Fire in the Lake

2014

Experience the strategic complexity of the Vietnam War with Fire in the Lake. Navigate jungle sweeps, politics, air defense, media wars, and more!

180
minutes

1 - 4
player(s)

Heavy

About the game

Fire in the Lake is a deeply immersive and strategic board game that plunges players into the heart of the Vietnam War. Set in the tumultuous era of the 1960s and 1970s, this game allows you to experience the historical complexities and political intrigue of one of the most significant conflicts of the 20th century.

Designed by Mark Herman and Volko Ruhnke, Fire in the Lake employs a unique system that accurately replicates the historical realities of the Vietnam War. The game is built on a core mechanic aptly named the COIN system (Counter Insurgency), a system that emphasizes asymmetrical warfare, political maneuvering, and intricate resource management.

Game setup Lay it out, line it up, let’s go

Fire in the Lake is a complex and engaging board game that recreates the struggle for South Vietnam. Here’s a step-by-step guide on setting up the game:

Step 1: Select Player Roles

There are four roles players can choose from: The United States (US), the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN), the Viet Cong (VC), and the North Vietnamese Army (NVA).
The US and ARVN are allied against VC and NVA. However, each player has unique goals and abilities and is scored independently.

Step 2: Prepare the Game Board

Place the game board in the center of the play area.
Each role has a designated area on the board. The US and ARVN are on the right side of the board while the VC and NVA are on the left.
Ensure each player can easily reach their portion of the board.

Step 3: Distribute Initial Resources

Each player role starts with a set amount of resources. The US begins with 75 resources, ARVN with 30, VC with 35, and NVA with 35.
Place the corresponding resources on the player’s portion of the game board.

Step 4: Place Bases and Troops

Each player also begins with a set number of bases and troops. Bases and troops should be placed according to the initial setup chart in the rulebook.
For instance, the US starts with 5 bases and 30 troops, while the NVA starts with 6 bases and 16 troops.

Step 5: Shuffle the Deck and Draw Cards

Shuffle the deck of event cards and place it facedown near the board.
Draw the top 3 cards and place them face up in the ‘Current’, ‘Next’, and ‘After Next’ spaces on the board.

Step 6: Set Up Random Elements

In ‘Fire in the Lake’, the random elements are provided by the Event cards. The order in which they appear and the decisions players make when they come into play add unpredictability to the game.
Ensure the Monsoon marker is placed on the monsoon space of the board. This will move according to the instructions on certain Event cards.

Once you’ve followed these steps, you’re ready to begin playing ‘Fire in the Lake’. Enjoy the strategic challenge!

Players'turn One turn to rule them all

Fire in the Lake is a complex, strategic game that simulates the Vietnam War. During each player’s turn, they can take a variety of actions that will affect the game state and potentially the final outcome. Here’s a detailed explanation of what can happen during a player’s turn:

Action Phase: The core of a player’s turn is the Action Phase, where they have the opportunity to take one of several actions. Actions are usually taken from a menu of options specific to each faction, and they include:

Operations: The player can perform Operations, which are the primary means of interacting with the game board. Operations can include moving troops, attacking enemies, or influencing the local population.
Special Activities: These are powerful actions that can be taken in conjunction with Operations. They represent unique capabilities of each faction, and can dramatically alter the game state.
Event: The player can choose to play an Event, which are specific historical events that can have wide-ranging effects. Events can be played as soon as they are drawn, or saved for a future turn.
Pass: The player can also choose to Pass, foregoing any action in order to gain a strategic advantage in a later turn.

Once a player has chosen an action, they execute it according to the rules, and the game state is updated. The choice of action can have a significant impact on the game, as it can alter the balance of power, influence public opinion, or disrupt an opponent’s plans.

Resource Management: Players must also manage their Resources, which are used to pay for actions and decisions. Resources are limited and must be carefully managed to ensure a player can take the actions they want when they want. Running out of Resources can severely limit a player’s options and potentially cost them the game.

Victory Check: At the end of each turn, a Victory Check is performed. If a player has met their specific victory conditions, they win the game. If not, play continues to the next player’s turn. Therefore, each action and decision made during a player’s turn is potentially game-deciding.

Understanding the strategic implications of each action, and how they can be used to achieve a player’s specific victory conditions, is key to success in Fire in the Lake.

End of the game All good games must come to an end

Fire in the Lake is an engaging game that can end in a variety of ways. This primarily depends on the victory conditions achieved by each faction and the order of play. The game ends immediately if at any point a faction meets its victory condition during a Propaganda round. This means players must be vigilant and strategize their moves to either meet their objectives or prevent other factions from meeting theirs.

Each faction has unique victory conditions, as detailed below:

US Faction: To achieve victory, the US faction must have Support plus Available troops greater than or equal to 51.
ARVN Faction: The ARVN faction wins if Patronage plus Aid is greater than or equal to 40.
NVA Faction: For the NVA faction, victory is achieved if Control plus Bases is greater than or equal to 35.
VC Faction: The VC faction emerges victorious if Opposition plus Bases is greater than or equal to 30.

Before the final scoring, players must execute the following actions during the Propaganda round:

Coup! Phase: Players adjust the Aid and Patronage markers based on the event card drawn. This phase may also allow the ARVN faction to redistribute its forces.
Pacification and Agitation Phase: The US and ARVN factions can increase support, while the NVA and VC factions can increase opposition.
Redeployment Phase: Factions can relocate their forces. The US faction can also remove its troops from the map, which is crucial for its victory condition.
Vietnamization Phase: The US faction can replace its troops with ARVN troops, affecting the balance of power.

It’s important to note that the victory conditions must be met at the end of a Propaganda round. If no faction meets their conditions, the game continues until the next Propaganda round or until the final card in the deck is drawn. If the final card is drawn and no faction meets their victory conditions, the faction with the highest score, calculated by their victory condition formula, is declared the winner.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

‘Fire in the Lake’ is a complex and nuanced board game that simulates the Vietnam War. Scoring in ‘Fire in the Lake’ is dependent on each faction’s objectives and their success in achieving them. Below are the details of the scoring system:

1. US Faction:

The US faction scores points based on the ‘Support’ level in various areas and the extent of its troops’ presence. The points are awarded as follows:

Support: Each space with Active Support contributes two points, while Passive Support gives one point.
Troops: The presence of US troops deducts points. Each troop beyond the 15th subtracts one point.

2. ARVN Faction:

The ARVN faction scores points based on ‘Patronage’ and ‘Control’. The points are awarded as follows:

Patronage: Each point of Patronage (tracked separately) gives one point.
Control: Each Province and City controlled by ARVN gives one point.

3. VC Faction:

The VC faction scores points based on ‘Opposition’ and ‘Bases’. The points are awarded as follows:

Opposition: Each space with Active Opposition contributes two points, while Passive Opposition gives one point.
Bases: Each VC base gives one point.

4. NVA Faction:

The NVA faction scores points based on ‘Bases’ and ‘Control’. The points are awarded as follows:

Bases: Each NVA base gives one point.
Control: Each Province and City controlled by NVA gives one point.

Tie-Breaking Rules:

In the event of a tie, the victory is decided by the faction with the most resources. If there is still a tie, the victory goes to the faction with the earliest eligible faction order. If none of the factions are eligible, the victory goes to the one with the next faction order in the sequence.

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

‘Fire in the Lake’ is a complex board game that simulates the Vietnam War. While it follows a core set of rules, there are several special rules and exceptions that players must be aware of. Below are some important clarifications:

1. The Coup! Card:

This card can drastically change the game’s flow. When drawn, a Coup round is initiated. Multiple steps occur during this round, starting with resetting the initiative track, followed by executing the Coup! event. Players should remember that during the Coup round, the regular sequence of play is suspended.

2. Faction-Specific Rules:

Each faction has unique capabilities and restrictions. For example, the American faction can conduct airstrikes to reduce enemy forces, while the NVA faction can use the Ho Chi Minh trail to transport units efficiently. It’s crucial for players to familiarize themselves with their faction’s special rules to optimize their strategies.

3. Monsoon Season:

During a Monsoon season, indicated by specific monsoon cards, the movement of forces is more restricted. The players should carefully plan their operations during these turns.

4. Patrol Operation:

When the ARVN or American factions perform a Patrol operation, they can move any of their forces. However, this movement must be to a space where the faction already has forces. This rule is sometimes overlooked but can be critical to maintaining control over key areas.

5. Victory Conditions:

The game doesn’t always end when a player reaches a certain victory point threshold. Certain conditions, such as drawing specific event cards or triggering a Coup round, can cause the game to end prematurely. Understanding these rules can help players adjust their strategies to win the game.

6. Population Control:

Controlling the population is a key aspect of the game. The COIN factions (the US and ARVN) gain victory points through population control, while the Insurgent factions (the VC and NVA) aim to undermine this control. Players must remember that managing population is as important as managing their forces.

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

Fire in the Lake is a highly complex and strategic board game that simulates the Vietnam War. To master this game, players need to understand not just the mechanics, but also the historical context and the dynamics between the various factions. Here are some tips, strategies, and common mistakes to avoid in order to optimize gameplay.

Advanced Strategies:

Maximize your faction’s unique abilities: Each faction in Fire in the Lake has unique abilities and strategies. Understanding these unique abilities is key to forming a successful strategy. For example, the VC faction has the ability to build bases and tunnels, making them hard to defeat. Use these abilities to your advantage.
Control population: Controlling population is a key aspect of winning the game. The US and ARVN factions win by controlling the population and having a strong presence. Therefore, always keep an eye on population shifts and take measures to control it.
Adapt your strategy: Fire in the Lake is a dynamic game where the situation can change rapidly. Be ready to adapt your strategy based on the current situation on the board.

Beginner Tips:

Start by learning the basic rules and mechanics of the game. It’s important to understand how the turn order works, how to play cards, and how to conduct operations and special activities.
Cooperate with your allies. This game is designed to be played in teams, so make sure you are communicating with your teammate and planning your moves together.
Try to predict your opponents’ moves. By understanding what your opponents are likely to do, you can plan your moves accordingly.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

Not focusing on victory conditions: Each faction has different victory conditions. Make sure you are always working towards your faction’s victory conditions.
Ignoring the Coup cards: The Coup cards can drastically change the game. Don’t get caught off guard when a Coup card is played.
Overcommitting to battles: Battles can be costly. Be careful not to overcommit to battles that won’t yield significant benefits.

Ways to Optimize Gameplay:

Plan ahead: Try to plan several turns in advance. This can help you anticipate your opponents’ moves and make more strategic decisions.
Use your resources wisely: Resources are limited, so use them wisely. Don’t waste resources on unnecessary battles or activities.
Choose cards strategically: The cards you choose to play can have a big impact on the game. Choose cards that align with your strategy and help you achieve your victory conditions.