How to Play Ardennes II

1. Game Objective

Ardennes II depicts the German offensive of December 1944 in the Ardennes Forest, known in the United States as the "Battle of the Bulge." The game simulates the conflict between Allied forces (USA, British Commonwealth, and Belgium) and Axis forces (Wehrmacht, SS, and Luftwaffe).

The main objective is to control the highest number of VP Hexes (victory point hexes) at the end of any turn. Victory is determined by comparing the "highest turn VP total" with the results table provided in the manual. Control is defined as being the last player to occupy the VP Hex with units in Trace Supply at that moment.

2. Setup

To set up the game, follow these steps:

1. Maps and Scenarios: Identify which maps and turns are used according to the chosen scenario (sections 7.1 to 7.6).
2. Units: Position the starting units for each side according to the scenario's Set Up lists. Units have two sides: full strength and reduced strength (lighter border).
3. Reinforcements: Organize the reinforcement units according to the Orders of Arrival or the specific rules of the scenario.
4. Markers: Prepare the Barrage, DG (Disorganized), Air Strike, and other necessary tokens.
5. Tracks: Check the Weather Track to determine the initial conditions.

3. Game Flow

The game progresses in daily turns. Each turn follows a rigid sequence:

1. Pre-Turn: Determination of weather, Air Strike availability, Air Supply allocation, placement of reinforcements, and removal of Barrage and DG markers.
2. German Turn: Removal of Barrage, Movement and Barrage, Half-Strength Reconciliation, US Barrage, Combat, Exploitation, and German Supply.
3. US Turn: Removal of Barrage, Movement and Barrage, Half-Strength Reconciliation, Combat, Exploitation, and American Supply.
4. Game Turn End: Advance the turn marker.

Note: Except for the US Barrage during the German turn, the active player performs all phases for their own units.

4. Actions and How to Play

• Movement: Units have an MA (Movement Allowance) of the Leg (white) or Mechanized (black) type. Terrain costs are defined in the Terrain Effects Chart. The maximum stacking is 3 units.
• Barrage (Artillery): Artillery units can perform Barrage against enemy hexes to degrade units. They require an observer (a friendly unit within 2 hexes). They do not inflict direct losses, but place Barrage markers (Full or Half) that affect movement and combat.
• Combat: Follows the SCS Combat Table. The defender chooses between Hold or Retreat, unless Hold is mandatory (e.g., DG units, units in cities, or units with Leg MA).
• Overrun: A special attack performed by Mechanized MA units that are not DG and did not start the phase adjacent to enemies. It costs 2 MP and must follow a continuous road.
• Exploitation: Units with the yellow marking (Exploit Capable) can advance more than one hex after combat, provided they did not start the phase adjacent to enemies.

5. End of Game and Scoring

The game ends at the end of the last turn specified in the chosen scenario. Victory is calculated as follows:

• VP Count: Sum the value of the VP Hexes controlled by the German player.
• Victory Criteria: Compare the total with the table:
  • 33 or more: German Major Victory.
  • 29-32: German Minor Victory.
  • 24-28: Draw.
  • 19-23: Allied Minor Victory.
  • 18 or less: Allied Major Victory.

Some scenarios have additional specific victory conditions, such as exiting specific formations from the map or controlling determined geographical objectives.

6. Tips for Winning

• Supply Management: Ensure your units maintain Trace Supply. Units out of supply at the end of the supply phase become DG, which drastically reduces their attack, defense, and movement capacity.
• Divisional Integrity: Avoid mixing units from different divisions in the same hex. Failure to maintain Divisional Integrity results in DG status at the end of the phase, harming the effectiveness of your troops.
• Artillery Use: Use Barrage to prevent the enemy from freely using terrain. Remember that units in hexes with enemy Barrage markers suffer severe movement and combat penalties.