# Aftermath ## General Info - **Year Published**: 2005 - **BGG Rating**: 7.3 - **BGG Rank**: — - **Players**: 2 - **Duration**: 60 min - **Weight**: 4.00 / 5 - **Designers**: Mark H. Walker - **Artists**: Nicolás Eskubi - **Publishers**: (Self-Published), (Web published) - **Categories**: Horror, Modern Warfare, Science Fiction, Wargame - **Mechanics**: Hexagon Grid ## Verdict Perfect for those who love tactical wargames with dark themes and varied scenarios.Very engaging thematic scenariosDeep and precise tactical systemAgile and dynamic game scaleUnusual mix of horror and warLearning curve can be steepStrictly focused on two playersFOR GENRE FANS ## Description Imagine the world after the end: the year 2015, but not as we know it. Aftermath throws us into a nuclear post-apocalyptic setting where human civilization has completely collapsed. But it's not just radiation and rubble; the chaos brought along a terrible plague and the awakening of creatures of the night. Now, vampires and werewolves fight for supremacy while the rest of the world tries not to be devoured. It's a hostile, tense, and visceral environment, perfect for those who love the vibe of extreme survival. At the heart of the game is a tactical combat system similar to the Lock ‘n Load lineage, but on a smaller scale, which makes matches faster without losing strategic depth. The game doesn't just give you a board and dice, but distinct scenarios that completely change the table dynamics. You can command New York gangs in urban conflicts against the police, lead U.S. occupation forces on Iranian soil against insurgents, or dive into the bloody brawl between vampire and werewolf clans. Gameplay revolves around precise positioning and risk management. Using the hexagon grid, every move counts, and line of sight is crucial to ensure your attack isn't just a waste of ammunition. It's a game for those who enjoy thinking through every step, planning the approach, and dealing with the consequences of tactical decisions under pressure. If you enjoy wargames with a pinch of horror and science fiction, Aftermath offers that cerebral challenge where victory depends as much on your strategy as on the luck of the dice. Prepare your army, choose your scenario, and try to survive what's left of the world. ## How to Play Game Objective The objective of Aftermath is a cooperative adventure for 1 to 4 players, where each takes on the role of rodents surviving in a post-apocalyptic world after the mysterious disappearance of humans. Players must explore the dangerous setting, gather resources, complete missions, compete with other rodents, and face predators, all while racing to avoid disasters. Victory in the campaign occurs when players fulfill the personal objectives of the characters and prevent the colony from unraveling. Preparation (Setup) To set up the game, follow these steps: Components: Place the Adventure Book in the center, the sideboard to the right, the city center travel map near the book, and the group location marker in the Abbigail Lane space (upper left corner). Each player chooses a character, collecting their card box and arranging the cards in front of them. With 2 players, each can control 2 characters. With 1 player, they must control 2 characters. Separate the basic action, item, encounter, and status cards, forming separate decks. Set up the campaign dashboard, set the dials according to the Adventure Book instructions, and prepare resolution tokens and dice. If it is the first campaign, start on page 2 of the Adventure Book. If it is a subsequent campaign, start on page 3. Game Flow The game progresses in player turns and enemy turns. Each player turn includes 5 phases: draw cards, resolve calamities, place threats, perform actions, and check threats. Enemies attack on turns, moving toward the characters and attacking when possible. The 'nest' phase allows characters to recover at the end of a safe turn. Player Turn: Draw up to 5 action cards, resolve calamities, place threats on the track, execute actions, and check threats. Enemy Turn: Each enemy attacks in order, moving toward the nearest character and performing attacks. Nest: At the end of a safe turn, characters can reduce wounds, convert toxic wounds, and repair broken items collectively. Actions and How to Play Players can perform various actions using action cards. Each action has specific requirements: Move: Spend movement points (determined by the cards played) to move your character. Solid lines require more points. Communicate: In safe situations, try to negotiate with enemies. Resolve an opposed skill test with difficulty equal to the enemy's communication value. Recover: Use to heal negative effects on your character, resolving the skill test listed on the status card. Hunt: Resolve a skill test to collect tokens in your space. The difficulty is the token number. Close Combat: In hostile situations, attack enemies in your space with an opposed test. The difficulty is the enemy's defense. Ranged Attack: Use long-range weapons to attack enemies up to 1 space away, resolving an opposed test. Activate Ability: Spend white cards to activate special abilities, paying the cost in value. End of Game and Scoring The game ends when: Mission Completed: If players complete the mission's main objective, follow the Adventure Book instructions to proceed. Mission Failed: If all characters are defeated, go to the page and entry listed in the mission card's failure section. Campaign Lost: If any dial on the campaign dashboard reaches 0, the game is lost. Return to page 100, entry 100-23. Scoring is based on: Completing characters' personal objectives. Preventing the colony from collapsing (dials not reaching 0). Tips to Win Use Team Focus: The character Meziah's initial ability reduces the difficulty of skill tests by one for each other character in their space. Manage Resources: Prioritize repairing broken items during the nest to keep equipment effective. Communicate with Enemies: In safe areas, negotiate with enemies to remove them from the game and reduce threats. Consult the manual for details on sections not covered here. ## FAQ ### Is the game hard to learn? It has a 4/5 weight on BGG, so it's not for beginners. It requires careful reading of the manual and patience with tactical rules. ### Can I play solo? No, the game is specifically designed for 2 players. ### How long does a game take? About 60 minutes on average, depending on the chosen scenario. ### Is the theme always the same? Not at all! The game comes with different scenarios, ranging from modern urban warfare to monster fights. ### What's in the box? Components to simulate combat, a hexagonal map, and the scenario books.