History buffs here’s a video on WWI Verdun. Related, check out @volko.bsky.social upcoming game “Drachen Reconnaissance at Verdun 1916”. It’s an innovative game on recon. Support it on GMTs P500 so you don’t miss a fascinating game. www.gmtgames.com/p-1162-drach... - youtu.be/1FjyVzoDDVI?...
youtu.be
Verdun | A New History Traveler Series Coming Soon
YouTube video by The History Underground
![DRACHEN at a Glance
Reconnaissance at Verdun, 1916 / 1-2 Players / 3-6 Hours
What Is It All About?
• Within the iconic 1916 trench battle of Verdun, players
wage the reconnaissance struggle ahead of each push.
• Clever positioning and softening up the enemy seek to
win the ensuing offensive.
• A solitaire system can run the defenders against an
attacking player.
How Do You Win?
• Each side draws 3 secret Objective cards, such as taking
positions or destroying enemy forces or fortifications.
• Whoever achieves more of their Objectives wins.
The Flow of a Turn
• Across 2 to 4 turns, Germans and French build up ... their forces to react to what they learn from reconnaissance.
• Each side sends fighters out over the front to chase off
enemy aeroplanes or bust balloons.
• Trench raids can bring back plans or prisoners that
reveal enemy objectives or yield tactical details helpful
during assaults.
• Loitering aerial observers, balloons, and observation
posts can “range” enemy targets for guns then to hit
with directed fire.
• [T]he attacker can skip pinpoint
directed fire to release the shells and men for a
climactic barrage and infantry assault to decide the
game.
Main Components
• Board, standup blocks, and wood front pieces depicting
the battlefield at each historical push.
• Markers, pawns, play aids, and booklets.
• Objective and Asset cards for each side.
Signature Systems
• Search and Identify: Fortifications, guns, soldiers,
and depots start hidden. Players must find and range
their opponent’s forces to direct fire at them.
• Location Block System: The game uses standup
blocks ... each position has a single block that the owner
can switch secretly. [T]he opponent cannot see
any forces move - everything beyond the front begins
blank and unknown until observed.
• Full Combat Resolution: This volume [plays] out artillery fire and infantry assaults - you will see your reconnaissance lead to
victory or defeat in the trenches!
Complexity 5 of 9
Solitaire 8 of 9](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:tpobaktrifynlojtixsababc/bafkreida6jkphnibn5txzj3tmfdguzpkf55uuaoxse4bsus66wkqf43sni)
