BGG:N #1 LAUTAPELI On November 9th of 2009, the world will mark 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? Twilight Struggle's 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. Kennedy Components: * 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 dice Game Features: TIME SCALE approx. 3-5 years per turn MAP SCALE Point-to-point system UNIT SCALE Influence markers NUMBER OF PLAYERS 1 - 2

You, as the player, in this solitaire game, will step into the shoes of the USMC commander leading the invasion of Iwo Jima, a pivotal battle in World War II. The game system, driven by cards, will simulate the strategies of the Japanese defenders, often referred to as the Japanese AI, adding a layer of historical authenticity to your gaming experience. Iwo Jima was the only island assault during the Pacific war that the attacking US forces would suffer worse casualties than the Japanese defenders. On February 19, 1945 the USMC would land 30,000 marines on the island against a Japanese defensive force that numbered roughly 21,000 Japanese soldiers. Facing a Japanese commander who had learned valuable lessons from the losses on other Japanese islands, the USMC would eventually land over 70,000 marines and suffer over 25,000 casualties during the 36 day campaign. If you have played Tarawa 1943 you will be familiar with the system. Key changes to Iwo Jima 1945 are as follows: * Iwo Jimas play deck is larger than Tarawas. * There are mountain positions on the island where the attacking USMC will roll 1 less attack dice. * The USMC player is allowed to play any number of the cards from their hand during their turn. * The other rules are almost all the same, and you can begin playing with just a brief read of the rules 1 PlayersPlay Time: 30–60 MinAge: 14+

In Waterloo Solitaire you take the role of Napoleon commanding the French army against an opposing Allied autonomous player side, referred to as the Allied BOT side. And you take the role of Wellington, commanding the Allied army against a French BOT side. Each opposing BOT side is rated for its skill. The game uses a similar system with Waterloo Solitaire Bookgame, except you will use cubes, and a hardmounted game board to track your movements and attacks in the game. Players win by destroying enemy formations, normally 2 to 3 depending on the side. 1 PlayersPlay Time: 30–60 MinAge: 12+

Step into the pivotal year of 1941 and experience the epic conflict of World War II on the Eastern Front with Conflict of Heroes Awakening the Bear 3rd Edition by Academy Games. As Germany launches Operation Barbarossa and embarks on a relentless advance into Soviet territory, the stage is set for a dramatic clash between two formidable adversaries. Key Features: * Historical Accuracy: Relive the opening stages of Operation Barbarossa as Germany launches a massive invasion of the USSR, capturing the surprise and chaos of this pivotal moment in history. * Intense Gameplay: Command German and Soviet forces in squad-level combat, experiencing the challenges and strategies of combined arms warfare on the Eastern Front. * Award-Winning Design: Winner of prestigious awards such as Historical Game of the Year and Charles Roberts Wargame of the Year, Awakening the Bear! sets the standard for historical wargaming excellence. * Versatile Use: Used by history enthusiasts, universities, and military personnel worldwide, Conflict of Heroes is renowned for its immersive gameplay and educational value. * Updated Edition: The 3rd Edition of Awakening the Bear! offers enhanced gameplay mechanics, improved components, and updated rules, providing an even more immersive and engaging gaming experience. 2–4 Players Play Time: 60-240 Min Age: 12+

Band of Brothers: Texas Arrows is the third game in the Band of Brothers series of WW2 tactical games. It follows the US 36th Infantry Division through Italy, France, and Germany during WW2. First line and elite US Infantry squads are introduced. In twelve scenarios, they face a mixture of opposition forces including second line Germans, first line Germans, and Panzergrenadiers. New vehicles make an appearance as well. Texas Arrows uses the same streamlined proficiency system introduced in Band of Brothers: Ghost Panzer. Ownership of both Screaming Eagles and Ghost Panzer is required to play. (E.g. every scenario require some maps or counters from GP.) The initial print run also includes 2 sheets of counters that update all the 1st edition Screaming Eagles unit counters to the 2nd edition updated proficiency system introduced in Ghost Panzer. Contents: - 2 Sheets of 7/8" counters to update Screaming Eagles - 1 Sheet of 7/8" counters introducing new units - 2 Maps - Scenario book with 12 scenarios - 1 page of additional rules - 1 Player Aid Card 2 PlayersPlay Time: 90 MinAge: 12+

Players take either the German or Soviet Union forces and use colourful wooden blocks to simulate the forces involved. Kiev '41 uses the same basic game engine of Moscow '41, with a few tweaks and changes to suit the differing conditions in the south. HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION In this sector the best equipped Soviet units faced a mix of German and Axis satellites' formations. It was then no surprise that Kiev held out for three months and that Hitler had to fatefully divert Guderian from Moscow to break the stiff Soviet resistance along the Dnieper. It ended in the largest encirclement in history, but not in the decisive victory Germany was calling for. THE GAME KIEV'41 is a war game covering the offensive of Army Group South to capture the Ukraine, the Donbass, the Crimea and the Caucasus. Even if, of the three Army Groups, von Runsdedt’s was the one charged with accomplishing the most ambitious goals, it was the one that came closest to achieving its objectives. Although using historical Orders of Battle and challenges, players can make their own choices to change history! Kiev'41 uses “Headquarters” units and an “impulse” system to smoothly introduce both Command and Control within the limitations that the armies of the day had on just how much moving and fighting they could do. While the German player is the primary attacker, the Soviet player is always able to look for a chance of a good counterattack and can actually win the game early. Variable set­up and reinforcements mean no two games are alike. SCALE Map: 1:1.000.000 (1cm = 10km) Unit Size: Axis Corps/Divisions; Soviet Armies/Corps/Divisions Time: 1 Turn = 1 Month Players: 2 players, with excellent solitaire suitability 1–2 PlayersPlay Time: 60–120 MinAge: 14+

Have you ever dreamed of commanding a powerful army? Have you enjoyed a good historical novel about Ancient Rome and you would have liked to move to this period in the middle of battle? Would you like to be able to change History or revive exciting historical events? If you have answered affirmatively to any of these questions then this is your game. ONUS! Traianus is a historical battles wargame, similar to a miniatures game, where two sides confront each other in an Ancient battle. This game is focused on the armies of the great superpowers of the apogee of the Roman Empire, during the reign of the emperors Trajan and Hadrian, between the 1st and 2nd centuries AD. In this game, different action cards recreate varied kinds of orders and battle events, that allow every match to be unique and to any combat to be epic, unpredictable and exciting. ONUS! can be played anywhere but to get the best gaming experience we do recommend a game area as large as possible, i.e. 3.2 x 2.9 feet (100 x 90 cm). Units are represented by cards which have been scaled around a Centuria (also known as Century) or to a Maniple (also known as Manipulus), representing formations from 80 to 100 men for Infantry units, 20 cavalrymen for Cavalry units or 6 Elephants. Units have their own set of traits to represent permanent attributes of the unit, like Melee Combat, Range Attack, Defensive capacity, Morale and Life, and Movement capacity. This set of traits gets bonuses and penalties depending on the ongoing situation and combat engagements. Units also have their unique set of skills to represent specific abilities they can perform: from defensive formations to extremely effective techniques to attack enemies. Some of these skills need to be activated; meaning only one of them can be used in an engagement, while others are inherent to the units. Leadership is represented in the game by the figure of the General. A General’s token represent his HQ and its own escort. In addition to the leadership benefit, a General grants bonuses to nearby units, boosting the morale of the troops and providing additional benefits when they are engaged with the enemy in those bloody encounters. 1–4 PlayersPlay Time: 30–120 MinAge: 12+

War of 1812 Solitaire places you in command of American forces trying to invade and occupy Canada. The British AI side defends the empire. Both sides have armies on fronts in play, ships on the Great Lakes and must deal with Native American warriors and their influence in the Northwest. 1 PlayersPlay Time: 30 MinAge: 14+

Band of Brothers: Old Breed South Pacific is a fast playing game of squad level combat in WWII. It covers the exploits of the U.S. First Marine Division in the battles for Guadalcanal. The rules are very simple (no combat charts are needed) with very few exceptions to remember and yet the game is meant to be all encompassing and will include infantry, tanks, and artillery. Based on years of research, the game system uses a unique suppression mechanic. There are no longer two unique states for a unit, but varying degrees of suppression. This allows suppression to accumulate from multiple fire sources and means that the unit will not take a morale check until it is asked to do something. You will never know for sure how your units will respond until they are needed. Although casualties can be caused by artillery and heavy weapons (which makes them prime battlefield targets), squads will never cause significant casualties shooting at range at dug in, first line troops. Their goal is to fire and maneuver. Sections of the enemy force must be pinned down and eliminated from up close. The system itself forces this realistic play. In a similar fashion, the system rewards you for spreading your troops out and other realistic game play. Another unique feature of the game is its use of Proficiency and Casualty ratings to differentiate squads in areas besides just morale. Old Breed South Pacific is a STAND ALONE GAME, but is also part of a growing series of tactical games. Band of Brothers: Screaming Eagles is the first in the series and follows the U.S. 101st Airborne Division. Band of Brothers: Ghost Panzer is the second in the series and follows the German 11th Panzer Division. Band of Brothers: Texas Arrows is a dependant expansion that follows the U.S. 36th Infantry Division. 2 PlayersPlay Time: 90 MinAge: 12+

From an abandoned mountain fortress you command a group of Norwegian volunteers fighting numerically superior German forces in the early days of WW2. Halls of Hegra is a solitaire-only wargame in the same vein as "Robinson Crusoe", "This War of Mine" and "Dead of Winter". The mechanics are worker placement, bag building, and area control / tower defense. You play as the commander of the Norwegian forces during the three stages of the game. 1. Mobilization. Explore the fortress while you dig your way through mountains of snow and broken equipment. New recruits are joining your growing force while you plan supply routes for the coming siege. 2. 1st. attack The village below the fortress is attacked. You try to defend it while you do the final preparations before the Siege. Send out patrols behind enemy lines to secure enough supplies. 3. Siege The Siege of fortress Hegra begins. You have to endure constant bombing and infantry attack while keeping the morale up amongst your men. Will you survive? 1 PlayersPlay Time: 70–90 MinAge: 14+

"Napoleon 1806" is a wargame at the crossroads of history and simulation, the culmination of two history and wargame enthusiasts, Denis Sauvage and Julien Busson, who wished to share this passion with you. With Napoleon 1806, in 1 to 2 hours, two players will relive the clashes between Prussian and French at the heart of the imperial conquests of Napoleon the 1st, which culminated in the battles of Auerstaedt and Jena. Napoleon 1806 is intended for wargaming seasoned grognards as well as for young conscripts who want to try a new playful sensation. Strategy, anticipation and decision are the engines of the Napoleon 1806 game system. The rules of Napoleon 1806 are divided into three parts and can be learnt in fifteen minutes. The first one, called "Rules of the Conscript", allows to acquire all the notions of the game easily. The second, "Rules of the Grognard", brings more finesse including "fog of war". The last, "Rules of the Marshal", allows to play Napoleon 1806 in competition. Will you meet the challenge of doing as well as the Emperor Napoleon or will you succeed in thwarting his plans at the head of the Prussian forces? 2 PlayersPlay Time: 60–120 MinAge: 10+

Jovian Moon Base - Callisto, 22nd Century AD: Tensions have arisen between the conglomerate of Earth's leading corporations that funded the base and the mining collective tasked with operating it. Protests have erupted, strikes been called, and contracts broken. Private security forces have been hired, industrial mining vehicles repurposed for combat, and long-disused military mechs reawoken. The battle for Callisto is about to begin: It's time to choose your side. Undaunted 2200: Callisto is a standalone big-box game in the Undaunted series that adapts the core gameplay of previous games to a new science-fiction setting. Play across an illustrated map in two-player, four-player, and solo game modes. Navigate the barren lunar landscape, maneuver to seize dominant high-ground positions, and utilize your formidable mechs to gain control of Callisto and its precious resources. 1–4 Players 45–60 Min Age: 14+

Quartermaster General: East Front is a two-player game that depicts the deadly struggle between the Soviet Union and Germany. In June 1941, Germany invaded the Soviet Union, along with Finland, Romania, and other nations. Germany was seeking another lightning victory, like those attained in Poland, France, and elsewhere; four years and millions of lives later, Soviet troops captured Berlin and forced the German surrender. Quartermaster General: East Front provides an in-depth look at one of the major operational theaters of the World War in less than two hours. The game is played over 16 game rounds, each representing three months, starting in Summer 1941 and ending in Spring 1945. 2 Players 120 Min

The RAF faces the Luftwaffe in this two-player deck-building game of aerial WWII combat. Summer, 1940. The German war machine has rolled through the continent in less than a year, crushing all before it. Britain is all that stands in the way of German victory in Europe. Command the pilots of the battle-tested Luftwaffe who are looking to extinguish all resistance and pave the way to invasion, or the resourceful and determined RAF opposing them at every turn. Undaunted: Battle of Britain is a standalone game in the Undaunted series, adapting the core gameplay of the previous games to recreate the dynamic dogfighting of aerial combat. Maintain cohesion between your pilots, evade anti-aircraft artillery, and leverage talented aces to win the battle for the skies! 2 Players 45–60 Min Age: 14+

Spring 1942, The world is at war! Five major powers struggle for supremacy: Germany and Japan are aligned against the great alliance of the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, and the United States. Designed for 2–5 players, the game is set in 1942—the historical high-water mark of Axis expansion. Show that you are a brilliant military strategist by planning your attacks, marshaling your forces into embattled territories, and resolving the conflicts. Victory goes to the side that conquers its opponents on the field of battle and liberates or occupies the greatest cities of the world. Change the course of history in a few short hours! Features: * Controlling one of the Axis or Allied powers, you will command both your country’s military forces and its wartime economy. * Punchboard tokens are now double sided with resealable bags for storage! * 410 plastic pieces with resealable bags for storage! * Game board measures 40” wide x 26” high! * Updated rulebook and reference cards based on Errata documents and FAQs! Contents Summary: * 1 40” x 26” Game Board * 1 Battle Strip * 1 Casualty Strip * 410 Plastic Pieces * 12 Industrial Complex Markers * 100 National Control Markers * 5 Setup Cards * 80 Chips * 6 Dice Number of Players: 2-5 For Ages: 12+ Playing Time: 3-4 hours

You can say that the story of "People Power" in the Philippines started with one airplane arriving in Manila and ended with another one departing. On August 21, 1983, exiled opposition leader Benigno Aquino Jr. returned from the United States to his homeland. He expected to be arrested, but also fatefully contemplated, as his plane approached Manila, the possibility that he might not survive the homecoming. Tragically, moments after disembarking, he was shot dead by a conspirator on the airport tarmac. This episode would embolden and mobilize the opposition to the Marcos regime and set in motion a chain of events that would conclude with the departure of Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos some three years later, after more than twenty years of autocratic rule. This is a story of greed and corruption at the highest levels of government, of a dictator who ruled with an iron fist, and of a grass-roots opposition that stood up to him, revolted, and eventually drove him from power in disgrace. It was a revolution that displayed that there is great power in a united, determined group of individuals. Just a few short years before the Iron Curtain fell in Germany, Filipino patriots showed the world the power of a people united to topple a tyrant. At its heart, it is the story of "People Power." People Power: Insurgency in the Philippines, 1983-1986 is volume XI of the highly-praised and popular COIN Series originally designed by Volko Ruhnke. People Power features three separate factions, instead of the customary four. * The first faction is the Government, symbolized by the personal rule of Ferdinand Marcos, his wife Imelda, and his political cronies and military forces. * Second are the NPA. Inspired by successful Marxist revolutions in China, Cuba and Nicaragua, these insurgents sought a national uprising from both the urban and rural populace and desired to replace the Marcos government with their own brand of autonomy. * The third and final faction is the non-violent Reformers, embodied by Aquino’s widow, Corazon. She, along with her allies and supporters in that moment of tragedy, revived a platform of social justice and unrelenting momentum that would irrevocably change the Philippine political landscape immeasurably. For players new to the COIN Series, or for those looking to teach the the series to their friends, People Power will serve as an excellent introductory game. Aiming for a 2 hour playtime and accessible complexity, People Power utilizes many of the basic COIN Series mechanics in new and familiar ways. The 22" x 17" map aids in introducing the game to a new player, as it presents only two types of terrain - Cities and Countrysides (where the latter amalgamates the rural settings of the island nation as well as much lightly-habitable terrain of jungles and mountains). Don't let the fast play and basic systems fool you, though. There are still plenty of strategic puzzles and inter-player backstabbing to be had! Also, People Power includes a new feature for the COIN Series - a Key Personality mini-hand procedure that represents the effectiveness of various generals and power brokers adding a new dimension to player actions and decisions. As with most of the COIN Series games, People Power immerses players in an unfolding dramatic narrative that pits insurgent forces against a government that seeks to defeat them, while a third party seeks to thwart both. For you COIN Series veterans, here's a brief synopsis of how People Power presents the inter-faction dynamics: * NPA Victory comes in the form of amassing NPA Bases, and instead of Support or Opposition, NPA "Resistance". Their Operations and Special Activities are not only indicative of most Cold War era revolutionary movements but also distinct in its application to its domestic agendas. * The Government uses Support and Control to funnel patronage to cronies and the Marcos' family. Their Operations and Special Activities allow them to operate against the NPA (as in previous COIN volumes) and to subvert the activities and thwart the plans of the non-violent Reformers, as well. * The Reformers (the historical victors) win by having both Reformer Bases and Opposition. Their Operations and Special Activities tools are not as powerful or intimidating as their armed foes but are crafted to provide them with persuasive social impact in a war of ideas. Here's a bit more detail on some of the COIN Series modifications and additions that you'll get in People Power: * People Power is one of the lower complexity COIN games with a much shorter play time, which can be utilized as a primer for those who wish to learn the system as a gateway to the other more complex games in the series. * Propaganda Turns have been replaced by a two-turn Election cycle. * The Personality Cards are representations of political, military and cultural figures; the “Newsmakers” of their time. Each card grants a different 'momentum' effect for each campaign. * The Acts of Desperation deck serves to model the chaotic final three days of the People Power Revolution by giving players secret objectives that are scored during the final victory check. We have crafted People Power to deliver a simple and fast game that will challenge and delight both veterans and newcomers to the COIN Series. It's designed to be a fast, fun, nail-biter of a game that never plays the same way twice. Like all of our COIN Series games, People Power also transports players to a (perhaps unfamiliar) historical setting and immerses them in the issues and conflicts of that place and time. Although it is first and foremost a competitive game, we believe it also presents great value with its historical insight and analysis about those fateful years that brought a country to the brink of civil war, then resolved the drama with an unprecedented reawakening of democracy, freedom, and hope. COMPONENTS: * 17x22 inch mounted mapboard * One Event Deck * Card-Driven Solo-System Deck * 80 Wooden Pieces * 12 pawns * One full-size, full-color counter sheet * Rules of Play booklet * Playbook booklet * Three 6-sided dice * Three foldout play aid sheets DESIGNER: Kenneth Tee DEVELOPERS: Eric Harvey and Jason Carr GRAPHIC ART: Donal Hegarty, Eric Harvey, and Mark Simonitch TIME SCALE: Yearly turns MAP SCALE: Area map PLAY TIME: 2-3 hours NUMBER OF PLAYERS: 1 - 3

In Pax Pamir, players assume the role of nineteenth century Afghan leaders attempting to forge a new state after the collapse of the Durrani Empire. Now, their authority has collapsed. Rivals both old and new have emerged from the shadows. It’s up to the players to see if a fledgling Afghan state might come into being. Players spend most of their turns purchasing cards from a central market, then playing those cards in front of them in a single row called a court. Playing cards adds units to the game's map and grants access to additional actions that can be taken to disrupt other players and influence the course of the game. Each copy of Pax Pamir: Second Edition includes a beautiful cloth map, 36 heavy resin blocks, nearly 150 unique cards with period art, wooden player pieces and screen-printed ruler tokens, a fully automated AI opponent, punch board coins, player aids and more! 1–5 Players 45–120 Min Age: 13+

For all fans of Carnegie, the new Departments & Donations Expansion adds four new modules that can be played independently or in any combination. The module A New Beginning sets up an asymmetrical game, where players secretly manage their starting money and initial resources, setting their strategy into motion before the first turn even begins. Other modules introduce a total of sixteen new departments and four new donation tiles to the game. To challenge the most experienced players with new twists, the Departments & Donations Expansion includes three optional rules that can be added to the game, offering fresh gameplay variants to explore.

The world is at war! Five major powers struggle for supremacy. Germany and Japan are aligned against the great alliance of the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, and the United States. Designed for 2–5 players, the game is set in 1941: The Axis has great momentum and is expanding its conquests in both Europe and Asia. Features: * Updated box size to better fit components! * Punchboard tokens are now double sided with resealable bags for storage. * 160 plastic miniatures with resealable bags for storage. * Updated rulebook based on Errata documents and FAQs! * Streamlined introduction to the Axis & Allies family of games! * Controlling one of the Axis or Allied powers, you will command both your country’s military forces and its wartime economy. Contents Summary: * 1 Game Board * 1 Battle Strip * 1 Casualty Strip * Rulebook * 34 Unit Stacking Counters (22 gray, 8 green, 4 red) * 50 National Control Markers (10 for each power) * 4 Dice * 160 Plastic Miniatures (32 for each power) - 40 infantry - 25 tanks - 20 fighters - 10 bombers - 15 submarines - 10 battleships - 10 destroyers - 20 transports - 10 aircraft carriers Number of Players: 2-5 For Ages: 12+ Playing Time: 1-3 hours

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). Features: * 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. The Bourbon (French, Spanish, Prussian) and Pragmatic (Austrian, British) alliances battle across central Europe from Paris to Konigsberg and Naples to London. Each year is divided into five ‘seasons’ (Late Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall, and Early Winter). Play moves quickly since major campaigning is restricted to the Summer and Fall, and each power will typically activate only 1-3 forces per season. Certain event cards allow limited campaigning in the Early and Late Winter seasons as well. Each card has a Campaign Point (CP) value, which may be expended to activate Leaders and the armies they command, to perform Administrative Marches, and to conduct raids with irregular Croat/Hussar light troops (Austrian player only). Each leader has an Activation Point (AP) rating, which allows him to move, fight battles, and conduct sieges. This system produces historically valid outcomes and a rich narrative while keeping the pace of play brisk. COS features asymmetrical armies with distinctive national characteristics and capabilities that have banded together in alliances that often struggle with conflicting goals. Both the Bourbons and Pragmatics will benefit – or suffer from – interactions among the various nations in their respective alliances. The French player controls the largest, best-led army on the continent but is constrained by its limited logistical reach, King Louis XV’s quirks and maladies, court intrigue, and periodic pressure from his Spanish ally. The French will welcome the Pr/Span player’s powerful Prussian army lancing into the Austrian heartland in early/mid game but chafe under Spanish demands for cooperation and campaigning in Italy – the only place the Spanish can hope to gain the VPs necessary for victory. The Pr/Span player is both blessed and cursed. In Prussia, he has a powerful army, Frederick’s excellent generalship, and clear objectives. Yet the politically naive Frederick can be “played” into neutrality - or out of the war completely – by wily Austrian diplomacy. Spain itself has an excellent but undersized army that so depends upon French support that the French player decides when Spanish forces will be activated for the Pr/Span player to campaign with! In order to win, the Pr/Span player needs either a Decisive Prussian victory (rare) or for both Prussia and Spain to achieve lesser levels of victory. Thus, the Prussian “frere” of 1740-1745 may become a great nuisance in 1745-1748! The Pragmatic allies must weather the early war storms of 1740-1742, get their feet under them, and somehow gain traction to push back their powerful French and Prussian foes. They are equal to the task. The Austrian army has solid leaders and its unique Croat/Hussar light troops, which devastated enemy supply lines throughout the war, leaving French and Prussian commanders bewildered and their armies starving. Maria Theresa’s army can prevail against the French and Prussians - if it’s robustly financed to achieve maximum strength. For this, the Austrian player must rely upon the good will and immense financial resources of the Br/Pied player. The Br/Pied player has the most subtle, difficult – and most important – role in the game. He has a high-quality British/allied army, but it is small, led by indifferent leaders, and can generally be augmented only by low-quality Dutch troops since Austria will have its hands full fighting elsewhere. Yet this mediocre, polyglot army is often the primary protector of the VP-rich Austrian Netherlands against the mighty French Marshal De Saxe! The British player must also selflessly prop up his allies by playing subsidy (reinforcement) cards, which are essential for Austria’s survival and ability to launch counteroffensives in the mid and late war periods. But the British player has a powerful fleet and, if he (literally) plays his cards right, can use it to cut off France from its overseas resources, starving it of reinforcements in the critical late war years. The British player also controls the Kingdom of Piedmont and can win the game only if it too achieves some level of victory. Piedmont occupies a central position in Northern Italy that sits astride the routes running to the VP-rich areas in Naples and southern France and is itself the chief region where the Pr/Span player can harvest VPs. The Austrians can accomplish little in Italy without the Pieds' help, and vice versa – though they both covet the same Victory Point objectives! So if the Austrian player wants all those subsidy cards played, he may have to help Piedmont achieve its VP objectives, send more Austrian troops to defend the Netherlands, and share late war opportunities to grab VP spaces on the French-Germany border with the British. COS’s replay value is high because the multiplicity of belligerents and theaters of operation ensure that the game will never play the same way twice. Vienna may fall to the Prussians or French; Paris and Naples may see Austrian white uniforms in their streets; and London may be beset by Bonnie Prince Charlie – or invading French troops. Will the French get Bavarian Charles VII onto the throne of the Holy Roman Empire? Will Marshal Traun and Austrian Croats take it back? Will Louis XV and George II clash in Flanders? And will anyone be able to stop De Saxe? -- Find out! Components: * One 22" x 34" mapsheet * 150 Strategy cards * 10 Day of Battle Cards * 350 10/16-inch counters * 120 1/2-inch markers * Four 8-1/2" x 11" Player Aid cards * Four 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" Power Mats * One 24-page Rule Book * One 20-page Play Book * Two six-sided dice Designer: Bob Kalinowksi Developer: Kevin Boylan

Twilight Struggle: Red Sea – Conflict in the Horn of Africa is a two-player, stand-alone, card-driven game that builds on the award-winning Twilight Struggle. The year is 1974, and the Soviet Union and the United States have been locked in a life-or-death struggle across the globe. As so often happened during the Cold War, a relatively obscure region of the world suddenly took center stage. Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia, a bedrock U.S. ally in Africa, had grown old and increasingly dictatorial. In 1974, a group of young Marxist officers staged a coup and took hold of the the reins of power. This revolutionary leadership sparked a chain of events that upset the regional balance of power and unleashed all the familiar elements of Cold War competition in the Horn of Africa. Twilight Struggle: Red Sea asks players to once more answer the summons of the trumpets and bear the burden of a twilight struggle, this time centered around East Africa, the Arabian Gulf, and the vital sea lanes stretching between them. Twilight Struggle: Red Sea is an addition to GMT's Lunchtime Series and packs deep decision-making into a time frame that allows players to get in a quick game or explore different strategies several times in one session. With a more limited scope and much shorter playtime, Twilight Struggle: Red Sea is the perfect way to introduce new players to the Twilight Struggle system. And yet, this game maintains all the tension, decision making, and theme of the original classic.  As an added bonus for a longer game, cards from Twilight Struggle can be integrated in TS: Red Sea and players can add new decisions and Cold War events to their games of Twilight Struggle by incorporating cards from TS: Red Sea. GAME CONTENTS: * One 20" x 14" Mounted Map * 51 Event Cards * 1 Countersheet * 2 Player Aids * 2 Solo Aids * Rules Booklet * Solo Rules & Background Booklet * Two custom 6-sided dice Playing Time: 35 minutes for the base game. Game Designer: Jason Matthews

You thirsted for blood, now drink your fill. -Dante Tuscany, 1259. As wealth from crafts and foreign trade elevated northern Italy's urban families above the landed lords, rivalries within and among their cities hardened into conflict between two great parties. Ghibellines aligned with the Hohenstaufen imperial dynasty that ostensibly ruled Italy, while Guelphs backed rival imperial claimants and the greatest challenger to each Emperor's authority, the Pope. Should any faction gain advantage, others coalesced to resist. The comuni (republics) of Firenze (Florence) and Siena dominated inland Tuscany at the head of these competing alliances. As Guelphs sealed their control of the populous Firenze, Ghibelline Siena turned to Hohenstaufen King Manfredi of Sicily for reinforcement. Local rebellions and reprisals escalated on each side, as political exiles stirred the pot. After Manfredi dispatched German knights to protect his loyal Tuscans, Firenze mustered its people and allies to march on Siena, which responded with its own great army. Pisa and Lucca, Lombardia and Orvieto joined in. Guelph and Ghibelline in September 1260 at last faced off en masse in the center of Tuscany, at Montaperti—the result, a bloody Florentine defeat. But when Ghibelline exiles returned as masters of Firenze, its Guelphs rallied to Lucca and Arezzo, portending an eternal conflagration. Inferno—the third volume in Volko Ruhnke's Levy & Campaign Series—fires up the cauldron 13th-Century Tuscan warfare, factional conflict fueled by the gold florins and teeming populations of up-and-coming cities and well-to-do valleys. Expert Italian wargame designer Enrico Acerbi brings the age to life within Volko's accessible medieval-operation system. Gathering transport and provender may not be as much the challenge here as the sudden treachery of rebel towns and castles along key roads. Italy's plundering berrovieri horsemen, famed elite crossbowmen, and distinctive palvesari shield bearers are just a few of the unique inhabitants of this volume. Muster, mount up, and find out whose blood will make the Arbia run red! COMPONENTS: * One 17x22 inch Mounted Map * 175 Wooden pieces * 108 Playing Cards * Three full-color Countersheets * 15 cardboard Lord and Battle mats * One Lords sticker sheet * Four Player Aid sheets * Two Screens * Rules Booklet * Background Booklet * Six 6-sided dice TIME: 60 Days per turn UNITS: 100-250 Horse or 500 Foot MAP: Point-to-Point, 95 miles across PLAYERS: 1-2

This third Next War supplement will contain the following items: * An expansion map containing the rest of Kaliningrad and a larger portion of Lithuania including the strategically important railroad connection. * Optional expansion map which depict the islands of Bornholm and Gotland as hex based maps as well as rules to integrate them into the game. * Two counter sheets containing additional and updated counters for most of the nationalities in Poland including: - New and additional ground OOB for Russia - Typhoons w/ Meteor - Additional ground units for Poland - Belgian F-35s - US F/A-18s w/ AMRAAMs - Belarus Su-30s * Additional counters for other games in the series including: - Indian S-400s - PRC DF21s/26s - Updated ROK Order of Battle for Next War: Korea (either edition) * Additional counters and Player Aid Cards for revamped Cyber Warfare rules. These new rules use the Cyber War counters from previous Supplements. * A few optional rules. Effectively, this supplement is an upgrade kit for Next War: Poland, 1st Edition to the 2nd Edition, but, of course, it also includes goodies such as the additional counters, the ROK OoB, new Cyber Warfare rules, and assorted other optional rules. Game Designer: Mitchell Land

Rules. The blend of easy to learn rules with rich historical accuracy makes this a perfect game for veterans and newcomers alike. Lanzerath Ridge is a solitaire wargame that takes places on the first day of the Battle of the Bulge, during the Second World War. In the game, you take control of a small group of American soldiers. Under your command, the Americans must fend off the relentless attacks from German paratroopers and fusiliers. Your goal is to recreate the incredible historic accomplishment of the American soldiers by defending the town of Lanzerath, Belgium and delaying the advance of an entire SS Panzer Division. Background The American force that defended Lanzerath consisted of 18 men from an intelligence and reconnaissance platoon as well as 4 forward artillery observers. During a day-long confrontation, the Americans defended Lanzerath from about 500 German paratroopers and fusiliers. The Americans inflicted dozens of casualties and delayed the advance of Kampfgruppe Peiper, the spearhead of the German 1st SS Panzer Division. Every member of the defense was recognized for their valor, and the intelligence and reconnaissance platoon became the most decorated American unit of its size during World War II. Valiant Defense Lanzerath Ridge is the next design in the Valiant Defense series, following the critically acclaimed Pavlov's House, Castle Itter, and Soldiers in Postmen's Uniforms. The Valiant Defense series allows you to play amazing stories of courage, with small forces holding the line against unimaginable odds. Games in the series focus on the individual defenders and are deeply rooted in history, while providing a quick play experience with a light complexity ruleset. Lanzerath Ridge is divided into four attack periods, each of which is represented by a deck of enemy cards. * The first attack began at approximately 1030. This was the 9th Fallschirmjäger Regiment’s initial assault, which consisted of two platoons from the regiment’s 2nd Company charging straight up a hill at the American defenders. * The second attack began around 1100. This attack also consisted on a straight-forward charge up the hill, though limited efforts were made to attack the defenders’ flanks. * The third attack began around 1400. This attack was supported by extensive machine gun and mortar fire, but no efforts were made to flank the defenders. * The final attack began at dusk. The 9th Fallschirmjäger Regiment was joined by men from the 27th Fusilier Regiment. Together they launched coordinated attacks against the defenders’ right and left flanks, eventually penetrating the lines and capturing the Americans. Each attack period is divided into a number of turns, and each turn consists of two phases: * In the Enemy Phase you resolve three enemy cards, which drive the enemy’s actions. * In the Defense Phase you perform five actions with the defenders. The game ends immediately if the defenders’ morale drops to 0 or if a German attacker takes over an American defensive position. Otherwise, the game ends after the last attack. Your level of success is based on the Americans’ morale, intelligence gained during the defense, and any objectives you accomplish. The Creators Lanzerath Ridge was created by David Thompson (game design) and Nils Johansson (art and graphic design). David's previous designs with DVG include Pavlov's House, Castle Itter, Soldiers in Postmen's Uniforms, For What Remains, and By Stealth and Sea. He has also designed War Chest and the Undaunted series. Nils' previous works include Maori Wars: The New Zealand Land Wars, 1845-1872, Ambon: Burning Sun & Little Seagulls, Equatorial Clash, Santander '37, A Cold and Resolute Fight: The Battle for Narvik, April-June, 1940, the Battles of the Old Northwest series, and many others. 1 Players 60–75 Min Age: 10+