
- BGG rank
- BGG #2,212
- BGG rating
- 7.7
The Civil War 1861-1865
- 1–2 players
- 120–1200 min
- Complexity 3.8/5
- 1983

1992
Rules assistance for Across 5 Aprils
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 2 players

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Across 5 Aprils is a board game released in 1992 for 2 players, 60–360 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Eric Lee Smith and its main mechanics are Dice Rolling, Grid Movement, and Hexagon Grid.
Across 5 Aprils is a two-player Tactical level board wargame covering five battles of the American Civil War: Bull Run, Pea Ridge, Shiloh, Gettysburg, and Bentonville. Each battle is a separate wargame unto itself, with its own set of counters and map - however the basic system applies to all the battles. Players pull a chit to activate certain formations which can then move. If the "Combat" chit is pulled, then all combats are resolved. Formations and Unit size varies from game to game, ranging from division to corps for formations and regiment to brigade for unit.
Across 5 Aprils supports 2 players according to the catalogue. This is the publisher’s listed player count, so the game is designed for exactly that number of participants. Variants for other group sizes, if any, are described in the rulebook of your edition, so check it before setting up a different configuration.
The listed playing time for Across 5 Aprils is 60–360 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Across 5 Aprils for ages 12 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Across 5 Aprils has a complexity rating of 2.3 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Across 5 Aprils belongs to these categories: Wargame, Civil War, and Post-Napoleonic. Its main mechanics are Dice Rolling, Grid Movement, and Hexagon Grid. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Across 5 Aprils are: Eric Lee Smith. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Across 5 Aprils as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.