- BGG rank
- BGG #2,679
- BGG rating
- 7.0
Rise and Decline of the Third Reich
- 2–6 players
- 240–720 min
- Complexity 4.3/5
- 1974
- BGG rank
- BGG #11,410
- BGG rating
- 7.6
GHQ
2024
Rules assistance for GHQ
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 20–40 min
- 9+
- Complexity 2.1/5
Rules assistant for GHQ
For 2 players
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
GHQ is a board game released in 2024 for 2 players, 20–40 minutes per game, and ages 9 and up. It was designed by Kurt Vonnegut and its main mechanics are Grid Movement, Action Points, and Zone of Control.
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About the game
World War 2 veteran Kurt Vonnegut's first novel, Player Piano, was published in 1954. While it was critically well received and reprinted in 1955, it was not a financial success. As he worked on his next novel (which would eventually become Cat's Cradle), he needed to supplement his income with other endeavors. One of those efforts was an original board game called GHQ (General Headquarters). He designed it throughout 1956 and attempted to sell it to game companies, an effort that was ultimately unsuccessful. His notes on the game were filed away and Vonnegut's GHQ was lost to us. Until now. GHQ is a fast and strategic two-player battle game. Played on a standard 8x8 checkerboard, players command infantry, armored vehicles, artillery, and the powerful airborne regiment, maneuvering to capture the opposing headquarters. Can you skillfully use real-world combined arms tactics and call on reinforcements at the right time to turn the tide of battle? This first edition of GHQ features deluxe wooden pieces and a 24-page commentary booklet showing Kurt Vonnegut's design notes to give insight into his creative process.
Editions
- GHQenMars International2024
Categories
Designers
Publishers
- Mars International
Questions and answers
GHQ 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 GHQ is 20–40 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 GHQ for ages 9 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.
GHQ has a complexity rating of 2.1 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.
GHQ belongs to these categories: Wargame, Abstract Strategy, and World War II. Its main mechanics are Grid Movement, Action Points, and Zone of Control. 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 GHQ are: Kurt Vonnegut. 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 GHQ 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.