The Battle of Nations: The Encirclement at Leipzig, 16-19 October 1813

About this board game

The Battle of Nations: The Encirclement at Leipzig, 16-19 October 1813 is a two-player historical conflict simulation with an approximate play time of 150 minutes. Set during the 1813 Battle of Leipzig, it uses a simplified map of the actual battlefield and the real military units that took part.

A grid of hexagons regulates movement across the map, much as squares do in chess. Each playing piece represents a historical military unit, while its large number shows that unit’s relative strength. Players maneuver their forces to engage opposing units and pursue the historical objectives described in the rules.

• Hex-based movement: Move units across a simplified reproduction of the battlefield.
• Historical units: Command pieces representing forces from the conflict.
• Probability-driven combat: Compare the total relative strengths of involved units, then consult the Combat Results Table.
• Alternate turns: After one player moves and conducts attacks, the other player takes a turn.

Combat takes place when units are adjacent to enemy units. The attacking player compares the relevant strengths and consults a simple probability table to determine the result, creating room for the final outcome to differ significantly from the historical result.

Play continues for a specified number of turns as both players attempt to achieve the scenario’s stated objectives. No prior knowledge of history or military tactics is required; ingenuity and common sense are all that is needed to begin.

Released in 1975, The Battle of Nations is one of four games in the Napoleon At War QuadriGame. The set’s games are based on the Napoleon At Waterloo system.