Iron Storm: The First World War, 1914-1918

Available for Pre-order. Made the cut

They were ordered to attack. It was their duty to obey that order. We can't leave it up to the men to decide whether an order is possible or not. If it was impossible, the only proof of that would be their dead bodies lying about in the trenches. They're scum, Colonel. The whole rotten regiment. A pack of sneaking, whining, tail-dragging curs. – General Mireau in “Paths of Glory” (1957)

Iron Storm is a two-player strategic wargame that allows you to recreate the entire First World War in a single afternoon (3-5 hours). The game uses an innovative card engine system where each player uses their entire hand in one go to activate armies, resolve operations, and support battles with combat cards. It also simulates human and economic attrition during the course of the war by gradually adding cards to each deck that will have limited use in the hand and take additional effort to remove. Iron Storm has been designed to be as simple as possible in terms of rules and has no exceptions to remember that are not indicated on the cards or board. It is equally suitable as an introductory wargame or as a tight duel for experienced players.

Highlights:

• An innovative card-play system that keeps the game moving quickly while simulating war weariness and exhaustion through the addition of Attrition cards to both players’ decks
• A quick and exciting battle system using custom dice to determine the impact of artillery, with outcomes slightly unpredictable but still deterministic enough to plan your turn around
• Random events depicting external political, industrial, and military factors that both players must adapt their strategy in response to
• Four scenarios allowing for variable game length, with even the full arc of the Great War in Europe being playable in an afternoon

Scenarios:

The Great War – Ten rounds from 1914-1918, the full arc of WWI in Europe

The Guns of August (Introductory Scenario) – Four rounds from 1914-1915, introducing the game or allowing for a quick session

Europe in Despair – Six rounds from 1916-1918, covering the second half of the war and allowing for a medium-length game

The Turning Point – Four rounds from 1917-1918, covering the end of the war in a single short session

Each game round lasts around 30 minutes once you’ve learned how to play, allowing for even a full-length game to be completed in an afternoon session, with shorter scenarios suitable for evening or tournament play.  

Solitaire Play Enabled by the CDG Solo System: Experience the titanic struggle of nations solitaire with the cinematic play of the CDG Solo System! Iron Storm is compatible with the CDG Solo System and will come with a playsheet designed by Ken Kuhn, one of the System’s co-designers. The included playsheet describes how the rules of the game are adapted to work with the CDG Solo System to support solitaire play. The CDG Solo System itself is not included with Iron Storm, but it can be purchased or downloaded as a free Print & Play Kit on the System’s home page here: https://www.gmtgames.com/p-908-cdg-solo-system.aspx

Components:

• One 22x34" mounted game board
• 150 regular sized playing cards
• 20 black wooden cubes
• 7 custom six-sided dice
• Two full color countersheets
• Two double-sided player aid sheets
• Two player mats
• One CDG Solo System playsheet
• One rulebook
• One playbook
• A 3" box

Game Designer: Edgar Fenollar

Game Developer: Joe Dewhurst

CDG Solo System Design: Ken Kuhn