The First World War

About this board game

The First World War is a 2–4 player board game with an approximately 90-minute playing time, set across a divided map of Europe and its major theaters of war.

The mounted game board is organized into three theaters: the Western Theater, Italian Theater, and Eastern Theater. Together, these theaters contain 11 numbered fronts. Each front identifies the armies that may be deployed or moved there and includes connected locations that shape possible attacks.

Players take part as two opposing alliances: the Allies and the Central Powers. The Allies are divided into the Western Allied and Eastern Allied factions, while the Central Powers consist of the German and German Allied factions. Each faction includes one or more nationalities.

Across the fronts are 46 victory cities, marked according to their original owning faction. Replacement centers are shown separately, while faction bases provide another important type of location. Attack Lines connect cities and indicate which locations may be attacked within each front.

• Three theaters of war and 11 numbered fronts
• 46 city victory markers and faction bases
• 96 army counters, including 24 dummies
• 30 combat chits and eight order determination markers
• Surrender markers, Victory Point markers, and a Treaty of Brest-Litovsk marker

Designed by veteran designer Ted Raicer, The First World War combines a clearly structured European map with armies, combat chits, city markers, and faction-based play. Its 2004 edition includes a full-color rules booklet, two dice, and the components needed for a 2–4 player game.