Blaze, by Alex Macris is a scenario book for the popular Spearhead miniatures rule set. It includes in its 42 pages: a short introduction, sort of a designer's pre-notes; two pages of desert rules - dust, trails, mirages, etc.; a page of designer's notes - a conclusion; and scenarios. There are 21 scenarios ranging from Rommel's first action in North Africa, in 1941, to Von Arnim's final attack in Tunisia, in 1943 (and just about everything in between).

The scenarios follow a standard two-page format. For each, there's a game map, an historical summary, orders-of-battle for each side, special rules, as applicable, and short, clear, victory conditions. I was quite impressed that Alex found 21 division-level actions for this book. They cover all the wide variety of desert battles - meeting engagements, assaults, fighting withdrawals, etc. - that made the war in North Africa so interesting in a geography altogether unlike anything anywhere else.

Beyond the scenarios' generally high standard - both in presentation and in subject matter, one thing merits pointing out. The author plays "at home" with a standard set of twelve 30" by 30" modules containing various sorts of terrain (as noted in the introduction). All of Blaze's scenarios are built from these modules, with roads and other man-made features added as needed.

The special rules, too, were well done. They were kept to a minimum and didn't so much change any existing rules as they added to them - a good idea. One thing I'd liked to have seen is an historical outcome, perhaps at the back of the book (so as to avoid prejudicing the players). I guess it's just the old Squad Leader player in me.

These scenarios readily adapt to other rule sets, but as the author notes, balance is dependent on how robust your command and control rules are. Blaze is a good value for the money ($22.95, I think) at your FLGS.

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