Many small and big kids like to let the battles of history or even the fights from past and future fantasy worlds rise. These tabletops are for everyone. However, all have in common is that a lot of miniatures, terrain, and usually a big play area is required. What to do now but if you move or travel would also like to once again fight a small battle? Paolo Mori & Francesco Sirocchi have with their Pocket Battles - Celtic vs. Romans developed a "pants pocket" version, and published in the Pegasus Press. We are now looking closely at whether the small tabletop is a lot of fun.

In the small box (size of deck of cards - such as Munchkin), there are 60 troops tiles, 20 command markers, two-player support and six dice. Each player seeks to start once an army of (Celtic / Roman). Subsequently, the number of players who have to battle the size. They can choose between 50-100 points (always in increments of 10). Now, each player gets his command marker. The number corresponds to the battle size (eg 6 to a size of 60). Then it goes to the composition of the army. Each plate is constructed the same troops.

Each band is represented by a picture and a name. The characteristics of the force (melee / ranged) can be seen in the way of the cube shown at the top (white / black). Does the force of special abilities, they will appear above the image forces. The latest information on the chip are the installation costs, the formation and the value of life.

For these troops, each army commander put together units. He must be aware that the sum of all points below the list to slaughter size. Another important limitation of the troops compilation is the formation value. An entity can only consist of a maximum of as many troops as the lowest value indicating formation. The selected units are laid out as a batch, so that only the top tile visible.

Now it goes to the slaughter establishment and erection of the battle zones. These four unused army plates are used. These will be covered that is stored, that arise from each player has three zones (Left, Center, Right). Each of these zones is again divided into a front and a back room.

The area between the players is called a combat zone. After the players have rolled, the construction begins. The player with the highest number continues his first unit in any one of its range. Then the other player is a unit. This alternating structure is carried out so long, until all units are placed. You can now start the battle. The battle is always conducted in rounds. Each round consists of two phases. In the phase "Umstationierung", a unit in an adjacent zone to be moved.

In the second phase of "action" the battles are fought. The actions are performed alternately and must be paid by a command marker. Here are the attacks, shelling, tactical movements, and special features (such as double command) is possible. The trick is to hit in the fighting mechanics. Each unit has shown some dice.

During an attack, the attacker throws his dice. Each match of a thrown dice with a mapped cube is a hit. These results should be immediately assigned. Are so many hits have been achieved as a squad has hit points, she gets the opponent. Does the company have more hit points, the player with the wounds of unused command markers (rear - Wound marker). Thus his actions are lost for this round.

The game ends when one gives up the two opponents, or if the sum of the installation points of the captured units exceeds the size of half the battle.

Pocket Battles manages to bring many elements of tabletop in the trouser pocket. The Army compilation of variable construction and the many tactical options provide many exciting battles. The two armies contained play very differently and require different tactics. The system awakens hungry for more and so we want more troops for armies but also new Romans and Celts, to allow more variations in the army composition are possible. Also, new special abilities and enhancements may be modified for off-road or battle setups would definitely be exciting.

In summary to say is that worth Pocket Battles for fans of tactical games that want to go out again without a miniature suitcase and board game, definitely worth a look. Even for newcomers to the genre, Pocket Battles a good way to peek once in a tabletop.

Publisher: Pegasus Games
Author: Paolo Mori & Francesco Sirocchi
Players: 2
Age: 10 years
Duration: 30 minutes

Pocket Battles at www.buecher.de!

Tags: Pegasus Games