I own and like this game, BUT, I find that it does not really use either the card driven game mechanism or the block game mechanism to their full potential. One of the great things about using blocks is the fog of war provided by not knowing what unit is where at and what strength it is. However, in HOTS, because most troops always return home for the winter, there really isn't much fog of war. I rarely find myself wondering what troops are in a given area, or wondering what the probable strength is. Also, the cards could have been done much better. The cards in HOTS are one dimensional. In a truly great game like Hannibal: Rome vs. Carthage, the cards have multiple uses and every turn sees difficult decisions and trade-offs being made in deciding whether to use the card to move an army, invoke a political or historical event, or politically influence a province. I can't wait to get my hands on a block game that uses both mechanisms to their full potential. I'd be in heaven.

Gregory,

I believe that Hellas will have dual uses of events and ops with the block game. I am definetly pumped about that one.

Perhaps the best part of this game is Spanish Civil War scenario, which is well thought out and presented - one of the few games on this subject.

The oldest & the boldest ...