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Brummbar44
Posts: 1120
Registered:
June 2004
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 Sword of Stalingrad Arrives!
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Fri, 13 November 2009 20:08
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[reprinted from www.Brummbar44.com]
I was pleasantly surprised to find a Days of Wonder package in my mailbox (don't hate me!). They had sent me a copy of the Sword of Stalingrad Battle map and the Vercors Campaign for review (Thanks Eric!). I should certainly get some plays in this weekend and will be posting AAR's but in the meantime, I thought I would share some initial impressions on the package.
It was nice to see that the campaign system has been carried on with the Vercors campaign. There has been a bit of grumbling about it being offered as a 'free' inclusion. For the completist, I guess this is an issue but my understanding is that it will be widely available even without purchase.
The campaign itself looks interesting. It is based entirely on French resistance forces (which are always interesting to play). No guns or tanks in any of the scenarios will no doubt make for a different sort of battle. 5 scenarios in length make it one of the longer campaigns. The board varies in terms of labouring to light setup with mountains being predominant throughout so the Terrain Pack will be required. It is suggested that the Air Pack be used but only for the airfield tiles in one of the scenarios otherwise it is not required (in fact, it is set aside). I'm a little concerned about the victory conditions to units on the board ratio but it might play out otherwise. Either way, it looks like a job well done from Jacques David.
The Battle Map package itself is all about Stalingrad. Two standard scenarios and two Overlords with a new Combat deck will no doubt demand table time.
The Combat deck is an interesting addition to the game system as a whole. You can find the rules for this at the DoW site so I won't take much time examining them, but I am very interested in seeing how they actually play out.
The Overlord maps I haven't had much of a chance to explore but will likely play those first so I'll report back more on those at that time.
In looking at the two regular scenarios that came in the pack, these two look like big battles but on the single board. Mamayev Kurgan is a hill that overlooks Stalingrad which was historically a see saw battle for the heights. This one plays to 8 medals but majority control of the heights will be worth 3 of those medals.
The other scenario, Pavlov - Hero of the Soviet Union is also a major clash. This scenario makes use of the new Combat deck. The setup for this one is a little daunting but looks to be a wildly entertaining battle with no less than 9 medals for victory! Something that caught me as a little odd is the number of road hexes (30!) but the special rule that negates the road bonus. I guess they are there for aesthetics? I'll have to set aside some time for this one as it looks to be a titanic struggle.
It's about time some M'44 hit the table. Will report back soon.
(ps - The pencil sketch cover begs to be colored in! Time to get my crayons out. LOL!)
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Winter Storm
Posts: 222
Registered:
October 2006
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Re:Sword of Stalingrad Arrives!
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Sat, 14 November 2009 11:26
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We can see the new rules...but we don't know all the cards in the deck....
Rattenkrieg
Armour forward
Air bombardment
Reinforcements
Out of ammo
What are the other cards?
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sam1812
Posts: 1924
Registered:
August 2006
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Re:Sword of Stalingrad Arrives!
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Sat, 14 November 2009 14:03
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"Advance token to nearest railroad. Pay owner twice the normal rent. If unowned, you may buy it from the bank."
"You are assessed for street repairs. $40 for every house, $110 for every hotel."
"Elected Commander in Chief. Pay each player $50."
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GreatDane
Posts: 755
Registered:
June 2004
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Re:Sword of Stalingrad Arrives!
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Sat, 14 November 2009 14:22
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Ambuscade - which is similar to Ambush.
Armor Factory (Allied Only) - which is adding a new Armor unit to an empty Dzerzhinsky Tractory Factory hex. So I guess this card is unusable in any oher scenario...
Fortify (2x) - Place 1 Sandbag in hex after unit has moved and battled.
Heat of Battle - Infantry may battle again after taking ground, even when the terrain does not allow it.
House to House (2x) - Infantry may move onto Building and still do Close Combat.
Infiltratiors - similar to Behind Enemy Lines.
Not a Step Back - ignore all Flags (played after combat).
Pull Back - Played like Ambush, but with different effect: retreat your unit up to 3 hexes. Oppontent loses oportunity to battle.
Reposition - After battling all your ordered Artilly units may move 2 hexes.
Return to Duty (Allied Only) - Before move and battle, roll 2 dice for each ordered Infantry: each star or infantry symbol = regain lost figure.
Sniper - Place a Sniper figure and badge in vacant hex adjacent to 1 ordered Infantry unit. Cannot move this turn, but may battle.
Spotter - Artillery add 1 die to battles this turn.
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Timmuilwijk
Posts: 164
Registered:
March 2009
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Re:Sword of Stalingrad Arrives!
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Sat, 14 November 2009 14:50
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You already received it then? How are the scenarios?
Tim
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Winter Storm
Posts: 222
Registered:
October 2006
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GreatDane
Posts: 755
Registered:
June 2004
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Re:Sword of Stalingrad Arrives!
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Sun, 15 November 2009 11:33
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| Timmuilwijk wrote on Sat, 14 November 2009 14:50 |
You already received it then? How are the scenarios?
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Haven't had any opportunity to play Memoir'44 since I came back from Essen (too many other interesting games), so I haven't played the scenarios yet. Looks like Thursday the 26th will my first chance.
And yes, there were a few copies available at Essen, and I just happended to be at the right place at the right time 
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GreatDane
Posts: 755
Registered:
June 2004
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Re:Sword of Stalingrad Arrives!
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Sun, 15 November 2009 11:45
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| Winter Storm wrote on Sat, 14 November 2009 17:30 |
Can you explain also how do "reinforcements" and "out of ammo" work?
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Out of Ammo is used in the same way as Ambush: you play the card after the opponent has declared a battle, but before he actually rolls the dice. The unit is simply out of ammo, and thus cannot battle this turn. In addition the unit is forced to "fall back onto a vcant baseline hex in the same section. I assume a FAQ (Mr. Rasmussen?) will later clarify whether the unit moves as far back as possible if no hex is vacant along the baseline - and whether the unit is simply 'airlifted' to a vacant hex, or must move as if retreating?
Reinforcements is similar to the ones you get in the Campaign game: Play thecard before ordering units and roll a die: the symbol determines the type of reinforcement received:
Infantry = 1 Infantry unit
Armor = 1 Armor unit
Grenade = 1 standard unit of choice
Star = 1 Combat Engineer unit
Flag = No Reinforcements
Unit enter at baseline and cannot move or battle this turn.
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What are the difference between ambush and ambuscade?
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None, really. The illustration is of a hidden tank, but the text is similar to Ambush.
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Brummbar44
Posts: 1120
Registered:
June 2004
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Re:Sword of Stalingrad Arrives!
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Mon, 16 November 2009 17:37
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I'm unable to post proper AAR's here yet but for those who are interested, I've posted a session report on my www.brummbar44.com and BGG.
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nemesszili
Posts: 938
Registered:
June 2008
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Re:Sword of Stalingrad Arrives!
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Mon, 16 November 2009 18:30
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The Mamaev Kurgan seems a good introductory scenario for the bloody urban fights in Stalingrad! I'm eager to play it! (Seems like the heights had a dominant role! 3 medals!)
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eric
Posts: 3016
Registered:
October 2002
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Re:Sword of Stalingrad Arrives!
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Mon, 16 November 2009 22:46
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| Brummbär wrote on Mon, 16 November 2009 08:37 |
I'm unable to post proper AAR's here yet but for those who are interested, I've posted a session report on my www.brummbar44.com and BGG.
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Fixed: The scenarios are now appearing as Classified.
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Brummbar44
Posts: 1120
Registered:
June 2004
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Re:Sword of Stalingrad Arrives!
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Mon, 16 November 2009 23:52
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Excellent! AAR's now added.
Thanks Eric.
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JipThePeople
Posts: 36
Registered:
January 2006
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Re:Sword of Stalingrad Arrives!
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Tue, 24 November 2009 19:24
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I had pre-ordered it but it is listed in my account as back ordered. What is the estimated date they will be back in stock?
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eric
Posts: 3016
Registered:
October 2002
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Re:Sword of Stalingrad Arrives!
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Tue, 24 November 2009 21:07
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It should all start shipping mid-to-late next week.
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JipThePeople
Posts: 36
Registered:
January 2006
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Re:Sword of Stalingrad Arrives!
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Tue, 24 November 2009 21:11
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Thx!
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SirWillibald
Posts: 344
Registered:
December 2006
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sam1812
Posts: 1924
Registered:
August 2006
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Re:Sword of Stalingrad Arrives!
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Fri, 27 November 2009 15:05
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As the Combat Cards Rules PDF says, "A few Combat cards are specifically tied to one side (Axis or Allies). When drawn by a Commander of the opposite camp, they may only be played as a Street Fight."
"Street Fight action: One ordered unit in, or next to, a Building hex may Close Assault with 1 additional die."
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GreatDane
Posts: 755
Registered:
June 2004
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Re:Sword of Stalingrad Arrives!
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Fri, 27 November 2009 17:33
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There are plenty of options for playing cards as Street Fights. The Allied are still one proper card down.
Add to that the AIR BOMBARDMENT is usable only by the Axis, which may be meaningful in the supplied scenarios, but certainly doesn't makes sense in the late part of the war.
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Vulch
Posts: 404
Registered:
May 2009
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Re:Sword of Stalingrad Arrives!
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Tue, 01 December 2009 11:02
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Just had an email a few minutes ago to say my order of SOS has shipped, together with my free campaign.
1st December, right on cue. 
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Caboose
Posts: 1594
Registered:
May 2004
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Re:Sword of Stalingrad Arrives!
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Wed, 02 December 2009 07:09
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sigh...nothing in my email box...! 
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tank commander
Posts: 1796
Registered:
October 2004
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Re:Sword of Stalingrad Arrives!
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Wed, 02 December 2009 11:50
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| Caboose wrote on Wed, 02 December 2009 01:09 |
sigh...nothing in my email box...!
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Same here.
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Timmuilwijk
Posts: 164
Registered:
March 2009
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Re:Sword of Stalingrad Arrives!
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Wed, 02 December 2009 12:38
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It can be frustrating right?
Well I haven't ordered it yet, but will do it soon enough!
Tim
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PanzerRunes
Posts: 228
Registered:
January 2007
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Re:Sword of Stalingrad Arrives!
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Wed, 02 December 2009 19:30
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Waiting... patiently...
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Achtung Panzer
Posts: 958
Registered:
December 2007
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Re:Sword of Stalingrad Arrives!
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Wed, 02 December 2009 21:53
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| Vulch wrote on Tue, 01 December 2009 10:02 |
Just had an email a few minutes ago to say my order of SOS has shipped, together with my free campaign.
1st December, right on cue.
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Same here, but I won't get to see it until Christmas Day
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BuddyHolly
Posts: 35
Registered:
October 2004
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Re:Sword of Stalingrad Arrives!
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Thu, 03 December 2009 03:36
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I just check my order status. Yesterday it said it was on back order. Now it seems to have disappeared. Does anybody know why this would have happened?
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Boddekker
Posts: 82
Registered:
December 2005
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Re:Sword of Stalingrad Arrives!
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Thu, 03 December 2009 04:22
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Got my notice today. Yay!
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PanzerRunes
Posts: 228
Registered:
January 2007
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Re:Sword of Stalingrad Arrives!
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Thu, 03 December 2009 05:08
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Yeah!!! My order is being packed and should ship today or tomorrow (as it is 8pm I doubt it will go out today).... well, that is what the order status says.
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Vulch
Posts: 404
Registered:
May 2009
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Re:Sword of Stalingrad Arrives!
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Thu, 03 December 2009 15:59
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| Vulch wrote on Tue, 01 December 2009 10:02 |
Just had an email a few minutes ago to say my order of SOS has shipped, together with my free campaign.
1st December, right on cue.
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It arrived today from Paris. 
Havent opened the cards yet, but the map looks lovely. Got my free campaign as well
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Achtung Panzer
Posts: 958
Registered:
December 2007
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Re:Sword of Stalingrad Arrives!
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Thu, 03 December 2009 16:15
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| Vulch wrote on Thu, 03 December 2009 14:59 |
| Vulch wrote on Tue, 01 December 2009 10:02 |
Just had an email a few minutes ago to say my order of SOS has shipped, together with my free campaign.
1st December, right on cue.
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It arrived today from Paris.
Havent opened the cards yet, but the map looks lovely. Got my free campaign as well
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Mine arrived today too - but was instantly whisked away out of my hands!
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Yann
Posts: 2150
Registered:
October 2002
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Re:Sword of Stalingrad Arrives!
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Thu, 03 December 2009 17:27
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| BuddyHolly wrote on Thu, 03 December 2009 03:36 |
I just check my order status. Yesterday it said it was on back order. Now it seems to have disappeared. Does anybody know why this would have happened?
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That's odd. Contact us at http://www.daysofwonder.com/en/contact/sublevel/?entry_id=14 with your order number.
Yann
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Caboose
Posts: 1594
Registered:
May 2004
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Re:Sword of Stalingrad Arrives!
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Thu, 03 December 2009 19:19
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Sigh...still nothing. Sad that Europe gets it before the little state of Colorado.
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ad79
Posts: 778
Registered:
September 2007
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Re:Sword of Stalingrad Arrives!
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Fri, 04 December 2009 18:06
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Well since you got Tigers In the Snow before us Europeans, I think it's only fair that we got this before you.
I picked mine up at the postoffice today.
Looks very good.
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tpx63
Posts: 43
Registered:
February 2005
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Re:Sword of Stalingrad Arrives!
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Fri, 04 December 2009 20:15
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I've just opened my new combat deck.
It's 50% english, 50% french. Is it right?
And what about using these nev card in overlord mode?
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sniperscout
Posts: 79
Registered:
August 2008
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Re:Sword of Stalingrad Arrives!
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Fri, 04 December 2009 20:28
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Mine arrived today too....but I cant play with it until Chistmas. Cant wait to try out the new cards
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ad79
Posts: 778
Registered:
September 2007
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Re:Sword of Stalingrad Arrives!
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Fri, 04 December 2009 23:50
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| tpx63 wrote on Fri, 04 December 2009 20:15 |
I've just opened my new combat deck.
It's 50% english, 50% french. Is it right?
And what about using these nev card in overlord mode?
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Yes, it includes both english and french cards.
Wasn't there a rules sheet for the combat deck included in your package. Mine had it included, as it should.
Otherwise the rules for the new combat deck is available here:
http://static1.daysofwonder.com/memoir44/lang/english/images /mm_op3_rules_en.pdf
It's from the "Sword of Stalingrad" page here on this site.
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50th
Posts: 1280
Registered:
October 2006
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Re:Sword of Stalingrad Arrives!
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Sat, 05 December 2009 03:28
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Mine shipped out today!! I can't wait, I am driving about 60 miles next weekend to play this scenario. I'm looking forward to it!
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tpx63
Posts: 43
Registered:
February 2005
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Re:Sword of Stalingrad Arrives!
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Sat, 05 December 2009 18:12
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Sorry, I had yet to read them...
Now I've seen. Thank you.
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Vulch
Posts: 404
Registered:
May 2009
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Re:Sword of Stalingrad Arrives!
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Sat, 05 December 2009 18:31
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If anyone wants a set of combat cards in French I would be happy to post them on. I have no use for them.
First one to send me a PM with their address gets them.
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50th
Posts: 1280
Registered:
October 2006
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Re:Sword of Stalingrad Arrives!
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Mon, 07 December 2009 22:57
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Yes! Mine arrived today!!
I agree about the French cards, maybe we could set up trading them for more of the english cards with our French speaking players!
I look forward to playing it this weekend, I hope the weather in Missouri will be good- I will drive 60 miles to play with my best friend, and fellow M44 player.
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BuddyHolly
Posts: 35
Registered:
October 2004
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Re:Sword of Stalingrad Arrives!
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Sun, 13 December 2009 21:24
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I ordered my copy on SOS but I have not heard anything yet. Also my order has been eliminated suggesting that I do not have an order pending. I sent an inquiry to them a few weeks back. Still haven't hear anything from them. What are my options at this point? I don't want to order again and end up with 2 copies.
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