Stats:
No. of players: 2
Amount of time to play: 60-120 min, depending on scenario
Age requirements: 8+
Set-up time: 5-10 min, depending on scenario

Sedition Wars is a sci-fi, horror themed miniatures war game. You play as either the human Vanguard or the alien Strain. Meet your objectives before your opponent and win.

Sedition Wars Rules Description:

Sedition Wars is an asymmetrical game where the two sides play differently. The Vanguard rely on their superior technology and tactics to eliminate the Strain. The Strain overwhelm and infect the humans, adding them to their already large horde.

After setting up the board based on the scenario, you spend points to create your force. Each scenario starts you with different points and you might have some limits based on the scenario too.

Your turn starts with a force management or infection phase depending which faction you are playing. The Vanguard gain tactic points they can use to upgrade their attacks or use other troop specific abilities. The Strain player first can infect vanguard troops standing on nano-spores then they move the remaining nano-spores. These nano-spores can also spawn new low level Strain units from corpses and other strategic spots. Lastly the nano-spores can evolve lower Strain units into larger more advanced ones.

Next you activate each of your miniatures to take two different actions or one focused action. Actions include moving, attacking, using an ability or activating a strategic point. A focused action lets you add one more die when you roll or go twice as far when you move.

To attack you roll 3d6 and add your unit’s weapon modifier then add or subtract situational modifiers. For each natural six you roll you may roll it again and your weapon might do extra damage. If you meet or exceed your target’s defense they are hit. Each weapon has a range and damage you apply to a unit you hit. There are modifiers for shooting into close combat, cover or firing out of range.

At the end of your turn you may need to roll to remove status effects. You have a 50-50 chance to remove them and most cause damage at the beginning of your activation.

When it is not your turn you may still react. Many units have a reflex trigger that lets you move or attack given a specific situation. These triggers keep you in the action even when it isn’t your turn.

You win, if you are the first player to meet the scenario’s win conditions for your faction.

Quick Review of Sedition Wars:

Sedition Wars: Battle for Alabaster is a miniatures game catering to board gamers and war gamers. It is fun to play and has some cool, unique mechanics. The game is tactical and moves pretty smoothly, but you might need some time getting it to that state. This is Studio McVey’s first foray into the board game business and in some places it shows. But despite its rough edges the game is enjoyable.

The components for the game are hit and miss. The miniatures are fantastic. They look amazing once you assemble them an look even better with a decent paint job. The map boards warp a bit, are a bit too dark and I wish the game information on the board were clearer. The counters while thick split too easily. The artwork and unit cards are great. But the rules are poorly organized, vague in some areas and don’t have an index. You should download the FAQ if you buy this game. I also wish they included player aids and a better way to mark or identify the units and their health.

Combat is fun and smooth in this game. I like the exploding die and extra damage it can cause. It makes things more deadly even faster.

I like the Reflex Triggers. They keep you engaged when it is not your turn and looking for instances to use them.

The way the Strain infect the Vanguard, evolve and grow is super cool. Through the use of certain strategic points you can pump out nano-spores and use them to evolve or spawn more units.

The Vanguard heroes add some interesting options and variety to the human forces. While the larger Strain units are powerful and cool looking. I like being able to try both sides and how different they play.

If you like sci-fi, horror and miniatures war games you should try out Sedition Wars. You may need to print the FAQ, and deal with some rough edges, but it is worth it.

Score and synopsis: (Click here for an explanation of these review categories.)
Strategy 4 out of 6
Luck 5 out of 6
Player Interaction 6 out of 6
Replay Value 4 out of 6
Complexity 4 out of 6
Fun 5 out of 6
Overall 4 out of 6 (if the rules and components were better this would easily be a 5)