- BGG rating
- 7.0
The Sands of War: Expansion Kit
- 2 players
- 120 min
- Complexity 2.7/5
- 1992
- BGG rank
- BGG #13,310
- BGG rating
- 6.7
The Sands of War
1991
Rules assistance for The Sands of War
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2 players
- 120 min
- 12+
- Complexity 2.6/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for The Sands of War
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
The Sands of War is a board game released in 1991 for 2 players, 120 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Frank Chadwick and its main mechanics are Hexagon Grid.
Expansions
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About the game
"Tactical Combat in the Middle East: 1941-1991" Scale: 250 meter hexes, 15 minute turns, platoon sized units. Scenarios cover World War II, the Israeli War of Independence, the Sinai War, the Six-Day War, the 1973 Arab-Israeli War, Lebanon, the Iran-Iraq War, and the 1991 Gulf War. Catalogue Description. The entry of Italy Into World War II brought war to North Africa and the Middle East, and that region has seen almost continual warfare ever since. These wars have been among the only major conventional ground conflicts since WWII, and thus provide a developing record of the changing nature of weapons systems, tactics, and the Intensity of combat. Now all these conflicts are explored in this one game, part of the First Battle series of titles. The game is meticulously researched and provides as accurate a view of warfare in the desert as has yet appeared, yet it is also one of the most accessible tactical games ever published. The “Jump-Start" rules folder provides basics and two scenarios that can be played within a half hour of opening the box. And "design-your-own" scenario rules enable players to explore endless possibilities. Game components include: 16 five-color 11x17" geomorphlc maps; 800 die-cut counters and markers; complete game charts. Jump-Start rules with 2 Introductory scenarios; 80-page game manual, including basic and advanced rules, historical notes, and 31 scenarios. Expanded by: The Sands of War: Expansion Kit
Categories
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- Game Designers' Workshop (GDW Games)
Questions and answers
The Sands of War 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 The Sands of War 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 The Sands of War 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 Sands of War has a complexity rating of 2.6 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-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.
The Sands of War belongs to these categories: Wargame, World War II, 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 The Sands of War are: Frank Chadwick. 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 Sands of War 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.