
- BGG rank
- BGG #5,546
- BGG rating
- 7.2
A Victory Denied: Crisis at Smolensk, July-September, 1941
- 2 players
- 240 min
- Complexity 2.6/5
- 2009

2008
Rules assistance for The Devil's Cauldron: The Battles for Arnhem and Nijmegen
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 2 players

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Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
The Devil's Cauldron: The Battles for Arnhem and Nijmegen is a board game released in 2008 for 2–4 players, 90–2400 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Adam Starkweather and its main mechanics are Dice Rolling, Hexagon Grid, and Line of Sight.
"Devil's Cauldron" is a company level simulation of the Northern two drop zones in Operation Market Garden. It is loosely based on an old Victory Games wargame called "Panzer Command". Command and control is emphasized in this system and the game includes extensive documentation and historical background. Components include 4 linking maps (for the grand campaign) and three smaller gamettes (on Arnhem, the Island and Groesbeek Heights - each with its own rules and map). 1600 counters (of which roughly 700 are actual combat units) and attendant documentation. Play time for the various games range from one hour all the way up to 50 or so for the grand campaign. Contents: •4 23.5"x35.5" map-sheets 3 of which are back-printed w/scenario maps •3 9"x12" map extensions (adding useful areas which were "just off" the area covered by the 4 map-sheets) •11 sheets of 5/8" die-cut full-color counters •1 counter-sheet of 1" die-cut full-color counters •Series Rulebooks (1 detailed; 1 "quick start") •TDC exclusive rulebook •Historical booklet •8 full-color divisional displays •2 CRT/TEC Charts and Tables •1 Game Turn Chart •4 10-sided dice Scale: •Infantry counters generally represent company-sized units •500m hexes •2hrs per turn (8-10 at night)
The Devil's Cauldron: The Battles for Arnhem and Nijmegen 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 The Devil's Cauldron: The Battles for Arnhem and Nijmegen is 90–2400 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 The Devil's Cauldron: The Battles for Arnhem and Nijmegen 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.
The Devil's Cauldron: The Battles for Arnhem and Nijmegen has a complexity rating of 3.8 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a heavy 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.
The Devil's Cauldron: The Battles for Arnhem and Nijmegen belongs to these categories: Wargame and World War II. Its main mechanics are Dice Rolling, Hexagon Grid, and Line of Sight. 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 The Devil's Cauldron: The Battles for Arnhem and Nijmegen are: Adam Starkweather. 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 The Devil's Cauldron: The Battles for Arnhem and Nijmegen 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.