
- BGG rating
- 7.6
Zero Leader: Aces Expansion
- 1 player
- 45–120 min
- Complexity 3.0/5
- 2021

2021
Rules assistance for Zero Leader
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 1 player

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Zero Leader is a board game released in 2021 for 1 player, 45–120 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Chuck Seegert and its main mechanics are Simulation, Solo / Solitaire Game, and Deck Construction.
Zero Leader is based on the Corsair Leader game, with some significant changes. The game focuses on commanding and managing a Japanese aerial squadron in the Pacific in World War Two, with aircraft including the A6M2 Zero, KI-84 Frank, KI-43 Oscar, G4M Betty, and G3M Nell, covering the major campaigns throughout the war from 1941 to 1945. You will need to select the right mix of aircraft under your command in order to successfully carry out the different types of missions. Each aircraft has its advantages and disadvantages. For example, a fighter like the Zero is very maneuverable and deadly to enemy Bandits, but it has limited ability to attack naval and ground targets, whereas a bomber like the Betty can carry a lot of munitions, but are susceptible to enemy bandit and anti-aircraft attacks. This game also includes additional aspects of Japanese operations such as mechanical and maintenance challenges, invoking samurai spirit, as well as the ability to deploy the deadly Ohka kamikaze aircraft-bombs. There is also an air combat system which gives you more tactical options when dogfighting with enemy aircraft, including manuevering for position, increasing pilot aggression and being affected by the robustness of the aircraft. Like the other games in the "Leader" series, Zero Leader is a solitaire game. Included in the core box: 1 x Mounted Display 20"x15" 1 x Mounted Dogfight Chart 11 x Counter Sheets (88 counters per sheet) 15 x Campaign Sheets 4 x Player Help Sheets 2 x single-sided sheets 2 x double-sided sheets 386 x Cards (2.5” x 3.5”) 18 x Frank aircraft cards 36 x Zero aircraft cards 36 x Zeke aircraft cards 18 x Kate aircraft cards 18 x Jill aircraft cards 18 x Val aircraft cards 18 x Emily aircraft cards 18 x Jack aircraft cards 18 x Tojo aircraft cards 18 x Sonia aircraft cards 18 x Tony aircraft cards 18 x George aircraft cards 18 x Oscar aircraft cards 18 x Betty aircraft cards 18 x Nell aircraft cards 5 x Frank "Trainee" aircraft cards 30 x Event cards 45 x Target cards 2 x 10-sided Dice 1 x Player Log Sheet 1 x Rulebook -description from publisher
Zero Leader supports 1 player 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 Zero Leader is 45–120 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 Zero Leader 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.
Zero Leader has a complexity rating of 3.0 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.
Zero Leader belongs to these categories: Card Game, Wargame, and World War II. Its main mechanics are Simulation, Solo / Solitaire Game, and Deck Construction. 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 Zero Leader are: Chuck Seegert. 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 Zero Leader 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.