
- BGG rating
- 8.1
Line of Fire #13
- 2–4 players
- 120 min
- 2012

2011
Rules assistance for Lock 'n Load: Heroes of the Gap
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 2 players

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Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Lock 'n Load: Heroes of the Gap is a board game released in 2011 for 2 players, 90 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Mark H. Walker and Dale Holmstrom and its main mechanics are Modular Board and Hexagon Grid.
From the publisher... Heroes of the Gap is a complete Lock ‘n Load module (you need nothing else to play) which brings the Lock ‘n Load system to the environs of Eisenbach, Germany, on the first day of World War III. No, this is NOT a World at War series game, but it does take place in the universe created by World at War. This is pure, impulse-driven, tanks vs. tank, squad vs. squad, leader vs. leader, RPD vs. M60, Lock ‘n Load system gaming. You’ll command a bucket of 1985-era weaponry on a Marc von Martial-drawn, mounted 22" x 34" historical map of Eisenbach and its immediate surroundings, including Bergengipfel and Klappebruck. Defend West Germany with Abrams tanks, ITOW anti-tank vehicles, Cobra attack helicopters, squads of American soldiers, leaders, snipers, heroes, M60 machine guns, Dragon guided missiles, A-10 attack aircraft, and much more. All rendered with the precision we have all come to expect from David Julien. Or, if you chose, attack the capitalists with T-80, T-72, T-64, and T-55 tanks (okay, you won’t get far with the T-55s, but we had to include them), Hind helicopters, Soviet infantry, paratroopers, BMPs, and all their accoutrements of war - RPGs, RPKs, RPDs, you are free to do so. Included are rules for anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM), which are easily depleted, advanced armor, advanced sights (thermal and night), fixed wing air support, and much more. Yet, despite the new rules, we believe we have held true to our company’s mantra of "more game, less guff." Fight nine Mark H. Walker-designed scenarios that recount the first day of the war, from the first probes by Soviet infantry to the ultimate, desperate clash for the Eisenbach Bridge. This is the game for those of you who have wanted to get down on the streets, in the buildings, on the deck of the tanks, and fight the battles of Red Army, Red Storm Rising, Team Yankee, or even World at War: Eisenbach Gap. A 34" x 22" mounted game map, depicting the city of Eisenbach, the Eisenbach River, and the nearby towns of Klappebruck and Bergengipfel. Three sheets of counters, including over 100 vehicles...the most vehicles ever crammed into a Lock 'n Load game box. Complete LnL rules, module rules, player aid cards, and nine scenario cards. Dice...always the dice. An awesome box that keeps the inside in. Once again... this is a complete, ready to play Lock 'n Load module. You don't need to own anything else, you don't need to know how to play Lock 'n Load. Just stop by the office. We'll teach you.
Lock 'n Load: Heroes of the Gap 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 Lock 'n Load: Heroes of the Gap is 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 Lock 'n Load: Heroes of the Gap 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.
Lock 'n Load: Heroes of the Gap 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.
Lock 'n Load: Heroes of the Gap belongs to these categories: Wargame and Modern Warfare. Its main mechanics are Modular Board 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 Lock 'n Load: Heroes of the Gap are: Mark H. Walker and Dale Holmstrom. 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 Lock 'n Load: Heroes of the Gap 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.