Weekly Store Update: 2 June

Star Wars: Shatterpoint released with just the faintest scent of ozone... and we've been able to spend some quality time with the game. Check out our gameplay impressions! We also have a slew of board game videos to show you from friends of the store - Bored Online? Board Offline! Plus, we breakdown other new releases, show you our freshly restocked items and highlight some upcoming preorders too. Check us out!

INTRO

Welcome to our weekly newsletter! For our new readers I'm Eric, and Wendy and I run Stone Valley Games. This newsletter is our way to share both local and world-wide gaming news of interest that popped up last week. It also provides our subscribers, both local and remote, some information on the going's on around here so everyone feels like part of the action. At the bottom of this newsletter we show you the restocks, new items, and preorders added to the store last week. It's not too difficult to navigate, so let's get to it!

STAR WARS: SHATTERPOINT GAMEPLAY & IMPRESSIONS

We’ve had a chance to play Star Wars: Shatterpoint, and I wanted to give you some of my initial impressions. First off…yes, I’m showing you grey models…please don’t kill me!

Both setup and deployment are quick and easy. There are specific layouts for the Struggles, and then setting terrain on is a snap. For the characters, there are two Squads per side. Each Squad always consists of three ‘types’ (Primary Unit, Secondary Unit, Supporting Unit). Once the primary is set on the table, the others only take a few seconds more. Set up both Squads and it’s gametime. I’d also like to point out here that the smaller squad size and larger models does make assembly, and ultimately painting that much easier.

The synergy and flexibility between elements of the squad becomes readily apparent. Some groups just work together so much better than others. With upcoming releases there will be even more capabilities to use key words (like Galactic Republic) making the squad leadership cards that much more impactful.

The tactical abilities and capabilities stack quickly. Setting up the squad to use as many dice as possible, set themselves up for success and have the ‘right’ portions of the squad do the ‘right’ things. The Primary Units have two different Stances that also modify ‘how’ they play and interact with other squad members too. The combat tree options to use (based on specific situations) and the triggers from expertise (based on die roll results) are specific nuances I still need some time to absorb completely.

Wounding is an interesting mechanic. It helps with Momentum for the side causing the Wound. However, the Wounded character is not out of the game. They still can interact with the game, but they are not as amazing as before and it ‘costs’ more in Force Tokens to get them going. The best part though is that they are still in the game. So, if the dice are against you and the worst happens, you are still going to be able to play with that / those characters. No worries of ‘one and done’ here. After all, it’s not all about destroying the enemy in this game. It’s about achieving objectives. Obviously, the struggle over objectives often equates to fighting, but ‘how’ to approach all of that adds so much tasty tactical variety.

Then, the turns continue to happen. There are three major turns per game and things kind of reset from turn to turn which again adds to the chaotic fun. The game picks up steam starting with the second Struggle card and the inclusion of Principal Objectives, and the ‘losing’ player can quickly turn it around at this point. The Momentum Tracker is smart design too. There are things both players can do to add to their Momentum, and that continual back and forth is quite enjoyable in keeping things tense. A player might be on their back foot but can turn things around quickly. I foresee lots of close games here.

Using the Shatterpoint cards for initiative (from a deck of squad characters, the drawn card is who the player can ‘activate’) is clean, but often less than ideal. There is built in mitigation, but it’s pretty limited out of the core box. After all, drawing the main character first seems disadvantageous as there’s just ‘less’ to do for such an important character early in the round. While there are ways to mitigate such top-deck shenanigans, it can feel awful when these kinds of draws just keep happening. There is also a ‘Shatterpoint’ card – which is a wild card allowing activation of any unit, even units already activated. Based on my gameplays, unless a player has a direct connection with the actual Force and can influence the draw, it can have a huge influence how you’re going to approach the round – again adding to the levels of strategy involved in play.