Savannah

About this board game

Savannah is a two- to three-player, 240-minute historical strategy game covering the Franco-American siege of Savannah during the American Revolutionary War. As Volume IV in GMT’s Battles of the American Revolution Series, it portrays events from September 10 to October 9, 1779.

The game depicts the first significant cooperative effort by the Franco-American Allies against the British in North America during the Revolutionary War. Unlike earlier games in the series, Savannah covers a period of up to four weeks and combines strategic movement with an assault-focused tactical system.

Initial turns represent troop movements over one- and two-day periods. During this stage, both sides can build defenses before the American/French player decides to assault the city. The game then shifts to familiar tactical turns, with each turn representing a single hour of battle.

• Strategic opening: Move troops across one- and two-day periods while preparing defenses.
• Siege mechanics: Use an abstract siege and bombardment table to reflect key features of an 18th-century siege.
• Random Events: Draw from a deck of 55 cards containing many historical events from the actual siege and assault.
• Momentum Chits: Purchase additional opportunities to draw from the Random Event deck.

Players have a maximum of nine opportunities to draw cards, although Momentum Chits can provide extra pulls. Some cards benefit only the Allied Player(s), some only the British Player, and others can aid either side.

Political cards may add or dismiss troops from the battle, while tactical cards can affect a single combat turn or even one roll. With its transition from strategic preparation to hourly combat, Savannah presents a focused tabletop interpretation of the 1779 siege.