Eastern Front Tank Leader

About this board game

Eastern Front Tank Leader is a two-player tactical game for platoon- and company-level formations, with an average play time of 90 minutes. Released in 1986, it is the first game in West End Games’ Tank Leader series.

At the heart of play are Command cards, which represent formations and determine the order of movement and combat. These cards also support rallying and group cohesion, making command, control, and communications central to every decision.

The game is similar to the Panzerblitz type of game, while adding “soft factors” that represent the less tangible elements of battlefield performance. Unit experience, command, and morale all contribute to the tactical situation.

• Platoon- and company-level tactical play
• Command cards for formation activation and action order
• Rules covering movement, combat, rallying, and group cohesion
• Soft factors including unit experience, command, and morale

Terrain is variable from scenario to scenario. Woods, contours, and cities are defined within each scenario, creating different conditions for tactical planning and battlefield decisions.

With its focus on formations rather than isolated actions, Eastern Front Tank Leader places communication and cohesion alongside movement and combat. The result is a tactical experience where the timing of commands and the condition of units are important parts of play.