
- BGG rank
- BGG #15,568
- BGG rating
- 7.4
Heart of Oak: Naval Miniatures Rules for the Age of Fighting Sail
- 2 players
- 90 min
- Complexity 3.7/5
- 1978

Expansion for Command at Sea: 4th Edition – War at Sea 1926-1955
2023
Rules assistance for Clear the Coast: Scenarios for Small Craft in WWII
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.

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Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Clear the Coast: Scenarios for Small Craft in WWII is an expansion for Command at Sea: 4th Edition – War at Sea 1926-1955 released in 2023 for 2–8 players, 60 minutes per game, and ages 14 and up. Its main mechanics are Dice Rolling.
Most of the naval battles in WW II weren't fought by big ships, but by small craft – torpedo boats, gunboats, subchasers, minesweepers, and the like. These battles aren't as well-known as the big fleet engagements like Matapan or Leyte, but the day-to-day patrolling, minesweeping, and convoying by these feisty small craft were just as important. Pat Hreachmack has collected thirty-four surface actions involving these smaller coastal vessels. They are all historical and most involve only a handful of units. These are short, vicious fights, usually between matched forces and were determined by the side with the better tactics. But there are also times when the victory conditions are to simply escape without being mauled or sunk. Many are in less-than-ideal visibility, with the two sides coming upon each other well inside effective gun range, sometimes with one, or both parties, surprised. In addition to the scenarios, Clear the Coast! includes all the information on the ships, weapons, and sensors needed to play them using Command at Sea fourth edition rules. —description from the publisher
Clear the Coast: Scenarios for Small Craft in WWII supports 2–8 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Clear the Coast: Scenarios for Small Craft in WWII is 60 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 Clear the Coast: Scenarios for Small Craft in WWII for ages 14 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.
Clear the Coast: Scenarios for Small Craft in WWII has a complexity rating of 3.0 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-weight 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.
Clear the Coast: Scenarios for Small Craft in WWII belongs to these categories: Wargame, Miniatures, and Nautical. Its main mechanics are Dice Rolling. 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 catalogue lists Clear the Coast: Scenarios for Small Craft in WWII as an expansion for Command at Sea: 4th Edition – War at Sea 1926-1955. Expansions add new content, rules or scenarios to the base game and usually cannot be played on their own, so you need Command at Sea: 4th Edition – War at Sea 1926-1955 to use it. Check that your edition of Command at Sea: 4th Edition – War at Sea 1926-1955 is compatible, as some expansions were revised between editions.