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| Deadzone Ed2 Rulebook from Mantic Games |
Article updated: 2020.12.06
The Deadzone Ed2 Rulebook provides a miniatures skirmish wargame system, with force lists for the Warpath setting.
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Details
Wargame book: Deadzone Ed2 Rulebook, Product code: MGDZM28, Series: Deadzone, Setting: Warpath, Rules: Deadzone Ed2, Company: Mantic Games, Production: 2016-
Designer: Jake Thornton
Features: hardcover
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Review
Opening the book
The book is very nice, has a good cover, and good illustrations. The book itself is somewhat smaller than the usual rulebooks I have. The binding looks okay, the hardcover protects the book from damage during gaming. The paper is good quality. The book is full colour, the art (mostly line-art) and the photos are nice.
The binding itself is not the best with my copy, but it didn't fall apart in the past half year. (2020 Update: It's still in good condition after another 4 years, although I have to admit I didn't use it as frequently in the past 2 years.)
Contents (112 pages)
- Setting (p5, 1 page, 1%): A very brief setting introduction.
- Rules (p4, 6-47, 43 pages, 38%): Rules. You'll need to read them if you'd like to play Deadzone. Most of it can be downloaded for free.
- Scenarios (p40-43, 4 pages, 4%): Four typical scenarios, plus several variants to make things more interesting.
- Force lists (p48-p94, 47 pages, 42%): It could be interesting to read through them to get some ideas for you, even if you won't play Deadzone. The Enforcer and Forge Father army lists can be downloaded for free, but about half of them are published in the rulebooks only. Includes: The Plague, Enforcers, Veer-Myn, Forge Fathers, Asterians, Marauders, Rebs, Mercs
- Campaign rules (p90-108, 19 pages, 17%): Rules for continuous games. There are great ideas here that could be mined for any other wargame, especially the campaign events.
- Campaign events (p106-107, 2 pages, 2%): A great collection of game changing events that could happen.
- Roster sheet (p109, 1 page, 1%)
- Rules reference sheet (p110, 1 page, 1%)
Reading the book
The book is good, easy to follow.
The text: The text is easy to read, easy to comprehend. I think the language is easy to understand even for those who've learnt English as a second language.
Setting: The setting is a generic, bleak sci-fi world. There's nothing exceptional here, evil corporations, ugly aliens, the usual.
Rules: The rules look easy to follow and I've felt I understand most of them for the first read-through, or at least I'll know where to look them up. The editing however tends to send you paging through the book, and during games this was distracting.
Information: While I can't be sure but I suppose the rules give you everything you need to know about playing Deadzone Ed2, without the need to know further wargames (or the first edition of this game).
Differences between prints
The printing is not indicated. I have the Kickstarter edition, that's probably the first print, and I know of no other printings.
Who will need this?
If you are just interested in playing Deadzone Ed2, you can download the free rules. If you'd like to have a hard copy, getting this is a good buy, unless you can print very cheaply. If you'd like to play anything else besides Enforcers or Forge Fathers, you'll need this book anyway.
If you have the Deadzone Ed1 Rulebook, and would like to update your game to Ed2, you'll need to get this book, as there are so many differences. You won't be able to just write a few notes in your old rulebook. The two editions are practically like two different games. Ed2 refined the action resolution system, and changed every other aspect of Deadzone.
If you'd like to buy this because of your interest in the Warpath setting, this book is has so few setting info it doesn't justify buying it. The Deadzone Ed1 Rulebook however is filled with information, that might be a better choice.
If you are interested in a generic sci-fi wargame, you can easily use the game without the attached setting.
Recommendation
Possible uses
Printing errors not covered in the errata
p33: The Rapid Fire tries to send you to p20 to find the Fire for Effect rules, that is actually on p21. The same mistake is also in the free download rules.
Back cover: It says Product Ciode instead of Product Code.
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Resources
Official
Mantic Games: Deadzone Ed2 Rulebook: Official page.
Mantic Games: Deadzone Ed2 rules and errata: Official page.
Reviews of the rulebook
Ian Walsh (for Miniature Gamer): Deadzone 2nd Edition Starter Set Review and Unboxing: Content overview and review article. (2020.12.06: The article is offline.)
Natfka (from Faeit 212): A Look at Deadzone 2nd Edition: Review article.
Play Board Games: Deadzone 2nd Edition Review: Review article.§
Reviews of the rules
The pile of shame: Into .. the Deadzone!: Review article, with rules overview and gameplay writeup. (2020.12.06: The article is offline.)
Gameplay
The pile of shame: Into .. the Deadzone!: Review article, with rules overview and gameplay writeup. (2020.12.06: The article is offline.)
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Buying the product
Price
Base price (Deadzone Ed2 Rulebook): 25 GBP / ? EUR/ ? USD
Base set price (Deadzone Veteran Commander Bundle): 37,5 GBP / 55 EUR / 60 USD
- Includes: Deadzone Ed2 Rulebook (25 GBP), Deadzone 2nd Edition Acrylic Counters (12,5 GBP), Deadzone Command Dice (7 GBP) = 44,5 GBP = 84% price
- Price for Deadzone Ed2 Rulebook: 21,1 GBP
Base set price (Deadzone 2nd Edition Starter Set): 50 GBP / 70 EUR / 80 USD
- Includes: Deadzone Ed2 Rulebook (25 GBP), Deadzone Paper Mat (?), Deadzone Command Dice (7 GBP), 6x d8 dice (?), Deadzone Tokens (?), 5x Enforcers + 5x Pathfinders (ca. 12,5 GBP), Forge Father Steel Warriors (12,5 GBP), 7 sprues of Battlezones scenery (?) = 57+ GBP = 87-% price
- Price for Deadzone Ed2 Rulebook: 22- GBP
Where can you buy it?
Mantic Games: Deadzone Ed2 Rulebook: Official page.
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Buy the Deadzone Ed2 Rulebook from Element Games (UK)  -10%, ref. code:KAD935Buy the Deadzone Ed2 Starter Set from Element Games (UK) -10%, ref. code:KAD935Buy miniatures from Firestorm Games (UK)  Buy the Deadzone Ed2 Rulebook from Wayland Games (UK)  -20%Buy the Deadzone Ed2 Rulebook from Noble Knight Games (USA)  -12%Buy board games from Book Depository  |
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Do you have the Deadzone Ed2 Rulebook from Mantic Games? How do you like it? Would you recommend them to others? Tell your opinion in the comments!
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