Ardennes II

From MMP:

The result went down in history as the Battle of the Bulge.

Overcoming the initial surprise, the US forces put together a series of determined defenses, numerous timely bridge destructions, and the incredible power of their well-supplied artillery to stop the vaunted German Panzer troops nearly dead in their tracks.  

Ardennes II covers all this action in turns representing one day of combat and a hex scale of 1 mile per hex. Units are usually reinforced battalions (or smaller). The full campaign game lasts only 16 turns from 16 Dec to 31 Dec 44.

In addition to spotlighting the better OOB and map research first used in Last Blitzkrieg, the game differs from its predecessor by highlighting the unique nature of the artillery on both sides, correcting the original’s “Supply Wagon” supply system, as well as giving units the opportunity to withdraw before an enemy attack. It also cuts back on the amount of chrome rules which the player needed to wade through, and which exaggerated the effects of some marginal forces.

The game continues the SCS tradition of a very clean and easily played Sequence of Play, clear unit interactions, and straight-forward victory determination.  

This game is highly recommended for those interested in learning for the first time or teaching the fine hobby of wargaming to beginners.

Scenarios:

    Ardennes Campaign, 2 maps, 16 turns
    Breakthrough Campaign, 1 map, 6 turns
    KG Peiper, part of 1 map, 5 turns
    The Goose Egg, part of 1 map, 5 turns
    Bastogne: Screaming Eagles Under Siege, parts of 2 maps, 8 turns
    Tip of the Spear, 1 map, 4 turns

Components:

    SCS rulebook (Version 1.8)
    Ardennes II game-specific rulebook
    two full-color 22" x 34" game maps
    560 counters
    6 scenarios (including four on a single map)
    box and dice