
- BGG rank
- BGG #27,624
- BGG rating
- 5.2
Dogfight
- 2 players
- 15–30 min
- Complexity 1.6/5
- 2009

2007
Rules assistance for Sortie
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.
Sortie is a board game released in 2007 for 2–6 players, 20 minutes per game, and ages 8 and up. It was designed by Dan Tibbles and its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Hand Management, and Simultaneous Action Selection.
From the Front Porch Classics Press Release: The year is 1943. From Asia to England, and all places in between, Axis and Allied pilots put their daring, skill and nerve to the test in a fight for air supremacy; the prize being nothing less than the fate of the world. In Front Porch Classics’ new adventure game Sortie, players simultaneously play cards that authentically simulate the thrill and exhilaration of World War II dog fighting. Cast metal planes, a segmented wood playing surface and more than 100 playing cards combine to give you a taste of what it was like behind the cockpits of the fighting machines of yesteryear. This dog- fighting game comes packaged in an elegant all wood book-style box. For two to six players, ages eight and up.
Sortie supports 2–6 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 Sortie 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 Sortie for ages 8 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.
Sortie has a complexity rating of 1.5 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.
Sortie belongs to these categories: Wargame, World War II, and Aviation / Flight. Its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Hand Management, and Simultaneous Action Selection. 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 Sortie are: Dan Tibbles. 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 Sortie 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.