Vintage Blockade board game box with a close-up of a hand playing the strategy game, featuring various colored blocks on a grid.
| | | | | | | |

Blockade (1975)

ByMichail

Blockade

Blockade is a strategy board game for two players that was created by Philip Slater in 1975. In the United States, it was published by Lakeside under the name Blockade. In France, Germany, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, the game was published by Lazy Days under the name Cul-de-sac (French for “dead-end”). The game is played with barriers and two mobile playing pieces per player on a grid of 11×14 spaces. The object of the game is to maneuver one’s pieces around barriers and into the opponent’s starting spaces.

Why is Blockade Popular?

Blockade is a classic strategy game that has been enjoyed by players for decades. It is known for its simple rules and challenging gameplay, making it a popular choice for players of all ages.

Game Components of Blockade

  • Board:** An 11×14 grid with indentations for placing walls.
  • Pawns:** 2 mobile playing pieces per player.
  • Walls:** 9 green walls (vertical) and 9 blue walls (horizontal) per player.
  • Starting Locations:** Marked on the board for each player’s pawns.

    How To Setup Blockade

    To set up the game, each player places their two pawns on the designated starting locations on the board. For the first player, these are at [4,4] and [8,4], and for the second player, they are at [4,11] and [8,11]. Each player receives 9 green and 9 blue walls.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

    Mechanics

  • Pawn Movement:** Players move one pawn one or two spaces (horizontally, vertically, or any combination) per turn.
  • Wall Placement:** After moving a pawn, a player places one wall (either green or blue) on the board, adhering to the wall’s orientation (vertical or horizontal).
  • Wall Rules:** Walls must cover two squares and cannot block a pawn in or cut across other walls. Pawns and home bases must always have an accessible path.
  • Pawn Interaction:** Pawns can jump over other pawns but not over walls.
  • Game Continuation:** Once walls are depleted, players continue moving pawns until one wins.

    Game Objective

  • The objective is to maneuver one’s pawns into the opponent’s starting spaces. The first player to achieve this wins.

    Player Experience

    Playing Blockade involves strategic thinking and tactical placement of walls to impede the opponent’s progress while advancing your own pawns. The game requires deducing the best paths and wall placements to outmaneuver your opponent. With no element of chance, the game relies entirely on the players’ strategies.

    Pros

  • Deep Strategy:** Despite simple rules, the game offers deep and interesting gameplay.
  • Quick Setup:** Setup time is less than 1 minute.
  • Engaging Gameplay:** The game involves constant strategic adjustments.
  • Family-Friendly:** Suitable for players aged 8 and above.

    Cons

  • Limited Production:** The game is long out of production, making it hard to find.
  • Basic Design:** The game’s design is utilitarian and lacks artwork or sculptures.
  • Component Durability:** Some components, like the starting spot decals, may degrade over time.

    Personal Thoughts on Blockade

    Blockade is ideal for those who enjoy abstract strategy games with a focus on deduction and tactical planning. It’s a great game for two players looking for a challenging yet straightforward game that can be played within 20 minutes. The game’s simplicity and depth make it appealing to both casual and serious board game enthusiasts. If you can find a copy, Blockade is definitely worth adding to your collection of vintage strategy games.

    We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more. 

    • 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