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Sword of the Prophet Designer Notes

Discussion Board on this Wargame Article

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 http://gamesbypete.com/ website for information on participating in a playtest session. ---- Pete Belli