Interceptor Ace, Volume 2: Last Days Of The Luftwaffe, 1944-1945

• Bf 109 (19 aircraft)

• Bf 110 (2 aircraft)

• Me 410 (1 aircraft)

• Ju 88 (1 aircraft)

• FW 190 (9 aircraft)

• Me 163 (1 aircraft)

• Me 262 (2 aircraft)

• Do 335 (1 aircraft)

• He 162 (1 aircraft)

• Go 229 (1 aircraft)

For each interceptor, you will be using the date of availability, speed, area of operations based on originating base, individual weapon systems, damage, and crew status.

Fighters can be assigned to one of eight possible major geographic base “groups” as follows:

• Dutch: Deelen, Volkel, Woensdrecht, Schiphol, Venlo

• Bremen: Husum, Jever, Oldenburg, Schwerin-Gorries, Stade, Salzwedel, Nordholz, Westerland, Langenhagen, Fassberg, Wunstorf, Hildesheim

• French: Beaumont-le-Roger, Poix-Nord, Vannes, Tille, St. Trond

• Ruhr: Monchen-Gladbach, Kirchhellen, Krefeld, Dusseldorf, Bonn

• Munich: Neubiberg, Lechfeld, Ingosltadt

• Munster: Rheine, Handorf

• Frankfurt: Königsberg, Wiesbaden, Frankfurt, Trier, Ansbach

• Berlin: Brandis, Brandenburg-Briest, Rechlin, Parchim, Oranienburg

 

Besides the focus on hardware, the soft aspects of the war are also faithfully rendered for each pilot and crew. For example, air crew is characterized by various parameters, including numerous Pilot skills, Wingman skills, Bordschuetze (Rear Gunner) skills, and Prestige Level. The emphasis on various skills and benefits to gaining experience creates a strong narrative, in the same fashion as in Interceptor Ace 1943-44, which helps weave a tense and dramatic narrative during play. One major change in Interceptor Ace, Volume 2: Last Days of the Luftwaffe, 1944-1945 over Interceptor Ace 1943-44 is that enemy fighter kills are now accounted for final victory, making dogfighting skills particularly important. As in InterceptorAce 1943-44, you have the ability to to choose your crew improvements instead of randomly rolling for them. As these greatly impact on your combat capability (and survival), it is a major decision you must make. Another major characteristic in the system is the wingman concept, who can possibly pull you out of a bad situation if he is still flying.

 

Game play moves quickly, following a set sequence of events that are repeated until the end of the game. Once you have your initial pilot and crew along with your fighter assignment, play proceeds by checking for base weather and incoming raid information prior to take off. Following successful take off, play proceeds by flying to the area you expect to intercept the Americans, trying to avoid marauding Allied fighters while doing so. As location boxes are entered, you will roll for possible intercept in which combat may ensue. Combat may consist of numerous rounds after which returning to base and landing operations occurs, with the weather playing a factor again as part of the landing procedure. When the mission is completed, you will ascertain any awards, Prestige points, or Experience points gained prior to you next sortie. Here you can also spend Prestige and Experience points if desired to gain skills, request a new fighter, or request a change of base. You will repeat this process by going to your next sortie until shot down and killed, or until the war ends, should you make it through unscathed.

This game is highly accessible to those familiar with The Hunters, Nightfighter Ace, or Interceptor Ace 1943-44, all designed by Gregory M. Smith. The game system lends itself very well to capturing the tense air defense over Germany. WhileInterceptor Ace, Volume 2: Last Days of the Luftwaffe, 1944-1945 is designed as a solitaire gaming experience, additional options for play are provided for both multi-player cooperative and competitive gaming sessions.

Do you have what it takes to become the Top Ace of the Luftwaffe while flying the advanced Me 262 jet fighter, the futuristic Go 229 Flying Wing or the dreaded Me 163 Komet rocket fighter?

 

Components:

• 1.5 Countersheets of 9/16" unit-counters (342 counters)
• 38 Aircraft Display Mats (double-sided, 19 total)
• 4 Player Aid Cards
• 1 Combat Display Mat
• 2 Bomber Target Mats
• 1 Pilot Awards Display Mat
• 1 Air Operations Display Mat 11" x 17"
• 60 Combat Cards
• 8 Ace Pilot Cards
• 1 Sortie logsheet
• 1 Rulebook