
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,423
- BGG rating
- 7.5
Ambush!
- 1 player
- 180–240 min
- Complexity 3.3/5
- 1983

2020
Rules assistance for WWII Commander: Volume One – Battle of the Bulge
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.
WWII Commander: Volume One – Battle of the Bulge is a board game released in 2020 for 2 players and 45–300 minutes per game. It was designed by John H. Butterfield and its main mechanics are Area Movement, Dice Rolling, and Simulation.
"WWII Commander, Volume One: Battle of the Bulge" is the first in a series of fast-playing area-based wargames on key campaigns of the Second World War. Battle of the Bulge is a two-player wargame of the German offensive against the Western Allies in December 1944, designed by renowned wargame designer John H. Butterfield and based on his original boardgame design that was later released in digital format by Shenandoah Studios, an imprint of Slitherine UL Ltd. The simple elegance and high player-interaction of the WWII Commander games recreates the tension of key battles of the Second World War. The overall game system is easy to learn and makes a great introduction to war games, but mastering its tactics and strategy is a true challenge as the players take turns deciding which units to activate on either attack or defense. As the German player, you must make big gains and be as aggressive as possible while you hold the numerical advantage without over-committing your units, over-extending supply lines or falling prone to fuel shortages. As the Allied player, you must first withstand the initial German surprise attack and coordinate effective holding actions while defending key geographic objectives as you muster your arriving forces for counterattacks. The package features premium components throughout; from the mounted game board and oversized units, to the activation cubes and wooden control discs, sure to appeal to war gamers and euro gamers alike. The rules are simple, game play is fast and furious and can be completed in a single sitting, and victory may be achieved by either side at different stages of the game. Product Information: Complexity: 4 out of 10 Solitaire Suitability: 7 out of 10 (no hidden units) Time Scale: 1 day, composed of multiple alternating player turns Map Scale: abstract areas approx. 15 miles across Unit Scale: Divisions Players: one to two, best with two Playing Time: 45 minute intro scenario, 3 hour campaign Components: Mounted 25 x 22 inch map 140 over-sized 3/4" counters Rules booklet German Order of Battle Appearance Display Allied Order of Battle Appearance Display Two player Aid cards 50 Activation cubes 40 wooden German control discs Seven 10-sided dice Box and Lid —description from the publisher
WWII Commander: Volume One – Battle of the Bulge 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 WWII Commander: Volume One – Battle of the Bulge is 45–300 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.
WWII Commander: Volume One – Battle of the Bulge 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.
WWII Commander: Volume One – Battle of the Bulge belongs to these categories: Wargame and World War II. Its main mechanics are Area Movement, Dice Rolling, and Simulation. 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 WWII Commander: Volume One – Battle of the Bulge are: John H. Butterfield. 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 WWII Commander: Volume One – Battle of the Bulge 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.