
- BGG rating
- 8.2
MBT: BAOR
- 1–2 players
- 360 min
- Complexity 3.0/5
- 2018

2016
Rules assistance for MBT (Second Edition)
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.
MBT (Second Edition) is a board game released in 2016 for 2 players and 360 minutes per game. It was designed by James M. Day and its main mechanics are Dice Rolling, Hexagon Grid, and Simulation.
MBT is a complete game system modeling the US 7th Army and the GSFG and CGF Soviet mechanized forces of 1987. It is M1 Abrams (105mm and 120mm armed version) versus a whole stable of Soviet armor with their T-80s, T-72s, T-64s, and upgraded models of T-62 and T-55. There are even M60A3s sprinkled in to balance out the US tank inventory. Bradley IFVs and CFVs mechanized units are set to take on their counterparts mounted in BMP 1,2s and even a few 3s. Not to overlook M113A2s, BTRs and MT-LBs, which also make their appearance. Mechanized infantry and their related weapons are in abundance, including M47 Dragon, M72 LAW, AT-7 Saxon, AT-4 Spigot and multiple RPG versions. The scale is right down in the weeds with individual vehicles, infantry squads, half squads, and sections. Each hex is just 100 meters across, so it is going to be nose-to-nose action at its finest. Currently there are 3 published expansions for MBT: MBT: BAOR MBT: FRG MBT: 4CMBG The rules cover the total realm of modern mechanized combat with ATGMs, including TOW and deadly Soviet gun launched missiles like the AT-11 Sniper and AT-8 Songster, special armor (including ERA), advanced night fighting with thermal images and image intensifiers, advance artillery with ICM and laser-guided shells, helicopters, including the AH-64A Apache and Mi-24P Hind-F, attack aircraft, including the A-10A Warthog and SU-25 Frogfoot, and missile and gun-armed AA units to counter the deadly air threats. Included MBT units: US: Artillery Batteries, M1 Abrams, M106A2, M113A2, M125A2, M150, M163A1 PIVADS, M1A1 Abrams, M1IP Abrams, M2A1 Bradley IFV, M3A1 Bradley CFV, M48 Chaparral, M551 Sheridan, M60 AVLB, M60A3, M901 ITV & M981 FISTV, M998; Leg units US fliers: A-10A Thunderbolt II, AH-64A Apache & AH-1F Cobra, F-16C Fighting Falcon, OH-58C & Um-12A2 OH-58D, UH-1H, UH-60A Soviet: 2S1, 2S3, 9K22 Tunguska, 9K31, 9K35, ACRV, Artillery, BMP-1, BMP-2, BMP-3, BRDM-2, BRDM-2 ATGM, BRM-1, BTR-70, BTR-80, MT-55A AVLB, MT-LB, NSV HMG, SPG-9, T-55M, T-62MV, T-64BV, T-72AV, T-72BA, T-80BV, T-80U, ZSU-23-4 Soviet fliers: Mi-2, Mi-24P Hind-F, Mi-24V Hind-E, Mi-8, MiG-27 Flogger-J, Su-25 Frogfoot Box contents: 6 full color counter sheets 5 10” x 27¾” double-sided geomorphic map boards 28 full-color 5” x 4” Data Cards 2 Full-color Rulebooks (Basic and Advanced) Full-color Playbook 2 11” x 17” Game Cards 5 Player Aid Cards 4 10-sided dice
MBT (Second Edition) 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 MBT (Second Edition) is 360 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.
MBT (Second Edition) has a complexity rating of 3.9 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a heavy 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.
MBT (Second Edition) belongs to these categories: Wargame and Modern Warfare. Its main mechanics are Dice Rolling, Hexagon Grid, and Simulation. 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 MBT (Second Edition) are: James M. Day. 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 MBT (Second Edition) 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.