Sword Of The Prophet: The Coming War With Islam is a
futuristic game of strategy and diplomacy. This
wargame is played on a large map of Europe, Africa,
Asia, and Australia. It is designed to be enjoyed by
four players who lead the Coalition Allies, the
Islamic nations, the Communist countries, or an
aggressive Russia in the midst of revolution. Sword
Of The Prophet uses plastic playing pieces or
colorful tokens to represent missile launchers,
bombers, hovercraft, U.S. Marines, rebel insurgents,
and other military units.

Political and economic factors are portrayed by event
cards. They cover issues like oil production,
industrial growth, a possible diplomatic crisis, a
U.S. election, increased U.N. funding for Palestine,
massive political protests, and the ever popular 87
billion military budget increase! However, these
elements are secondary to the main theme of the game;
cunning diplomacy followed by a military conflict
incited by nationalism or religious fervor. Players
can follow the tradition of jihad or chose to improve
their economic level by the conquest and domination of
resource areas. Special rules include the United
Nations Security Council, Regime Change, Weapons Of
Mass Destruction, Muslim Clerics, French Surrender,
and even price increases at Halliburton.

The Political And Military Situation


The game begins in 2011. After the election of 2008
the new president changes the course of history by
withdrawing all U.S. forces from Iraq and Afghanistan.
The U.S. defense budget is slashed to provide funds
for social programs. Commitments in Europe and Asia
are reduced. Almost all military aid to Israel is
ended. A more sensitive approach is applied to the
ongoing nuclear disputes with North Korea and Iran.
The U.N. is given a much greater influence on
international treaties and foreign affairs.

The nations of the world begin to form alliances based
on ideology or religion. Mindful of the upcoming 2012
U.S. election cycle, ruthless foreign leaders see a
window of opportunity. Planning an aggressive
diplomatic and military thrust, they hope to knock the
U.S. and the Coalition Allies off balance before a
less isolationist president can be elected in
November. There are some U.S. forces deployed with the
Coalition Allies, but the current American president
places severe restrictions on the military and warns
that heavy casualties will cause all United States
forces to be withdrawn or held in reserve to defend
the homeland.

A Playable Game With Real Diplomatic Maneuvering


Sword Of The Prophet is similar to ?Axis & Allies?
but uses a different system with a different feel and
style of play. Unit density is low; a large battle
with five units or more on each side is rare. There
are no stacks of chips. There are no handfuls of dice
being rolled during battle, and special color coded
dice are used for ease of play. Battle results can be
affected by terrain, electronic warfare, elite forces,
missile fire, air support, urban areas, or hidden
movement.

The diplomatic maneuvers that are part of the U.N.
Cease Fire rules and the low unit density result in
most battles ending after just one or two rounds. This
is a very fast moving game and it is less complex than
any of the ?Axis & Allies? series. This is also a true
four player contest with real diplomacy along with
plenty of broken promises and back-stabbing. Every
player has the opportunity to interact with all of the
other players during each turn with decisions about
battle results, grand strategy, the use of air power,
treaty obligations, diplomatic agendas, or a U.N.
cease fire.

Some Controversial Elements


Some of the game?s concepts about future world events
are controversial. The "French Surrender" rule
reflects the possibility that France could be engulfed
by civil disorder, riots, religious unrest, and other
factors in the event of a major test of wills among
world powers. Not like the collapse of France in
1940... more like the end of the Soviet Union in the
early 1990's. The future scenario for this game
depicts Russia as a totalitarian state involved in a
21st Century Russian revolution. A new Siberian
People?s Democratic Republic has been established, and
this nation is one of the neutral powers (along with
the European Union, India, and other areas) that are
not under the control of any player.

Many people might take issue with the "Price Increases
At Halliburton" event card. The theory behind this
card is that in this slightly Orwellian future war all
of the belligerents might be buying military hardware
from Halliburton! The player that draws this card (to
howls of delight from the other powers) is forced to
pay higher purchase costs for new units. This game is
obviously not a monument to political correctness.
There are rules covering United Nations Corruption and
the U. N. is not portrayed in a favorable manner.
In addition, a ?U.S. Election Results" event card that
ends the game immediately when the decisive new
president takes office is not going to please
everyone.

Playtest Opportunities Available


This game is being playtested now. Please visit the
link website for information on
participating in a playtest session. ---- Pete Belli