- BGG rank
- BGG #9,431
- BGG rating
- 6.4
Bismarck
- 2 players
- 120 min
- Complexity 2.8/5
- 1962
- BGG rank
- BGG #24,823
- BGG rating
- 6.0
U-Boat
1959
Rules assistance for U-Boat
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–6 players
- 30 min
- 12+
- Complexity 2.0/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for U-Boat
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
U-Boat is a board game released in 1959 for 2–6 players, 30 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Charles S. Roberts and its main mechanics are Dice Rolling, Square Grid, and Grid Movement.
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About the game
One of the earliest entries in the Avalon Hill "Adult Games" family, along with Gettysburg, Tactics II, Dispatcher, and Verdict. The basic game pits one U-Boat against one Destroyer. They maneuver around each other, with the Destroyer player having limited knowledge of the depth and position of the U-Boat, each attempting to score a critical hit to win the game. The multi-ship game pits three U-Boats against three Destroyers. The first set of rules (1959) came in booklet form while the revised rules (1961) were on a large, folded single sheet. Differences in the rules included where torpedoes could be placed and the damage caused by near-miss depth charge attacks. Board: A grid of 19 x 14 square spaces Pieces: 3 U-Boats, 3 Destroyers
Categories
Designers
Publishers
- The Avalon Hill Game Co
Questions and answers
U-Boat 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 U-Boat is 30 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 U-Boat 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.
U-Boat has a complexity rating of 2.0 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.
U-Boat belongs to these categories: Wargame, Nautical, and World War II. Its main mechanics are Dice Rolling, Square Grid, and Grid Movement. 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 U-Boat are: Charles S. Roberts. 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 U-Boat 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.