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Raid! Commando Operations, in the 20th Century
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Rapid Deployment Force (RDF)
1983
Rules assistance for Rapid Deployment Force (RDF)
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2 players
- 120 min
- 12+
- Complexity 3.3/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Rapid Deployment Force (RDF)
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Rapid Deployment Force (RDF) is a board game released in 1983 for 2 players, 120 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Mark Herman and its main mechanics are Hexagon Grid.
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About the game
RDF is a hypothetical tactical platoon level wargame in the Persian Gulf, with six scenarios, each representing a separate hypothetical confrontation between the forces of the United States, Soviet Union, Iran, Iraq, and Syria. Each Game turns represents 10 minutes of real time, each hexes are 200 meters. The map is a real terrain analysis of an area in Syria approximately 20km north of the Jordanian border, and is typical of Middle Eastern terrain found in Syria and parts of Iran. Units are rated for weapon and target class, air defense rating, strength, and range. Helicopters have an indirect fire and agility rating as well. Rules cover Company Frontages, Battalion Depth, Axis of Advance, LOS and indirect Fire, Multiple Weapon Systems, Morale, and Air Strikes. (adapted from rulebook & user's comments)
Categories
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- Tactical Studies Rules (TSR)
Questions and answers
Rapid Deployment Force (RDF) 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 Rapid Deployment Force (RDF) is 120 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 Rapid Deployment Force (RDF) 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.
Rapid Deployment Force (RDF) has a complexity rating of 3.3 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.
Rapid Deployment Force (RDF) belongs to these categories: Wargame and Modern Warfare. Its main mechanics are 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 Rapid Deployment Force (RDF) are: Mark Herman. 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 Rapid Deployment Force (RDF) 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.