The Concept

Richthofen’s Reign is a wargame that puts you straight into the cockpit of WW1 combat aircraft. Each player commands several squadrons and has an intimate view of what happens to each plane in every mission that it is involved. Sometimes the player may feel frustrated and wrathful, as dice results often do not reflect the desires of the individual who casts them. Polyhedral dice are used in a unique way to resolve each combat, and in theory no result is impossible to attain.

The game is structured so that the major production types of WW1 fighting planes are included in the actual proportions that they existed. As a result, not all of the most famous types that flew in the war have been detailed, whilst some lesser known types have. Combat starts in 1916, with Germany and France taking the first baby steps in the art of air-to-air fighting. Small groups of aircraft spar and probe, but little happens in the way of results to begin with. Things heat up when Germany introduces the Albatros DIII, and from that point on, the fighting escalates. By the end of 1918 the skies over France are no place to be for replacement aircrew. At the height of their powers, Britain and France will each have around one hundred aeroplanes, while Germany will number perhaps forty.

It is common for thirty or so aeroplanes to participate in swirling dogfights, and at times this number will be much higher. With no visual aids other than the photographs in the text of Richthofen’s Reign and any scale models that you may possess, all of the action is in your imagination. However this is in no way boring. There is more than enough detail during each part of every battle to entertain just about anyone interested in the history of air fighting.

Real data and statistics have been used to give an objective assessment as to the capabilities of each plane featured in this reconstruction. The dominant characteristics of each of these types will make it clear to the players how that type gained its reputation, whether good, bad or fanciful. For instance, the most important quality of the German fighters was their armament, whilst the British F2B made full use of its extended range, and the reputation of the SE5 was a reflection of its performance. All pilots are also individually rated, and can increase their skill when they shoot down enemy planes.

These qualities have been presented in a way that brings the data to life. You watch as your good pilots jockey into position for the kill, or run the gauntlet of the anti-aircraft guns as they charge in to burn a balloon. If your dice results are too good, you start to get nervous because your man is now in danger of having a mid-air collision. You get to witness every hit scored on every machine. You see every twist and turn, and then feel the disappointment of the one that got away. 

All combat is resolved by using turn based sequences, with the winner of each round beginning the next, until they run out of turns. The side with the most planes gets the most opportunities, but the smaller side gains the most experience. This is of benefit in future encounters as the whole campaign is played out.  

Fighter aces will emerge on all sides, with those from Germany rising first and fastest. There is a system of awards and promotions for all aviators, and the best of these become highly valued by the player who owns them. However, in the event that they are killed, the side responsible for their loss will be very well pleased indeed.

 

The Iron Cross 2nd Class