Strike Force One: The Cold War Heats Up – 1975 (1975)

Strike Force One

Strike Force One is a board wargame published by Simulations Publications Inc. (SPI) during the Cold War in 1975 that simulates a hypothetical clash in West Germany between Soviet Union invaders and American defenders.

Why is Strike Force One Popular?

Strike Force One is significant because it was designed as an introduction to the hobby of wargaming. It is a simple game that only requires 5-10 minutes to play. The game has been characterized as “a very basic game”. It has little replay value once it has been mastered. However, as an introductory game, it worked admirably.

Game Components of Strike Force One: The Cold War Heats Up – 1975

Map: An 8×9 hex grid set in a rural section of West Germany with three town hexes and five impassable forest hexes.

Counters: 10 units (6 Soviet, 4 American).

Combat Results Table: Used to determine combat outcomes.

Rules: Basic and advanced rules included.

Turn Track: Part of the game mechanics to track turns.

How To Setup Strike Force One: The Cold War Heats Up – 1975

To set up the game, place the counters on the map according to the marked setup positions. The map is simple, with clear markings for the town and forest hexes. The game includes a complete turn-by-turn sample game to help new players understand the setup and gameplay.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Gameplay System: “I Go, You Go” alternating turns where one player moves and attacks followed by the other.

Movement and Combat: Units have the same movement and attack/defense strength. Combat results in either retreat or elimination for the loser.

Victory Conditions: The Soviets must occupy two of the three town hexes within four turns to win; the Americans win by preventing this.

Advanced Rules: Allow for unit stacking, movement through forested hexes with penalties, the addition of a West German counter, and an “Exchange” result in the Combat Results Table.

Player Experience

**Strike Force One** is designed to be a short and simple game, lasting only 5-10 minutes. It introduces basic wargame mechanics such as sequence of play and zones of control, making it an excellent introductory game for novice wargamers. However, its simplicity also means it lacks depth and replay value for more experienced players.

Pros

Introductory: Perfect for newcomers to wargaming.

Simple Setup: Easy to set up and understand.

Quick Gameplay: Games last only 5-10 minutes.

Educational: Useful for introducing common wargame mechanics.

Cons

Lack of Depth: Too simple for experienced wargamers.

Limited Replay Value: Once mastered, the game offers little challenge.

Basic Mechanics: No opportunity for skillful play beyond basic die-rolling.

Personal Thoughts on Strike Force One: The Cold War Heats Up – 1975

This game is ideal for utter novices looking to dip their toes into the world of wargaming. It effectively introduces basic concepts and is a great classroom tool for high school and college students. However, for anyone beyond the beginner stage, **Strike Force One** may feel too simplistic and lacking in challenge. Despite its limitations, it serves its purpose as a well-crafted introductory game.

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