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Enemy Action: Ardennes box art

Enemy Action: Ardennes

Game ID: GID0114455
Game Info
Year
2015
Collection
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Description

Enemy Action is a new series of card-driven war games on pivotal military operations and campaigns in the twentieth century. Each game allows for play by two players or one player, playing either side in the conflict.

The Enemy Action series features:

Two-player competition with low complexity and constant decision points for both sides
Solitaire play of either side with systems governing all aspects of enemy command and tactics
Card-driven impulse system, with multi-purpose cards played to activate formations, implement command events, or gain tactical advantages in combat
Diceless and chartless combat system – players draw combat chits that build a narrative of each combat

John Butterfield’s unique card-driven mechanic allows players to use multiple resources in multiple ways but each decision has a consequence, many of which aren’t evident at the time. Resources include units and cards. So two different cards can be used to activate the same unit/s, but each card may have a different secondary use that could include artillery support or even activation of more units (or group of units).

The combat chit system is yet another decision-making point. Players choose and reveal a number of combat chits that varies based on a number of factors. The minimum and maximum number is dependent upon unit capabilities, terrain and support, but not combat factors (so no factor counting here). This choice can often get an attacker into trouble by going for “a chit too far”… Or it might even be a masterstroke to take that extra chit…

Enemy Action: Ardennes

The first game in the series is Ardennes. The game portrays the German offensive against the western Allies in December 1944 — the Battle of the Bulge. Each player controls the German or Allied side. When playing solo, the game system controls the other side. So Enemy Action: Ardennes is effectively three games in one box: the two-player game, solitaire playing the Allies, and solitaire playing the Germans.

Map scale on this module is 2.5 miles per hex. Hexes on the game map are oversized allowing for easy counter handling. Unit scale is regiment, brigade and division, with one to four steps per unit. Each turn represents one day of the battle, with several alternating player impulses in each day.
Components:

3 22″x34″ maps (1 for each solitaire game and 1 for the 2-player game – only 1 is used at a time)
3 full sheets of counters, printed both sides
1 deck of 110 playing cards (poker quality)
3 rules books, (1 for each game)
Multiple player aid cards
1 full color 3” box and lid

Complexity: Medium
Playing Time: 15 minutes to 6 hours for the full campaign
Solitaire Suitability: Designed for solitaire play
Designer: John Butterfield
Developers: John Foley
Artist: Tim Schleif

(from Compass Games website)

BGG wiki page with many clarifications and hints and errata:
Enemy Action: Ardennes German Solo FAQ

Description

Enemy Action is a new series of card-driven war games on pivotal military operations and campaigns in the twentieth century. Each game allows for play by two players or one player, playing either side in the conflict.

The Enemy Action series features:

Two-player competition with low complexity and constant decision points for both sides
Solitaire play of either side with systems governing all aspects of enemy command and tactics
Card-driven impulse system, with multi-purpose cards played to activate formations, implement command events, or gain tactical advantages in combat
Diceless and chartless combat system – players draw combat chits that build a narrative of each combat

John Butterfield’s unique card-driven mechanic allows players to use multiple resources in multiple ways but each decision has a consequence, many of which aren’t evident at the time. Resources include units and cards. So two different cards can be used to activate the same unit/s, but each card may have a different secondary use that could include artillery support or even activation of more units (or group of units).

The combat chit system is yet another decision-making point. Players choose and reveal a number of combat chits that varies based on a number of factors. The minimum and maximum number is dependent upon unit capabilities, terrain and support, but not combat factors (so no factor counting here). This choice can often get an attacker into trouble by going for “a chit too far”… Or it might even be a masterstroke to take that extra chit…

Enemy Action: Ardennes

The first game in the series is Ardennes. The game portrays the German offensive against the western Allies in December 1944 — the Battle of the Bulge. Each player controls the German or Allied side. When playing solo, the game system controls the other side. So Enemy Action: Ardennes is effectively three games in one box: the two-player game, solitaire playing the Allies, and solitaire playing the Germans.

Map scale on this module is 2.5 miles per hex. Hexes on the game map are oversized allowing for easy counter handling. Unit scale is regiment, brigade and division, with one to four steps per unit. Each turn represents one day of the battle, with several alternating player impulses in each day.
Components:

3 22″x34″ maps (1 for each solitaire game and 1 for the 2-player game – only 1 is used at a time)
3 full sheets of counters, printed both sides
1 deck of 110 playing cards (poker quality)
3 rules books, (1 for each game)
Multiple player aid cards
1 full color 3” box and lid

Complexity: Medium
Playing Time: 15 minutes to 6 hours for the full campaign
Solitaire Suitability: Designed for solitaire play
Designer: John Butterfield
Developers: John Foley
Artist: Tim Schleif

(from Compass Games website)

BGG wiki page with many clarifications and hints and errata:
Enemy Action: Ardennes German Solo FAQ

Ask a Rules Question
All mentions
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 4
This page: 4
Sentiment: pos 3 · mix 0 · neu 1 · neg 0
Mentions per page
Showing 1–4 of 4
Video SrzHaKo59Ag Zilla Blitz Discussion at 4:23 sentiment: neutral
video_pk 86559 · mention_pk 224284
Zilla Blitz - Enemy Action: Ardennes video thumbnail
Click to watch at 4:23 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
neutral
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
  • World War II battle
  • Battle of the Bulge
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • this is the challenge where I try tried to play a subset of the rather large collection of board games tabletop historical War Games specifically that I have on my shelves that I have yet to play or fully play
  • the goal here is to start making progress chipping away at those games on your shelves that have yet to be played
  • the Shelf of Shame is so embarrassing
  • all of these are shelf of Shame right I me usually call it shelf of opportunity but this is yeah some of these I really need to play
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video Jp6N7Pos1wY Zilla Blitz Discussion at 0:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 41175 · mention_pk 124913
Zilla Blitz - Enemy Action: Ardennes video thumbnail
Click to watch at 0:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Variety of play modes offers broad appeal
  • Appealing to solo players and two-player groups alike
Cons
  • Complex rule set across multiple modes can be daunting
  • May require careful setup and reference during play
Thematic elements
  • Three-interwoven modes within a Bulge context
  • Triple-game packaging across solo Allied, solo German, and two-player modes
  • Flexible play options to accommodate different player preferences
Comparison games
  • Fast Action Battles
  • Ardennes 44
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Area Movement — Modeled Bulge dynamics with accessible movement mechanics.
  • area movement with thematic flavor — Modeled Bulge dynamics with accessible movement mechanics.
  • three-in-one system — Three interconnected play modes provide varied experiences within a single title.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • All 20 of these games are worthy games
  • The competition is real
  • Go vote for which one of these two games you think is the better bulge game and should continue on in the competition
  • Thanks so much for watching everybody
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 1wRIjje8mfc Zilla Blitz Analysis at 1:38 sentiment: positive
video_pk 36232 · mention_pk 230788
Zilla Blitz - Enemy Action: Ardennes video thumbnail
Click to watch at 1:38 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Key competitor in Bronze Star, strong poll presence
Cons
  • Details not discussed in depth in transcript
Thematic elements
  • Operational and strategic WWII combat
  • Battle of the Bulge, Western Front, 1944
  • historical simulation
Comparison games
  • Arden's 2
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • unknown — Not specified in transcript
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • This really is a competition for fun; it's not to really make definitive statements about any and all of these games.
  • Arden 44 got the most votes in every single round it participated in up to the final round and that didn't stop here for the final round; it garnered 64% of the 444 people who voted.
  • The potential for doing things like this video series is really large.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video SQDSlaPU2ms Zilla Blitz Analysis at 12:14 sentiment: positive
video_pk 28473 · mention_pk 83580
Zilla Blitz - Enemy Action: Ardennes video thumbnail
Click to watch at 12:14 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Outstanding solo experience
  • Strong, accessible two-player balance
Cons
  • Solo mode may overshadow two-player experience for some players
  • As with many heavy wargames, setup and mastery require commitment
Thematic elements
  • A highly regarded solo-focused wargame with a distinctive system
  • Battle of the Bulge; WWII
  • solo-centric design paired with strong two-player balance
Comparison games
  • Arden's 44
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Campaign-like play — Offers robust strategic scenarios with extended play options
  • Dedicated solo system — Renowned for its solo play experience; often cited as among the best in the industry
  • Zone of Control and strategic movement — Classic wargame mechanics with modernized twists
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • the Battalion Combat Series 1680 counters in this, I think we have to say it's a monster game of the Battle of the Bulge
  • it's a monster game ... hours and hours and hours of gameplay
  • this is for fun this is just to have a good time to see what games end up and just talk about and wonder about the different results
  • I have no idea which way this is going to go
  • Arden's 44 could it be the favorite
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Transcript Navigation
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