Game: ¡Arriba España!

Thread: Re: ¡Arriba España! in World at War Issue 8

ltmurnau — 2008-11-10T06:54:48+00:00

"World at War" is a new magazine published by Decision Games, the same company that publishes Strategy & Tactics magazine. World at War is devoted entirely to World War Two (or thereabouts) era games and articles, while S&T runs games and articles on any historical period.

You can get WaW by subscription - issue #3 has just hit the mails. Go to the Decision Games website for ordering information. Issue #8 will be out in October/November 2009, all other things being equal.

Thread: Re: ¡Arriba España! in World at War Issue 8

matthewjhoskins — 2008-11-10T02:41:19+00:00

Well, what is "World at War" and where can I buy one?

Thread: Re: ¡Arriba España! in World at War Issue 8

ltmurnau — 2008-11-10T02:38:40+00:00

Updated ones.
Any specific questions?

Thread: ¡Arriba España! in World at War Issue 8

Bogus_law — 2008-11-09T23:15:48+00:00

Will ¡Arriba España! be published in World at War with updated rules or with old ones ?

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riks — 2008-10-02T17:23:57+00:00

World at War Magazine Cover

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locutusje — 2008-09-20T22:49:00+00:00

Automatic win after the Goverment player drops to 0 PSP due to no support.

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romerj — 2008-09-12T21:21:02+00:00

Preview of the map for the World at War reprint

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romerj — 2008-09-12T16:56:56+00:00

Sample counters for the World at War reprint of Arriba España

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romerj — 2008-09-11T20:36:07+00:00

preview of the map by Joe Youst for the World at War reprint

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fractaloon — 2008-07-01T03:53:05+00:00

The Fiery Dragon map.

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fractaloon — 2008-06-28T03:19:06+00:00

Back of the tin edition.

Thread: Re: Arriba Espana is available for digital download

belisarius — 2008-02-23T17:23:15+00:00

I just bought the PDF version of Arriba Espana, mainly because I intend to play it using the Vassal Module with an opponent who will also purchase it. Digital copies really shine when it comes to Vassal - you get to play a game you obtained at a very attractive price point. The designer and publisher are still fairly remunerated because there's no physical copy to publish and ship. And if I ever want to FTF, I can still assemble the components. Everybody wins. Kudos to Fiery Dragon and Brian Train for their PDF - Vassal combo. It's good marketing, and a smart way to go for a smaller company.

Thread: Re: Tin vs. Boxed Editions

ltmurnau — 2007-12-21T16:37:53+00:00

Fiery Dragon could not find a reliable supplier for the tin boxes (they come from China, and a lot showed up irreparably dented), so they have switched to a slightly larger cardboard box. The good thing about this is the cover art is printed right on the box instead of stuck on like a label, and the maps don't have to be folded so many times.

But I'll miss those tin boxes.

And yes, I am told that the new edition will have the thicker diecut counters.

Thread: Re: Tin vs. Boxed Editions

Wulf Corbett — 2007-12-21T06:13:13+00:00

I had been told the original releases were to be re-released with thicker counters, in the format of the latest games, looks like it's coming soon! Other than the counters, it should be just as original.

Thread: Tin vs. Boxed Editions

dumpty — 2007-12-21T05:29:32+00:00

I've seen the Tin edition, but now Thought Hammer has a "boxed" edition coming out this month. What's the difference?

Thread: Re: Arriba Espana is available for digital download

Wulf Corbett — 2007-12-17T23:06:10+00:00

ltmurnau wrote:
I have been informed that Arriba Espana has sold less than ten digital copies since it was put on offer.
I think the worries about digital versions of print wargames eclipsing sales of the paper version are mostly overstated!
Certainly sounds like it

Considering I just spent a couple of hours (literally, typing this is the first thing I've done since I finished) cutting up the counters, I'd certainly prefer a pre-made version...

Thread: Re: Arriba Espana is available for digital download

ltmurnau — 2007-12-17T21:50:51+00:00

OK, it's good they fixed it.
I have been informed that Arriba Espana has sold less than ten digital copies since it was put on offer.
I think the worries about digital versions of print wargames eclipsing sales of the paper version are mostly overstated!

Brian

Thread: Re: Arriba Espana is available for digital download

Wulf Corbett — 2007-12-17T20:30:41+00:00

ltmurnau wrote:
Sounds like a font didn't get embedded correctly or some such - I had nothing to do with the preparation of the digital version.
I will notify the publisher.
Fiery Dragon replaced my counters - sounds like they weren't aware of it either.

EDIT: which makes me wonder, if this has been on sale since March...

Thread: Re: Arriba Espana is available for digital download

ltmurnau — 2007-12-17T20:12:09+00:00

Sounds like a font didn't get embedded correctly or some such - I had nothing to do with the preparation of the digital version.
I will notify the publisher.

Brian

Thread: Re: Arriba Espana is available for digital download

Wulf Corbett — 2007-12-08T20:29:40+00:00

I bought the PDF version, and there's a problem - on the counters, the Armour symbol is replaced by a large numeral '4' - too large for the 1/2" counter, in fact. Is there any way to get a replacement with the correct symbol?

Thread: Re: User Review

Black Knight — 2007-09-19T20:41:55+00:00

Hey!

People responded to my review a year after I posted it! Recognition at last.

Brian Train-

Thanks for making this game and thanks for looking into the combat system. I will have to pull the game out and try it again with your recommended fixes.

Thread: Re: User Review

Jamie Graham — 2007-09-18T14:49:50+00:00

I played this game several times in a row the weekend after I bought it two years ago and a couple of times since then. I haven't played in a while, but I'd like to try it again with some of the fixes to the combat system that the designer, Brian Train, proposed.

Thread: Re: Optional Tweaks to the Combat System, by the Designer

ltmurnau — 2007-06-12T19:19:26+00:00

Thank you Robert, that was at least polite.
The revised combat system is now part of the official errata and addenda, and if I ever have a chance to revise the rulebook or republish the design itself, I will make this combat system _the_ one.

Thread: Re: Optional Tweaks to the Combat System, by the Designer

GROGnads — 2007-06-09T22:36:40+00:00

I'd strongly urge YOU to "declare" THIS as the 'Officially' revised version then, so as to lend credence for any "Tournament" playings regarding it all. When something such as what you presented here and coming from the 'designer' himself is provided, that greatly improves upon it as well, then it should be a given from now on for that! It shouldn't even be considered as *Optional*, but as the de facto "de rigueur" as well.
Keep UP the "Good JORB!"

Thread: Re: User Review

Kwisatz Haderach — 2007-06-09T13:56:46+00:00

And much props to you for this my friend!
I am not that heavily on the "wargames" spectrum as this, but as a history buff I bought the game just because of the subject matter. Yes, the components are (relatively) flimsey, but it is obvious that love and detail went into this game, and that makes it a winner in my book.

Thread: Arriba Espana is available for digital download

ltmurnau — 2007-03-09T19:29:53+00:00

https://shop.fierydragon.com/

Go to "Digital Downlaod" section. As of March 2007, the price is $9.00.

You can also buy the "real" version of the game through this online store, direct from the manufacturer.

Thread: Re: User Review

ltmurnau — 2006-08-16T22:46:57+00:00

Thanks for your interest in the design and for the kind review.

I have proposed some tweaks to the combat system that will fix the "gamey" tactic of attacking divisions with suicide brigades - see http://www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/106062.

Your comments about the components are well taken. Actually, the tin boxes do not cost very much, the component problem lies with the limited number of printers who will take on jobs like die-cut counters with a decent thickness. More recent releases from Fiery Dragon have given thicker and better cut counters.

Still, these components are a lot better than the very first release of the game through the Microgame Design Group, which featured colour laser-printed counters on paper you had to mount yourself. Despite this, Arriba Espana was the best-selling wargame of the whole MDG line.

Thread: Re: User Review

art3mis — 2006-07-14T09:04:49+00:00

Hi, I bought this game too some while back, never tried though I definitely will as this war has hit my forefathers and still burns in the minds of many peeps in my country.

I do agree on the bad quality of the components and I also agree that it will be cool to have Avalanche, Decision, GMT and such really give this war a try. I guess they haven't got designers that really have a dep knowledge about it?

Thread: Re: User Review

monkeyrobot — 2006-06-23T07:20:37+00:00

I´ve had this game sitting on my shelf for the last two years, and after reading your review I think I must find the time to give it a chance.
I bought the game because of the theme, which is part of my country´s history. I agree it has been overlooked militarly as the source of new tactics used in the first months of WWII.
Also, there are not many games out there on the subject. I can recall "For whom the bells toll", which not many friends have recommended, and "Pasaran?", which I played once and thought it was ok, but lacked a minimum production value (¡Arriba España! has this problem too, but it was cheaper!)
I think there is still place for some company like GMT games, Compass games, MMP, etc to make a real classic game of this controverted conflict.

Oh! By the way... Great review

Thread: Optional Tweaks to the Combat System, by the Designer

ltmurnau — 2006-04-05T20:43:01+00:00

Post-production comments from some players on different review fora have pointed out that the Arriba Espana combat system does not scale well at extreme odds. In one example, a player postulated that a defending Battlegroup (BG) of three 4 CF divisions could be attacked by three BGs of a single 1 CF brigade each, reducing the defenders to nothing because the Combat Results Table (CRT) would always inflict at least 1 CF losses on the defender each time, which could only be satisfied by eliminating an entire division.

Fair enough, I guess, but I'd like to see real troops who would willingly obey orders for a 1-12 odds attack! Sometimes I forget that some folks are actually playing a GAME here.

In any event, I designed the combat system to be bloody for both sides, and in the middle of the CRT (1-1 to 2-1 odds) this works out well. Here are two simple tweaks, additions to rule 9.2, that I thought would address these problems:

1. "Eliminating an Armor or Artillery AP, a Fortification counter, or a brigade counts as a 1 CF loss. A 2 CF REM counter is replaced by a brigade counter for a loss of 1 CF. A one-step division is replaced by a brigade, or a two-step division is replaced by a 2 CF REM counter, for a loss of 3 CF. If a brigade counter of the right type is not available, or on an E (Elimination) result, the entire unit is eliminated without making these substitutions."

2. “The defender's result is decreased by 1 for each notional column to the left of the 1-3 odds column (so an attack at 1-4 odds would generally result in no losses to the defender). The defender's result is increased by 1, or the attacker's result reduced by 1 (attacker's choice, and may be a combination) for each notional column to the right of 5-1 odds column (so an attack at 8-1 odds could see the defender's result increased by 3, or the attacker's reduced by 3, or 2 on one side and 1 on the other). “

The first tweak gives extra depth to divisional counters; think of 4 CF divisions now as 2-step units and 5 CF divisions as three-steppers. The second tweak (which I lifted from Freikorps, another MDG/Fiery Dragon game I designed) makes it impossible for a single brigade to make a dent in anything more than a division, unless it has help from APs and a high Cadre level, and a "killer stack" of two or more divisions can crush a single brigade generally without losses (though that's a Major Offensive that will cost you an EP: rule 9.1.1).

It now becomes desirable to build divisions after all, to give extra depth and staying power to your armies, in addition to the political benefits of foreign Support or Intervention.

This also creates a sort of "overrun" rule (without having to write an entirely new rule, something I would rather not do), the lack of which other players noted, in that a BG made up of a division-plus with an Armor AP included can now roam around in an Area crushing single-brigade (that is to say, isolated and mutually unsupporting) BGs under rule 9.3, Breakthrough Attacks. This is not a game-breaker either since Breakthrough attacks are limited to the Area they started in, and under 9.2.1 Required Losses, the Armor AP will eventually become a casualty, bringing the proto-blitzkrieg to a halt. (You could limit the effect of this further by using the Variable Doctrine optional rule, 15.5)

See if these two simple additions will address any problems you might have with the combat system. As always, I welcome comments, provided they are at least polite.

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Abraxx — 2006-03-01T18:19:15+00:00

Arriba Espana Combat Results Table

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Lawrence Hung — 2005-05-16T14:38:57+00:00

Fiery Dragon edition

Thread: Re:New version

Erwin — 2005-04-12T14:32:15+00:00

Black Knight (#36643),

Are there difference with old version?
Could anyone post the new rules or send by email, please?

Bye

Thread: User Review

Black Knight — 2005-01-19T15:47:01+00:00

This is a fairly preliminary review based off of a few games. This review refers to the Fiery Dragon Productions edition of 2004, which comes in a tin box. Any errors are my own, as this is being written from memory. I will correct the review if I make any factual errors.

Arriba Espana is a simulation/wargame of the Spanish Civil War, which was fought from 1936-1939. If you're unfamiliar with the war, it can be summed up as a multifaceted political clash between the democratically elected socialist/anarchist/communist Republican left and the military/monarchist/fascist junta of the Nationalist right, as well as a proxy war fought by the fascist European powers and the Soviet Union. In the game these sides are called the Government and Rebel forces, respectively. I will review the game based on the quality of the components, the rules, play value, and my own tilt. My copy cost $19.99.

Components: Probably my least favorite part of the game, the components are very cheap. There are lots of counters, and these are quite small and made of very thin card. The map is a small, light sheet of paper. Unfortunately, one must show caution in punching out the counters, as they can rip easily. A few of mine lost facings as I punched them out. Finally, you will often have a lot of counters on the small map, and since they are thin, the whole thing can be a bit "fiddly", as they say. In a perfect world, this game would be made by Phalanx Games a la "Age of Napoleon". I wish they had spent less money on the tin box and more on the components inside.

Rules: These are generally well written. The game turn comprises a random events phase, a Political phase, a Strategic (buying) phase, an Organization phase (forming battle groups), the players' turns, and the control phase. One very elegant aspect of the game design is the close interrelationship between battlefield results and political standing. Players win or lose the game based on political support points (PSPs). If a player has no PSPs remaining, they lose the game. These points are obtained by winning military victories and seizing territory. They are lost by losing battles and losing territory. The PSP levels are also gained and lost by random events, gained by foreign aid, and lost (by the Government player) by failing to commit resources to the six(!) minor factions that comprise a significant part of the Government forces. PSPs can be spent on attempts to influence foreign powers in the Political phase. Successfully influencing a power can result in their Support or Intervention on your side. Supporting nations provide extra PSPs and Equipment Points (EPs), which are used to purchase units and APs in the strategic phase. Naturally, the nations of Germany, Italy, and Portugal Support the Rebel player from the beginning. The Soviets support the Government player from the beginning as well. The French and British are neutral at the start. In the Strategic phase, players purchase and place new units and support, as well as upgrade existing units. The players then organize their units into battle groups in the Organization phase. There are no stacking limits on areas, but instead BGs can only be of a certain size depending on the player. There can be several different battle groups in one space. Combat is resolved via a Combat Results Table (CRT) with odds based on the combat factors of the units involved, and with die roll modifiers for using the AP and/or column shifts that result from terrain, weather, and unit training. After all combats have been resolved, players determine control of regions, with the player holding the most cities in a region controlling the region. Political support points are gained and lost for regional control and battle casualties at this time. A Victory check is then made to see if either player has lost all of their PSPs and thus the game.

Play Value: This game has a very interesting dynamic in that the military and political considerations are inextricable. Bad losses can hurt you politically, which can hurt your military production, and so on. The game does a wonderful job of presenting the political and economic situation of the combatants at the outset of the war. The Government player has superior resources and a lot of territory. The Rebel player has better quality troops, but fewer of them, and is almost entirely reliant on foreign aid for EPs. I enjoy the "realism" of the Government player needing to "pay off" the minor factions by buying troops for them or suffering political consequences. This can be a real pain when those blasted Catalonians (for example only, my dear Catalan friends) clamor for resources whilst the fighting is nowhere near them, and their territorial units can't leave Catalonia to fight at the front! The Rebel player faces a strong possibility of having his or her patchwork territory gobbled up in detail by an astute Government player. I also enjoy the political phase, where the players try to push and prod foreign nations into helping them out or stop helping their opponents. Combat resolution is a bit odd, however. I think the CRT generally rewards smaller brigade units over larger divisions assuming no die modifiers are at play. This means that small, 1 combat factor brigades can launch "suicide" attacks at 1:3 odds and still stand a good chance of destroying a lone 4 combat factor division, which dies if it takes a single loss. My opponent employed this tactic against me to great effect. Even if a player upgrades their divisions to 5 combat factors, making them a "two step division", they will absorb disproportionate losses from a "suicide" brigade attack, losing 3 combat factors to the brigade's 1 almost every time. So far, I feel that the combat system is a bit frustrating because of this factor, and I will have to play a few more games to determine what, if anything needs to be done about it.

Reviewers tilt: I love the subject matter, so I am very thankful that Brian Train made a game out of this oft-overlooked war. The Spanish Civil War was very important both politically and technologically, as the political inaction and tolerance toward fascist intervention shown by the European democracies was repeated in their dealings with Hitler's early expansion, and the lessons of armor and combined arms learned by the Germans (and to some extent the Soviets that survived Stalin's purges) shaped the strategies and tactics of the early period of WWII. I really enjoy the political struggle and the back and forth flow of the game. Although I have some misgivings about the combat system, I recommend that any enthusiast of the period or of WWII or civil wars in general give this game a try.

Thread: Counter Erratum

ltmurnau — 2004-11-04T00:08:43+00:00

In the Fiery Dragon edition of this game, there are two 4 CF POUM divisions. There should be one 4 CF division and one 1 CF brigade.

Thread: Corrected Random Events Table

ltmurnau — 2004-11-04T00:04:31+00:00

Corrected Random Events Table!

It has belatedly come to my attention that the die roll numbers in the Random Events Table for the Fiery Dragon edition of Arriba Espana are quite wrong! The original table was and always has been meant for 2d6, but the numbers in the FDP version are some combination of d10 and 2d6. Consequently it is impossible for some random events to happen, and the probability of others is altered.

Here is the corrected table:

RANDOM EVENTS TABLE Die Roll Event name and instructions

11-16 No event. Oh, happy day!

21-22 British or French National Elections. Choose randomly if Britain or France changed its government, then roll 1d6: 1, 2 = move country's attitude marker 1 box pro-Government; 3,4 = no change; 5,6 = move marker 1 box pro-Rebel.

23-24 Fifth Column! 0-3 (1d6-3) units in one Government-Controlled Region chosen by the Rebel player are Disrupted.

25-26 Collectivisation. The Government player may either add 1d6 to his PS or subtract 1d6 from the Rebel PS.

31-33 Propoaganda. Some outrageous lies are told about the side with the higher PS level, which loses 1d6 PSP (subtract from both sides if equal PS).

34-36 Trade Unions Mobilize. Government player gets 1 Anarchist or POUM brigade for free.

41-42 Falangist Militia. Rebel player gets 1 Nationalist brigade for free.

43-44 Stalinist Leanings. If the USSR is currently Supporting or Intervening for the Government player, then he must purge the POUM faction. If he does not, then the USSR attitude marker is moved two boxes pro-Rebel. If this event is rolled again, the Government player must purge the Anarchists; afterwards, treat as No Event.

45-52 Politically Mandated Offensive. The side with the lower PS level must attempt to take territory. Triple the award for any Regions coming under Friendly Control this Turn Interphase; subtract 2d6 PSP if the player fails to establish Control over any new Regions.

53-54 Peasant revolt against landlords. 0-3 (1d6-3) units in one Rebel-Controlled Region chosen by the Government player are Disrupted.

55-56 Diplomatic Crisis. Throw 1d6 for each major power (BR, FR, GE, IT, or USSR) that is providing Foreign Aid for one side or the other, and total the rolls for each side. The side with the greater total has diplomatic leverage and may move the attitude markers of each country on the losing side one or two boxes to the left or right; the losing side also subtracts 2d6 PSP.

61-63 Coup d’etat or power grab. The player who has a PS level of more than 80 or less than 20 (choose randomly if both, and treat as No Event if neither fit the criteria) subtracts 2d6 PSP immediately and his regular troops (Popular Army or Nationalist) may not move that turn (but they may organize BG and attack).

64 Deal with Texaco. The Rebel player adds 1d6 EP immediately.

65 “Arms for Spain” rally. The Government player adds 1d6 EP immediately.

66 George Orwell gets a publisher’s advance. Neither side benefits (because he wrote the truth as he saw it) but you gain a good book to read, and he can live decently for a while. Treat as No Event if rolled again.

***

Our apologies for this oversight.

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kvn299 — 2004-08-10T05:34:00+00:00

Counter Strike Mini Game edition in tin container.

Thread: New version

Black Knight — 2004-05-19T13:50:42+00:00

There is a new version of the game, released by Fiery Dragon in 2004. It comes in a shiny tin box and is of decent quality. I'll review the game once I get a chance to play. Anyone else out there have this and/or play it?