
- BGG rank
- BGG #4,211
- BGG rating
- 8.1
Target for Today
- 1 player
- 45–90 min
- Complexity 3.2/5
- 2017

2013
Rules assistance for Picket Duty: Kamikaze Attacks against U.S. Destroyers – Okinawa, 1945
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.

For 1 player
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Picket Duty: Kamikaze Attacks against U.S. Destroyers – Okinawa, 1945 is a board game released in 2013 for 1 player and 60–480 minutes per game. It was designed by Steve Dixon and its main mechanics are Solo / Solitaire Game.
By the time of the invasion of Okinawa in April 1945, the US Navy devised a plan to help ward off the expected kamikaze attacks during the battle for the island. In order to provide an early warning system for impending kamikaze attacks, the US Navy established 16 radar picket stations around the island. "Picket Duty" is a solitaire wargame where you - as the captain of a Fletcher Class destroyer - fend off kamikaze attacks while performing picket duty off Okinawa. The game covers the time period from late March 1945 to late June 1945. Your goal is simple - survive. The game comes with a basic game, advanced game, six historical scenarios, two hypothetical scenarios, a mini-campaign and a full campaign. Optional rules are also included. Each game turn is divided into three phases, each depicting an eight hour period. Key crew members are depicted with certain functions, as well damage control teams. 27 types of Japanese planes are represented. Some planes have special attack capabilities. Game features include: Weather - Damage Control - Ammo and Fuel Consumption - Ship Trim and Listing - Land and Ship Radar - Air and Surface Fire Support - Ohka attacks, and more.
Picket Duty: Kamikaze Attacks against U.S. Destroyers – Okinawa, 1945 supports 1 player 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 Picket Duty: Kamikaze Attacks against U.S. Destroyers – Okinawa, 1945 is 60–480 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.
Picket Duty: Kamikaze Attacks against U.S. Destroyers – Okinawa, 1945 has a complexity rating of 2.9 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.
Picket Duty: Kamikaze Attacks against U.S. Destroyers – Okinawa, 1945 belongs to these categories: Wargame, Nautical, and World War II. Its main mechanics are Solo / Solitaire Game. 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 Picket Duty: Kamikaze Attacks against U.S. Destroyers – Okinawa, 1945 are: Steve Dixon. 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 Picket Duty: Kamikaze Attacks against U.S. Destroyers – Okinawa, 1945 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.