"Box cover of the 'TOBRUK Tank Battles in North Africa: 1942' board game, showing illustrated soldiers in combat beside a tank with an explosion in the background."
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Tobruk

Tobruk

Tobrukis a board wargame published by Avalon Hill in 1975 that simulates tank combat in North Africa during World War II. The game was designed by freelance game designer Harold Hock and developed by Avalon Hill staffer Randall Reed, who also provided the artwork. Tobruk is a two-player game in which one player controls German and Italian forces and the other player controls British and Allied forces. Although tank combat is paramount, infantry, artillery, and air superiority aspects of combat are present, albeit in secondary, reduced, or abstract form.

Why is Tobruk Popular?

Tobruk is significant because it was one of the earliest board wargames to simulate tank combat in North Africa during World War II. The game was well-received by critics and players alike, with some calling it the best of the new Tobruk games. Tobruk was also included in a 1976 poll conducted by Simulations Publications Inc. to determine the most popular board wargames in North America, where it placed 80th out of 202 games.

Game Components of Tobruk

The game box includes:
– 3 hex grid maps (can be combined or used separately, depending on the scenario), scaled at 63 m (69 yd) per hex
– 36-page Rulebook
– 504 die-cut counters

Gameplay Mechanics and Setup of Tobruk

Tobruk is a turn-based game, with each turn representing 24 hours of game time. The game is played on a hex grid map, and players move their units by spending movement points. Combat is resolved by rolling dice and comparing the results to a combat results table.

Game Objective of Tobruk

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

Tobruk is a complex game that requires careful planning and strategy to win. Players must balance the need to advance their own forces with the need to defend against enemy attacks. The game is also highly replayable, with multiple scenarios and different victory conditions to keep players engaged.

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