspecting this is going to be just like the others in the series: impossible to win as the Germans, until it's hard to lose as the Germans. Here's what the end of Turn 3 looks like:
Turn 4
Approaching the half way point in the game. Can the Germans pull it off? Not looking good for them right now.
The Soviets have developed a habit of rolling 1s when faced with overwhelming odds, and retreating right into the Germans path of advance. Most annoying!
And it's half done.
Turn 5
The game may be half done, but the Germans are pretty much all done. They need to make a bunch of low odds attacks and get super lucky.
Turn 6
As stated above, Germans need to get super lucky. You can see for yourself how lucky they got below:
Soviets have been really good at rolling 1s this game when faced with 4:1 odds.
NOTE: there is a mistake in the picture above, the Soviet armies were accidently brought in at full strength, all 3 of them! While I don't believe that would change the outcome much (German loss), it skews the final situation badly.
Turn 7 and end
One turn too late:
The Germans finally get control of the map, but at least and probably two turns too late.
I'll be playing this again of course, probably many, many times as it will go faster in the future.