- BGG rank
- BGG #3,638
- BGG rating
- 8.0
Salerno '43
2022
Rules assistance for Salerno '43
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2 players
- 120–360 min
- 14+
- Complexity 3.4/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Salerno '43
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Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Salerno '43 is a board game released in 2022 for 2 players, 120–360 minutes per game, and ages 14 and up. It was designed by Mark Simonitch and its main mechanics are Dice Rolling, Grid Movement, and Hexagon Grid.
About the game
Salerno ‘43: The Allied Invasion of Italy, September 1943 is a regiment/brigade-level game on the Allied invasion of mainland Italy in September 1943. Two British and two American divisions land in the Bay of Salerno defended by the full strength 16th Panzer Division, which is soon reinforced by five other German mechanized divisions. For 8 days the survival of the beachhead is in doubt, and emergency measures are taken to reinforce the beachhead with the 82nd Airborne Division. With their counter-attack stopped and the British Eighth Army approaching from the south, the Germans withdraw their left flank to avoid being trapped. However, their right flank stubbornly holds back the British from pushing north to Naples. Salerno ’43 uses the exact same map, unit, and time scales as Normandy ’44, providing an excellent way to compare these two invasions. Salerno ’43 uses a modified Normandy '44 game system. With a smaller size, the game is easier to learn and play than its predecessor. Salerno ’43 includes two scenarios: an 8-turn Invasion Scenario and a 24-turn Campaign Game. In the Campaign Game, the Allies must exit the north map edge by the end of September 1943. The Germans must delay the Allies to give time for the construction of the Gustav Line further north. The 8-turn scenario can be finished in an afternoon. Game Scale: Game Turn: 1 day Hex: 2.3 miles / 3.8 kilometers Units: Battalion to Brigade (mostly Regiments) Game Inventory: One 22x25.5" full color map One dual-side printed countersheet of 192 9/16" counters (includes 6 blank counters) One 32-page rulebook Two 4 page Player Aid Charts Two Set-up Charts One 6-sided die Solitaire Playability: Medium Complexity Level: Medium Players: 2 or more Playing Time: 2 to 6 hours
Categories
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- GMT Games
Questions and answers
Salerno '43 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 Salerno '43 is 120–360 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.
The catalogue lists Salerno '43 for ages 14 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.
Salerno '43 has a complexity rating of 3.4 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.
Salerno '43 belongs to these categories: Wargame and World War II. Its main mechanics are Dice Rolling, Grid Movement, 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 Salerno '43 are: Mark Simonitch. 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 Salerno '43 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.