A must have addition for anyone with Axis & Allies: Miniatures.
Written: Jan 22 '06 (Updated Jan 29 '06)
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Pros: Adds depth and variety to your unit pool, allows varied tactics using other nation's units.
Cons: No guarantee you'll get good units, some packs contain only one armored vehicle.
The Bottom Line: In my opinion extra Booster Packs are a requirement if you already own A&A: Miniatures. Extra units and hard-to-find Rare vehicles make your gaming experience complete and battles more well-rounded.
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| openroad's Full Review: Axis and Allies Miniatures Base Set Booster Pack |
Axis and Allies: Miniatures Base Set Booster Pack
Publisher: Avalon Hill
Release date: 2005
Street Price: $10 - $15
Game Details: 2 players
Ages: 12 and older
9 pieces
NOTE: This item requires Axis & Allies: Miniatures Starter Set to play, it's not a standalone game. If you don't have the A&A: Miniatures Starter Set yet you should probably read this review first and pick up the starter set before buying a booster pack. Again, booster packs do not contain rules, maps, or dice.
----- Why buy a booster pack? -----
Since Avalon Hill saw fit to release the all-new A&A: Miniatures game last year it's been hard to find any copies in stock. New players of this game have quickly realized they will need more units than the 12 included with the Starter Set. While you can play a 2-player game with only 12 units it's going to be a very short game. This is where the Base Set Booster Packs come into play.
These booster packs are sold for $10-$15 and include 9 random units, 9 unit cards, and 1 Base Set checklist sheet. The base unit set of A&A: Miniatures includes 48 possible units in three different categories. These categories are; Common, Uncommon, and Rare. Many of the Common units are either rifle-based infantry or antitank guns. While these make up the backbone of your army you'll need a few heavy-hitters from the Uncommon and Rare categories to give yourself a fighting chance. Most high-powered tanks are Rare and it may take you a few Booster Packs to get the one you want.
All 9 units are randomized in each booster pack so you'll always be surprised when you rip open the box and inspect your new recruits. Most times there will be one or two vehicles in each booster pack, although it's possible you could get a pack with no vehicles or even three vehicles! Once you've opened the plastic bags and lined up your new units you can unfold the checklist sheet and mark off any new additions to your army. The checklist shows all 48 units with Allied forces on the left and Axis on the right. This sheet lets you look at what units you're lacking and how many are left to reach a complete collection. If I have more than one of a particular unit I put a small 1x, 2x, 3x, and so on next to that unit. By doing this I can glance and see what I have to work with when building my army for a game.
----- Bottom Line -----
If you've enjoyed playing with your A&A: Miniatures game so far you really should pick up a couple booster packs. I've added 4 booster packs to my starter set and now have a well-rounded 48 unit army to pick from. I'm still missing 9 units on my checklist which I may try to get at some point. For the minimal cost of each booster pack you can easily rationalize one every few weeks, after all it's cheaper than a movie ticket and popcorn, yet you'll be playing A&A: Miniatures long after the movie would have ended.
If you don't have a hobby or game shop in your town that carries A&A: Miniatures I strongly recommend the Funagain.com online store. It's where I purchase my games and where I send my friends when they want to add to their collections.
Funagain.com Online Store
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Thanks for reading and feel free to comment!
openroad
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 12.00
Type of Toy: Board Game
Age Range of Child: 9 Years or Older
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