Buck Rogers - Battle for the 25th Century
Encyclopedia
Buck Rogers - Battle for the 25th Century is a strategy board game
published in 1988
by Dungeons and Dragons makers TSR, Inc.
. The game uses the setting and themes of the 1930s Buck Rogers
serials, and the design of 1950s space-race-era propaganda to gussy up what was basically an Axis & Allies knock-off. The units and game-play for the game work similarly to Axis & Allies, with naval units being replaced by space ships and two different kinds of infantry instead of one. The game was produced in large quantities, but never sold well and didn't last past a second edition.
The game does have some important distinctions from Axis & Allies which help differentiate it. There are several primary differences. First, unlike Axis and Allies, any area is suspect to be attacked by fighters (ships) at any time (Fighters can take land and areas). This means that there is no set area where a land invasion must creep along unless a player chooses to attack by land. Second, combat units do not hit on a set combat value, instead the combat value is determined by what unit is attacking, and what unit is defending. For example, a Trooper would hit another trooper with a score of 6, whilst a Trooper would need to hit a Fighter with a score of 7. Third, there is NO set starting position. Positions are determined by a random dealing of cards (6 cards for 4-6 players, 9 cards for 3 players, and 12 cards for 2 players). Fourth, there is no money or research. One builds units dependent on how many factories they have. Each factory can produce a certain number of units per turn. Fifth, The game has leaders, which either give a +2 to combat rolls in the basic rules of the game, or have special abilities which can grant unique advantages over his/her opponents in the advanced rules of the game. Finally players fight over planets and moons revolving around the Sun, making for a constantly shifting game board.
Strategy game
A strategy game or strategic game is a game in which the players' uncoerced, and often autonomous decision-making skills have a high significance in determining the outcome...
published in 1988
1988 in games
This page lists board and card games, wargames, miniatures games, and table-top role-playing games published in 1988. For video and console games, see 1988 in video gaming....
by Dungeons and Dragons makers TSR, Inc.
TSR, Inc.
Blume and Gygax, the remaining owners, incorporated a new company called TSR Hobbies, Inc., with Blume and his father, Melvin Blume, owning the larger share. The former assets of the partnership were transferred to TSR Hobbies, Inc....
. The game uses the setting and themes of the 1930s Buck Rogers
Buck Rogers
Anthony Rogers is a fictional character that first appeared in Armageddon 2419 A.D. by Philip Francis Nowlan in the August 1928 issue of the pulp magazine Amazing Stories. A sequel, The Airlords of Han, was published in the March 1929 issue....
serials, and the design of 1950s space-race-era propaganda to gussy up what was basically an Axis & Allies knock-off. The units and game-play for the game work similarly to Axis & Allies, with naval units being replaced by space ships and two different kinds of infantry instead of one. The game was produced in large quantities, but never sold well and didn't last past a second edition.
The game does have some important distinctions from Axis & Allies which help differentiate it. There are several primary differences. First, unlike Axis and Allies, any area is suspect to be attacked by fighters (ships) at any time (Fighters can take land and areas). This means that there is no set area where a land invasion must creep along unless a player chooses to attack by land. Second, combat units do not hit on a set combat value, instead the combat value is determined by what unit is attacking, and what unit is defending. For example, a Trooper would hit another trooper with a score of 6, whilst a Trooper would need to hit a Fighter with a score of 7. Third, there is NO set starting position. Positions are determined by a random dealing of cards (6 cards for 4-6 players, 9 cards for 3 players, and 12 cards for 2 players). Fourth, there is no money or research. One builds units dependent on how many factories they have. Each factory can produce a certain number of units per turn. Fifth, The game has leaders, which either give a +2 to combat rolls in the basic rules of the game, or have special abilities which can grant unique advantages over his/her opponents in the advanced rules of the game. Finally players fight over planets and moons revolving around the Sun, making for a constantly shifting game board.