- BGG rating
- 6.5
Enter Rommel (Europa Battle Scenario #2)
- 2 players
- 240 min
- Complexity 4.0/5
- 1990
- BGG rank
- BGG #10,091
- BGG rating
- 7.6
War in the Desert
1997
Rules assistance for War in the Desert
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 1–2 players
- 60–720 min
- 12+
- Complexity 4.0/5
For 1 player
Rules assistant for War in the Desert
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
War in the Desert is a board game released in 1997 for 1–2 players, 60–720 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by John Astell and its main mechanics are Hexagon Grid.
Expansions
Similar games
- BGG rank
- BGG #10,900
- BGG rating
- 7.4
Second Front
- 2 players
- 60–1440 min
- Complexity 4.3/5
- 1994
- BGG rank
- BGG #6,242
- BGG rating
- 7.5
Fire in the East
- 2–4 players
- 3000 min
- Complexity 4.3/5
- 1984
- BGG rank
- BGG #9,069
- BGG rating
- 7.6
Western Desert
- 2 players
- 180–360 min
- Complexity 3.7/5
- 1982
- BGG rank
- BGG #9,325
- BGG rating
- 7.1
Balkan Front
- 2–3 players
- 240 min
- Complexity 3.9/5
- 1990
- BGG rank
- BGG #6,774
- BGG rating
- 7.3
Arctic Front: Battle for Norway
- 2 players
- 240 min
- Complexity 3.5/5
- 1985
- BGG rank
- BGG #7,671
- BGG rating
- 7.4
Persian Gulf: Battle for the Middle East
- 2 players
- 180–300 min
- Complexity 3.5/5
- 1986
- BGG rank
- BGG #10,462
- BGG rating
- 6.8
Fifth Frontier War
- 2–4 players
- 240–360 min
- Complexity 2.9/5
- 1981
- BGG rank
- BGG #226
- BGG rating
- 7.5
Memoir '44
- 2–4 players
- 30–45 min
- Complexity 2.3/5
- 2004
- BGG rank
- BGG #589
- BGG rating
- 7.7
Undaunted: North Africa
- 2 players
- 45–60 min
- Complexity 2.4/5
- 2020
- BGG rank
- BGG #601
- BGG rating
- 8.0
Advanced Squad Leader
- 2 players
- 120–480 min
- Complexity 4.7/5
- 1985
- BGG rank
- BGG #692
- BGG rating
- 8.5
Undaunted: Stalingrad
- 2 players
- 45–75 min
- Complexity 2.7/5
- 2022
- BGG rank
- BGG #831
- BGG rating
- 8.3
D-Day at Omaha Beach
- 1 player
- 120–480 min
- Complexity 3.5/5
- 2009
About the game
War in the Desert recreates the struggle for North Africa and the Near East. Using standard Europa scales and rules, the game covers the campaigns in the Western Desert, from O'Connor's offensive against the Italians in Dec 40, to the siege of Tobruk and battle of Gazala, through the defeat and pursuit of the Axis forces at El Alamein in Nov. 42; the battle for Northwest Africa from the Anglo-American invasion of Nov. 42 to the Axis counterattack at Kasserine Pass to Axis surrender in May 43; the struggle for control of the Near East, including the pro-Axis revolt in Iraq, the British conquest of Vichy France's possessions, Syria and Lebanon, and the Allied invasion of Iraq. Game Components: 1680 + 560 Die Cut Counters (Europa CS 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90 and 2 Europa Universal Marker Sheets) 9 Maps (Europa maps n° 3C part; 18A; 19A; 20A; 21A; 22A; 24A; 25A; 32 - 22A & 32 half standard Europa map size) Rules Book (64 pages) 2 OB Books (Allied - 24 pages / Axis -16 pages) 11 charts/tables/displays 3 Grand Europa charts/tables/displays Game Scales: Time: Two Week Turns Map: 16 Miles Per Hex Unit: Divisions, Regiments & Battalions (from the back of the box and user's description)
Categories
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- Games Research/Design (GR/D)
Questions and answers
War in the Desert supports 1–2 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 War in the Desert is 60–720 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 War in the Desert 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.
War in the Desert has a complexity rating of 4.0 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.
War in the Desert belongs to these categories: Wargame and World War II. 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 War in the Desert are: John Astell. 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 War in the Desert 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.