Return to Mavericks Boardgame Closet MAVERICK'S 20TH CENTURY TACTICAL WARGAMES Tactical Land Wargames: Although modern commercial board wargaming dates back to the 50's, "tactical" games were not really pursued until the early 70's. Tactical wargames feature smaller battles and units. In a tactical game units will generally represent anything from a platoon of men down to individual men and vehicles (sometimes known as "close tactical.") Although some gamers prefer playing on the strategic level where they can control armies across vast stretches of terrain, I have always preferred the tactical games. This collection of modern tatical land-warfare games includes most all of the board wargames published on the subject. Looking for games? I may have some of these for sale!TACTICAL 20TH CENTURY WARGAMES (PUBLISHER) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- `88' (YAQUINTO) Second in Panzer triology. See Panzer. ADVANCED SQUAD LEADER (AVALON HILL) * See "ASL" listings. ALERT FORCE (CLOSE SIMULATIONS) Modern terrorist assault on U.S. airbase. AMBUSH (VICTORY GAMES) Classic solitaire man-to-man gaming system. The player controls a squad of American soldiers. Germans soldiers are directed in their actions by a paragraph booklet, profile cards and changing phases of the mission. The name of the game accurately reflects the tense and bloody nature of most of the scenarios. Not the tops in realism, but a definite nail-biter. Followed up by several expansion modules with new missions as well as a Pacific variant called Battle Hymn. AO SIERRA RANGER EXPANSION (OMEGA) AO VICTOR RANGER EXPANSION (OMEGA) Two expansions for Ranger solitaire system. THE ARAB-ISRAELI WARS (AVALON HILL) Expansion of the Panzerblitz/Panzer Leader system to (then) modern AFV combat. ARMOR (YAQUINTO) Third in the Panzer trilogy. See Panzer. ASL ACTION PACK 1 (AVALON HILL) * ASL ACTION PACK 2 (AVALON HILL) * ASL RULEBOOK (AVALON HILL) * The bible for the most detailed game on squad level warfare in World War Two. The entire ASL system consists of over a dozen different games that interlink to allow players to simulate nearly any small-unit action on any front. Descended from the classic Squad Leader. ASSAULT (GDW) Modern (1980's) European conflict with Russia. A series of four add-on games were released. ASSAULT ON TOBRUK (SIMULATIONS CANADA) WWII BANZAI/DESERT WAR UP FRONT EXPANSION (AVALON HILL) Expansion for the Up Front card game. See below for more information. BATTLE CRY (3W) Expanded the Combat man-to-man game system to the WWII Pacific Theater. BATTLEFIELD: EUROPE (GDW) "First Battle" series game of the post-cold war conflicts facing Europe in the 1990's. BATTLE FOR BASRA (GDW) Free introductory wargame featuring a hypothetical battle from the Gulf War. THE BATTLE FOR CASSINO, S&T 71 (SPI) WWII BATTLE FOR HUE, CONFLICT 6 (SDC) Vietnam BATTLE HYMN (VICTORY GAMES) Pacific Theater version of the Ambush solitaire system. BEACHHEAD (YAQUINTO) WWII Pacific Theater. BEYOND VALOR, ASL MODULE 1 (AVALON HILL) * BLACK WEDNESDAY (THE GAMERS) WWII Tactical Combat Series (TCS) game. BLOOD AND SAND, SQUAD LEADER PACIFIC VARIANT, THE WARGAMER 30 (3W) BLOOD & THUNDER (GDW) Tactical combat on the Eastern Front, 1941-1945. Platoon sized units. Another "First Battle" series game. BLOOD REEF: TARAWA, ASL HISTORICAL MODULE 5 (MMP) * WWII BOOTS AND SADDLES (GDW) Stand-alone add-on for Assault. A BRIDGE TOO FAR, ASL HISTORICAL MODULE 6 (MMP) * WWII Arnhem, September 1944 BUNDESWEHR, ASSAULT SERIES MODULE (GDW) CHIEFTAIN, ASSAULT SERIES MODULE (GDW) CITY-FIGHT (SPI) Unique double-blind game of modern urban combat. Highly detailed. CLOSE ASSAULT (YAQUINTO) Man-to-man combat in the European Theater WWII. Uses random initiative draws to reflect the uncertainties of close tactical combat. The same system was adopted to reflect modern scenarios in Firepower. CODE OF BUSHIDO, ASL MODULE 8 (AVALON HILL) * COMBAT (GAMEFORMS) Early man-to-man game covering WWII Normandy. Followed up by adaptations to other theaters (Battle Cry and Iron Cross.) COMBAT! (CRITICAL HIT) * A contemporary tactical WWII game system in the style of Squad Leader and Advanced Squad Leader. COMBINED ARMS, S&T 46 (SPI) COMBAT COMMAND, S&T 30 (SPI) COMMANDO (SPI) Odd combination of man-to-man small unit actions with a simple set of role-playing rules grafted on. COMMANDO ACTIONS (YAQUINTO) WWII European Theater small unit actions. CONCRETE JUNGLE (BTRC) Man-to-man counter-terrorist and SWAT style actions. CRESCENDO OF DOOM, SQUAD LEADER MODULE (AVALON HILL) Second expansion module for Squad Leader. CROIX DE GUERRE, ASL MODULE 10 (AVALON HILL) * CROSS OF IRON, SQUAD LEADER MODULE, THIRD EDITION (AVALON HILL) First expansion module for Squad Leader. Extensively revised the armor rules. DESERT STEEL (WEST END) DESERT WAR (SPI) DOOMED BATTALIONS, ASL MODULE 11 (AVALON HILL) * EASTERN FRONT TANK LEADER (WEST END) Platoon/company scale WWII armor games with rules that emphasize formations and command/control. EN POINTE TOUJOURS! II, VAE VICTIS 31 (GROUP HISTOIRE) EN POINTE TOUJOURS!, VAE VICTIS 16 (GROUP HISTOIRE) FIREFIGHT (TSR/SPI) Modern European conflict. FIRE TEAM (WEST END) Modern European conflict. FIREPOWER (AVALON HILL) The Close Assault system updated to simulate modern era man-to-man combat. The basic game is extremely simple and loads of optional rules allow for as much realism and complexity as the players desire. FOXHOLE (ONE SMALL STEP) Simple platoon scale WWII game set on Russian Front. A FROZEN HELL (THE GAMERS) WWII TCS game. GD'40 (THE GAMERS) WWII TCS game. GD'41 (THE GAMERS) WWII TCS game. GI'AC MY (FAN TAC) Man-to-man miniatures rules for Vietnam War. GI ANVIL OF VICTORY, SQUAD LEADER MODULE, SECOND EDITION (AVALON HILL) Third expansion module for Squad Leader added even more rules and new American counter set. GRUNT (SPI) Game of unconventional warfare in Vietnam. Was re-done as Search and Destroy. Originally appeared in S&T 26. GUERILLA (MAPLAY) Squad/section/platoon conflict in the 1963-1966 war between Malaysia and Indonesia. GUNG HO!, ASL MODULE 9 (AVALON HILL) * HAMBURGER HILL, COMMAND 5 (XTR) Vietnam HEDGEROW HELL, DELUXE ASL MODULE 2 (AVALON HILL) * HETZER SNIPER, SNIPER EXPANSION (TSR) Man-to-man combat in Europe, 1940-1944. H-HOUR (BALBOA) Man-to-man combat between Germans, Russians and Americans in WWII. HOLLOW LEGIONS, ASL MODULE 7 (AVALON HILL) * HUNTERS FROM THE SKY (THE GAMERS) WWII TCS game. IDF (AVALON HILL) Middle East tank-to-tank combat in the 60's and 70's using the MBT game system. INSURGENCY (BATTLELINE) Game of guerilla warfare inspired by Vietnam but set in a fictional province. IRON CROSS, S&T 132 (3W) Expanded the Combat man-to-man game system to the WWII Russian Front. KAMPFGRUPPE PEIPER I, ASL HISTORICAL MODULE 2 (AVALON HILL) * KAMPFGRUPPE PEIPER II, ASL HISTORICAL MODULE 3 (AVALON HILL) * KAMPFPANZER, S&T 41 (SPI) THE LAST BATTLE, TW2000 EXPANSION (GDW) THE LAST HURRAH, ASL MODULE 6 (AVALON HILL) * LEATHERNECK, BATTLE HYMN MODULE (VICTORY GAMES) LEROS (THE GAMERS) WWII TCS game. MATANIKAU (THE GAMERS) WWII TCS game. MBT (AVALON HILL) Modern tank-to-tank combat in Europe. Followed by IDF. MECH WAR '77 (SPI) MECH WAR '77, DESIGNER'S EDITION (SPI) Tactical armored combat in the 1970's. MECH WAR 2 (SPI) MOVE OUT AMBUSH MODULE (VICTORY GAMES) OCTOBER WAR, S&T 61 (SPI) Platoon scale treatment of 1973 Yom Kippur War. OPEN FIRE (VICTORY GAMES) Solitaire tank-to-tank game of WWII armored combat using a solitaire system slightly similar to Ambush. Player commands a platoon of American tanks in one of six missions against the Germans. OPERATION APOCALYPSE, VAE VICTIS 10 (VAE VICTIS) Squad level Vietnam wargame inspired by the helicopter assault in Apoclypse Now. OPERATION DRAGON ROUGE (SIMULATIONS WORKSHOP) Modern counter-insurgency ORTONA (SIMULATIONS CANADA) WWII PANZER (YAQUINTO) First in a trilogy of tank-to-tank armor games. Uses a miniatures style approach with plotted movement and detailed data for all vehicles. Geomorphic maps and terrain overlays add to the open ended replay value. PANZER '44 (SPI) Tactical armored combat in Europe, 1944-45. PANZER BATTLES, S&T 73 (SPI) PANZERBLITZ (AVALON HILL) PANZERLEADER (AVALON HILL) Classic tactical armor game. Panzerblitz came first and Panzerleader followed with some modifications to the game system and some extra chrome. PANZER COMMAND (VICTORY GAMES) WWII Eastern Front (Fall 1942-Spring 1943.) PANZER GRENADIER (AVALANCHE) * A contemporary tactical WWII game system in the style of Panzerblitz. PARATROOP, S&T 77 (SPI) PARATROOPER, ASL MODULE 2 (AVALON HILL) * PARTISAN!, ASL MODULE 4 (AVALON HILL) * PATROL! (SPI) Man-to-man combat in the 20th century with a focus on rural encouners. PATTON'S BEST (AVALON HILL) Well done solitaire game. Command a single tank moving through the European countryside and fighting German units controlled by the game system. PBI (THIRD MILLENIA) WWI PEGASUS BRIDGE, ASL HISTORICAL MODULE 4 (AVALON HILL) * PEGASUS BRIDGE, S&T 122 (SPI) Solitaire treatment of the D-Day raid on Pegasus Bridge. Similar to and by the same designers as the solitaire AH game Raid on St. Nazaire. PLATOON (AVALON HILL) Introductory style amn-to-man Vietnam War game using "hidden" units. Counters are held upright by plastic clips. Based on the movie PURPLE HEART AMBUSH MODULE (VICTORY GAMES) A RAGING STORM (THE GAMERS) WWII TCS game. RAID ON IRAN (BAGGED) (STEVE JACKSON GAMES) RAID ON IRAN (BOXED) (STEVE JACKSON GAMES) Simple microgame treatment of the attempt to rescue the hostages from the U.S. Embassy in Iran. Concentrates on the struggle in and around the Embassy. Simple game, uses area movement style map. RAID ON ST. NAZAIRE (AH) Solitaire game recreating British commando raid on the St. Nazaire port. The player commands the British forces and the game system controls the German defenders. An interesting and tense playing design, similar to that used in Pegasus Bridge from S&T 122 which was done by the same designers. RAID!, S&T 64 (SPI) Game of commando actions from WWII to 1970's present. RANGER (OMEGA) Solitaire system of modern patrolling operations designed by a Ranger. RAPID DEPLOYMENT FORCE, S&T 91 (TSR/SPI) Modern RED BARRICADES, ASL HISTORICAL MODULE 1 (AVALON HILL) * RED STAR/WHITE STAR (SPI) Hypothetical 1970's conflict in West Germany. REINFORCEMENTS, ASSAULT SERIES MODULE (GDW) ROMMEL'S PANZERS, MICROHISTORY 1 (METAGAMING) One of two tank-to-tank Metagaming microgames. The other was Stalin's Tanks, and both were designed by Roger Damon who was also involved in the Combat man-to-man game system. THE SANDS OF WAR (GDW) THE SANDS OF WAR EXPANSION KIT (GDW) An ambitious attempt to cover desert warfare from 1941 to 1991. If the First Battle system doesn't grab you, there are 20 geomorphic PanzerBlitz scale maps that might! A total of 39 scenarios in the main game and expansion kit. SEARCH AND DESTROY (SPI) Game of unconventional warfare in Vietnam. A revised version of Grunt. SEMPER FI! (THE GAMERS) Korean War TCS game. SHELL SHOCK (VICTORY GAMES) Intriguing adaptation of the Ambush system to a two player game. One interesting element is the open nature of the scnarios. Forces, objectives, and reinforcements are discovered as the mission unfolds. SILO 14 (CENTURION) Simple man-to-man game of commando assault on nuclear missile silo held by terrorists. SILVER STAR AMBUSH MODULE (VICTORY GAMES) SNIPER! (TSR/SPI) Man-to-man combat, 1941-1990. SNIPER! (SPI) SNIPER! DESIGNER'S EDITION (SPI) Man-to-man combat in World War II with a focus on urban encouners. SOLDIERS (SPI) WWI combat in the earlier mobile phase of the war. SOLDIERS (WEST END) WWII man-to-man tactical combat in Europe. SOLITAIRE ASL, ASL SOLITAIRE MODULE 1 (AVALON HILL) * SPECIAL FORCES, SNIPER EXPANSION (TSR/SPI) SQUAD LEADER, FOURTH EDITION (AVALON HILL) Another all time classic that spawned three sequels and the "advanced" to a whole new level of gaming in the Advanced Squad Leader system. Fun squad level game placing great importance on morale and command. SS PANZER, COMMAND 36 (XTR) STALIN'S TANKS, MICROHISTORY 3 (METAGAMING) The second tank-to-tank historical micro from Metagaming. See Rommel's Panzers above for more info. STORM OVER ARNHEM (AVALON HILL) First in a series of unique area movement games that can effectively reflect the ebb and flow of battle. This game concentrates on the battle for Arnhem during Operation Market Garden. STREETS OF FIRE, DELUXE ASL MODULE 1 (AVALON HILL) * STRIKE FORCE ONE (SPI) Free "introductory" hypothetical modern game. TANK!, S&T 44 (SPI) TANK! EXPANSION GAME RULES (SPI) TARAWA, S&T 142 (DECISION GAMES) TEAM YANKEE (GDW) "First Battle" series game based on hypothetical conflict in Europe as depicted in the novel of the same name. TEST OF ARMS (GDW) Post-WWII squad level combat. THUNDER AT CASSINO (AVALON HILL) Second in the Storm Over Arnhem series of area movement games. Involves the battle over the Italian city of Cassino. TOBRUK (AVALON HILL) Game of WWII North Africa. Extremely detailed and notable as a "dice destroyer" due to numerous rolls required to do just about anything. TRENCHFOOT (GDW) Tongue in cheek man-to-man game of WWI trench warfare. UP FRONT (AVALON HILL) The only card game in this list, a ground breaking simulation of infantry combat using a card based system to portray the fog of war. WESTERN FRONT TANK LEADER (WEST END) Platoon/company scale WWII armor game with rules that emphasize formations and command/control. WEST OF ALAMEIN, ASL MODULE 5 (AVALON HILL) * YANKS, ASL MODULE 3 (AVALON HILL) * * I don't own the items marked with an asterisk. They are listed for the sake of completeness. 03/30/03 Return to Mavericks Boardgame Closet