
- BGG rank
- BGG #7,235
- BGG rating
- 7.0
Down in Flames: Aces High
- 2–6 players
- 45 min
- Complexity 2.1/5
- 2008

2004
Rules assistance for Lightning: Midway – June 4th to June 6th, 1942
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 2 players

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Lightning: Midway – June 4th to June 6th, 1942 is a board game released in 2004 for 2 players, 30 minutes per game, and ages 9 and up. It was designed by Dan Verssen and its main mechanics are Hand Management.
Two players step into the roles of opposing fleet commanders in this history based recreation of the famous World War II battle between US and Japanese forces. At stake is control of Midway Atoll in the Central Pacific. The US player must risk his navy's three carriers to try to keep it; the Japanese player must risk his four carriers to try to take it. The atoll and the aircraft carriers are each represented by their own card. Players throw reconnaissance cards to find and fix the enemy's location, then play other cards representing attacking squadrons. Some find their targets, others don't. Sometimes the enemy shows up over your fleet without warning. Everything often hinges - literally and figuratively - on the timely throw of one card. Lightning Game Series
Lightning: Midway – June 4th to June 6th, 1942 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 Lightning: Midway – June 4th to June 6th, 1942 is 30 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 Lightning: Midway – June 4th to June 6th, 1942 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.
Lightning: Midway – June 4th to June 6th, 1942 has a complexity rating of 1.7 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.
Lightning: Midway – June 4th to June 6th, 1942 belongs to these categories: Card Game, Wargame, and World War II. Its main mechanics are Hand Management. 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 Lightning: Midway – June 4th to June 6th, 1942 are: Dan Verssen. 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 Lightning: Midway – June 4th to June 6th, 1942 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.