Here is a long overdue update for Silver Bayonet.  As you are all, no doubt, well aware, we didn’t hit our desired date for Oct-Nov last year. I decided to push production out because, quite simply, the game wasn’t ready yet.

The team has been working hard to test all of the scenarios to ensure that all of the rules changes have been thoroughly vetted. In the case of the Standard Game scenarios, this is a relatively quick process as they are range anywhere from half a turn to eight turns long using only a portion of the map, and they are easily playable in an evening. In the case of the Campaign Game scenarios, this is proving a little more involved as they range from eight to 39 turns using larger areas or the entire map, and they are far more involved in terms of additional rules such as Patrols, Hidden Movement, Helicopters, etc. We are working hard to make sure that this game exceeds expectations in all categories.

While we’re waiting, however, I thought I’d provide some more details about what you’ll be getting in the box.

Map

As previously discussed, you’ll be getting a beautifully illustrated, full size map which depicts the terrain in as much detail as we could find. Don’t forget that this will be mounted map!

Counters

You’ll also be getting approximately 342 counters which represent the U.S. 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) including artillery and helicopters, several ARVN units including the 1st and 2nd Airborne Brigades and other II Corps forces, as well as three NVA regiments, 32nd, 33rd, and 66th, which, collectively, comprised the B-3 Front for the PAVN. In addition, there are various markers to help keep track of things like losses, air points, artillery targets, fired status, fatigue, etc. Here are reduced size versions of the counter sheets:

Sheet #1 (full)

Sheet #2 (half)

Player Aid Cards

As part of the 25th Anniversary Edition, we’ve gone all out in this area. As of now you will be receiving the following items:

1. FWA Player Aid Card (8.5 x 11) – contains the Air Point track, An Khe off-map box, and Helicopter Basing display
2. PAVN Player Aid Card (8.5 x 11) – contains Hidden Movement boxes and Cambodia off-map boxes
3. Two Player Aid Card Screens (11 x 17) – one is FWA and one is PAVN for use in hiding the above two cards from your opponent
4. Two Player Aid Cards (11 x 17) – contains all the tables required for play including Maneuver & Assault Combat CRTs, Bombardment Table, Air Defense Fire Table, and more
5. Sequence of Play Player Aid Card (8.5 x 11) – contains the Standard and Campaign Game SOPs
6. Battle Board Player Aid Card (8.5 x 11) – for use when things get tight on the map and their are multiple hexes with lots of units both maneuvering and assaulting (see the “Battle Hex” counter above)
7. Eight Scenario Cards (8.5 x 11) – these contain all the information needed to play the scenarios including, in some cases, the map areas in play so that players don’t need to have the entire map out for just a small scenario

All told that’s eleven 8.5 x 11 PACs and four 11 x 17 PACs. Here are some samples of the cards:

11 x 17 Player Aid Card

SOP

Battle Board

Scenario Card

Production

I can’t guarantee anything, but I’m definitely aiming for the production slot that was identified in the 16 Mar GMT Customer Update: August 2016. Our current focus is to continue to refine the rules in an attempt to avoid ambiguity, and narrow in on the scenario victory conditions to ensure that both sides feel they have a chance to win.

Garry Owen!

Author: Mitchell Land