# Fire in the East

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 1984
- **BGG Rating**: 7.5
- **BGG Rank**: #6209
- **Players**: 2-4 (Best with: 4+)
- **Duration**: 3000 min
- **Weight**: 4.33 / 5
- **Designers**: Frank Chadwick, John Astell, Paul Richard "Rich" Banner
- **Artists**: Paul Richard "Rich" Banner, Rodger B. MacGowan
- **Publishers**: Game Designers' Workshop (GDW Games), Hobby Japan
- **Categories**: Wargame, World War II
- **Mechanics**: Dice Rolling, Hexagon Grid, Simulation, Zone of Control

## Verdict
If you're a fan of historical wargames and aren't afraid of an epic challenge, Fire in the East is your battlefield! This is a monster from the Europa series, throwing you headfirst into the Eastern Front of World War II with an almost unbelievable richness of detail. The experience is immersive, strategic, and demands real military planning. Get ready for hours (many hours!) of tactical and logistical decisions that will test your mind.Deep historical simulationImpressive military detailsEpic Eastern Front scaleHuge variety of unitsIntense strategic challengeExtremely long playtimeVery complex rulesSteep learning curveFOR GENRE FANS

## Description
Get ready to dive into the intensity of the Eastern Front of World War II with Fire in the East, a wargame that puts you in command of German or Soviet forces. This giant from the Europa series simulates the invasion of the Soviet Union, Operation Barbarossa, from June 1941 through the Soviet winter counteroffensive in March 1942. With a colossal map stretching from Warsaw to Stalingrad, and from Murmansk to Sevastopol, you'll have a detailed battlefield with over 20 different terrain types, including rivers, forests, mountains, and various cities. There are over 2500 counters, each marked with its historical designation, representing divisions, brigades, regiments, and battalions, offering the most accurate order of battle ever published for the Eastern Front. The variety of units is impressive, from armor and infantry to Soviet Guards, NKVD, Katyushas, and German flammpanzers, railroad artillery, and Finnish ski troops. Air units are also richly detailed, ranging from I-15 biplane fighters to Me-109F, Ju 87 Stukas, Il-2 Sturmoviks, and Pe-8 long-range bombers. Even the capital ships of the Soviet Baltic and Black Sea fleets are represented. The rules are extensive and cover armor and antitank effects, special capabilities for assault engineers and paratroopers, and an air system that's almost a game in itself. Logistics are crucial, with rules for different German and Soviet rail gauges and temporary extension of supply lines by trucks. Isolated units gradually lose combat ability, while those besieged in cities resist longer. Weather effects, the unique nature of the Arctic front, the need for artillery support, the German surprise attack, doctrinal limits of Soviet mechanized units, and more are just some of the many details you'll need to master. Fire in the East is an immense challenge for both sides. German panzer spearheads can advance rapidly, but must manage their supply lines and support. The Soviets, in turn, must preserve their army for the final defense of major cities, using determined resistance and carefully chosen local counterattacks to delay the enemy advance. It's a long and epic journey to Moscow!

## FAQ
### What is the average playtime for Fire in the East?
Let's be honest: Fire in the East is a commitment! Estimates are around 3000 minutes, which is about 50 hours. It's a game meant to be played over multiple sessions, or perhaps an entire weekend with dedicated friends.

### How many players are needed for Fire in the East?
The game is designed for 2 players, one controlling the German and allied forces, and the other the Soviet forces. However, due to its scale, it lends itself very well to team play, with 2 or 3 players per side.

### What is the complexity level of Fire in the East?
This is a high-complexity game, with a BGG weight of 4.33/5. The rules are extensive and detailed, covering aspects like logistics, weather, different terrain types, and unit capabilities. It's not for beginners in the world of wargames!

### What comes in the box for Fire in the East?
You'll find six huge maps (21" x 27"), over 2880 die-cut counters, a complete set of rules, a complete set of charts, and two dice. It's an arsenal of components for a grand simulation!

### Who is Fire in the East recommended for?
It's highly recommended for fans of heavy historical wargames, especially those who love the Eastern Front of World War II and are looking for a deep, detailed simulation. If you enjoy long, strategic games that demand a lot of dedication, this is for you.

### Is Fire in the East part of a game series?
Yes! It's one of the titles in the acclaimed 'Europa' series, known for its detailed World War II wargames. Games in the series can be linked together, further expanding the experience.