How to Play Blitzkrieg!: Nippon Expansion

Objective of the Game

The Nippon Expansion for Blitzkrieg! explores an alternate history where the Axis coalition won World War Two, and Japan turns against Germany to invade German-held America with the help of Godzilla. One player controls the German forces, while the other commands the Japanese forces in a battle for domination of America in 1946. The goal is to gain war victory points by winning campaigns across different theaters of operation. The first player to reach 25 war victory points (with specific tiebreaker rules) wins the war.

Preparation (Setup)

• The Germany player takes the grey unit tokens and places them in their bag.
• The Japan player takes the tan unit tokens and places them in their bag.
• Shuffle all special weapon tokens (including the two new ones from this expansion) and place them face down next to the board as the research pile.
• Place four battle markers on the middle (red) space of the battle tracks for Honolulu, Seattle, Jacksonville, and Boston. The fifth battle marker is unused in this expansion.
• The Japan player takes the first turn.

Game Flow

Gameplay follows the core Blitzkrieg! rules. Key additions in this expansion include:

• New Units:
  • Godzilla: A 4-strength unit counted as both army and navy. Generals and admirals ignore it.
  • Inspired Leadership: Place on any active battle space to perform its effect twice (strength 1).
  • Partisans: Army unit with strength 1 (if the battle marker is neutral/red or on your side) or 3 (if on the opponent’s side).

Actions and How to Play

Players take turns placing units on battle tracks to influence campaigns. Key mechanics:

• Theaters of Operations: Each consists of a single campaign with connected battle tracks (linked by lines on the board).
• Closing a Campaign:
  • Occurs when the last battle space is occupied or the battle marker reaches a +1/+2/+3 end space on your side.
  • Victory points are awarded based on the campaign’s value, and a connected campaign opens (or any unopened one if none are available).
  • If closed via end spaces, the new campaign’s battle marker starts with a bonus (+1/+2/+3 spaces in your favor).

End of Game and Scoring

The game ends if:

• A player reaches 25 war victory points at the end of their turn:
  • If Japan reaches 25 first, Germany gets one final turn. Highest score wins.
  • If Germany reaches 25 first, they win immediately.
  • Tie at ≥25 points: Germany wins.
• A player cannot place any units at the start of their turn (no reserves or no valid placements). Their opponent wins immediately.

Tips to Win

• Use Godzilla strategically—its dual army/navy status and high strength make it versatile.
• Leverage Inspired Leadership to double the effects of key battle spaces.
• Target campaigns connected to ones you’ve already won to chain victories and gain placement bonuses.