Board Games | Wargames

On November 9th of 2009, the world marked the 20th Anniversary of the conclusion of the Cold War. That was the day that the Cold War's most tangible symbol -- the Berlin Wall -- was relegated to the ash heap of history. Unlike the 20th Century's other great conflict, the Cold War did not end in an explosion of neutrons, but rather, an explosion of human freedom and optimism. We had avoided what many thought inevitable -- the destruction of mankind through armed conflict between the Soviet Union and the United States. Overnight, the face of Europe had changed. Suddenly, all things were possible. That was 20 years ago. Sadly, we all learned that the end of the Cold War was not "the end of history." Mankind would find new ways to divide itself.While the threat of nuclear holocaust disappeared, newer and more sinister forms of conflict would take its place. Where once superpowers bestrode the globe, decentralized networks and even individuals now command the world's attention.This Deluxe Edition of Twilight Struggle seeks to capture the feeling of that earlier era.Twilight Struggle is a two-player game simulating the forty-five year dance of intrigue, prestige, and occasional flares of warfare between the Soviet Union and the United States. Using the card-driven game mechanics pioneered in such award winning games as We the People and Hannibal: Rome vs. Carthage, Twilight Struggle recreates the conflict between the most powerful nation states the world has ever known. The scope of the game covers the entire world as it was found in 1945. Players move units and exert influence in attempts to gain allies and control for their superpower.As with GMT's other card-driven games, decision-making is a challenge; how to best use one's cards and units given consistently limited resources? Event cards add cover a vast array of historical happenings, from the Berlin Airlift, to the Vietnam War and the U.S. peace movement, to the Cuban Missile Crisis. This Deluxe Edition of Twilight Struggle marries world-class components, with the sort of world-class game play for which GMT is already known. We cannot think of a better way to commemorate this vital piece of world history. We invite you to relieve an era with the words uttered by one of its most iconic statesmen: "Now the trumpet summons us again, not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need; not as a call to battle, though embattled we are - but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle" - John F. KennedyComponents:• Heavy duty 9 x 12 x 2 inch box Mounted map with revised graphics• Two double-thick counter sheets with 228 counters• Deck of 110 event cards (increased from 104)• Revised rules and player aid cards• Two six-sided diceGame FeaturesTIME SCALE approx. 3-5 years per turnMAP SCALE Point-to-point systemUNIT SCALE Influence markersNUMBER OF PLAYERS 1 - 2

Read more less

The WAR OF THE RING is a grand strategy board game that allows its players to immerse themselves in the world of J.R.R. Tolkien's THE LORD OF THE RINGS TM and experience its epic action, dramatic conflict, and memorable characters.As the Free Peoples player you command the proud hosts of the most important kingdoms of the Third Age. From the horse-lords of Rohan to the soldiers of Gondor and the Elven lords of Rivendell, you lead the defense of the last free realms of Middle-earth.Face the evil minions of Sauron on the field of battle in a desperate attempt to delay their onslaught, while you lead the Fellowship of the Ring in the Quest for Mount Doom.As the Shadow player you lead the hordes of the Dark Lord and his most powerful minions as they try to bring darkness to Middle-earth. Legions of Orcs, Trolls, Wolfriders and the dreadful Ringwraiths await your command. Hunt the Ring-bearer and bring the precious Ring to his Master, or crush your enemies with your unstoppable armies.This is your chance to forge the destiny of an age...Contents of the Box: A massive 70x100 cm Game Board in two sections, 205 Plastic Figures representing Armies and Characters (more than 30 differentsculptures), 16 Action Dice, 5 Combat Dice, 76 Cardboard Counters, 110 Event and Character Cards, Game Rules, 2 Player Aids folders.

Read more less

December 1740: Young King Frederick II leads the army of upstart Prussia in a surprise invasion of Austrian Silesia. He hopes for an easy conquest of the rich province at a time when the Austrian Empire appears vulnerable following the death of Charles VI, King of Austria and Holy Roman Emperor. But despite internal opposition to the ‘Pragmatic Sanction’ that allowed a woman to inherit the throne, Austria’s new Queen, Maria Theresa, is cowed neither by Frederick, nor by France’s scheme to place a Bavarian puppet candidate on the throne of the Holy Roman Empire, nor by Spanish designs on Austria’s holdings in Italy. Amid these conflicting dynastic ambitions, Frederick’s local territorial coup proves to be only the opening act in a major European war that none of the great powers had anticipated - but all wished to profit from. It would ultimately span eight years and half the globe. Clash of Sovereigns (COS), GMT’s 2-4 player card-driven game of the War of the Austrian Succession, has been 9 years in the making. It is a free-wheeling, faster-playing, stream-lined “nephew” of the widely-regarded Clash of Monarchs (COM). A 12-hour campaign game and three shorter scenarios covering 2-3 years apiece that can be played to completion in as little as three hours! 2-4 players. The French, Prussians/Spanish (“Pr/Span”), Austrians, and British/ Piedmontese (“Br/Pied”) each have their own separate card decks divided into Early, Middle, and Late war periods Half a dozen minor powers add their own blood and diplomatic wrinkles to the tableau – and can sometimes reshape it utterly by switching sides. Leaders are rated for Initiative, Offense and Defense modifiers, and Action Points. Distinctive national tactics and troop quality factors are ‘captured’ by Army Battle Ratings (which evolve over time) and event and Battle Tactics cards. A simple, but significant, naval sub-game simulates naval operations in the Mediterranean and Atlantic, including the annual Bourbon Treasure Fleet’s risky voyage home. Colonial conflicts in Canada and India are simulated by event cards Design-for-Effect economic factors are “baked into” the event and reinforcement cards and can therefore be resolved in only a small fraction of the time required by COM’s more complex economic model.

Read more less

Originally released in 1977 and 1978, the two first releases in The Fantasy Trip series, Melee and Wizard, were out of Steve Jackson's reach during the eighties when the classic Pocket Box was first produced. Finally, we're able to present these two great games in an 80s-styled package, making this the "What If?" edition you're sure had to have existed in the early days of gaming. Wizard -- The magic companion to Melee -- sorcerous combat, in the arena or in the dungeon. Create your wizard, choose his spells, and go into combat. Zap your foe with fireballs or lightning. Summon giants, dragons, and wolves to destroy them all. Or be subtle and entangle them with Magic Rope and Slippery Floor spells. Successful wizards gain skill and power. Losers die.  

Read more less

Frontier Wars: Expansion France/Japan brings two very different factions — Japan and France — into Frontier Wars, while also allow for games with up to six players. This expansion also includes a new type of tile (double tiles) and new additional scenarios.

Read more less

Omicron Protocol is an “intra-apocalyptic”, cyberpunk-themed miniatures board game for 1-4 players, where you control a squad of unique characters and a 3rd party enemy to harass your opponent, or play solo/cooperatively as a team to fight enemies, complete objectives, and survive! Every character in the game is represented by a detailed 32mm-scale miniature, possessing their own rich history and personality, as well as powerful cybernetic abilities! Play the competitive or solo/co-op modes through various narrative scenarios to survive the crisis! The game is filled with innovative game mechanics that make every game thrilling and exciting, ushering players deeper and deeper into the gripping lore of San Lazaro and those who fight in its chaotic streets.

Read more less

  The Last Kingdom Board Game is game of war and politics for 2-5 players by renowned designer John D Clair that's based on the Netflix series The Last Kingdom. In this world, the kingdoms of Britain are at war. Many have already fallen to the invading Danes, leaving the great kingdom of Wessex standing alone and defiant under the command of King Alfred. You are one of the great commanders and politicians in this war-torn land known today as England. Both Saxon and Dane armies openly battle for dominance, and it is up to you to title the scales of power. To claim these lands, you will need to tread a dangerous path between both sides of the conflict. Will you betray your allies for power? What part will you play in the birth of a new nation, and will you ultimately rule it all? The Last Kingdom Board Game plays over the course of two rounds during which players will perform actions to command armies to shape the course of the war. Your allegiance to the Saxons or the Danes can be firm or fickle, and your score will reflect not just your prowess in battle, but your political skill in maneuvering the competing forces of Britain. Each of the ten leaders offers unique benefits to your strategy and provides special cards to start your hand. At the start of each round, players complete their hand by drafting cards from a deck specific to that round, then the war begins in one of the five regions. Players take turns playing cards to command Saxon or Dane armies, gaining affinity with the different factions, or positioning their heroes and leaders to shift the tides of war. Players also have access to a rotating market of actions that are available to everyone. Alternatively, players may choose to not act on their turn and instead pass to see what moves their opponents make. Once all players have passed consecutively, the war in the current region will be decided by the strengths of the Saxon and Dane armies battling there. Players gain victory points if they are aligned with the winning faction and based on their level of affinity. The focus of the war then moves to the next region, and the battle continues. After the fate of each of the five regions has been decided, the round ends. After two rounds of play, the player who has accrued the most points wins.

Read more less