CoS Review

**MAS01** · 28 Oct 11, 20:44

All:

Ian has a three part review of CoS on his blog:

http://walladvantage.blogspot.com

It's pretty comprehensive. Good job, Ian!

Mark

PS: The shirt is pretty cool too

**ASRomafan** · 29 Oct 11, 08:17

impressive review indeed.

**olli** · 29 Oct 11, 11:26

Ian's review is just what I needed, boy wish next sunday would come quick!!!!!! want to see my copies!
Well done on this review Ian!!!

**Gwinnell** · 29 Oct 11, 18:06

Nice review Ian.
Got mine but no time to look in the detail that you have, bed time reading I think.

**custardpie** · 29 Oct 11, 18:33

Wow thanks guys, that would explain the hits it has received in the last few days LOL. Personally I like the photo review better (it took less time LOL)

And as for the shirt I have about 10 just like it but with different numbers on them. Though some idiot wrote all over one of my #26 shirt. Pur something like Woodson on it!!!!!!

Been a Steeler fan sine Foster and O'Donnel days and yes I am English

**Paul M. Weir** · 29 Oct 11, 18:48

My initial impressions on CoS.

In this I will avoid the usual raves and plaudits and concentrate on the minor nitpicks or gems. Don't get me wrong, I bought 2 copies and am absolutely delighted with them, despite the relatively high price. Overall this is a pack I will unreservedly recommend to anyone.

Physical and visual quality:

All my boards were cut long on one (narrow) side, IE A or GG hexrow. They will require a little trimming. However this is a very minor nuisance and far, far, far better than being cut short. A little care, a steel ruler and a fresh scalpel blade will fix this.

With the full colour scenario cards, the use of colour minimaps with the placement of overlays, if any, highlighted in red is to be particularly commended. They give a player an instant idea of the terrain involved.

New counters: What struck my fancy.

I particularly liked the inclusion of the partly armoured version of the SdKfz 10/4 and unarmoured 10/5.
The Soviet AM and AT will be interesting to use.
Whilst they did AE versions of Heer & SS 838 and Soviet 628, the inclusion of Heer AE 548 squads is to be applauded as their FP seems, to me anyway, to be closer to historical TO&Es.
The SS 548 in both black and blue is slightly spoilt by the lack of their HS, though owners of ABtF will not lack for either. I assume counter limitations was responsible.

Special rules (nitpicks):

Both the Pz T34/M41(L)(r) (5) and Pz T34/M43(L)(r) (7) are allowed Sz. From photographs that I have seen the skirts (Sz) only covered the top of the track run. The skirt cover was the same as what Panthers (and Tiger II) had, yet that is insufficient in ASL to grant Sz to Panthers. I think they should not be allowed Sz benefits in ASL.

HBR 6.2 allows vehicles with Sz to have their armour factor increased by 1 when hit by a round through a Sz protected aspect by a round <= 45mm.
That, I think is definitely a good idea when applied to an MG, 12.7, 15, ATR and maybe even 20L/20LL/25LL. The main effect of 5mm plate (and later mesh) Sz was less the reduction of energy of an AT round than the tendency of Sz to cause a small round to yaw (tumble) and to strip off a soft piercing cap. I would have severe doubts as to whether they would have any real effect on 37mm+ rounds. I would limit the effect to guns <= 25mm.

Both of those points are just my opinion, though.

Utility and playability.

The boards are just a little bit more crowded than I hoped but with the sparse orchards, slopes and hillocks things are not as they seem on first glance. There are a lot of subtle nuances to sightlines and I expect players will take a little time to get the best of the terrain.

The scenarios are a mix of sizes with, naturally given the campaign, an emphasis on fortifications. As I would barely recognise a dog if it barked and humped my leg, I will not comment on balance and leave that to others.

How does it compare to B&J (which impressed the hell out of me)? Although I am not a PTO fan I, as a treadhead, was impressed by the new toys that B&J brought to the system, many of which I knew nothing about. The number of Asian but non PTO scenarios was a plus. CoS has fewer new toys but a Kursk style melee is much more up my street. The maps, which I believe fill a gaping ASL gap, take the place of B&J's toys. I regard CoS as equal but different to B&J, though time may modify my opinion.

I have had this only 36 hours and these are just some of the things that caught my attention. BFP have at least equaled B&J and I expect my opinion will go up as I play some of the scenarios.

**RobZagnut** · 30 Oct 11, 12:07

Originally Posted by custardpie

And as for the shirt I have about 10 just like it but with different numbers on them. Though some idiot wrote all over one of my #26 shirt. Pur something like Woodson on it!!!!!!

Been a Steeler fan sine Foster and O'Donnel days and yes I am English

Is this an English joke? #26 is Rod Woodson, as in 'In Rod We Trust'. Very cool to see you pictured in Steelers gear. Probably the most recognizable NFL jersey in the world. You probably already know this site, but I get my Steelers fix on the 'Behind the Steel Curtain' blog and I'm RobZagnut there too. I've been a fan since some guy named Franco caught a Im Reception against the hated Raiders. I watched that game. I was 10 years old.

Just ordered another copy of CoS and a FF7 from Gamers Armory after your reviews reminded me I should order them quickly. Great job.

**custardpie** · 30 Oct 11, 12:13

Originally Posted by RobZagnut

Is this an English joke? #26 is Rod Woodson, as in 'In Rod We Trust'. Very cool to see you pictured in Steelers gear. Probably the most recognizable NFL jersey in the world. You probably already know this site, but I get my Steelers fix on the 'Behind the Steel Curtain' blog and I'm RobZagnut there too. I've been a fan since some guy named Franco caught a Im Reception against the hated Raiders. I watched that game. I was 10 years old.

Just ordered another copy of CoS and a FF7 from Gamers Armory after your reviews reminded me I should order them quickly. Great job.

Yes I got Rod's shirt signed about 8 years ago, he signed it #26 then his autograpth. Very cool to own that shirt. I get most of my Jerseys from Hong Kong, great heavy weight, last one was Ziggy Hood.

I was not aware of the site so will look it up now. Glad you liked the review and it's making you spend money LOL

ian