Archibald, Certainly Not! 2nd Edition

Archibald, Certainly Not! 2 is, like the original edition, a game of World War One aerial combat focused on fun and playability. Though some rules have changed, the focus remains steadfastly on the same two targets. What's the same as in the original is that the game can be played on any table, completely free of hexes and hex mats using garden variety six sided dice. There is a bit of altitude in Archie 2, but not that of an overly intrusive type. Just five basic levels and we're done with it. One of the highlights of the new edition is the introduction of a rather intense bombing and observation engine, which operates much like a game within the game. This now makes observation and bombing squadrons playable entities, rather than NPCs to be protected or abused, as the scenario dictates. Mechanically the most important aspect is the introduction of seven maneuver levels, up from the previous five. This gives a better feel to the aircraft and allows for more subtle differences in handling. And aircraft now use turning arcs rather than the 45 degree system in the original. The arcs are, of course, included in the game, in PDF and STL forms. The game includes an even more extensive list of all types of aircraft, some of them quite obscure, along with a well informed and better formated QRS. You also get an extremely detailed campaign game system, allowing you to fly in the usual glamorous scouts, and also lumbering bombers and the workhorse of the air war, the two seat observation aircraft. Despite the changes, Archibald, Certainly Not! 2 retains at its core the same commitment to fun and playability that is the basis for all 4P Press games. Archibald is written with 1/144th scale miniatures in mind.