Boardgames

Angola

Command rival factions in a tense struggle of hidden activations, special weapons, tactical reversals, and hard-fought victory points.

480
minutes

2 - 4
player(s)

Medium Heavy

Angola board game cover

About this board game

Angola is a 2–4-player historical strategy game with an approximate play time of 480 minutes, recreating part of Angola’s violent civil war from 1975 to 1976.

Players control the various Soviet- and US-backed factions competing for control of Angola after the fall of a colonial power. The map is divided into areas, while units represent military formations and special weapons including artillery, rockets, tanks, and airplanes.

At the heart of the game is a secret command and activation system. Players secretly commit to the order in which they will activate a limited number of units, then take turns carrying out those activations in the determined sequence. This creates a tense contest of analysis and deduction, as every decision can reveal an opponent’s intentions or leave a force vulnerable.

Angola’s victory point system is designed to keep both sides in contention. Players may find themselves simultaneously close to victory and defeat, with reversals creating opportunities for a well-timed countermove. Success depends on finding the right balance between boldness and caution.

  • Area-based map covering the conflict
  • Secretly planned unit activations
  • Military formations and special weapons
  • Victory points that reward effective play for both sides

Originally released in limited quantities by Ragnar Brothers of the UK, Angola became a rare and highly sought-after title. This edition updates the classic with new graphics and includes two card decks, a full-color rulebook, player aids, a 22-by-34-inch map, three countersheets, and four six-sided dice.