- BGG rank
- BGG #3,329
- BGG rating
- 7.4
Flat Top
- 2 players
- 360 min
- Complexity 4.2/5
- 1977
- BGG rating
- 6.7
Rules assistance for Dauntless
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 1–2 players
- 60 min
- 12+
- Complexity 3.2/5
Rules assistant for Dauntless
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Dauntless is an expansion for Air Force released in 1977 for 1–2 players, 60 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by S. Craig Taylor and its main mechanics are Dice Rolling, Simultaneous Action Selection, and Grid Movement.
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About the game
A game of tactical-level WWII air combat in the pacific. Originally published as a stand-alone game by Battleline, Dauntless was later (1981) republished by Avalon Hill as a gamette expansion for the game Air Force. AH added rules for ships and anti-ship weapons, carrier operations, and rockets. From a Battleline catalog: DAUNTLESS takes our proven and popular AIR FORCE game system into the skies of the Flying Tigers, Samurai and the "Black Sheep." The new airplane data charts let you put such renowned aircraft as the P-38 "forked tailed devil," the incomparably nimble Zero, the aptly named Black Widow, and the awesome B-29 through their paces. Other veteran war birds include the P-40, Corsair, Val, Kate, Frank, B-25, the SBD (Slow But Deadly) Dauntless, and many more. Rules cover all important aspects of the air war in the Pacific: machine guns and cannons, dive bombing, torpedo bombing, level bombing, glide bombing, depth charge bombing, strafing, massed bomber formations, light and heavy flak, fighters, bombers, kamikazes, radar, clouds, industrial targets, vehicular targets, and naval targets, and more. Scenarios portray day fights, reconnaissance missions, bomber interceptions, duels in the night, attacks on land and sea targets, and one-way kamikaze dives and a "roll your own" section that allows players to create their own scenarios. The game components include a six-piece geomorphic "endless" Map board, 375 extra-thick die-cut counters, rulebook which includes basic and optional rules with a comprehensive historical summary, a well-organized simultaneous movement pad, airplane data cards, game tables, and an introductory game that completes your basic training.
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- Hobby Japan
- The Avalon Hill Game Co
- Battleline
Questions and answers
Dauntless supports 1–2 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 Dauntless 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 Dauntless 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.
Dauntless has a complexity rating of 3.2 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.
Dauntless belongs to these categories: Wargame, Nautical, and World War II. Its main mechanics are Dice Rolling, Simultaneous Action Selection, and Grid Movement. 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 Dauntless are: S. Craig Taylor. 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 Dauntless as an expansion for Air Force. Expansions add new content, rules or scenarios to the base game and usually cannot be played on their own, so you need Air Force to use it. Check that your edition of Air Force is compatible, as some expansions were revised between editions.