Zombicide: Toxic City Mall

by Al Butler

One of my all-time favorite cooperative board games to play with my guild mates is Zombicide by Guillotine Games. We have run through countless sessions, all of which were entertaining, tense, but most of all fun. Seriously who could not enjoy the dark sociopathic vision of a roller skating waitress named Wanda, gliding up to a pack of zombies and hacking them to bits with a chainsaw? A bit ridiculous to be sure but that is just the kind of thing that happens in this game more often than not. The popularity of this title with our group brings it back to the table time and time again. Hell Zombicide was in all three of our top five lists of 2013, number one on mine.

So it is no surprise that one of the expansions for Zombicide, named; Toxic City Mall, made its way into my collection through a Kickstarter campaign. This add on game can be played with either the original Zombicide or with the other expansion which is also a standalone title Prison Outbreak. (Which as you all know has Berserker zombies). TCM introduces a bevy of new items, rules and of course the green toxic zombies themselves hence the title. There is a lot going on with this expansion, so I have to limit myself to pointing out those particular items that really make a difference in game play, and leave off copying all the rules down. You can download a copy of the Toxic City Mall rules *here* which will give you a better understanding of some of the mechanics.

Well the first big game changer is obviously the introduction of Toxic Zombies. These green monsters give off mucus like spray (my words) when killed and thus it is best to either shoot them at a distance with ranged weapons or, have a Gas Mask (yup new item) which makes you immune to the deadly effect. Some of the new survivors which were included in the set, have an immunity skill that can be chosen at the appropriate experience level. Toxic Abominations are particularly nasty in that they cause all regular zombies in their zone to become infected each turn.

 I already mentioned Gas masks as new equipment that the players can search for and use, but here are a couple more, Assault rifles “AR-15 pimped out”; .44 Mag pistols which do 2 damage and blasts Fatties; Laser pointers, when added to certain weapons increase accuracy i.e. +1 to die rolls, and Hollow Point bullets that increase damage +1. I can see a player wielding two .44 Mag pistols with hollow point rounds, and laser sights firing away at an Abomination right now. Oh yeah there is also a wee FLAMETHROWER you can pick up as well.

Having some of these in a survivor’s inventory is essential to your survival in TCM as this expansion can make a game go south really, really, fast. Don’t start thinking that because you have the flamethrower that you are simply going to waltz through a scenario like Arnold Swarzenegger in Terminator. No sir, the game is balanced enough that each play and every decision matters right to the end, you might have great gear, but this isn’t World of Warcraft, and the zombies just don’t stop coming.

 Another cool part of the expansion is the "Ultra Red" mode gameplay and its unique equipment.

This does everything.

 Ultra Red mode allows Survivors to gain experience beyond the red danger level and to get additional skills. They also get to use Ultra Red weapons which are so powerful only red level survivors can equip them. These cards are shuffled into the deck and must be searched for. Ultra Red play works like this:

“When your Survivor reaches the Red Level, put the experience tracker to “0” and add any experience points gained past the minimum required to hit the Red Level. Your Survivor is still on the Red Level and keeps his Skills. Count additional experience points as usual and gain unselected Skills upon reaching Danger Levels again. When all the Survivor’s Skills have been selected, choose a Skill among any Zombicide Skills (except those featuring brackets, such as Start with [Equipment], for example) upon reaching Orange and then Red Level.”

So your Survivor has the potential to be a “super survivor” which I daresay you may need on some of the larger scenarios.

 The last thing I would like to highlight is the introduction of what the game describes as Zombivors. These are Survivors who have fallen to the undead and have returned only to fight alongside their old human friends. Zombivors are much tougher than mere humans as such they take five full hits to kill rather than the two for their counterparts. When a player dies he/she can be resurrected as a Zombivor on the next player's turn. The new Zombie keeps all experience and equipment they had prior to becoming a pile of rotten flesh and get to choose new skills. Their miniature is replaced on the board with their Zombivor mini (which are all so much cooler looking) and the game moves on. Hmmm so in reality you could during a very long and epic game become an Ultra Red Zombivor!!!!

This past weekend I solo play tested scenario one from the rulebook which incorporated the original Zombicide and TCM. I wanted to get a feel of the mechanics before our next game day and see how they worked. Needless to say I was pleasantly surprised. The Toxics ramped up the tension right out of the gate as I tried to find my way across the board. I spent a good amount of time searching rooms for gear trying to get decent ranged attack weapons. As it turns out I didn’t search long enough for, about a half hour later, my little band of four was completely over run and destroyed. Every flip of the card and roll of the dice kept me on edge wondering what was coming next, and I had so much fun I wanted to start all over again. Sadly my wife let me know I had big boy responsibilities and it was time to put my toys away.

Me getting my ass kicked.

 Overall TCM is an awesome expansion to an already epic game line. If you have not already added it to your list of "need to haves" I suggest strongly that you take a close look at this one. Hopefully come next game day we will get to go on a toxic zombie killing rampage as a group, I know the guild will love the twists that these green blighters bring to the game.

Cheers
AL

*note: We have not received nor do we anticipate receiving any compensation for our endorsement of the game mentioned in this post. The opinions and views expressed are our own and not influenced by outside parties in any way. If you wish for to send us money by all means we’ll take it, however we will fully disclose such in writing and then say and do what we want anyway. Thanks.

the En Vogue: A dessert drink.

by Al Butler

En Vogue with Whipped cream and shaved chocolate.

It has been horribly cold this past week, not only in the hinterlands of our Northeastern hideaways but all over the nation. The biting freezing air seeps into your bones, and saps all ambition. The only thing you want to do is find a warm spot by a fire or neathe blankets, and thaw out. It is pleasurable indeed to feel your frozen body consume the warmth and comfort of heat. So it is with the frigid and brutal weather in mind I present a soothing, sweet and relaxing dessert drink I call the En Vogue to help ease you through these troubled times.

Ingredients:
2.0 oz. Chambord Raspberry Liqueur
.5 oz. Bailey’s Irish crème
6-8 oz. of double dark Hot Chocolate (I use Ghirardelli)

Method:
First make your hot Chocolate on the stove. Take 8.0 oz. of milk and 4-5 tablespoons of Ghirardelli double dark mix (more chocolate added the thicker your beverage) and heat slowly stirring constantly. When it’s ready remove from heat and put aside. Now take an Irish coffee glass and add your Chambord, and Baileys, Top off with the Hot Chocolate and stir. Serve as is or add a dollop of whipped cream on top if you like.

Yeah it's a mix, but some of us have jobs, you know?

 Now, I can hear a few purists out there grumbling about using a mix for the Hot Chocolate portion of this drink. I use it as it makes the drink easier to concoct than actually melting bars of cocoa etc. If you feel the need to go that route, by all means do so. However, for the majority of us mere peasants a double dark mix will work just fine.

 I think if you give this sweet calming drink a try you will experience the quiet yet distinct flavors of Raspberry, from the Chambord, coming to the fore after your first sip. The Bailey’s adds that little something which tells you that you’re not drinking Grandma’s hot cocoa, and you have graduated to big boy/girl pants. These types of drinks are usually offered up as a dessert menu item in bars and restaraunts, and they work well in that situation. However I feel that the En Vogue is a perfect  libation, which will bring you a moment of comfort and ease any time. After a long day of skiing, or simply shoveling the drive for the hundredth time, one of these little drinks will be sure to make you sigh in relief.

"Free your mind, the rest will follow". Yeah I'd follow these ladies anywhere.

Lastly I named this dessert drink the En Vogue after the Diva singing group of the 1990’s, because both are dark, sexy, intelligent and stylish.

Cheers
AL

Star Wars: X-Wing game

by Al Butler

As a Child of the Seventies, I know I should be more enthusiastic as concerns the entire Star Wars franchise. The original films, which I did see in theaters, had a definite and lasting impact upon my generation. Yet, somehow, I was unable to immerse myself in that fantasy sci-fi world when it came to board games, pulp novels, and definitely not the “dolls” mass produced as “Action figures”. (Dolls are for little girls’ period!) The Franchise needs no further elaboration in that the Billions of dollars it has produced since 1977 should be evidence enough of its power and popularity. Until recently, outside of the movies themselves, anything with a Star Wars theme received an “Eh, so what?” from me and I moved on.

 However, that was before our friend Mike introduced us to a neat little miniatures game called Star Wars: X-Wing.

The components of the minis are top notch, and the flight/movement templates (including hard banks, and reverse maneuvers) really make the game play easy. In this game you command various ships from the Star Wars films such as Tie-Fighters, X-wings, and even the Millennium Falcon, in a tactical combat situation. All of the minis are pre-painted out of the box (big plus for me) and have a great amount of detail on them. The various cards are easy to read and interpret, thus eliminating a need to constantly cross reference charts and lists in a rule book. The other components like the defense and hit die (eight sided) are also well made.

This is not over Frodo!

Game Play is simple and the rule set is light so you don’t have to have a bunch of thick rule books and con people into playing, they will often join in of their own free will. Using a point system each side is allotted so many points from which to build their fleet. As each ship needs a pilot, the player must purchase one from the different types available, and then deduct the cost from his/her total point allotment. Some pilots cost more than others but the more expensive ones tend to have special bonuses associated with them that enhance the ship in some way. You can also use points to purchase upgrades and equipment for your ship like an Ion Cannon or mines etc. Once a player has used all of his/her points their fleet, or even single ship, is built and they are ready to start.

Each player then picks one of their ships and using a small cardboard dial, which comes with each craft, secretly chooses what maneuver that ship, will perform. Next they “activate” their ships to move by following the initiative order and implement the maneuver they chose on the dial. This is done by taking the appropriate template, fixing it to the front of the ship’s base, then while holding the template down with one hand they pick up the ship and move it to the front of the template.


To fire at your opponent you must first check to see if a target is in range (another measuring template is provided for this). If you are able to shoot then the attacker rolls some red attack die and the defender some green defense die. The attacker simply tries to roll more hits than the defender evades. The order in which movement and attack are determined is simply done by using your individual pilot’s initiative number which is printed on the ship card. Low initiative numbers always move first and attack last while high initiative is the opposite, move last but shoot first.

Take that Hippies!

This game is fast, easy, and very engaging to play, even for guys like me who don’t care for anything in the Star Wars genre. However there is a downside to this entire laser blasting fun, the cost. Base sets, which start you off with, templates, dials, dice, two tie-fighters and one x-wing range anywhere between $30 and $40 US and by all accounts you need two of these to facilitate group play. There are also countless expansion ships which all are purchased separately. Mike has been building his fleets of ships slowly and now has quite a nice little collection going.


Overall, having played twice, I feel that this little Miniatures game is worth the price tag, in that larger games with more players and ships are much more fun than the simple head to head play of a base set alone. This past weekend we set up a game with six players and until the very end everyone was around the table watching, calculating and discussing events as they unfolded. This included even those of us who were knocked out early due to a cowardly and treacherous act by one of their team mates. (Anthony)

Brave Sir Robin in Slave-1 runs away.

So if you are looking for a space themed miniatures game that is easy, fun, colorful, and engaging I recommend parting with your hard earned shekels for Star Wars: X-wing.

Cheers
AL

El Charro Negro (the Black Charro)

by Al Butler

A Black Charro Cocktail

The first time I read the name of this tequila based drink my simple little mind immediately focused on the "Charro" portion. You see, for me, the name Charo has always been associated with the vivacious, fun, and sexy Spanish singer/entertainer of the 1960's and 70's. As a boy I loved watching her flit across the screen speaking very broken English, and wearing the most outlandish and revealing costumes. Her trade mark move of raising her hands over her head, and shaking her hips while shouting "Cuchi, Cuchi" brings a smile to my lips even today. However I found out rather quickly, that the cocktail we are looking at today was not named for her, but for something much more dark and seemingly sinister.

"Cuchi, Cuchi!"

El Charro Negro is a legend, from Mexico which speaks of a dark rider and his nocturnal wanderings.

Dressed all in black this apparition appears on a stallion of the same color to lonely travelers in the dead of the night. Many have seen this spirit, all of whom tell the same story. He glides out of the night riding on a tall dark horse. Silent as a whisper on the wind, he is never heard approaching. The Black Charro merely sits as still as a statue and watches the humans before him. None have ever heard him speak, nor do they know what it is he wants. They simply feel terror as his eyes, masked in the shadows of the night, watch them intently.

Stop staring at me!

One such tale tells of  a peasant being startled by El Charro Negro on a very dark country road. At the peasant's feet appeared a pouch full of coins. The peasant knew not what to do, should he take the money, or was this a trap of some sort set by the black rider before him? Eventually the poor hapless man was overwhelmed with fear and ran away as fast as he could, leaving the money in the dust and the searching gaze of the ghost behind him. To date it seems El Charro Negro has never harmed anyone, he obviously just exists to scare the Christ out of tired poor dirt farmers on their way home from the Cantina.

Thankfully, the cocktail that bears this ghost's name is not nearly as lame as the legend which inspired it.

Ingredients:
1.5-2.0 oz. Tequila
 .5-.75 oz.  Lemon Juice (fresh)
Cola to top off
Lemon wheel for garnish.

Method:
Fill a rocks glass with clean ice, add Tequila and Lemon Juice and top off with the Cola. Stir gently as to not flatten the carbonation from the cola. Add a lemon wheel as a garnish either on the rim of the glass or simply dropped inside the drink itself. *Note: You can also chose to "rim" the glass with salt by running your lemon peel around the rim and placing the glass (top down) onto a plate of salt. You have to mix your drink in a separate glass and pour it into the rimmed glass if you chose to do this* 

I found that the lemon juice really helped to cut back on the sweetness of the tequila and cola, making the whole experience a rather smooth and calming one. You can use any type of tequila you like or have on hand, but I personally prefer Reposado or Anejo as the aging in charred barrels gives the spirit a smooth, smoky, flavor which elevates this simple drink. Some people make the El Charro Negro with lime juice and garnish instead of lemon, and it seems to work fine. I suggest trying both versions, what can it hurt? if you prefer lime over lemon go for it.

This quick and easy to mix drink is simple enough that one doesn't have to think to much when putting it together however, the flavors are unique enough that you'll be making more than just one.

Cuchi, Cuchi!
AL
 

The Boulevardier

By Al Butler


The Boulevardier.

Last spring I was introduced to a neat little before dinner drink called the Negroni and decided to give it a try. The construction of this rather popular cocktail was simple and straightforward in that it used 1 ounce of Gin, 1 ounce of Campari, and 1 ounce of sweet Vermouth stirred with ice in a rocks glass. It seemed perfect for the Booze and Board Games monthly get togethers. (easy, and quick)  Yet in execution this storied libation failed horribly and my guests grimaced as they tried to "choke" them down. This was completely my own fault in that I did not fully understand the complexity of one of the main ingredients; Campari, and I did not know then what I do now about mixing and serving drinks. The bitter citrus of the Campari overpowered the Bombay Sapphire gin thus ruining the subtle, herbal highlights of that spirit. Chagrined I decided to steer clear of any cocktails that contained Campari going forward, as I had no desire to submit my friends and family to such an acquired taste.

Bitter acquired taste, Campari is either loved or hated by most.

However, I came across another old but less famous cocktail called the Boulevardier, and my mind began to race. Though a close cousin of the Negroni , the Boulevardier uses rye or bourbon whiskey as it's base instead if gin, which I feel does a better job of keeping the bullying qualities of the Campari at bay. This drink from around 1927 or so is a smooth yet complex potion; the bitter Campari gives it complexity, but the sweet vermouth keeps things soft, add a good spicy rye, and you have a drink that doesn't overpower but blends gently.

The key to the Boulevardier resides in putting the spirit forward rather than subduing it. To accomplish this you simply increase the amount of Rye or Bourbon you add to the drink. Instead of a 1: 1: 1: ratio you can use a 1.25-2.0: 1: 1: solution. This little aperitif is easily manipulated to taste by adjusting the proportions of spirit. There are lots of different ratio's out there but I feel the recipe I give below really blends well together and will bring a pleasurable smile to you and your guests.

Ingredients:
1.5 oz. of Rye or Bourbon Whiskey. to taste.
1.0 oz. Campari
1.0 oz. Sweet Vermouth (chilled)
Orange peel or twist for garnish

Method:
 Fill a rocks glass with clean cubed ice, next add your Campari. This gives the Campari a little extra time to dilute in the glass. Add your vermouth, then whiskey, I prefer 1.5 oz. of Rye in this 2.0 Bourbon if that is all I have to work from. Stir with your bar spoon for about one full minute to dilute the ice some and to chill the drink. (my big mistake with the Negroni) Next add an orange peel or twist for garnish. Note *Always keep your vermouth refrigerated, it is a wine, thus if left out too long has a tendency to go bad*

To serve these "up" simply mix your ingredients as before in a mixing glass and strain them into a chilled cocktail glass.

Served "up" with an Orange twist, "Fancy".

The Boulevardier, is not a seasonal cocktail by any sense of the imagination and can be enjoyed throughout the year. I feel that it's original offering as a before dinner cocktail fits perfectly but it also works well as an end of evening libation as well. So give this amazingly simple yet complex little drink a try the next time you find yourself waiting for dinner to finish cooking, or you are simply winding down from an evening out, I promise you won't be disappointed.

Cheers
Al