3 Things to Look for in a Good Introductory Block War Game

Pictured: Julius Caesar by Columbia Games (2010)

On several occasions of late the question has been asked, which block war game is the best introduction to the genre? While opinions abound and answers inevitably vary depending upon who you ask, I would argue that there are three important things to look for in a good introductory block game. 

Low Block Count

While veteran gamers may enjoy the challenge presented by a game which spans an entire continent and utilizes a high number of blocks (several hundred in some cases), for the purpose of introducing someone to block war games, remember the old axiom: less is more. 

Fewer blocks (25-30 per player) means fewer decisions and quicker turns, resulting in less time invested overall, and therefore a greater opportunity to appreciate the mechanics and flow of the game itself. Don’t be fooled, however; strategy and tactics are not compromised with less blocks. On the contrary, every decision made is of greater importance as the loss of one battle (and a few blocks) could change the momentum of the entire war. 

Ease of Movement 

Nothing can slow a game down like the movement restrictions caused by terrain on a mapboard. While veterans of block games may appreciate the strategic challenges faced with such terrain effects as rivers, hills, woods, and marshes, the new player may find it all a bit daunting. Great introductory games find ways to introduce movement restrictions without slowing down play or requiring constant trips back to the rules book.  

Point to point games, such as Julius Caesar by Columbia Games, simulate movement restrictions by limiting the maximum number of blocks that can move on a road. In the case of Caesar, a maximum of 4 blocks can travel along a major road (denoted by a solid line), or 2 blocks by minor road (dotted lines). Through this simple game mechanic the need for strategic planning is maintained without forgoing ease of play, which is vital for an introductory game. Similar variants of this can also be found in other Columbia games such as their classic War of 1812, and Shenandoah: Jackson’s Valley Campaign.

An Appealing Theme

Last but not least, a game is supposed to be fun! In historical wargames, find a theme that not only sounds interesting, but that also appeals to you. When introducing someone to block wargames, look for an epic battle, a classic campaign, or a legendary leader to stoke interest in the hobby. Julius Caesar crossing the Rubicon to kick off the Roman Civil War; “Braveheart” William Wallace leading the Scots in their War for Independence from England; this is (literally) the stuff great movies are made of! A compelling theme can help persuade a friend to sit down and give these wooden blocks a shot. 

No doubt there are many other things which help to make a good introductory game great. These three are not meant to be an exhaustive list but rather a simple guidepost for those fans who are looking to introduce others to the wonderful world of block war games.

Photo credit: Brian Williams 

Photopost: SHILOH, April 1862

In the past I have discussed why block war games teach history so well. I was reminded of this recently when simultaneously undertaking both a book and a game about the Battle of Shiloh.  

Fought over two bloody days near Shiloh, Tennessee (April 6-7, 1862), this famous battle of the Civil War has interested and horrified Americans for over 150 years. It is also known for moments of bravery and slaughter like few had seen before. Indeed, the two days of Shiloh saw more casualties than all other previous wars in American history combined up to that time. 

From the Civil War Trust, a brief overview of the battle itself:

On the morning of April 6, 1862, 40,000 Confederate soldiers under the command of Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston poured out of the nearby woods and struck the encamped divisions of Union soldiers occupying ground near Pittsburg Landing on the Tennessee River. The overpowering Confederate attack drove the unprepared Federal soldiers from their camps and threatened to overwhelm Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant’s entire Army of the Tennessee. Some Federals made determined stands, and by afternoon, had established a battle line at a sunken road, known as the “Hornet's Nest.” Repeated Rebel attacks failed to carry the Hornet's Nest, but massed Union artillery helped to turn the tide as Confederates surrounded the Union troops and captured, killed, or wounded many of them. During the first day’s fighting, Johnston was mortally wounded and was replaced by Gen. Pierre G.T. Beauregard. Fighting continued until after dark, but the Union line held. By the next morning, the Federals had been reinforced by the Army of the Ohio under Maj. Gen. Don Carlos Buell and numbered about 54,000 men, outnumbering Beauregard’s army of around 30,000. Grant launched a counteroffensive along the entire line, overpowering the weakened Confederate forces and driving Beauregard’s army from the field. The Confederate defeat ended any hopes of blocking the Union advance into northern Mississippi.            

Shiloh began to take form for me through an excellent book by professor James Lee McDonough, Shiloh: In Hell Before Night (Univ. of Tenn. Press, 1977). Considered by many to be the quintessential short read on the battle, I was fascinated to tackle a subject which I knew so little about. The book did not disappoint. 

While I quickly learned just how bloody, chaotic, heroic and tragic Shiloh truly was (thanks to the thorough research of Prof. McDonough), I struggled at times to conceptualize the battle itself. Maps were helpful, but I wasn’t really seeing Johnston’s Army of the West march up the Pittsburgh and Corinth Roads, right to the very encampment of Sherman’s men around Shiloh Church. Likewise, the Union stand along the sunken road at the “Hornet’s Nest”, under the leadership of Prentiss & Hurlbut, was known without being truly grasped.  

Enter Shiloh: April 1862 by Columbia Games (2010). Intrigued by McDonough’s history of the battle, I picked up a copy of Columbia’s under appreciated game (which is part of their Great Battles series). Now I was in business!  

There it was: the Corinth Road, Shiloh Church, the immediate disadvantage of the Union troops on day one, the terrain advantages found at the Hornet’s Nest and Hell’s Hollow, Pittsburgh Landing along the Tennessee River, and the eventual arrival of General Lew Wallace’s “lost” Brigade. All was there to see. Through 100 wooden blocks on a board I was seeing bloody Shiloh in a way that a book alone could not show me. From the pages of McDonough’s book to the mapboard of Columbia’s game, two days in April 1862 came to life for me, replete with all of the tension and ramifications of that epic encounter. 

As someone with a degree in history and a love for block games, I couldn’t have asked for a better education on Shiloh than this. 

  

Photo credit: Brian Williams 

Why the Last Spike is Perfect for Family Game Night

The Last Spike is a game that I never expected to like. While I’m always on the look out for a good family game for the non-gamers in my house, this railroad themed board game wasn’t on the radar. 

Being a fan of Columbia Games in general, and a bigger fan of their block war games specifically, I was aware of this addition to their catalog (while an earlier version came out in 1976, the latest incarnation was just released in 2015). However, the Last Spike just seemed too...simple to warrant any serious consideration. Boy was I wrong!   

So what is it about the Last Spike that has made it perfect for family game night and a hit with everyone in my house? (And that’s no exaggeration either):      

The game is surprisingly simple. In fact, game turns are so simple that they fit in the bottom corner of the board. In addition, the rules are a mere 4 pages and can be explained to a newcomer in less than ten minutes.              

The object of the game is simple as well: the players cooperate to build a railroad which connects Saint Louis with Sacramento.  You accomplish this by laying down railroad tracks (Columbia’s famous wooden blocks). Each block costs a certain amount to play and has a designated spot on the board.            

Players also speculate by purchasing property in towns on the mapboard. Payouts are collected when the railroad runs through a town in which you own property. There are five cards for each town; the first property being free, with each successive card increasing in cost.   

The game ends when one continuous route is completed. The “last spike” (the final block placed) earns the player a $20,000 bonus. The winner is the player with the most money.      

The components are nice without being overwhelming. The game board shows only 9 cities and the twelve routes that link them. Each route has 4 track spaces, keeping the board from being unnecessarily large. 48 wooden blocks represent the track sections. There are also 45 property cards, along with red, white, and blue currency chips. 

The Last Spike is deceptively strategic. While the game can be played by 2-6 players, it works best with 3-5 according to the publisher. The average playing time seems to consistently fall between 45-60 minutes. Despite this modest scope and relatively quick play, the game truly challenges you.     

The second half of the game sees the tension rise as players must carefully choose which tracks to play and which properties to purchase. Will that particular block you play complete a route which pays your rival better than you? Should you hold off on laying a track until you can purchase another property in a town about to be connected? Which brings us to the next secret for the Last Spike’s success. 

The railroad theme is compelling and it permeates every aspect of the game. The map and blocks effectively reinforce this theme of the race to complete the transcontinental railroad. For example, track tiles which run through (or over) the Sierra Nevada Mountains can cost 5x more than one played between Omaha and Laramie. 

The Last Spike is educational without sacrificing fun. In 2016 the game was honored with the Mensa Select Award. From analytical thinking, to counting, to teaching basic economic principles, the Last Spike is a great choice for families looking for a game that challenges kids while keeping adults interested. Best of all it’s suitable for ages 8 and up, so younger kids can play too. 

Consider making the Last Spike by Columbia Games your choice for family game night. Let this little gem of a game surprise your family as it did mine. 

Photo credit: Brian Williams 

Like Father, Like Son: Bonding Over Block Games

Photo: A father explains “Julius Caesar”at PrezCon, Winter 2018

Boys need their fathers and benefit from the time spent together. Experts are quick to point out the need for boys to bond with their dads. It would be hard to overstate the important role that fathers play in the lives of their sons. As noted by Rutgers University professor of sociology, Dr. David Popenoe:

Involved fathers...bring positive benefits to their children that no other person is a likely to bring. They provide protection and economic support and male role models. They have a parenting style that is significantly different from that of a mother and that difference is important in healthy child development.

Dr. Popenoe’s statement also matches the findings of a study conducted by the University of Newcastle. The study of 11,000 British men and women revealed that children who had spent large amounts of time with their fathers had higher IQs than those who didn’t. 

Pennsylvania State University conducted their own study of teens and the positive influence of time spent with family. Researchers tracked 200 families, finding that the time teens spend specifically with their fathers was of critical importance. More time spent alone with dad resulted in higher self-esteem. Further, more time with their fathers in a group setting led to better social skills.    

Focus on the Family has also highlighted the unique and vital role fathers play in raising boys. Men will often play tougher with boys, foster competition, promote independence, and are more likely to encourage bold risk taking.      

Many of these elements are present when fathers and sons enter into the world of block wargames. Through wooden blocks on a large mapboard boys are introduced to classic battles and historic military campaigns. But more importantly fathers are introducing their sons to the characteristics and qualities which block games foster. And of course, these dads positively impact their sons through the time commitment required. 

So what is it exactly that makes these board games such a good fit for fathers and sons? 

• Great Battles: What son wouldn’t want to learn about the Roman Civil War or the Crusades by playing a game with his father? Every dad should teach his son about history and war. Great battles were won with equanimity and boldness. Boys want to learn about this.
• Great components: What boy doesn’t like to play with wooden blocks, no matter how young or old? Add to the mix incredible boards with roads, rivers, and various other terrain elements which expertly capture the topographical challenges faced historically.
• Great game mechanics: I’ve written about this before. From block rotation for step reduction, to the fog of war aspect captured by the upright blocks, to the luck of the dice, these are fun games to play. 
• Great times: Block wargames normally require 2-3 hours on average to play an entire battle. Quality time is often nothing more than quantity time. Simply spending time together.

Important too is the ease of play, which means that fathers can “battle” their sons from 9 years old to 19 and beyond. But don’t confuse ease of play with easy play. The strategic and tactical challenge presented by these well researched games are not easy to master. 

Tactical thinkers. Audacious leaders. Self-confident and smart. The men of tomorrow are the boys of today. As dads, are we giving them our time and attention? As our generation forms the next, we should consider the constructive role that recreation plays in that very formation. Block wargames effectively serve that very purpose.