The Inside Scoop on Gaming

First, I really love the game of Silent Death. It's just so much fun to zoom those little fighters all over the place. I even have fun designing new and powerful ships (ask me about my Crushing Death).

The only problem is that, to be honest, my strategy needs some work. Whenever we play group games, my fighters always get separated from my allies and blown to stardust.

What does this have to do with this supplement, you ask? Be patient, I'm getting there.

So, the other day I saw a new Silent Death book called the Fighter Tactics Manual in my friend Neil's backpack. After a few minutes of whining, he gives it to me, and I read through it. And I read through it again. And look at all the tables. And start taking notes.

This book will almost certainly improve your skill at Silent Death if you're a beginner, and probably for intermediate to advanced players as well.

It consists of good advice on basic tactics, weaponry use, situational tactics, and campaign strategies. The information on torpedoes is excellent. Then, just for an added bonus, I.C.E. included 5 new fighters, a new gunboat, 3 cool scenarios (I really love the one with the 10 snub fighters up against the Betafort), and lots and lots of tables and info.

Trust me, this thing is crammed. It even has some amazing diagrams for torpedo kill zones. Quick quiz--Imagine the area that a speed 12 torpedo can reach in one turn. What shape is it? If you said anything other than "a star," you really should read the section on torpedoes.

And speaking of quizzes, the Tactics Manual has little "tactical exercises": questions that let you see how much you know.

As in most Silent Death books, the graphics and layout are excellent. (I love that picture on page 41.) The only thing I can complain about in this department is lots of wasted sidebar space. The first half of the Manual has little fiction stories in the sidebars, and the second half has entirely blank sidebars. It'd be cool to put in some actual game material.

At our next game, I'll be ready. Maybe now I'll learn how to stay in formation. And just wait until I evade 3 torps and make a Lufbery circle...

Style: 4 (Classy and well done)
Substance: 5 (Excellent!)

Silent Death Fighter Tactics Manual
Author: Sheldon Greaves, Ph.D & Leland Erickson Category: miniature Company/Publisher: I.C.E. Cost: $14.00 Page count: 59, plus ships and tables ISBN: 1-55806-319-6 Capsule Review by Sam Lindsay-Levine on 03/19/98. Genre tags: none	First, I really love the game of Silent Death. It's just so much fun to zoom those little fighters all over the place. I even have fun designing new and powerful ships (ask me about my Crushing Death). The only problem is that, to be honest, my strategy needs some work. Whenever we play group games, my fighters always get separated from my allies and blown to stardust. What does this have to do with this supplement, you ask? Be patient, I'm getting there. So, the other day I saw a new Silent Death book called the Fighter Tactics Manual in my friend Neil's backpack. After a few minutes of whining, he gives it to me, and I read through it. And I read through it again. And look at all the tables. And start taking notes. This book will almost certainly improve your skill at Silent Death if you're a beginner, and probably for intermediate to advanced players as well. It consists of good advice on basic tactics, weaponry use, situational tactics, and campaign strategies. The information on torpedoes is excellent. Then, just for an added bonus, I.C.E. included 5 new fighters, a new gunboat, 3 cool scenarios (I really love the one with the 10 snub fighters up against the Betafort), and lots and lots of tables and info. Trust me, this thing is crammed. It even has some amazing diagrams for torpedo kill zones. Quick quiz--Imagine the area that a speed 12 torpedo can reach in one turn. What shape is it? If you said anything other than "a star," you really should read the section on torpedoes. And speaking of quizzes, the Tactics Manual has little "tactical exercises": questions that let you see how much you know. As in most Silent Death books, the graphics and layout are excellent. (I love that picture on page 41.) The only thing I can complain about in this department is lots of wasted sidebar space. The first half of the Manual has little fiction stories in the sidebars, and the second half has entirely blank sidebars. It'd be cool to put in some actual game material. At our next game, I'll be ready. Maybe now I'll learn how to stay in formation. And just wait until I evade 3 torps and make a Lufbery circle... Style: 4 (Classy and well done) Substance: 5 (Excellent!)

Silent Death Fighter Tactics Manual