Saturday, February 17, 2024

Fall of Saigon in progress

Fall of Saigon expansion arrived (after a days delay due to Courier mix up) and I got it to table for solo try (no minis game this week as Stephen unwell)

Expansion includes scenarios to extend the scenarios of FITL and most intriguing a a scenario entitled 'Black April' using with the NVA and ARVN only and dealing with the NVA offensives that sealed demise of south after Paris Peace Accords.

This piqued my interest most so set it up for a play through.

With just 2 'factions' this is a two player scenario and utilises the two player initiative system from Colonial Twilight and goodly portion of the new cards decks covering 1973-1975 (24 cards per year plus new Coup cards although only 6-8 cards per year used in a scenario).

Armour is introduced in expansion (with new triangular blocks) and a couple of new associated OPs and Special Activity (Spearhead) and these are an interesting twist.

Only played through 1973 and just into 1974 but the NVA do seem irresistible especially their new 'Spring Offensive' Pivotal Event which allows them to Free March, Free Bombard and Free Attack all across the board once conditions are correct (post Watergate and regular troops fully mobilised) and have taken Saigon and most of the North.

Doubtless my play or ARVN is less than optimal (too many Events taken I fear) but thats what a play through is for.

All in all whilst just dipping a toe this is an excellent expansion and look forward to using the Extended options for other scenarios wherein if no clear winner in a standard FITL game you check the effect of Paris Peace talks then set up extended decks to play into 1973-1975.

Making a great game even better.  




Set up for Black April with only NVA and ARVN pieces (VC and USA are not used)









Overlay for 2-player Initiative and US posture track (only top line used in this scn)







That nasty Spring Offensive used and Saigon occupied by NVA (ARVN lost 14 units here !!)










NVA largely in control in north after offensive, note huge ARVN losses (these go to US casualty box in this scenario)



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