Thunderbolt

"Each player controls an A-10 Thunderbolt II (The Warthog) on Close Air Support Duty."

The game is played with a custom deck of cards shared by all players. The deck includes Mission Cards, Munitions Cards, Enemy Cards, and Event Cards.

Mission Cards are ground targets of various Mission Point values. A player who successfully attacks the target wins the Mission Card and adds the Mission Points to his score. Enemy Cards, representing a variety of Soviet air and ground threats, are played against opposing players. Munitions Cars represent bombs, missiles, or other payload items which aid in attack or defense. Event Cards offer a variety of bonuses and can be played at various times as specified on the particular card.

There are also six named Pilot Cards that are not a part of the main deck. At the start of the game each player randomly selects one Pilot Card. Each pilot has a special advantage.

Fuel and ammo counters are used to track each plane's status. The aircraft are required to return to base to refuel and rearm. Damage can also force a plane to return to base where the damage is repaired.

The object is to have the most Mission Points at the end of the game.