Tannhäuser is a 2007 board wargame from Take On You which takes place in an alternate reality. Each player controls an elite team who are attempting to shift the balance of power in this stalemate between nations. Originally a French game, an American company, Fantasy Flight Games, was providing the English distribution and recently acquired all rights to the property, continuing to support the game by releasing additional expansions.
Gameplay
Tannhäuser is a squad-based action board game where the gameplay focuses on two separate teams of up to five characters each that can either be played between two players controlling a team or up to ten players controlling each character. Each character is represented by a uniquely modeled figure, with equipment represented by tokens. The game utilizes an original game mechanic known as the "Pathfinding System". Each game board displays a printed top down view of a location with a series of circles that displays where figures can move, while also displaying one or multiple colours that indicate line of sight, being the "pathfinding". For example, a figure on an orange ring can see, thus attack at range an opposing figure also currently on an orange ring or a multi-coloured one that also displays that same colour. Multi-coloured rings typically occur on intersections or doorways. Each figure has a character sheet that displays their current equipment tokens and stats, the latter of which can change via a slider based on how damaged they are. Originally equipment and their effects were outlined on separate sheets/in the rule book until equipment cards were introduced into the core gameplay, allowing simplified methods of following their rules. There are two kinds of characters/figures, Heroes and Troopers, with teams allowing three heroes and two troopers. Heroes are named individual characters while troopers are less strong than heroes but numerous (and with figure expansions multiple versions of each kind). Latter expansions introduced Epic Heroes that are far stronger than typical heroes but take up one normal hero and trooper slot, limiting the squad to just four. The game features multiple modes of play, each with slightly different rules and objectives. Deathmatch is the standard modes where both squads must permanently destroy all members of the opposing player(s). Story mode provides a narrative with specific objectives that require securing that along with eliminating players (that can respawn) also gaining victory points for total end of game score. More scripted Story modes are character-based, typically with predetermined characters and rule changes. Additional modes include other squad-based objectives. These include Capture the Flag through capturing and retaining the opponents flag marker, Dominion through securing certain points across the board and King of the Hill where eliminating the leader of each squad is the only way to secure victory point. Regardless of mode each map typically comes with random item pick ups, obstacles and spawning points, also represented by additional tokens. Upon its initial release, the core base game included a double-sided board (one side is the interior of "Castle Ksiaz", the reverse side is the Crypt found beneath the castle), two factions (Reich and Union) comprising 10 pre-painted plastic miniatures, 10 character cards, 6 ten-sided dice (referred to as d10s), and 160 cardboard tokens. The fourth faction announced in May 2011 adds a new dynamic to squads and factions in the form one of two new alliances where characters from two factions make up a single squad. The Reich and Shogunate factions form the Nippon Accords and the Union and Matriarchy factions form UMTOMA.
Story The game is set in an alternate historical setting of 1949 and onward, albeit with many fantastical elements. Instead of the events that played out during the First World War, the conflict has raged on beyond the normal timeline of events, including the Second World War. In this war the Western European and North American nations have formed the "Union" that under the inventive direction of Thomas Edison have developed new forms of weaponry, along with new discoveries of secret alien technology. The German Reich meanwhile has mastered the use of occult powers, including the creation of new demonic soldiers through the excavation of one of four Cardinal Points, gateways to hellish dimensions with the new discoveries led by the Marquis General, Hermann Von Heïzinger. In order to prevent the Reich from finding the remaining points, the Union has deployed an elite team led by John MacNeal. Recent developments however have forced the still Tsar-ruled Russian Empire, now currently known as the "Matriarchy", to enter the war. Along with the inventions developed by Nikola Tesla, such as new electrical-based weaponry and robotics, the Matriarchy have sought after the power of ancient Slavic gods to aid them in the war effort, which has led them to utilize new and powerful ground troops. In the east, Japan has emerged from a civil war with the Shogun reintroduced, fast becoming a new great power in the world, shrouded in secrecy and otherworldly magic. Due to this, the Reich quickly politically maneuvered itself into negotiating and signing a military pact known as the Nippon Accords. Because of this new alliance, the Matriarchy and Union formed a similar treaty of their own known as UMTOMA (Union and Matriarchy Treaty of Mutual Assistance) for defense against the Reich and the Shogunate.
Factions
Union The Union is a collective alliance of North American and Western Europe currently led by President Thomas Edison. The Roswell UFO incident in 1947 led the Union to the discovery of extraterrestrial technology to be utilized in the development of new and powerful weaponry in the war against the Reich. By spearheading these operations with his son, Edison was able to gain influence eventually becoming the Union president. Covert operations are performed by an elite unit headed by Major John McNeal, a long-standing war veteran. Amongst his squad includes Tala, a Navajo demolitions expert, Sergent Brown who wields an experimental heavy weapon, among two specialist soldier recruits. The Union specializes in a variety of firepower and explosives, both conventional and experimental, including traps and other gadgets for use in combat.
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