- BGG rank
- BGG #8,022
- BGG rating
- 7.2
The Desert Fox: Rommel's Campaign for North Africa April 1941-December 1942
- 2 players
- 120–1 min
- Complexity 3.2/5
- 1981
- BGG rank
- BGG #19,472
- BGG rating
- 6.6
Desert War: Egypt, 1940
2010
Rules assistance for Desert War: Egypt, 1940
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 1–2 players
- 120 min
- 12+
- Complexity 1.8/5
Rules assistant for Desert War: Egypt, 1940
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Desert War: Egypt, 1940 is a board game released in 2010 for 1–2 players, 120 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Richard H. Berg and its main mechanics are Dice Rolling, Grid Movement, and Hexagon Grid.
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About the game
From the publisher's website: "Desert War Egypt, 1940, is a game covering Italy’s invasion of Egypt, before Rommel came to rescue them from their folly. This game uses an updated, and slightly expanded, version of the MedWar Sicily game system: no CRT, just dice, and cards...a totally new approach to gaming battles that can be learned in five minutes and played in 2-3 hours. Most of the rules and mechanics will be familiar to anyone who has ever played a wargame. Richard Berg however, has added to this simplicity a combat system that rates units for how many dice they get to roll on their behalf, as well as what kind of dice (small arms or Heavy Weapons). The game also uses cards, one deck (of 10) for each player (whose cards are somewhat different from those of the other player) to enhance the game. (They don't "drive" the game and they can be left out, if you’re so inclined.) The cards are part of a Resource system that gives the players a number of points which they can use to buy cards, rally units or bring in reinforcements. The choice is theirs, but there are far more choices than points. The cards, themselves, give the players "Opportunities", from using their (or negating their opponent’s) tank capabilities, to getting more supplies, to special Breakthrough and Reaction movement. Playing time for “Desert War Egypt” as averaged less than 3 hours, and the rules are only 8 pages, including rules for playing Solitaire. Each game of Desert War Egypt includes full box, rules, one sheet of large 5/8” die cut thick counters, dice, two decks of 10 cards, and a thick card stock game board. According to the back of the box, the game will include new and updated counters for MedWar Sicily, the first game using this system. Upcoming games using this system include East War Russia 1941, and Guns of August 1914.
Categories
Designers
Publishers
- Worthington Games
Questions and answers
Desert War: Egypt, 1940 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 Desert War: Egypt, 1940 is 120 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 Desert War: Egypt, 1940 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.
Desert War: Egypt, 1940 has a complexity rating of 1.8 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a 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.
Desert War: Egypt, 1940 belongs to these categories: Wargame and World War II. 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 Desert War: Egypt, 1940 are: Richard H. Berg. 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 Desert War: Egypt, 1940 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.