- BGG rank
- BGG #11,138
- BGG rating
- 6.1
Screaming Eagles
1987
Rules assistance for Screaming Eagles
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–4 players
- 20 min
- 10+
- Complexity 1.3/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Screaming Eagles
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Screaming Eagles is a board game released in 1987 for 2–4 players, 20 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Jim Keifer and its main mechanics are Dice Rolling, Simultaneous Action Selection, and Team-Based Game.
About the game
Screaming Eagles is a jet fighter dogfight with a unique board that allows for some bizarre moves. Players control 1 or 2 fighters and try to shoot each other out of the sky. Movement direction is determined by card play, and movement distance is determined by die roll. When your fighter moves off the front edge of the board, it "loops" to the back of the board and continues. If you successfully position your jet behind an enemy, open fire with you cannon or a missile. Damage is assessed by a die roll, and multiple hits are needed to bring down a plane unless a(n un)lucky shot strikes the cockpit or fuel tank. This is simple game that plays at jet speed!
Designers
Publishers
- Hasbro
- Milton Bradley
Questions and answers
Screaming Eagles supports 2–4 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Screaming Eagles is 20 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 Screaming Eagles for ages 10 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.
Screaming Eagles has a complexity rating of 1.3 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a 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.
Screaming Eagles belongs to these categories: Fighting and Wargame. Its main mechanics are Dice Rolling, Simultaneous Action Selection, and Team-Based 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 Screaming Eagles are: Jim Keifer. 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 Screaming Eagles 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.