# France '40: 2nd Edition

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2024
- **BGG Rating**: 8.1
- **BGG Rank**: #6296
- **Players**: 2 (Best with: 2)
- **Duration**: 240-360 min
- **Weight**: 3.33 / 5
- **Designers**: Mark Simonitch
- **Artists**: Antonis Karidis, Mark Simonitch
- **Publishers**: GMT Games
- **Categories**: Wargame, World War II
- **Mechanics**: Dice Rolling, Grid Movement, Hexagon Grid, Movement Points, Ratio / Combat Results Table, Simulation, Variable Set-up, Zone of Control

## Verdict
If you're a fan of historical wargames and looking for a deep simulation of the 1940 French campaign, *France '40: 2nd Edition* is a treat. It delivers two classic scenarios with refined rules and improved balance, perfect for intense strategic duels. The experience is immersive, with rich historical detail and tactical decisions that truly matter. It's a game that challenges you to think like a commander, with the tension and unpredictability of war.Rich historical simulationTwo games in oneImproved, balanced rulesHigh replayabilityDeep tactical detailsLong playtimeSteep learning curveTwo players onlyHIGHLY RECOMMENDED

## Description
Get ready to relive crucial moments of World War II with *France '40: 2nd Edition*, an enhanced version that brings two distinct games in one package: *Sickle Cut* and *Dynamo*. Both use the same rule set and share many components, but each offers a full-size map and a unique experience, focusing on different phases of the 1940 invasion of France. This second edition received a significant upgrade, with revised rules for extended movement, combat, advance after combat, breakthrough combat, and determined defense, aligning with the latest titles in the acclaimed 19XX series. Additionally, a new combined scenario designed by Mark Merritt has been included, allowing players to link both maps and play an epic scenario covering the entire period from May 13th to June 3rd. Many new units have been added or modified to ensure an even more accurate order of battle, and the *Dynamo* map gained some extra details, such as minor cities, roads, and a fortified hex. Most importantly, both scenarios have been thoroughly playtested again to ensure superior balance compared to the first edition. In *Sickle Cut*, you dive into the decisive week of May 1940, when the German army broke the French line on the Meuse River and raced to the English Channel. In *Dynamo*, the focus is on the dramatic British withdrawal to Dunkirk and the subsequent evacuation. The rules for both games highlight the crucial role of armor, air support, and troop morale, with special rules for Allied Heavy Tanks, historical figures like DeGaulle and Rommel, Hitler's Halt Order, and French Command Paralysis. With a time scale of one day per turn and units ranging from divisions to battalions, this game promises hours of intense strategy for two players.

## FAQ
### How long does a typical game of France '40: 2nd Edition last?
Be prepared for a longer session! A game can last between 4 to 6 hours, depending on players' familiarity with the rules and the chosen scenario. It's a wargame that demands dedication.

### How many players can participate?
France '40: 2nd Edition is strictly a two-player game, ideal for direct and strategic confrontations. One player controls the Allied forces, and the other controls the Axis forces.

### Is it a very complex game for wargame beginners?
With a BGG weight of 3.33/5, it has a moderate to high complexity. It's not ideal for someone who has never played a wargame, but players with some genre experience or willing to invest time in the rules will do well. The second edition has refined the rules to make them clearer.

### What are the main components of the game?
The box is packed! You'll find two large paper maps (one for each scenario), two counter sheets (military units), a rulebook and a detailed playbook, two player aid cards, two setup cards, and two six-sided dice.

### Are the two scenarios (Sickle Cut and Dynamo) very different?
Yes! While they use the same rules, *Sickle Cut* focuses on the initial German offensive and the race to the English Channel, while *Dynamo* simulates the British withdrawal to Dunkirk. Each offers distinct strategic and tactical challenges, and the second edition even includes a combined scenario that links both maps.

### Is there any element of luck in the game?
Yes, dice rolling is a central element for resolving combat and some other actions, introducing a degree of unpredictability. However, strategy and tactical planning are much more decisive for success.