La Grande Guerre 14-18

About this board game

La Grande Guerre 14-18 is a strategic simulation of World War I for 2–6 players, with an exceptionally long 3,600-minute play time. Two large maps cover Europe and the Middle East, while off-map boxes represent Asia and Africa.

The game unfolds over nine turns, with production taking place during the interphase after every three turns. Either side may move first on a given turn, creating uncertainty throughout the campaign. Limited fog of war prevents players from inspecting opposing stacks, and units may also be positioned off the main board.

La Grande Guerre 14-18 uses two distinct combat systems to reflect the changing nature of the conflict. The 1914 system models early warfare without trenches, with lower losses and retreats more likely. From 1915 onward, the detailed trench warfare system makes retreats scarce and casualties much higher.

• Military operations: fortresses, general counters, army coordination limits, air units, armor, and naval warfare.
• Political strategy: diplomacy, technology, national will, and events that can lead to uprisings, mutinies, strikes, or revolution.
• Scenario variety: a 1914–18 Grand Campaign, six 1914 scenarios, and six scenarios covering 1916–18.

National will is tied to battlefield performance: losing units and battles reduces it, potentially triggering serious internal consequences. Advanced rules expand the simulation with politics, diplomacy, technologies, air power, production, and naval operations.

The substantial contents include two map sheets, seven army box charts, four rules and scenario booklets, eight game-aid booklets, two dice, loss charts, and 1,811 counters covering the major powers, smaller nations, diplomacy, technologies, and events.