Alt text: The image shows the cover of a board game titled "Panzer Leader", with an illustration of a tank on a yellow and black background. The cover also reads "Game of Tactical Warfare on the Western Front 1944-45" and includes a note that Panzer Leader is Avalon Hill's trademark name for its World War II Western Front tactical game. There are visible signs of wear and a stain on the cover.
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Panzer Leader: Game of Tactical Warfare on the Western Front (1974)

ByMichail

Panzer Leader

Panzer Leader is a tactical platoon level hex and counter board wargame depicting WWII tank and infantry combat on the Western European front. It was designed by Jim Dunnigan and published by Avalon Hill in 1974. Panzer Leader is the sequel to Avalon Hill’s PanzerBlitz game, which was released in 1970. The Panzer Leader map boards are interchangeable with the PanzerBlitz maps, and one could combine the two sets to make a larger battlefield. The scale is the same with the two games. The German units are interchangeable, and if one wanted, players can try a “what if” scenario with American/British forces vs. Soviet forces. An extension kit covering the tanks of 1940 was also published. This is for the France 1940 campaign, and is meant for play with the Panzer Leader game.

Why is Panzer Leader Popular?

Panzer Leader is considered to be revolutionary in the history of tactical war-games and brought many new players into the hobby. In their time, PanzerBlitz and Panzer Leader were very popular among the war gamer crowd, but their popularity fell away to what is considered the next generation of tactical World War II games of Squad Leader and Advanced Squad Leader.

Game Components of Panzer Leader

Map boardsCounters representing military unitsDiceRulebook

Game Setup of Panzer Leader

Players choose sides: Axis or AlliesPlayers place their units on the map board according to the scenario being playedPlayers roll dice to determine who goes first

Gameplay Mechanics of Panzer Leader

Panzer Leader is a turn-based game where players take turns moving their units and attacking enemy units. The game uses a hexagonal grid system to represent the battlefield. Each hex represents a certain distance and terrain type. The game also uses a counter system to represent military units. Each counter has information about the unit’s strength, movement, and combat abilities. Players roll dice to determine the outcome of combat and movement.

Game Objective of Panzer Leader

The objective of the game is to achieve the scenario-specific victory conditions. These conditions can vary depending on the scenario being played.

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Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl