I've written about Across the Dead Earth way back when I started this blog but no thought I would go into a bit more depth now I've played a few games and write about them on here. Newer readers might not know about it.
Across the Dead Earth is brought to us by the awesome folks at
Dead Earth games .
The main reason I love the game is it is set in the UK (where I live) and I find most post apocalyptic games are set in the USA. While I'm sure these games are free enough with rules you can make your own world in the UK I like the fact that Across the Dead Earth is based around the UK. (Other parts of the world are mentioned but more on that later).
The fluff in the rule book sets the ATDE world 80 years after a war that ravaged the planet but leaves sufficient flexibility for you to create your own little world. I play my games in the ruins of Smethwick. The main crux is gangs fighting for loot and if you make a campaign up (like I have done) territory.
Dead Earth games sell several gangs that you can use but in the rulebook there are rules to make you're own gangs. I have two gangs from Dead Earth. The Red Claw gang and the Engineers. I also have two other gangs made up from different models . In the rulebook are several factions including The State. A group living in The ruins of London who believe they now run the country and in the wreckage of Birmingham are The guild of engineers, descended from survivors that sort refuge in an underground library and now seek all manner of knowledge. There are other factions in The book most of which have models others are planned for the future. There are also mercenaries available for your gangs to hire. 2 of which have models so far and another one possibly in The next few months.
The rulebook is great quality, a good read with great artwork giving a vivid impression of a post apocalyptic UK.
The game mechanics are really simple, each turn the player activates a model followed by their opponent. This goes on till all modela have moved and that is the end of the turn. The game uses 2D6 as a base for all rolls. I'm shooting tmyou will to hit and any extra is added as a bonus to the save modifer this gives a nice impressionof the difference between a good shot and a great shot. Melee is a contest roll between attacker and defender adding various modifers depending on weapons etc. A nice touch to the game are the event cards, each player gets three and can be used at any time depending on what the card says. They cover many things and range from tripping your opponent (their model not them actually!) to distracting shooters. They bring a cracking unexpectedness to the game and a crafty way of ruining your enemies plans. Each gang can have a medic who can bring downed fighters back into the battle.
Also out for the game is the first part of the expansion From Sea to Poisoned Sea. This provides background to what happened on the U.S. and provides rules for factions on U.S.soil. There are also rules for Solus which are zombies and can be found anywhere you can even have a gang of them! This adds another element to the game and game background. The end part is in the works and should see vehicle rules added.
I hope this has provided a decent view of the game Across the Dead Earth, there is plenty in the works for the game plus possibly a board game in development where you search the abandoned (or is it?) underground system in London. If your interested check out the website and the Facebook group
here . It's a great community of players who are always willing to offer advice and ideas. Plus the games creators are regulars on there so they are always helpful and approachable
Have a great day !
