Review: Pendragon from GMT Games - The Players' Aid

www.theplayersaid.com

[@WatchItPlayed]

Another great review. I’m saving this for when I get through a few others (building myself up to it), but very excited with the innovations to the series that I’m seeing here.

[@TomBoughton3]

Not sure if it has already been pointed out but I believe there may be a slight mistake in the battle example between Dux & Scotti. IIRC a successful ambush role allows the Scotti warbands to strike at the *same* time as the Cavalry, (step 1) not before. So if they succeed in their ambush role all the warbands strike (3 Cav losses) and the 2 cav strike too (2 scotti warband losses). Your example of what happens if the Scotti fail their ambush looked right to me. (2 warband losses, 1 cav loss - because only 1 scotti warband remained to strike) Thanks for the great content - keep up the good work.

[@supark3244]

Looking forward to hearing from Alexander about his solo experience. Thanks for sharing this one. My most anticipated game of 2018.

[@bwrbubarry7378]

You convinced me again... Ordered today. My 2nd coin game ; Fire in the lake was my first that I purchased (following also your recommendation). Thank you for your great presentations !

[@ThePlayersAid]

This one is a little different but very, very engaging.

[@jjschm20]

Just picked this game up and love it. While not traditionally counterinsurgency, the barbarians can ambush and also evade, fading away into the terrain, so I feel like that’s the counter insurgent element in this game.

[@WojennikTV]

This game once more shows the potential and flexibility of the COIN system. Fantastic design!

[@michaelmelen9062]

This would be good to post in the BGG video section for Pendragon! It would help those who are wrestling with the rules, and perhaps convince others to purchase the game. Additionally, it might direct more viewers to your channel. Thanks for the review!

[@noeldillabough2153]

Looks fantastic, a tad worried about the complexity but still eager for its arrival!

[@HistoricalConflict]

Hated this one. They are trying to do too much with the engine. Its just too clunky

[@WildDieWoodard]

First time I saw this game, I literally said: "Oooooooh!" Beautiful game!

[@andreass.6754]

It really is quite an interesting rulebook. I bought it because of the theme and my wife said she would play it with me. It's our first COIN game. We didn't bring it to the table until now. Looking forward to it, though 🙂

[@polyfission2776]

Looking forward to your solo review as well. By the way, you guys should seek out and try Wir Sind Das Volk! if you havent already. Maria, too, while you're at it. I'm almost certain you will enjoy it

[@goranstosic3106]

16:34 Wrong they strike at the same time.

[@DudeWatIsThis]

3:40 *_I HAVE THAT WASHING MACHINE_*

[@jims_bot133]

Great review. Just responding to your one criticism of the game art: I actually quite like the janky 3D art, for one reason. It really does remind me of the game art in Rome Total War from all those years ago, which was created in that same low poly cgi style. It would be an incredible coincidence that they made the art in that same unusual early noughties style without reference to RTW!

[@sentient02970]

Great overview guys!

[@tommessig2060]

I've got to buy either this or Liberty or Death to bring my cart up to free shipping. Which should I get?

[@ThePlayersAid]

All depends. Are you a COIN veteran? If so you can handle Pendragon. If a novice I’d start with Liberty or Death. Both are awesome though.

[@tommessig2060]

My first was Falling Sky, loved it. Didn't have a problem with the rules at all. Are you guys planning on doing a review of John Company. Thats the other one in the cart. I love the heavies... Just ordered Pendragon, the more of the review I watched the more I knew I had to have it. Great review!

[@dipperdog]

Thanks for another great review- this one is on my list to get now!

[@mackdamerc8885]

Is that GMT's US Civil War on the shelf behind you guys? Please do a review on that game.

[@ThePlayersAid]

Yes it is. Grant has played it a little, we'll hopefully have some time to really give it a good crack when things get settled (I recently moved, etc).

[@TomBoughton3]

Could the reason for the video's battle procedure interpretation be because the Celyddon Coed capability is in play from the beginning of the Petty Tyrant scenario? the CC capability allows Scotti warbands to strike during the trap phase as shown in your battle procedure example - though no roll is required for this to take place once in play. Where this capability is not in play an ambush roll would be needed (4+ in hills for Scotti) but they would not strike until the charge/ambush phase.

[@ThePlayersAid]

It could also just be that there's a ton of rules and it was my first time, haha [= But yeah consistently remembering the Petty Tyrant extra rules and which Pivotal Event cards had been played was sometimes difficult.

[@barefootbusdriver]

I am hosting a first playthrough tomorrow, and it just occurred to me that one of my new players is color blind. This might be a nightmare for him.

[@ThePlayersAid]

Joshua Herbert this game might be terrible for that.

[@johnc.4871]

I thought the exact same about the art work when my copy arrived. I think the lighting in the cover illustratiin is all wrong. But I think the game will be great to play after I get to work on it some more.

[@ThePlayersAid]

It's such a shame because the game is very good and GMT have recently put out some amazing artwork (Holland '44, Wing Leader Blitz, Fields of Despair).

[@turks1966]

Thanks, so did you like it better than Colonial Twilight Then?

[@ThePlayersAid]

Eric Burden the two are vastly different. I preferred it over colonial twilight because I'm English so I have a deeper connection to theme.

[@SirMillz]

What do you recommend for a first time COIN game?

[@ThePlayersAid]

Cuba Libre, it's got good mechanics but a smaller map so not so overwhelming in tactical choices.

[@johnsellars2692]

Hi guys which coin series would you recommend for a beginner to coin series ??

[@mafoofoo]

As far as wargames (and wargame-adjacent games) are concerned, the COIN system is relatively easy to get into. Choose whichever entry has the most thematic appeal to you, so you can push through the rules and get the game to the table. For those inexperienced with wargame rulebooks, I'd recommend perhaps avoiding the most complex ones for your first game (which in my mind would rule out "Fire in the Lake" and, from what I'm hearing from others, "Pendragon").

[@ThePlayersAid]

@Mafoofoo is correct. I would say that Cuba Libre is the easiest/quickest/simplest because the map is small, so the strategic decision making is less overwhelming. The system itself isn't too complex once you understand it. 10/10 find someone experienced to play with the first time, though. It'll make the experience much easier.

[@ThePlayersAid]

I would say Cuba Libre is a good one to start with as the map is small and the mechanics are a little more straight forward. Colonial Twilight is a good one as well and is focused on 2-player only but is much more complex than Cuba Libre. The most complex of them all is Fire in the Lake and Pendragon. No doubt!

[@OgamiTringle]

I know this post is a month old but I would just like to add that Cuba Libre is a great starting point. The small map makes it much easier to conceptualize everything. With that said, the rules are not really that complex.

[@khtkruse]

Thanks for your review - you talked me out of buying it! I've never played a COIN game before, but I'm intrigued by the concept and liked the theme of this one. I definitely think I'll have to work my way up to this one though.

[@ThePlayersAid]

COIN is such a great system, and this game is exceptional, but I would agree - try one of the other titles in the series before jumping in. This one has a lot to it.

[@khtkruse]

I prefer the older historical settings rather than the newer, so what do you think about Falling Sky as an intro rather than Cuba Libre?

[@ThePlayersAid]

Falling Sky is also fine, that one also comes with a non-player barbarian faction and the combat losses system takes getting used to. But the board is a little smaller and more manageable.

[@ThePlayersAid]

I still think Cuba Libre is the best intro to the system. The combat in Falling Sky is a little more in-depth and will be a little harder to get for those uninitiated to the system. There are also some more subtle strategies with the scouted markers, proper use of forts and then working together in Falling Sky. It would be a better intro than Pendragon though. Thanks for watching!

[@khtkruse]

OK, off to watch a playthrough of Cuba Libre, then. Thanks for the advice!

[@ErVicioso1]

Damn you boys! Great review, now i want the game! I enjoyed Cuba Libre and to me, the differences that you're talking about with other coin series, makes me want to try it, even in solitaire cause Cuba libre's solitaire system was great, and this one looks awesome. Thanks, kepp up with your good work! but please, stop selling me games :P

[@ThePlayersAid]

Like I said, this is a *much* bigger game than Cuba Libre, and plays wildly differently. With that said though, it's amazing. Mechanically familiar but the game play is entirely unique from every other COIN.

[@ErVicioso1]

The Players Aid Yeah! Thanks for the advise, I understand it, cuba libre is a very simple game in many ways once you understand the few basics of the Coin system, looking for a more complex game and with a twist in the system i think this one will be perfect, the only complain is the timeplay, it makes it difficult to bring it to the table... Again, thanks for your job folks, love your channel!