Supremacy: Main Battle Tanks (1990) Board Game

Supremacy: Main Battle Tanks is a board game released in 1990 by Supremacy Games. It is a strategic wargame that focuses on modern warfare and political negotiations. The game allows players to take on the roles of world leaders, making decisions about economic policies, military strategies, and diplomatic actions. With a runtime of 360 minutes, Supremacy: Main Battle Tanks is designed for 4-8 players aged 12 and above.

Game Components of Supremacy: Main Battle Tanks

Main Battle Tanks expansion set: Includes new tank units with increased firepower.

Resource cards: For oil, minerals, and grain, essential for building and moving military units.

Military units: Land and sea units, with tanks adding a new layer of military strategy.

Map: Divided into land and sea zones, with the Mega Map expansion doubling the playable territories.

Nuclear weapon cards: For research and development of nuclear weapons.

L-Star cards: For laser satellites to prevent nuclear war.

How To Setup Supremacy: Main Battle Tanks

To set up the game, players first place their initial military units and resources according to the rules. For the **Main Battle Tanks** expansion, each player secretly places one tank in any of their territories and then reveals the locations. The game map is set up with each player controlling their home superpower territories and neutral zones. Players draw resource cards to determine which resources they control.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Resource Management: Players manage oil, minerals, and grain to build and move units.

Military Expansion: Use land and sea units, including tanks, to invade and occupy territories.

Nuclear Warfare: Build and use nuclear weapons, risking a nuclear winter that ends the game for everyone.

**Game Objective:

Eliminate all other opponents through military, economic, and tactical maneuvering.

Player Experience

**Supremacy** is known for its complex and engaging gameplay, often resulting in delicate balances of power and resource management. The **Main Battle Tanks** expansion adds a new layer of strategic depth with the introduction of tanks, allowing for more aggressive attacks. However, the game can be quite lengthy and may end in a shared nuclear annihilation if not managed carefully.

Pros

Strategic Depth: Offers a rich mix of military, economic, and tactical strategies.

Expansions: numerous expansions available to enhance gameplay, such as **Fortuna** and **Neutron Bombs & Killer Satellites**.

Engaging Theme: Simulates global superpower conflicts, making it appealing to fans of geopolitical strategy.

Cons

Lengthy Games: Can be very time-consuming, especially with multiple players.

Fragile Economic System: May lead to one or two dominant powers emerging, skewing the game balance.

Risk of Nuclear Winter: The game can end in a nuclear winter, resulting in everyone losing, which might be seen as a less satisfying outcome.

Personal Thoughts on Supremacy: Main Battle Tanks

**Supremacy: Main Battle Tanks** is for fans of complex, strategic board games who enjoy a mix of military, economic, and political maneuvering. It is best suited for groups of 3-6 players, as games with fewer players can be less engaging. The game requires a significant time commitment and a willingness to adapt to complex rules and expansions. For those who enjoy deep strategy and are nostalgic for Cold War-era geopolitical tensions, **Supremacy** is a compelling choice. However, for casual gamers or those seeking quick gameplay, this might not be the ideal fit.

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