The Great War

The game setup begins by selecting one of the sixteen scenarios from the rulebook, each detailing specific historical battles and learning missions. Players choose sides—either British or German—and assemble their armies consisting of infantry, machine guns, mortars, and specialist units. The hexagonal board is built using terrain tiles, trenches, shell craters, and barbed wire according to the scenario guide. Each player receives a hand of command and combat cards, alongside star resource tokens, readying their forces for tactical deployment.

The main objective varies per scenario, typically centering on tactical dominance, destroying enemy forces, or capturing key positions outlined in the rulebook's scenario guide.

Player turns are driven by playing command cards from hand to activate units within designated board zones. Activated units can move and engage in combat by rolling dice based on proximity and unit type. Infantry, machine guns, mortars, and artillery all feature distinct movement and combat ranges. Players can also expend star resources to play combat cards for added tactical advantages, followed by drawing back up to their hand limit at the end of the turn.

Scoring is tracked through medals gained by completely eliminating enemy units or achieving scenario-specific milestones. Every time an entire unit's miniatures are removed from the board, the opposing player collects a medal. Specific scenarios may also award medals for holding terrain or completing special objectives.

The game concludes as soon as one player successfully collects the target number of medals required by the active scenario, instantly declaring them the winner.