Air & Armor from Compass Games Preview

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NOTE: A copy of this game was provided to me for this preview

[@henrysekurski3597]

Moe, Great over view of the game. Got my copy and the components are all high quality. I’m not least bit worried that the main rule book is 146 pages. In going through this, the fonts are large (which I very much appreciate) and its got full colored examples of play and allot of support info making it comprehensive. The concepts are nicely explained. Since briefly reading through, any questions I may have had thus far, I looked through the glossary and got them answered. As you said in the Vid, this is a deep game and being relatively new to this genre I really appreciate the comprehensiveness of the rules. I’ve experienced very complicated rules set Ex: ASL and honestly, this is nothing compared to that. To me what will really solidify the game play will be just playing through the first introductory scenario and the concepts will land home.

[@MoesWargames]

Great point! I agree that playing through the first scenario while reading the rules (and taking notes if you're a note taker like me because I can't trust my memory lol) is the best way to absorb them. If you can play ASL, you can play Air & Armor. With the added benefit that you've already got the game, so no more FOMO of getting additional modules/rules to add to the base game! lol Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed the video!

[@frankwaugh1894]

Moe just wanted to say fantastic review as always! Just got mine in yesterday and got all of the @1,400 counters corners clipped and first scenario set up. We have all been waiting years for this to come out. Makes my old 86 version look like a beginner game in comparison. With all the enhancements gamers are in for a treat.

[@MoesWargames]

Thanks! Glad you got yours in quickly, and thanks for playtesting! Agreed, this is going to be a big winner!

[@IRLBemused]

Hope it's more clarifications than errata! Disappointing that a map patch is required - if it's something relatively minor I think I will leave it off. The unit count seems relatively low which is interesting. Looking forward to the videos!

[@MoesWargames]

In a deep wargame with a 146 page rulebook, a 58 page playbook, a 17 page charts and tables book with 37 charts/tables, and 14 player aids (counting front and back pages), having errata is to be expected whether it be for fixes or clarifications.

[@frankwaugh1894]

Personally I think this is one area where compass games shines. Most other companies will put out errata later and charge you extra for corrected maps or counters. I commend compass for including corrected counters map sticker and current errata into the game at no extra cost. As Moe pointed out, with a game this large, this complex, covering the most complex era of warfare, errata can only be minimized...not totally eliminated.

[@IRLBemused]

Fair points re minimising errata rather than eliminating it altogether.

[@marchanna]

thanks for the vid. 4 pages of errata out of the box, huh? They should put that at the bottom of the box, haha! why am I not excited? There's gonna be more after release... not ideal, Moe. Maps are nice! I like the hidden movement for solitaire idea. Charts and tables booklet is very nice indeed. I hate shuffling through a zillion cards. Love the unit counters, admin are okay. Huge rule book, yow! Still, that explains the errata amount. Good job, I'll continue to keep and eye and bookmark it at my shop. cheers and thanks again!

[@MoesWargames]

Errata happens in pretty much every game. Humans make the games, and humans make mistakes of various types. The best part about the errata is having them out now, rather than sitting down learning the game and after months of playing the errata comes out and you've got to relearn portions of the game that you've been playing 'incorrectly' per the errata. So, I appreciate Bruce and his team in putting these out now while the game arrives. If they do an updates rules PDF, I'll be having that printed and coil bound because I won't be using the rules that came with the game as I find that type of binding prohibitive to use. Just my own personal taste.

[@man_vs_life]

This system is heading to WW2? Great! It really looks fantastic although, yeah, some trepidation about the complexity. I fear it would be a "buy, admire and shelve" game but very much looking forward to your playthroughs. Subbed. A really _useful_ unboxing/preview vid, thank you. BTW I've just been to the Compass website and this is listed as Complexity: Medium. Seriously?!

[@MoesWargames]

Thanks for watching, and the feedback, I'm glad you enjoyed the video and found it helpful! It's on the higher end of medium complexity because there are a lot of layers but I think when we get the videos posted it will greatly help people grok the game better and once you play you'll find that overall it's not a super difficult game to play but there are a lot of layers to it that take time to put together in your head to be effective. Stay tuned for that video series, and the next big video series as well which will be for The Last Gamble on the Bulge. :)

[@man_vs_life]

@@MoesWargames I had the pleasure of having a light read of the rules since my comment and it really does look good - multi-steps, split units, uncertain strengths on both sides, meaningful EZOCs etc. And a really easy to read rule book! Lots of absorb but like you said...

[@PrimarchX]

I've got it preordered at my FLGS. Looking forward to getting ahold of it.

[@MoesWargames]

Should be seeing it soon!

[@williammyles]

Looking forward to getting this game thanks for video 😊

[@MoesWargames]

Thanks for watching, glad you liked it!

[@Khornishman]

I am impatiently awaiting my pre-order to arrive. I am looking forward to playing this solitaire.

[@MoesWargames]

It'll be great solo be cause of the hidden movement system for sure!

[@Khornishman]

@@MoesWargames will you be at CSW Expo? I'll be in Pheonix that week, for work, but am hoping to swing by on a couple evenings.

[@MoesWargames]

@@Khornishman can't make it, will be on a trip with my wife for our 25th anniversary during Expo. Go and have fun, lots of great people and great wargaming going on!

[@MrElliptific]

I can understand people getting excited over this type of game. Not for me though, too much details for the type of game I like playing. Thank you for the preview.

[@MoesWargames]

Understand, not every game is for everyone! Thanks for watching the video, appreciate it!

[@man_vs_life]

Any progress on the playthrough vids Moe? 😁

[@MoesWargames]

I'm hip deep in them now, after having just finished and then publishing the LTP for The Last Gamble. Both BIG video projects ended up hitting at the same time with TLG able to get working on first due to Bruce's work. We ARE working on them and as soon as they're completed we will be announcing their release. Please be patient, working as fast as I can but there's a LOT to cover in this LTP series. I think you'll have a better understanding of what I mean once they're released. :)

[@man_vs_life]

@@MoesWargames That's really great to hear. Thank you for the update. Your vids are super duper. 👍

[@DarkKnight-bi7cr]

Hi any update when you’ll be doing play examples?

[@MoesWargames]

We're working through the videos right now, this will not be a quick process as there will be a lot of videos. Stay tuned, we'll have them out as soon as possible.

[@DarkKnight-bi7cr]

@@MoesWargames thank you sir!!!! Can’t wait!!!! Really appreciate your channel!!

[@MoesWargames]

@@DarkKnight-bi7cr thanks for the support! Have another video series to release first tho. Stay tuned... :)

[@kaiax33]

Hey Moe...any idea how this compares to the Next War series?

[@MoesWargames]

A&A is grand tactical, Next War is operational and strategic with some tactical aspects to it to create its own style. There's also the basic and advanced games for NW which dials up the complexity with air, naval, strikes etc. Plus, NW is contemporary and currently A&A is 80s hypothetical with (hopefully) some contemporary conflicts covered in the future.

[@brianpatterson5690]

Had the game over 24 hours and you're just now doing a preview? You're slipping.😂🤣😂🤣

[@MoesWargames]

Yea, I’m slowing down! 😂

[@patiencezero-xc9zl]

Is Bruce planning on porting this system to the current era or will the 1980s be as "modern" as he will get?

[@MoesWargames]

As of right now, there will be others set in the 80s era and then they're taking it to WWII. I've suggest modern era, so who knows if he'll at some point in the future work that in there. Hope so!

[@patiencezero-xc9zl]

Did you see the rather unfair review of this game from Big Board Gaming? Without even really reading ANY of the rules he dissed the game pretty heavily due to the size of the rulebook. Did you play the original? Was this assessment fair? For example, I am hearing the word count is lower in the new game and may explain the higher page count.

[@MoesWargames]

I saw his video and he's got his reasons for feeling as he does on the rulebook page count. The original rule page count was much lower, but it was also no secret the page count was going to be much higher on this version. Bruce expanded wording on this by widening his explanations to be repeated in some rules locations to have as much clarity as possible. Bruce is a verbose writer, so you add the extra wording along with a larger font size and a bunch of illustrated examples and it ups the page count pretty quick. That's why Bill said they would be moving illustrated examples to a separate book moving forward. Plus, this is a complex game with a lot of individual systems working together to provide a feel for modern combined arms warfare. It was never meant to be a casual game, nor meant to be a game for everyone. Bruce has also said that he wants the rules to be used more as a reference manual, and have people learning through the video series that we'll be posting. This is going to be a game that takes some effort to learn, to grok all of the pieces to work them together in concert for the overall game. It's not going to be for everyone and that's perfectly fine. The best part is you put the effort into learning this game, and you can then enjoy the next games in the series, with two more that will be coming out (BAOR and V Corps), along with taking it to WWII and hopefully to more contemporary theaters as well. As to whether Kev's video is fair, it's his opinion and I respect it. I don't agree with his feelings about the rules but everyone is entitled to their opinion and I think with some more time with the rules and the videos that we'll be putting out that people will be able to get into the game a little easier and hopefully enjoying themselves with the problems and challenges the game will throw at us. :)

[@patiencezero-xc9zl]

@MoesWargames Agree.....the actual meat of the rules appears to be very close to original and I never read examples of play unless the rules are particularly unclear. I think the designer has gone to extra lengths to make the rules clear. I appreciate this much more than a rules set that is shorter but leaves you guessing on a game mechanic. I think this new edition is a work of simulation art.

[@MoesWargames]

@@patiencezero-xc9zl agreed. Bruce has worked very hard to be as clear as possible, which has increased page count but I'd rather have extra pages where things are spelled out clearly than a shorter rulebook where I find ambiguity. I am all for short rulebooks, but that's not possible with every game and this is leaning heavily towards simulation so we have to expect a beefier rule set.

[@frankwaugh1894]

I put in a review on bgg yesterday to provide hopefully a good counter point to the original review.