AGAINST THE ODDS # 58: Clash of Carriers - Marianas Turkey Shoot

1-ATO058

Clash of Carriers uses the same game system as Imperial Sunset (in ATO # 17) which stresses playability over complexity. Random activation allows air and naval forces to maneuver and attack. Task group, submarine, and dummy task group counters maneuver on the map, adding uncertainty to enemy force locations. Detection plays an important role in the game, but uses straightforward mechanics to enhance fog of war but not overwhelm other aspects of the game. Neither player will possess perfect knowledge of an enemy task group until the AA fires, bombs drop, and torpedoes launch. The basic historical scenario offers the 1944 OBs, but what-if scenarios add optional surface and air forces and allow greater flexibility and coordination than performed in history.

Once found, air strikes and surface battles play out on tactical maps for speedy resolution. Anti-submarine warfare is equally smooth. Carriers, battleships, and cruisers are denoted by individual counters, while destroyers are represented in squadrons. Two to four counters are used to represent the various air groups on both sides.

Features
* One full color 22x34-inch hex mapsheet
* 160 large 5/8-inch ship counters and 160 standard 1/2-inch die-cut counters
* 16 pages of rules
* 8 pages of charts and tables
* Complexity - Medium
* Playing time - Up to 6 hours
* Solitaire Play - Poor