- BGG rank
- BGG #751
- BGG rating
- 7.6
Cuba Libre
- 1–4 players
- 180 min
- Complexity 3.6/5
- 2013
- BGG rank
- BGG #27,869
- BGG rating
- 6.8
Defcon
2023
Rules assistance for Defcon
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 60–90 min
- 10+
- Complexity 2.0/5
Rules assistant for Defcon
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Defcon is a board game released in 2023 for 2–4 players, 60–90 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Carlo De Gregorio and its main mechanics are Area Movement and Dice Rolling.
Similar games
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,444
- BGG rating
- 7.6
Andean Abyss
- 1–4 players
- 360 min
- Complexity 3.8/5
- 2012
- BGG rank
- BGG #3,222
- BGG rating
- 7.9
The British Way: Counterinsurgency at the End of Empire
- 2 players
- 60–120 min
- Complexity 3.1/5
- 2023
- BGG rank
- BGG #4,646
- BGG rating
- 8.0
Hearts and Minds: Vietnam 1965-1975 (Third Edition)
- 1–2 players
- 45–360 min
- Complexity 3.0/5
- 2019
- BGG rank
- BGG #5,012
- BGG rating
- 7.4
Hearts and Minds: Vietnam 1965-1975
- 2 players
- 60–600 min
- Complexity 2.8/5
- 2010
- BGG rank
- BGG #9,068
- BGG rating
- 7.2
Nights of Fire: Battle for Budapest
- 1–3 players
- 60–90 min
- Complexity 3.1/5
- 2019
- BGG rank
- BGG #15,865
- BGG rating
- 6.4
Nicaragua!: Revolution in Central America
- 2 players
- 180 min
- Complexity 2.7/5
- 1988
- BGG rank
- BGG #17,792
- BGG rating
- 6.0
A Line in the Sand
- 2–6 players
- 60–180 min
- Complexity 2.8/5
- 1991
- BGG rank
- BGG #20,012
- BGG rating
- 6.8
Shining Path: The Struggle for Peru
- 2 players
- 90–240 min
- Complexity 3.0/5
- 1997
- BGG rank
- BGG #28,788
- BGG rating
- 4.9
Antarctica
- 2–4 players
- 120 min
- Complexity 2.4/5
- 2006
- BGG rank
- BGG #6,528
- BGG rating
- 6.6
Napoleon in Europe
- 2–7 players
- 360 min
- Complexity 3.5/5
- 2001
- BGG rank
- BGG #19,180
- BGG rating
- 7.9
Aetherium
- 2 players
- 60 min
- Complexity 3.0/5
- 2014
About the game
After two global conflicts, we have seen a long time of apparent peace. However, behind fragile stability, enormous strengths were moving. Big transnational factors, such as globalization, world population growth, a shortage of raw materials, and the formation of international actors, have weakened pluralism in favor of a growing polarization on the international stage. In today's world, a few big regional powers compete for world domination. In Defcon, internal frictions push decision-makers to look for international success to consolidate their power, even though it means conflict against international rivalries. In a climate of growing tension, megapowers begin an arms race to be prepared for a global scale conflict. Whoever controls the hegemonic megapower at the end of the fifth round wins, and to do this, that player must obtain the highest position on the consensus index, which is made up of two separate rankings: the reputation index and the military index. Those who will find the right balance between military strength and support from public opinion will win the game. —description from the publisher
Editions
- DefconenGiochi Uniti, Stratelibri2023
- DefconfrDon't Panic Games, Giochi Uniti, Stratelibri2024
- DefconitGiochi Uniti2023
Categories
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- Giochi Uniti
- Don't Panic Games
- Stratelibri
Questions and answers
Defcon supports 2–4 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 Defcon is 60–90 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 Defcon for ages 10 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.
Defcon has a complexity rating of 2.0 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.
Defcon belongs to these categories: Wargame, Miniatures, and Political. Its main mechanics are Area Movement and 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 credited designers of Defcon are: Carlo De Gregorio. 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 Defcon 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.