Board Game Arena

Alright everybody, here we go. The classic starter map!

https://boardgamearena.com/table?table=312533424

So some general comments about Pegasus Bridge: both sides should concentrate of maneuvering first. This is often much easier for the allied player with his massive hand of 6 cards. While the Germans are in a very good defensive position at the Pegasus Bridge, they're very weak at the Orne Bridge - which Edocentric showed in this first game.

Both of us maneuvered into a position so that we better could distribute our forces where needed. Unfortunately for me - I didn't have the time I needed to get into a good defensive position on the Orne. (The woods below the bridge and the woods above the bridge are the default place for the Germans)

When I realized that I wouldn't be able to hold for long along the Orne, I tried to get as many medals as possible before the end, knowing that winning this (or any other 4-medal and infantry heavy scenario 4-0) is extremely hard. I didn't do so well...

So, as can be seen clearly in the return match - I constantly had to try and protect my 1-2 fig units - often by putting full strength units into very bad situations.
I tried to overwhelm the Germans before Edocentric could construct a useful hand. I even picked up Barrage - which gave me hope... in vain as it turned out.

Of the 4 medal maps, this certainly isn't the worst. And sometimes it can get quite tense, especially if the Germans get some lucky hits early on.

So on this map, my basic strategy is as follows:

US Player: I basically give up trying to take the main Pegasus Bridge on my left flank. The Germans are too well entrenched and it takes too long to muster enough forces to make a big push. Since this scenario only needs 4 medals to win, I can win by taking the Orne Bridge on my right flank (1 medal), eliminating the two German infantry on my right flank (2 medals) and then picking off another German infantry somewhere else. So my first move is to withdraw my US infantry off my left flank. I had an Assault Center card in my hand from the outset so I moved all left flank units to the center (exposing 1 US infantry to no retreat path) and then proceeded to take on my right flank. Thanks to some lucky dice rolls (and an advantageous Medics & Mechanics card) I was able to wipe out the two German infantry on my right flank faster than expected and then could focus on getting the Germans that had moved forward in the center. Getting to a 4-1 medal count in the first round as the US allowed me to take more chances in the second round as the Germans.

German player: Basic strategy is the inverse of the US player. I am willing to give up the Orne Bridge (only 1 medal) but do everything I can to save the two German infantry on my left flank. If the US player moves to take Pegasus Bridge, they are going to be running up against a brick wall so I can use a combination of center and right flank cards to pick them off. The only thing that will save the US player is lucky dice rolls if they make a mad rush to take Pegasus Bridge if the Germans have halfway decent cards. Since I had a 4-1 medal count from the first round, I was more aggressive in this game as the German player than I usually am. Wound up with a 4-2 medal count in the second round for the victory.

I find that most players are a little surprised when they see me withdraw from taking Pegasus Bridge (and admittedly this is not very historically accurate), but this is one of those situations where you can focus on winning the scenario rather than following what the true military objectives were.

A great start to our CSI Memoir 44 series Magnus!

edocentric wrote: ↑28 October 2022, 16:12 A great start to our CSI Memoir 44 series Magnus!

And very historically accurate as the Dane lasts less than 6 hours and the American wins in the end!

What a great player initiative, and by the top-players nonetheless!!
Great way to have new players gain some insights, and stirr up conversation

Am reading through the CSI files now.

I agree with edocentric.
Although if I have a lot of left cards with the allies I do take pot shots at the forward Germans across the wire. Rotating out wounded units and retreating them to safety.