World War I: Deluxe Edition

About this board game

World War I: Deluxe Edition is a two-player historical board game with an approximately 240-minute playing time, covering the conflict from 1914 to 1918.

The game depicts a war born from dynastic ambition, nationalism, alliances, and misplaced confidence in a short conflict. Its map covers the entire European war zone, with each hex representing 36 miles, and extends into the Middle East at a slightly larger scale. North Africa and part of Asia are also included.

Players command field armies, specialized corps, and markers represented by more than 228 double-sided counters. Six-month turns keep the full campaign playable, while multiple movement and attack phases add operational nuance. The map features varied terrain, key cities, cultural and religious sites, primary railroads, and sea zones.

• Mobilization Points: Build new units, absorb combat losses, and purchase campaign markers for extra activity in selected sectors.
• Diplomacy: Neutrals can be wooed and may add fresh strength to the conflict.
• Scenarios: Play the complete ten-turn war, the opening two turns, or the final great battles across four turns.
• Optional rules: Use a free setup for 1914 or extend the war into 1919.

Mobilization Points remain scarce and become increasingly difficult to replace as national economies shrink. Victory comes through attrition: capture essential places or exhaust an opponent’s mobilization points.

World War I: Deluxe Edition expands on the earlier 1975 game with a larger map, more terrain types, over twice as many counters, and a more detailed rules set.