# Dirge: The Rust Wars

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2021
- **BGG Rating**: 6.7
- **BGG Rank**: #17355
- **Players**: 2 (Best with: 2)
- **Duration**: 30 min
- **Weight**: 2.00 / 5
- **Designers**: John Clowdus
- **Artists**: Aaron Nakahara, Liz Lahner
- **Publishers**: Small Box Games
- **Categories**: Card Game, Fantasy, Fighting, Science Fiction
- **Mechanics**: Area Majority / Influence, Deck Construction, Grid Movement, Hand Management, Take That, Variable Player Powers

## Verdict
If you love quick tactical duels, Dirge’s speed and combo variety will hit the spot.Fast-paced gameplayFun combo optionsEasy to learnLimited strategic depthSimple componentsRECOMMENDED

## Description
Dirge: The Rust Wars is a fast‑paced two‑player card skirmish set in a forgotten future. Played on a 4×4 grid, each match lasts about 30 minutes and blends area control, several scoring routes, and combo‑driven actions with a dash of deck‑building. At setup each player drafts two different units – Infantry, Cavalry or Engine – and adds those unit cards to their starting deck. Throughout the game the units move across the grid, each space providing its own effect. Three action cards (one per unit type) plus a turn‑order card drive three turns per round for each player, never giving the opponent the exact same set of actions. Points are earned by destroying enemy units, playing two or more cards in a turn, keeping both units alive at round’s end, and controlling the expansive Sawgrass Sea. The first player to reach 12 points at the end of a round ends the game, with the higher score winning. "Take That" cards let you disrupt your opponent, while variable player powers give each side a distinct flavor. With a low complexity rating (2/5), it’s perfect for fans of quick tactical decisions, hand management, and direct duels.

## FAQ
### How many players can play?
It is designed for exactly two players.

### How long does a game take?
About 30 minutes, depending on how fast you play.

### What is the game's complexity?
It’s rated light, with a BGG weight of 2/5.

### What components are included?
Unit cards, action cards, turn‑order cards, a 4×4 grid board, and scoring markers.

### Who is this game for?
Players who enjoy quick duels, area control, and hand management without heavy rules.