Smolensk: Barbarossa Derailed

Should this hit the table?

Quick read before the metadata.

The game has a moderate level of direct confrontation and strategic depth. Players need to frequently pay attention to each other's actions. However, there is limited emphasis on cooperation.

Teach 2.3

Teaching signal

Replay 3.9

High replayability

Interaction 3.7

Highly interactive

Scaling 4.0

Scales well

Strategy 4.5

Deep strategy

Control 3.5

More strategic control

Table feel

The game has a moderate level of direct confrontation and strategic depth. Players need to frequently pay attention to each other's actions. However, there is limited emphasis on cooperation.

Replay value

The game offers a high degree of variability with different experiences each time it is played. The presence of expansions adds new content and gameplay elements. There is ample room for players to improve their strategy over time, discovering new tactics and strategies. The game scales well with different numbers of players without compromising its appeal or balance. While it may take some time to learn, the depth it offers makes it worth the effort.

Luck profile

The final luck score for Smolensk: Barbarossa Derailed is 7, indicating a moderate level of luck influence in the game. Random elements have a notable but not exclusive impact on the game outcome. However, players have substantial ability to mitigate randomness through strategic decisions and planning. The game outcome is primarily determined by player strategy and decisions, with luck playing a minor role.

Overview

What ABG knows about this game

Description from the publisher: Smolensk: Barbarossa Derailed is the latest release in the Operational Combat Series (OCS), covering the campaign along the Moscow highway in the summer of 1941. These actions set the stage for the Wehrmacht’s autumn drive on the Soviet capital, and many historians believe the bitter fighting here ultimately doomed the Axis to failure in Russia. The game begins on 8 July with Barbarossa still in high gear. In August, the advance stalls as Hitler diverts most of the panzers from the map to forces around Leningrad and Kiev. Soviet counteroffensives will push Army Group Center close to the breaking point by game’s end on 8 September. The asymmetry of the two armies will be familiar to veterans of past OCS campaigns, especially Guderian’s Blitzkrieg II. There is the expected qualitative difference in typical Action Ratings, along with stark contrasts in logistical capabilities and replacement rates. There also some unique twists in the situation, including: Three of the panzer divisions are getting their first taste of combat, so their Action Ratings are reduced. The rivalry between Heinz Guderian and Hermann Hoth makes it difficult for these generals to coordinate their panzer armies, and might prevent the ring from closing around Smolensk. Soviet tank divisions are shown for the first time. They pack a wallop, but their quality leaves a lot to be desired. The Soviet 1st Motorized Division is presented as a somewhat elite multi-unit formation that includes some heavy KV-1s and T-34s. The contributions of small militia, tank, and anti-tank units are reflected by the Soviet Alarm Pool. Other chrome accounts for ‘tree bark soup’ (used by cut-off units), planes diverted to terror-bomb Moscow, and special markers for artillery ammo & katyusha effects. Smolensk is a small and fairly simple entry in the series, with special rules kept to a minimum. We think players will enjoy the fact both sides must attack and defend. By the end they will learn three things about this campaign: the Soviets are more than just punching bags, the Germans are challenged to hold their early gains, and the road to Moscow will be paved in blood. Seven scenarios are included: Intro Scenario: Vitebsk, 1/2 turn, using about 1/4 of the map Smolensk Campaign, 8 July to 8 September (19 turns) Late July Start, 22 July to 8 September (15 turns) 1st Counteroffensive, 22 July to 1 August (4 turns) Early August Start, 8 August to 8 September (10 turns) 2nd Counteroffensive, 8 August to 22 August (5 turns) 3rd Counteroffensive, 26 August to 8 September (5 turns)

Mechanism

3

Dice Rolling Hexagon Grid Simulation

Family

5

Country: Belarus Country: Germany Country: Russia History: World War II (Eastern Front) Series: Operational Combat Series (MMP)

Type

1

Wargames

Media

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