Undaunted: Normandy

2019

Immerse yourself in World War II as you command American or German forces in Undaunted: Normandy. Make strategic decisions and turn the tide of battle!

60
minutes

2 - 2
player(s)

14+

Medium

About the game

‘Undaunted: Normandy’ is an innovative and engaging board game that plunges you into the historical events of the D-Day invasion during World War II. As a player, you take on the role of either the American or German forces, each with their unique set of challenges and strategies. Set in the picturesque yet brutal landscapes of Normandy, the game beautifully encapsulates the tension, bravery, and tactical brilliance required in one of the most significant military campaigns in history.

The core mechanics of ‘Undaunted: Normandy’ are a creative blend of deck-building and area control strategies. In this game, your deck represents your troops and resources. You begin with a small deck of cards, each card symbolizing a soldier in your platoon or an action that can be taken. As you progress, you’ll have the opportunity to bolster your deck, adding more powerful troops and actions.

Game setup Lay it out, line it up, let’s go

Step 1: Determine Player Roles

In Undaunted: Normandy, there are two roles: the American forces and the German forces. Choose who will play each role. The forces are not inherently unequal but do offer different strategies and play styles.

Step 2: Set Up the Game Board

The game board is made up of different terrain tiles. To set up the board, refer to one of the scenario layouts in the game’s Scenario Guidebook. Lay out the tiles as shown in the guidebook, noting the placement of each type of terrain.

Step 3: Prepare the Decks

Each player starts with a deck of cards, representing their units on the field. Separate the decks by their back design, one for the American forces and one for the German forces. Shuffle each deck individually, and then place them face down on their respective sides of the game board.

Step 4: Set Up the Units

At the start of the game, players must set up their units on the board. The Scenario Guidebook will specify the starting positions for each type of unit. Place the unit tokens on the corresponding tiles on the game board.

Step 5: Prepare the Supply

Each player has a supply of units that can be brought into the game. Sort these by type and place them next to the game board. The supply is limited, so strategic use of units is crucial to success.

Step 6: Set Up the Objective Tokens

Objective tokens represent strategic points on the battlefield. Place these tokens on the board according to the Scenario Guidebook. Players will compete to control these points during the game.

Step 7: Random Elements

There are a few random elements in Undaunted: Normandy. The deck of cards each player uses is shuffled, creating a random draw order. The Scenario Guidebook also includes variable set-ups for some scenarios, adding replayability to the game.

Now, you are ready to start playing Undaunted: Normandy. Remember, the goal of the game is to control more objective points than your opponent, or to deplete their deck of cards. Plan your moves carefully and adapt to the changing battlefield!

Game flow Round and round we go

Undaunted: Normandy is a strategic board game that consists of a series of rounds where players take turns to perform various actions. Each round is divided into several phases, which must be executed in a specific order. The phases are: Initiative Phase, Draw Phase, Command Phase, End Phase.

Let’s look at each phase in detail:

1. Initiative Phase:

The first phase in each round is the Initiative Phase. During this phase, each player will draw the top card from their deck and compare its initiative value, which is located at the top left of the card. The player with the higher initiative value wins the initiative and decides who will go first in the Command Phase. In case of a tie, the initiative goes to the player who had it in the previous round.

2. Draw Phase:

During the Draw Phase, each player will draw four cards from their deck into their hand. If a player’s deck is empty, they will shuffle their discard pile to create a new deck and then continue to draw. However, if a player cannot draw up to four cards even after shuffling their discard pile, then the other player wins the game.

3. Command Phase:

The Command Phase is the primary phase of the game, during which players take turns to play their cards and perform various actions. Each card corresponds to a specific unit in the game and the actions that can be performed are dependent on the unit type. The possible actions include Movement, Attack, Control, Recon, and Bolster.

Movement: A player can move a unit from one location to another.
Attack: A player can attack an opposing unit in the same or adjacent location.
Control: A player can take control of a location by removing an opposing control marker and placing their own.
Recon: A player can add more cards to their deck.
Bolster: A player can increase the number of a specific unit’s cards in their deck.

4. End Phase:

The End Phase signals the conclusion of a round. During this phase, players will check for the game end condition, which is usually controlling a certain number of objective locations on the map. If the game end condition is met, the game ends and the player who meets the condition is declared the winner. If the game end condition is not met, a new round begins starting with the Initiative Phase.

Players'turn One turn to rule them all

In ‘Undaunted: Normandy’, players take on the roles of the American and German forces during World War II. The game is card-driven and every turn represents a wealth of strategic choices. Here is a detailed breakdown of what happens during a player’s turn:

A player’s turn consists of four steps:

Draw Cards: At the start of each turn, the player draws four cards from their deck.
Initiative: Both players choose a card from their hand and reveal it simultaneously. The player with the higher initiative value on their card goes first. In the event of a tie, the player who had initiative last turn retains it.
Play Cards: The player with initiative plays cards from their hand, one at a time, taking actions that correspond to the card’s role. Possible actions include:
- Move: The player can move a unit on the board. The number of spaces moved is determined by the specific card.
- Attack: The player can attack an enemy unit. The success of an attack depends on the attacker’s strength and the defender’s defense value.
- Control: The player can attempt to control a location on the board. Successfully controlling a location can provide strategic advantages.
- Reinforce: The player can add cards to their deck, representing reinforcements arriving on the battlefield.
- Scout: The player can reveal fog of war tiles, gaining information about the battlefield and potentially uncovering enemy units.
End Turn: After the player has played all the cards they wish to play, they announce the end of their turn. Any unplayed cards remain in the player’s hand until their next turn. The other player now takes their turn, beginning with the Draw Cards step.

The strategic choices made during a player’s turn can greatly affect the gameplay. For instance, controlling key locations can provide significant advantages, while successfully attacking enemy units can weaken the opponent’s forces. Additionally, carefully managing one’s deck is crucial, as it determines the range of actions available during a turn. Therefore, players need to balance their immediate needs with longer-term strategies in order to win.

End of the game All good games must come to an end

Undaunted: Normandy is a deck-building war game where the objective is to secure control over key areas on the game board. The game ends when one of the specified victory conditions is met.

Victory Conditions:

Scenario Objective: Each scenario within the game has a unique objective which, when achieved, results in an immediate victory. These scenario-specific objectives may include seizing certain key areas on the board, causing a certain amount of damage to the opponent’s forces, or surviving until a certain game turn.
Depleting Opponent’s Deck: If a player is unable to draw a card from their deck when required, the opponent immediately wins the game. This represents the opposing force’s ability to outlast their enemy.
Eliminating Opponent’s Units: If a player loses all units of a certain type from their deck and board, the opponent wins the game. This represents a total defeat of the enemy force.

Actions before Final Scoring:

Before the game ends and final scoring takes place, there are a few important actions that players must carry out:

Securing Control: Players must ensure that they have the necessary units in the specified areas to meet the victory conditions. This may involve moving units, engaging in combat, or playing specific cards.
Reshuffling the Deck: If a player’s deck becomes depleted during their turn, they must shuffle their discard pile to form a new deck. However, if this happens outside of their turn (for example, due to a card effect), they do not shuffle until it is their turn again.
Eliminating Units: Players must remove from the game any units that have been defeated in combat. These units are not placed in the discard pile, but are instead completely removed from play.

In Undaunted: Normandy, strategy, deck management, and a bit of luck combine to create a tense and engaging game experience. Whether you are the victorious or defeated player, each game offers valuable lessons for future battles.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

‘Undaunted: Normandy’ is a two-player deck-building strategy game, where players earn points by controlling certain areas on the board. The scoring system is quite straightforward in principle, but the execution requires careful planning and strategy.

In ‘Undaunted: Normandy’, the objective of the game is not about accumulating the most points, but rather fulfilling the victory conditions of each scenario. The victory conditions are typically about controlling a specific number of objective tokens.

Let’s break down the main elements of the scoring system:

Control Objective Tokens: Each scenario has a specific number of objective tokens placed on the board. Players earn control of these tokens by having their units in the corresponding sector at the end of their turn. Once a player controls a token, it remains in their possession until the enemy takes control of the sector.
Scenario Victory Conditions: The victory conditions of the game are scenario-specific. This means that the conditions to win may change depending on the scenario you are playing. Typically, these conditions involve controlling a certain number of objective tokens, but they can also involve eliminating certain enemy units.

Now, what happens if the game ends in a tie? Here is where the tie-breaking rules come into play:

If both players meet the victory conditions at the same time, the game is resolved in the favor of the player who controls the most objective tokens. If there is still a tie, the player with the most remaining cards in their deck wins. If there is still a tie, the game is considered a draw.

In conclusion, scoring in ‘Undaunted: Normandy’ is not about collecting points, but about strategic control of key sectors on the battlefield, while always keeping an eye on the specific victory conditions of the scenario.

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

Undaunted: Normandy is a deck-building game that requires strategic planning and tactical execution. There are some unique rules, exceptions, and important clarifications to be aware of:

1. Control of Locations: In order to control a location, a player must have at least one unit in the location and there must be no enemy units present. If both conditions are not met, the location is considered contested and does not belong to any player.

2. Line of Sight: When initiating an attack, a player must have a clear line of sight to the target. The line of sight is blocked by certain terrain features like forests and buildings. However, units on a hill can see over these obstacles and can target enemy units on other hills or in open ground.

3. Deck Management: Unlike many deck-building games, players do not automatically refill their hand at the end of their turn. Instead, they must play a Platoon Sergeant card to draw more cards. If a player cannot draw a card when required, they simply do not draw any more cards for the rest of the turn.

4. Combat: When a unit is attacked, it is not automatically removed from the game. Instead, it is suppressed and cannot perform any actions until it is bolstered by a squad leader. If a unit is attacked while suppressed, it is then removed from the game.

5. Special Actions: Some units have special actions that they can perform. For example, the Scout can scout a location, which allows the player to add cards to their deck, while the Machine Gunner can lay down suppressive fire, which can suppress multiple enemy units at once.

6. Card Removal: When a unit is removed from the game, all cards of that unit are also removed from the player’s deck. This can significantly alter a player’s strategy as the game progresses.

7. Winning the Game: The game ends immediately when a player fulfills the scenario’s victory condition. This often involves controlling a certain number of locations or eliminating a specific enemy unit.

Keep these rules and exceptions in mind while playing Undaunted: Normandy to ensure a fair and exciting game.

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

Advanced Strategies

Utilize Your Scouting Units: At the start of the game, use your scouting units to explore the battlefield. This will give you an advantage by revealing the board and allowing you to plan your moves strategically.

Take Advantage of Terrain: Different types of terrain provide different benefits. Use building tiles for defense, and roads for quick movement. Utilizing terrain can make the difference between victory and defeat.

Mix Up Your Tactics: A varied approach can be beneficial. Don’t just stick to one tactic throughout the game. Switch between aggressive and defensive tactics based on the situation.

Beginner Tips

Understand Your Units: Each unit in your deck has a specific purpose and strengths. The key to winning is understanding how to use each unit effectively. Spend some time studying your units before playing.

Keep Your Deck Lean: It can be tempting to stack your deck with powerful units, but having too many cards can slow down your game. Try to keep your deck lean and focused.

Focus on Objectives: The objective cards are the key to winning the game. Don’t get distracted by minor skirmishes and always keep your eye on the main goal.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Ignoring Initiative: Initiative is a crucial part of the game. A common mistake is to ignore it and focus solely on your units. Remember, the player with initiative gets to act first, which can be a major advantage.

Forgetting to Replenish Your Deck: Another common mistake is forgetting to add new cards to your deck. Always try to keep your deck replenished to avoid running out of options during the game.

Ways to Optimize Gameplay

Practice Regularly: Like any strategy game, the key to becoming better at ‘Undaunted: Normandy’ is practice. Regularly playing the game will help you understand the mechanics better and develop effective strategies.

Learn from Others: Watch others play the game and learn from their strategies. Online forums and video tutorials can be a great source of new tactics and ideas.

Experiment: Don’t be afraid to try new strategies and experiment with different units. This can help you discover new tactics and improve your gameplay.