We have a very short form to enable those players interested in these rules to register their interest that will enable us to keep you informed on progress and publication. It only takes 30 seconds to fill in and can be found here.
The First World War presents a unique challenge for tabletop wargaming. It was a conflict of enormous scale, industrial firepower, confused command structures, and rapidly evolving tactics. Many rules struggle to capture this without becoming either overwhelmingly complicated or losing the distinctive feel of the Great War altogether.
All Hell Let Loose: Great
War
has been designed from the outset to balance historical atmosphere with
practical tabletop playability.
The rules cover the entire land war from 1914 to 1918, allowing players to fight everything from the open manoeuvre battles of the early war to the heavily fortified offensives of the Western Front, as well as the more fluid campaigns fought elsewhere. Infantry assaults, creeping barrages, tanks, cavalry, gas, fortifications and aircraft all have their place within the system.
At the heart of the game are three core mechanics;
- Activation
- Firing
- Assaults
There are no written
orders and bookkeeping is kept deliberately light, allowing players to focus on
battlefield decisions rather than paperwork. The activation system creates the
uncertainty and disruption so characteristic of Great War command, while remaining
straightforward to use.
The rules are
intentionally flexible. Players may use a wide variety of figure scales and
basing systems, making it easy to adapt existing collections.
Optional “plug-in” mechanics
allow groups to decide how detailed they wish the game to become, including
expanded rules for preliminary bombardments, artillery barrages, and
fortifications.
To help players get started quickly, the book includes sample army lists for the major powers, three introductory scenarios, photocopy-ready counter sheets, and quick reference sheets. The system is equally suited to solo play, smaller friendly games, or large multiplayer club battles.
Ultimately, All Hell Let Loose: Great War is designed to help players recreate the drama, uncertainty, and brutal spectacle of the First World War on the tabletop — without requiring a staff college course to play it.
If that sounds like your kind of game then please register your interest here.
Keep those dice rolling!
Charles Rowntree
