A Distant Plain – First Look!

frontier wars 728x90 KS

GMT’s newest entrant into the COIN Series from Volko Ruhnke bring collaborator Brian Train into the fold.  A Distant Plain explores counterinsurgency operations in Afghanistan, and we’ve been following the developments for quite a while.  And while I didn’t force the designers to collaborate at gunpoint or anything, I did book them both into the same panel at Connections in 2011, so somewhere along the way I’m going to claim 1.87% of the credit of getting these two excellent designers together.

Brant Guillory, 18 October, 2013

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This is a pretty hefty box.  It’s a standard footprint, but several inches thick.

 

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And there’s a reason for it – this box is loaded: player aids, 2 books, a countersheet, a bag of other markers, and a deck of cards.

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The countersheet is full of admin markers.

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Four player aid cards lay out the capabilities and specific rules for each faction.

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There are also “AI” cards that control the actions of any faction not being controlled by a player.

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Other player aids include a map showing where the “random” spaces are on the map, and the sequence of play.

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The rulebook is well-illustrated, and provides solid explanations of the components and rules.

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Best of all – a tutorial scenario!

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Dice and markers are solid and attractive components.

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The deck of cards controls the turn-by-turn action in the game.

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The detail of the cards clearly lays out the game effects, and are illustrated with photos from the conflict.

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The map is no small footprint.  It’s big, and solid.

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The map includes a lot of admin charts, tracks, and information around the margins.

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And the necessary information is never far away.

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The turn sequence is right on the map – and right where it’s most-needed.

We’ve already got a sense of what to expect with the game.  And now it’s time to see how it delivers.  The GrogHeads review will be along soon, after we get a few plays under our belts.  Stay tuned!


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One Response to A Distant Plain – First Look!

  1. […] has covered A Distant Plain with an interview with the designers, and the photos of the unboxing.  All well and good, of course, but how does it […]

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