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Thunder on the Baltic

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Thunder on the Baltic

Art. Nr.: GMT-TOTB

GMT Games

Mit max. Rabatt: 54,53 € *

60,59 € *

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The Baltic Sea had always provided a vital outlet for trade and communication between the various countries along its shores. Sweden emerged as a major power in the middle of the 17th century, with important strategic holdings along the northern, southern, and eastern shores of the Baltic. Securing its new empire from its long-term and bitter rival Denmark-Norway, which controlled, and heavily taxed, the only entry and exit passages to the Baltic through the Sound and the two Belts, lead to near continuous conflict between the two Kingdoms. But as the Northern European powers (both Scandinavian and Atlantic—particularly the English and the Dutch) began to embrace naval policies of large standing fleets in the 17th century, their eyes turned to the Baltic and the abundance of natural resources in the region that were so important to shipbuilding to maintain naval strength. Control of the Baltic, or at least ensuring the free trade of these products, became a matter of vital national interest, and "Dominium Maris Baltici" became an often-expressed national goal.

Thunder on the Baltic: Scandinavian Wars at Sea, 1676-1814 is the fifth volume in the Flying Colors series of games on naval combat. It focuses on the rivalry between the two great Baltic Sea powers, the Kingdoms of Denmark-Norway and Sweden, specifically during the Scanian War (1675-1679) and the Great Northern War (1700-1721). Also included is a module of scenarios depicting the so-called “Gunboat War” between Great Britain and Denmark during the Napoleonic Wars (1807-1814). Like its predecessors, this volume is completely independent of—but fully compatible with—the other volumes in the series. Nothing else is needed to play! This volume comes with an updated and expanded rulebook that adds details specific to the navies included herein—particularly, the introduction rules for the antiquated (compared to the Napoleonic period) rigging and ship design of 17th century men-o-war, fireships, bomb vessels, and special rules for Danish gunboats.

There are 18 scenarios depicting battles between the fleets of Denmark against Sweden and the British Royal Navy against the Danes and Norwegians. Each battle is fought by two players (or two teams of players) across one or several conjoined maps depicting shallows and shoals with individually named vessels that have been specifically rated for their abilities in combat. Players activate these ships through the command abilities of individually rated admirals present at each battle. Players may also easily create their own scenarios with "design your own" rules and even pit these fleets against those from other volumes in the Flying Colors series. The command system provides an excellent solitaire experience as well.

Can you, as the commander of the Swedish fleet, maintain control of the crucial sea lines of communication and supply to your Baltic holdings? Or, as the commander of the Danish fleet, retain control of the Sound and ensure the security of the Capital city of Copenhagen? Now you can find out in Thunder on the Baltic!

Components:

Three 22" x 34" Game Maps
Four Countersheets
Three Player Aid Cards
One Rulebook
One Playbook
One 10-sided Die
One 2" box

Time scale: 5-10 minutes per turn
Map scale: 100 meters per hex
Units: Individual ships
Players: 1-4

Series Designer: Mike Nagel
Volume Design & Development: Steve Paul