So Gang number two – the Chicago Gangsters, because no game set in prohibition would be going anywhere with out a few of these.
They are introduced in the rule book as follows
The void left by Prohibition was soon filled by ambitious and ruthless men. Men who would do anything to make a few more dollars, or millions in some cases. If a bribe fails they are just as happy getting what they want through violence.
Gangsters – the chicago way – Great escape games
So there are 5 model types available to gangsters
BOSS – leader of the gang and ever present – comes with a free pistol.
HITMAN – the optional No2. comes with a pistol 4 free or can take a Pump Action Shotgun or Tommy gun for extra.
HOODS – at least 2 must accompany the BOSS and they get a pistol for free or can be given Pump Action Shotguns and 1 may take a Tommy gun – both of these alternatives will cost more.
PUNK – Upto 4 punks can be taken and they can only be armed with pistols – these are your disposable distractions.
DRIVER – the gang can take 1 Driver who gets a pistol for free,
There are 2 special rules available for the gangster gangs.
- I’M GOING TO MAKE HIM AN OFFER HE CAN’T REFUSE – this is a once per game option – it can be activated when an enemy model which is not the leader declares its actions. Each player draws a card from their deck – if the Gangsters card is higher then the model takes no actions and its turn ends.
- YOU CAN ALWAYS TELL THE WINNERS AT THE STARTING GATE – this allows the Gangster player to reposition one of their Pistol armed models. It can only be done at the beginning of the game after all models have been set up – but before any are activated. The gangster can be positioned anywhere on the table so long as it is more than 20cm from an opposing model.
But what are their Ace, King, Queen, Jack cards?
- ACE – “Somebody messes with me, I’m gonna mess with him” – not a surprise to discover this is played when an opponent decides to interrupt one of your actions – the way this is written this suggests we are not only talking about duck backs and snap shots but also card interrupts. It cancels the interruption and the opposing model loses its initiative card.
- KING – “You wanna know if we’re armed? We’re armed” – this card has to be played when you activate one of the gang. For that turn only it becomes armed with either a pistol, shotgun or pump action shotgun regardless of what they were initially armed with. Alas it only lasts for that turn.
- QUEEN – “Story of my life, some bum’s always trying to steal whats mine” – this is a first (from my memory) – it is played after initiative cards are laid down but before they are turned over and allows the gangster player to review the unturned cards and swap them between their models if they wish to.
- JACK – “Hey everyone can be gotten to” – playable at anytime and for the remainder of the turn the nominated enemy model gains no benefit from cover or move actions when your gang shoots at it.
Now to me the 2 gang special skills are quite weak – but the fact that the gang can bring 2 Tommy guns and multiple pump action shotguns to play perhaps this is intentional to balance things a bit. The cards offer some interesting opportunities especially the king I can see a pistol armed figure approaching the enemy then you play the king, give them a pump action shotgun and blow “the dirty rat” away.
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