From: "Michael Svellov" <Intergame@get2net.dk>
Subject: Re: Batalj (Svea Rike expansion)

GREGORY SCHLOESSER skrev i meddelelsen
>Actually, I managed to execute a trade with a Swedish gamer.  Batalj is
on the
>way to me as we speak.  As soon as I get to give it a try, I will post
a review
>on the Westbank Gamers website.--
>Greg J. Schloesser
>The Westbank Gamers:  http://home.earthlink.net/~gschloesser/

Greg bought it knowing my views on the expansion, but as many of you
don't, here's my two cent's worth:

It's not worth the money!
The Battleboard is a bit interesting, but ultimately doesn't bring
anything into the game - except a longer playing time.

The Plundering uses the backside of the battleboard, which means you
have to spend a lot of the gaming time moving pieces to and from the
board to be able to play the other side. First man to grab a valuable
(purely by luck returns without any means of stopping him. Those
searching on risk loosing a turn, which could be used more usefully at
home (farming/trading). This part is utterly stupid and is way to random
to be any fun.

The ONLY part of the expansion worth anything is the Bishop card (and a
dozen cards related to him. The Bishop card will stay in front on a
player untill another player overtakes the card. Every other player has
to pay 1 gold to the Bishop in the beginning of every turn. 6 or so
cards have the power to transfer the Bishop to another player.

We had the Bishop moving from the first player to each other player in a
single turn. It ended up at the original player who instantly collected
his money again...!  Later, when the Bishop was assassinated he elected
himself Bishop once more. He was the most hated player at the table -
great fun!

But hardly worth the price for the expansion!

--
                                   Mik
                        BRETT & BOARD
             http://hjem.get2net.dk/Svellov/
a danish site with english news on german games