From: Doug Murphy Subject: SPI Compendium -Reply >>> D. Holte 06/17/97 06:39pm >>> Armada (2nd edition) Sterling S. Hart Hart (who has unfortunately passed away) was the designer of the first edition. The second edition was "fixed" and IMHO substantially improved by I believe Greg Costiykan. I am a strong advocate of this game, finding it one of the S&T games I return to again and again and is also playable solitaire... It covers several years in the titanic conflict between Phillip 2 of Spain and Elizabeth 1 that saw the raising of the Armada... The map covers Spain, a fractured France, the Low Countries, the Channel and southern England...each side has a large number of strategic options to pursue: will you as Philip build an Armada and sail against Eng; will you go after the Dutch rebels; will you try to gain control of France or some combination of these strategies? Depending on the aggresiveness and initiative of the players, the English strategy can be more of a response to the Spanish: will you go after the building Armada in northern Spain, stand on the defensive or pour resources and support into the Dutch revolt or try your hand at stirring up France. The English can go after Spanish treasure fleets; the Spanish can fire up rebels in Ireland, Scotland or England itself. Philip can build his Armada only to see it crippled by poor weather or a raid by Drake... There is a relatively simple interface between players that supports this chrome, including an economic system that makes players plan ahead to build and activate fleets of some size or mobilize or demob. their troops...a real balancing act for both sides. I can't say enough about this game as redesigned. Eminently replayable... Doug Murphy