Rebel Tide: The American Civil War

Compass Games · Board game
100.0 Ludopedia 7.5 BGG 1–2 · best 2 Solo 180–240 min Weight 3.0/5
Buy · from US$ 62.10
100.0 rating Ludopedia
7.5 rating BGG
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED

A fast-paced-strategic wargame that brings Civil War tension to a compact-tabletop-experience.

Highlights
  • Engaging card-driven-mechanics
  • Perfect for single-sitting-play
  • Solid solo-play-mode
  • Great strategic-depth-to-rules-ratio
Keep in mind
  • Language-dependency-is-high
  • Might-feel-light for hardcore-wargamers
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About the game

What you do in a play session

If you love wargames but prefer a snappy-paced-experience over a mountain of rulebooks, Rebel Tide is calling your name. It takes the fast-paced-action engine of the 'Tide' system (seen in Imperial Tide) and drops it right into the heart of the American Civil War. You'll command either the Union or the Confederacy in a strategic duel where every card-play counts.

The gameplay revolves around-year-by-year-decisions. During each turn, you'll play cards to move units, engage in combat, or entrench your positions. But the real tension happens at the end of each year: the Re-buy phase. You have to decide which cards to purchase for your next-year-arsenal based on your production. Do you prioritize reinforcements, or do you invest in cards that grant tactical mobility and combat-boosting-abilities? It's a constant balancing act.

Rebel Tide adds unique-layers like the Political Track, where securing foreign-support can trigger an early victory, and historical Leaders who can swing the tide of battle (or get sacked if they underperform). Despite its-strategic-depth, the game features a compact map and is designed to be played in a single evening—roughly 3 hours for experienced players. It even includes a streamlined Solitaire Bot, making it a perfect choice for solo-wargaming enthusiasts who want a deep-but-fast-paced-challenge. It's history, strategy, and card-driven-action all rolled into one!

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

1 videos

Best player count

BGG community vote

1–2 players
1 BEST
2 BEST

Soundtrack

Ambience suggested by Melodice

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Admin: Upcoming Releases Country: USA Players: Wargames with Solitaire Rules Series: Tide System (Compass Games) States: Florida War Level of Command: Strategic
Publisher Compass Games
Designer Gregory M. Smith
Artist Bruce Yearian

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

104owners
58wishlist
18want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

5 questions
Is the-game-too-complex?
Not at all! It's much more accessible than traditional wargames due to its card-driven-system.
Can I play solo?
Yes, it includes a Solitaire Bot designed to provide a smooth solo experience.
How long does a session last?
Expect a session to last around 3 to 4 hours.
Do I need to be an English-speaker?
Yes,-the-card-text-is-crucial-for-proper-play.
How many players does it support?
It is designed for 2 players, but also works great as a solo game.

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