B-17 Flying Fortress Leader First Look | Solo World War 2 Wargame | Boardgame | Dan Verssen Games

[@davidsandberg6179]

This is my favorite of the Leader series (I have it, Gato, Hornet and IAF), and the most unique of the series IMO. I’ve played about half a dozen campaigns in it over the past 18 months or so. And you are right … every campaign plays out differently, and there’s a great deal of player agency at the operational level (not as much at the tactical level). For example, you might choose to structure your airfield raids to weaken the defenses in a specific sector that you know you’ll need to make a deep incursion into in the following weeks to reach a strategic target deep in Germany. As far as RPG elements are concerned, very few things compare to the fury you’ll experience when your crack bomber squadron that just made ace, and which has your most elite commander, gets reassigned out of your group.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Interesting, thanks for sharing! I'm hoping I can create some time to make a short series on this at some point. I think that'd be great fun.

[@GrumpyOldMan63]

Nice unboxing video. Good explanations of the components.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thank you sir!

[@wayneritch5203]

I've been looking at this game for a while now and thanks to you now I REALLY want it! Lol. Great video 👍

[@ZillaBlitz]

I hope you enjoy it if you pick it up, thanks! :)

[@pdex2165]

My favorite Leader series game by far. Thanks for the unboxing, Zilla. 😊

[@ZillaBlitz]

My pleasure, good to hear, and thanks for stopping in! :)

[@jeffprincevalle1301]

Well done sir (as always) in providing a high quality product for your viewers. B-17 FFL has become one of my faves in that designer Dean Brown does an excellent job in weaving together the strategic, operational and tactical elements in a relatively easily playable format topped off with beautiful game components. Hopefully you’ll be following this up with a play through (or 2) that would ideally include both a short campaign to showcase the basic rules and more tactical elements followed by a medium-to-long campaign for adding in the operational and strategic elements to give a true flavor on the scope & scale this game delivers. Regardless, keep up the good work!

[@ZillaBlitz]

Glad to hear that you are enjoying it, I'm looking forward to playing it. As for more video content, I've got some projects that I've promised in the queue before it, but once that line is shortened it'll be time to pick something to play. This might be a contender. :)

[@Phalanx11]

I haven't been inside a B17 but I saw one up close at the Air Force museum near Cape Canaveral. But also, I put another one over on 'Zilla. When I went to the Stuart Airshow one year, the Hurricane Hunter C 130 was there and the pilot asked me if I was in the Airforce . He let me and my wife sit in the cockpit and said 'Don't touch any buttons!'

[@ZillaBlitz]

Nice! It'd be hard to resist touching the buttons once I'd been told that. :)

[@kickthesky]

I would love to see a gameplay video or two of this! Great stuff, especially with Masters of the Air just wrapping up next week.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Doing the First Look video got me excited to play the game. I have a number of promised playthrough videos to do first, but this might be a fun one to do in the summer, when I'm caught up. :)

[@edthilenius7530]

Hey, check out a guy named Poindexter covering this game. He plays a campaign with B17 Leader. It really helped me on how the mechanics work. Plus, he talks to us in story mode. Kinda like he's the briefing officer. Really great videos, I think he did 10 of them back to back. They're numbered chronologically. Good luck.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks! I'll take a look. :)

[@Rodinov_Claw]

One of my favs...crunchier than most other Leader games

[@ZillaBlitz]

Interesting, I can see that crunchiness, yes. Looks like it's very playable, though. Lots of people saying good things about this one. :)

[@marknelms8694]

Nice video. This is one on my play list from my Shelf of Shame, of which I've made no progress due to a move.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks, I have confidence in you. Once you get settled in, you got this! :)

[@HissyCat]

awesome video, very well organized with lots of info about the game. thanks

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thank you boss!

[@coyi51]

Really like the Leader series, easy to learn and enjoyable to play. Currently own, Tiger, Spruance, Zero & Stuka. Looking at Israel or Apache in the distant future. Excellent un boxing. Many thanks.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks, coyi. I agree. Those RPG elements where your crews, leaders, etc., level up are just a magnet for me. I really enjoy games with persistence across game sessions. Sounds like you've got a nice collection going! What's your favorite so far?

[@coyi51]

@@ZillaBlitz At the moment a tie between Stuka & Zero Leader, with Spruance & Tiger not far behind. All of them have lots playability to keep you occupied.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Good to know, thanks. *looks at Stuka Leader on Shelf of Opportunity*

[@matthewbentley2563]

Great explanation. I have this and Sherman Leader. I purchased B-17 because I was having trouble finding the other. That was fortunate as B-17 is the better game. Very engaging at the core and lots of depth options to keep you coming back.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks! I know the Leader series ranges in terms of gameplay and complexity and depth, but I keep hearing people mention how much they like this one. It's good to hear! Glad to hear you are enjoying it. :)

[@QuayleTBird]

Mike, great timing! I had just pulled this from the Shelf of Shame and decided to put some effort in to learn to play it. The strategic bombing campaign was the subject of a research paper I did in Grad School so this seems to be the perfect game for me. Thanks as always for the helpful analysis and overview!!!! Nick Stasnopolis

[@ZillaBlitz]

I've heard mixed things about the campaign's efficacy, from "it had a significant impact" on the war effort to "it wasn't worth the cost".

[@QuayleTBird]

Mike ... well, that's a complicated question!!!!!! There is still a serious argument about how inefficient was the Nazi war economy. And what damage the bombing accomplished. Definitely, hitting Oil, Transportation, and the impact on the Luftwaffe caused serious damage. But it was a new form of warfare and we made a great deal of mistakes. Sorry for the lecture! I'm looking forward to playing the game!

[@ZillaBlitz]

Yes, that makes sense. Probably a lot more than a simple answer required. I enjoyed the information, not a lecture at all. I appreciate you sharing your knowledge. :)

[@QuayleTBird]

Thanks Mike! People have been arguing about this for decades! Which makes it a great subject for wargaming!

[@bmen6401]

Great unboxing video. I ended up very interested in the game system, thanks!

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks for the kind words! The Leader series is a whole world of wargaming to itself. Beware of falling down the rabbit hole! :)

[@Phalanx11]

If youv'e ever seen a B17 up close, theyr'e alot smaller than you think.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Hmmm. I can’t recall if I’ve ever seen one in person, come to think of it. Interesting.

[@Phalanx11]

@@ZillaBlitz You can catch them at your local airshow...

[@ZillaBlitz]

Added to bucket list! :)

[@DjigitDaniel]

Yeah, having been inside one I can attest that it's cramped. LOL Look into your local military aviation museums and demonstrations.

[@mako88sb]

Yes. We got a tour of Sentimental Journey a number of years ago. When you take into account all the equipment and ammo they would have onboard and what they were wearing, it’s not hard to imagine how cramped it would be with 10 or more men onboard.

[@edthilenius7530]

You are so very talented in your videos. This one really is the best game for me. I bought the game on ebay with free shipping. Again, thank you for sharing this game with us. You're awesome!

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks Ed, for the compliments, I appreciate them. And I hope you enjoy the game. A lot of people are speaking really highly of it. :)

[@dizpatcher01]

You do these so well. I've been looking at this one for a long time. I have Skies Above Britain on the table now. This looks like a good follow-up, though I have Stuka Ace incoming at some point this year.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks! I'm kind of the impression that one cannot have too many good air games, although I have a fair number that I want to get the table now. It's a good time for solo air combat games. :)

[@dizpatcher01]

On a side note - I saw Ju 87 Stuka Ace Live Chat and Update by Lock & Load Publishing. Kind of long but very interesting. Huge depth to the game.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Yes, it's one of my most anticipated games of the year. I had the opportunity to play an earlier version last spring and I really liked it. There are a 2-3 videos up on the channel about it. I can't wait to do a full career.

[@dizpatcher01]

@@ZillaBlitz I've seen your videos on the game. That's why I went after it. I can see myself getting lost in the campaign.

[@pavelkren7677]

Thanks for the great unboxing video, I have the Phantom and the Israelis from the Leader series. Now they are deciding between the Corsair and the B-17, so we'll see. :)

[@ZillaBlitz]

My pleasure, Pavel! So many tough choices in this series. Do you like Israelis and Phantom?

[@pavelkren7677]

@@ZillaBlitz Phantom is a great chronicle of the air war over Vietnam, and the IAF..... I'm from Czechoslovakia (25xAvia S-199 Sakin and 18xSpitfire LF Mk.IXe) it was a must :).

[@ZillaBlitz]

I'll have to keep my eye on Phantom, but I want to play some a couple of these before adding new ones, thanks! :)

[@thecustardprophet8434]

This sounds similar to game you played on the channel ages ago which I enjoyed (and can't remember the name of). Again one of these games which excels in story telling..at least that was the impression I had.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Maybe it was Sherman Leader? It was in the same series as this, but on the ground instead of in the air. I'd really like to have the time to create a series on this too. Hopefully at some point in the future. :)

[@DjigitDaniel]

"Complexity Estimate... 4 out of 10." 😂 Spoken like a true wargamer. To paraphrase the legendary bard, "The best thing about Leader rules is MORE Leader rules!"

[@ZillaBlitz]

There definitely seems like a lot of stuff going on in this one. Not in a bad way, and not that it's difficult, just that there is a lot of stuff to process.

[@leee.5841]

Got this a while ago. Great game that I need to get back to the table.

[@ZillaBlitz]

So many people posting comments about how much they enjoy this one, it's great to hear. :)

[@j_atkinson]

One of my favorite Leader games. I've played TAL, Sherman, Hornet, and Corsair. B-17FFL plays so differently than the others thus far and I find it worthy to be included in any Leader collection. I'm still working through the longest campaign that comes in the box. Got about 3 more months to go. I recommend the designer's updated rules on the dumb bombs to cost 3 instead of 2 to balance out the difficulty a little more.

[@ZillaBlitz]

This is great to hear and thanks for sharing about your long campaign. That sounds tremendously fun, and I'll definitely use that tweak for dumb bombs, thanks! :)

[@brundebrauc2208]

I love them big....boxes😂 I have this game on Vassal, because I don't have enough space. Been wanting to learn the rules for some time now, but my stupid OCD is too much to handle right now 😢 Great vid Zilla! I always look forward to your videos!

[@ZillaBlitz]

It's definitely nice to be able to get everything packed into the box with some room to spare. I hope you can learn the rules at some point. I'd recommend just setting up and starting with the sequence of play. :)

[@brundebrauc2208]

@@ZillaBlitz Thanks, gonna do that!

[@indianajon7980]

That looks interesting. I used to adore Queen of the Skies as a kid and this looks a natural sequel.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Definitely looks like a lot of thought went into it, very curious to see how all the systems come together in gameplay. I've never played Queen of the Skies but it seems like a classic!

[@indianajon7980]

@@ZillaBlitz Queen of the skies was brilliant and I would highly recommend. In fairness their isn't many choices during a mission so much as it being a ride you are on. It was very immersive and fun though. I still play it occasionally.

[@ZillaBlitz]

I'm totally fine with games that have segments like that where you don't have a lot of decisions to make. I mean, I'd like to have decisions, but they can be fun as narrative creators.

[@wayneclingman689]

Intense !

[@ZillaBlitz]

I'd love to record a series with this one sometime. :)

[@wayneclingman689]

@@ZillaBlitzThat be great !

[@Dell999950]

Love this game. The expansion enables you to start mid '42 and lead the 8th throughout the war.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Oh, I might have to check that out. That would be a fun addition, but it must be a long campaign?

[@Dell999950]

@@ZillaBlitz very much so. I've gone until late '43 but it was too much for me!

[@ZillaBlitz]

I bet it's a lot of fun, your bomber groups could get really good. It doesn't look like it's available anywhere, out of print at the moment.

[@uwebech5825]

One of my favorite DVG Leader games, second only to Thunderbolt Apache Leader. Need to dust this one off and get those Bomber Groups out of their hangars again. :)

[@ZillaBlitz]

Good to know, thanks! ... This makes me want to pick up Thunderbolt Apache Leader though. ;)

[@leftydad5821]

As always, terrific video. What games have you rated complexity of 8 or higher?

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks! On the complexity, I don't take notes as I go through them, but offhand I think I've speculated the the full ruleset (basic, advanced, optional) of Panzer would likely be an 8, and the king of all complexities is Advanced Squad Leader. That's the definition of a 10 in my mind. I'm pretty sure I've rated one or two others an 8 or higher, but I'd have to look back. Oh, Red Strike with the larger battles and campaigns is pretty close to that as well, I think.

[@Demy1970]

I have this game and couldn’t get a handle on it. I need a chart to follow what to play

[@ZillaBlitz]

There are some Sequence of Play cards on Board Game Geek, I might recommend trying those to help organize how to play.

[@farpointgamingdirect]

I love this game! I got to squeeeeze into the Sperry ball turret of Nine-o-Nine. Sad day when that beautiful Flying Fort crashed

[@ZillaBlitz]

I'd really like to traipse around the inside of one of these someday too. Envious! Glad to hear the game is good as well. :)

[@rodento3220]

Great game. The only reason it doesn't get more table time with me is that it can take awhile to set up. That said it is a good game! I do play it. I have Corsair Leader, Tiger Leader, and Stuka Leader. They are all good!

[@ZillaBlitz]

At some point I'm going to have a Leader month and just play Leader games. They definitely have an addictive nature to them. :)

[@mikewood4242]

Ordered this last week First solo board wargame.Will be a nice change from digital wargames.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Oh, very nice! I started with Sherman Leader, when I came back to board wargames after not playing for more than two decades. I hope you enjoy it. :)

[@pablomerighi335]

recently buyed, Spanish version from Draco ideas. So the B-17 are flying from Spain to Argentina! 💪🏻

[@ZillaBlitz]

What? Really? There is a version customized for Spanish? That's cool!

[@pablomerighi335]

​@@ZillaBlitz yes Draco Ideas is the same editor who create ONUS, also made a spanish version of another DVG game that I have, Warfighter WWII. They are from Spain.

[@bernardgodfrey3499]

Don't be put off by the Rules, they are clear and very concise, they take you through the game as if you are playing along. I'm not a fan of DVG as I think their quality control and play-testing is way off for their newer titles, but this one is good. Ten hours is a reasonable estimate for a campaign. I would advise not integrating Down in Flames nor the solo bomber until you know the rules without having to look at the rulebook. The board is one of the better ones from DVG as all the spaces are useful and well organized. Tough and challenging, but ultimately one of the best from DVG.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Good to know, thanks for the tips and thoughts, Bernard. Handy to hear from someone who has played it. :)

[@bernardgodfrey3499]

@@ZillaBlitz Hope you'll consider doing a playthrough Mike, it really is a tactical and strategic challenge, right up your street.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Yes, I'd love to. I'm working on ways to increase the number of playthroughs I do on the channel, as my current system for the past few months is about one per month. I'd like to get that to 3 or so, which would open up the possibility of doing more games like this. Thinking. :)

[@Adrian-l8o3u]

Can you play more europe truck simulator 2 i really injoy it

[@ZillaBlitz]

Sure thing, all of the new trucking content is on the new channel, right here: kzbin.info/door/8mg6RXd1PnlSZaFEmSsPmw Enjoy!

[@Adrian-l8o3u]

Ok

[@Phalanx11]

Samey same 'Zilla....I'm 6'3'...I wouldn't do well in ANY WW2 machine...

[@ZillaBlitz]

Yes, for me it's more the psychological angle. I think physically I'd be cramped but okay with it, but mentally I'd be a total mess.

[@Phalanx11]

@@ZillaBlitz ...I don't recommend scuba diving for you... You may have claustrophobia. I'm a liscensed scuba diver and 70 feet down I get a little 'antsy' ...::)

[@ZillaBlitz]

It's funny, but that thought doesn't concern me. I think it's the idea that I'm trapped in a box and people are trying to kill me.@@Phalanx11

[@Phalanx11]

@@ZillaBlitz I think that we are very lucky we didn't live back then....I've never had anyone shoot at me.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Yes. I've always felt that day where no one is shooting at me is a better day than a day where people are shooting at me.