Avalon Hill Richtohofen's War First Look

[@kenvalentine5341]

A group of us played the campaign game over a series of weeks back in 1973. I recall one mission with a friend and me flying two FE/2 aircraft on a trench photography mission. We got bounced by two ALB/d2 and my buddy got shot down immediately. By a superb bit of flying (if I do say so myself), I kept the Germans from getting more than one firing pass against me and only scoring two hits, while putting one of them over 50% damage and successfully escaping off my home board edge. The British team managed to squeak out a win for the campaign.

[@NerdWorkshop1]

Nice, funny how we remember our fun games for a good amount of time.

[@apbafootballclub411]

That IS impressive!

[@AyebeeMk2]

The British team managed to squeak out a win for the campaign.. just like April 17; proves how good the game is?...

[@jimrose1300]

Never should have gotten rid of this when I was younger!

[@NerdWorkshop1]

Agree with you there Jim, now I am buying them all back.

[@munteacher]

We used to play death matches in High School shortly after the game came out in the mid-70's. Great memories!

[@NerdWorkshop1]

That would have been fun. My problem was finding someone to play at the time.

[@vinsal072]

One of my favorites also.

[@NerdWorkshop1]

it can be a fun game, and thanks for watching.

[@lawrencetierney4053]

Love this; Richthofen's War was my first Avalon Hill Game

[@NerdWorkshop1]

one of my favorite older games.

[@apbafootballclub411]

As an early teen, I would go through the phonebook to find English, French and German names and build squadrons, then fly far too many planes per side in weekslong dogfights. i still love that little "zero" first movement point to the right for the rotary-engined Camels and DR-1s.

[@NerdWorkshop1]

I never thought of looking in the phonebook for names. Very nice.

[@Andy-ub3ub]

Yep. Did that. Goldstien had us laughing for hours

[@scottmiller6958]

I loved this game. We used to play it as a Jr. high student because it was fairly easy and fast play. The biggest shortcoming, in retrospect was it should have had a simultaneous movement system similar to Air Force or Dauntless that came out later.

[@NerdWorkshop1]

I can see how that may make it better.

[@jancoil4886]

The first wargame I ever played. I flew an Albatross D... something. I got shot down. Good times!

[@NerdWorkshop1]

Yep, you do get shot down a lot in this game.

[@Tombonzo]

I have this game too. I wasn’t aware of those cards at BGG, I’ll have to check those out. Thanks

[@NerdWorkshop1]

They add a little randomness to the game. Thanks for watching.

[@gowensbach2998]

I used to have this game. It was hard to solo, but I liked it. Wasn't my favorite AH game. It had some good mechanics though. I forgot how nice the map was...very pretty.

[@NerdWorkshop1]

I agree with you Gowenbach, the map is nice.

[@MrDballmoney]

I came here to look at the game and all that comes with it. I'm about to post it on ebay and wanted to make sure what I have is complete, and it is! Thank you for posting this video!

[@NerdWorkshop1]

Glad I could help

[@MrDballmoney]

@@NerdWorkshop1 Thank you again! It sold pretty quickly. I thought there were pieces missing, turns out it is complete

[@orbitalair2103]

I have this game i bought decades ago. As a collector, I would simply scan the countersheets and print out my own reproductions. Keep the original counter sheet intact as is.

[@NerdWorkshop1]

Nice! So you still have the original one? I have to get a used one.

[@orbitalair2103]

@@NerdWorkshop1 that was new, yes. But I find ah games on eBay these days.

[@michaelmelen9062]

Played this a lot back in the day, and still have it. Good game!

[@NerdWorkshop1]

It is a fun game.

[@davidcook8230]

I have this one still. We played it in junior high school occasionally for two years and quickly moved on to Airforce by Battleline before AH bought them out. I suppose that if we had the in later maneuver cards, we would have played it more. My favorite part was the map and least favorite was the roadmap rules. Lke PanzerBlitz, they were hard to refold and prone to developing holes along the folds. One of these days, I will print the maneuver cards and dust it off, but there are so many better games vying for my attention.

[@NerdWorkshop1]

There are a lot of games out there that keep catching my eye to David.

[@jonclark299]

Love the review of these games, thanks

[@NerdWorkshop1]

Glad you like them! I really like the AH games, I guess it takes me back. Thanks for watching.

[@jobu88]

Played the heck out of this back in the 1970s. It was fun but like almost all dogfight games the "I go / you go" system just doesn't work for dogfights.

[@NerdWorkshop1]

I agree Jobu88, they need to happen simultaneously.

[@AyebeeMk2]

Great review of a great game! Get the manouver cards if you can, they enhance your survivabilty if nothing else... My only reservation is the mentality of the players; all about getting the kill, not about completing the mission and surviving, but then where is the exitement in artillery spotting....

[@NerdWorkshop1]

I did have those cards back with I had a subscription to the General. They are expensive now, but I think I got the pdf off or board game geek and printed up some.

[@war_gamer]

LOVE it! Glad I found your channel!! What a blast from the past!

[@NerdWorkshop1]

I am glad you enjoy it. I agree, sometimes looking back is great fun.

[@orbitalair2103]

Checked my slipcase version of 'France 40', and it has the blue tray in it. So, confirmation of sorts. Also in my nonslip box version of Richthofens War, it looks like the piece of paper for the CRT was just put in the box, its not cardstock. just slick paper.

[@NerdWorkshop1]

Yes, funny, all of the game that I have have the black trays.

[@cbblackard]

I think that map looks good even by today's standards.

[@NerdWorkshop1]

I absolutely agree with that.

[@charleslatora5750]

I have a copy I just haven't given it as much attention as I should.

[@charleslatora5750]

Hex said to sub so I subbed. 👍👍👍

[@NerdWorkshop1]

Thanks Charles, this was one game I needed to get back on my gaming shelf. Thanks for watching.

[@gordonyork6638]

Thanks for bringing back an old game of mine. Where can I get those maneuver cards?

[@NerdWorkshop1]

I saw some available on e-bay (expensive), but I think someone posted some you can download from Board Game Geek.

[@Andy-ub3ub]

Its a good game. Dawn patrols a better game. The campaign from RW with dawn patrol would be ace. RW also had some manouvre cards released post production wicth may have improved it but i never bought them for some reason. Despite the sales assistant waving them under my nose.

[@NerdWorkshop1]

I had the cards with my original game, but sold that one some time ago. I think you can download them on the BGG site.

[@Andy-ub3ub]

@@NerdWorkshop1 Really. One of those things you sorta regret all your life in a wierd way. Id just want to see how they change the mechanics. Tbh i played dawn patrol(TSR) first and its an infinitely better game so richtofen was a bit of a poor relation and hence didnt get much play. If our into wwi planes games try dawn patrol. As ive said before tho', altho sorta added as an after thought, the campaign for RW is ace and adds a real depth to the game. P.S. i will NEVER EVER see myself as a nerd, geek, or similar term someone has decided to pigeon hole me into. I simply like playing games. I really respect your work on this channel tho, but i am quite drunk and do have a do have a perpondency to go on a bit. As you can see. Please take my comments in the vein they are ment. Lighthearted banter is all. Note to self, dont go on utube when in a mind altered state.