Fields of Fire (2008) – Board Game Guys

Fields of Fire

Why is Fields of Fire Popular?

Game Components of Fields of Fire

Rulebook: A rewritten 3rd Edition ruleset with examples, diagrams, and clarifying notes.

Field Manuals: Basic Training and Advanced Operations Field Manuals for incremental learning.

Mission Books: Four fully redesigned mission books for Normandy, Heartbreak Ridge, Naktong River, and Vietnam campaigns.

Counters: Over 200 updated counters, including new units and reference markers.

Elevation Cards: New elevation cards to enhance the Heartbreak Ridge campaign.

Player Aids: Redesigned player aids, including new charts, logsheets, Command Display, and air assault planning cards.

Terrain Deck: A deck based on specific regions to build mission maps.

Action Deck: Controls combat, command and control, and various activity attempts.

Game Box: A 3″ game box for storage.

How To Setup Fields of Fire

Setting up **Fields of Fire** involves several steps. First, you need to select the specific campaign and mission you want to play. Each mission has its own set of terrain cards that are used to build the map. The Basic Training Field Manual guides you through the setup process with incremental training exercises. For historical campaigns, the terrain is predefined, but for generic missions, the terrain can be randomly generated using the Terrain Deck. The Action Deck and unit counters are then prepared according to the mission parameters.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Diceless and Card-Based: The game uses two decks (Terrain and Action) instead of dice.

Time Scale: 15-20 minutes per turn.

Map Scale: Abstract areas approximately 10m x 10m to 100m x 100m.

Unit Scale: Squads, HQs, teams, and weapons crews.

Objective: Your mission is to close with the enemy by means of fire and maneuver to destroy or capture them, or repel their assaults.

Player Experience

Playing **Fields of Fire** can be a deeply immersive experience, especially for fans of tactical war games. The game is known for its steep learning curve, but the Field Manuals and training exercises help ease new players into the game. Each mission can take about 1-2 hours to play, and multiple missions are strung together to form an historical campaign. The game’s ability to tell a compelling story through its mechanics and the variety of campaigns and enemies make it highly engaging.

Pros

Immersive Storytelling: The game combines good control with a compelling narrative.

Historical Depth: Covers multiple historical campaigns from World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.

Flexible System: Adaptable to different wars and scenarios with nuanced enemy behaviors.

Detailed Components: Includes a variety of counters, terrain cards, and player aids.

Cons

Steep Learning Curve: The game requires a significant investment of time to learn and master.

Complex Rules: The 64-page rulebook can be daunting for new players.

Solitaire Only: Limited to single-player gameplay.

Personal Thoughts on Fields of Fire

**Fields of Fire** is ideal for experienced war game enthusiasts who appreciate a challenge and are willing to invest time in learning the game. It is not recommended for beginners due to its complex rules and steep learning curve. However, for those who enjoy tactical depth and historical accuracy, **Fields of Fire** offers a highly rewarding and engaging experience. The game’s ability to simulate different wars and scenarios with detailed mechanics makes it a standout in the war game genre.

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