Boardgames
From Gineipaedia, the Legend of Galactic Heroes wiki
There are several boardgames put out by Tsukuda and other makers. This entry will identify and give some background on them.
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Games by Tsukuda
There are six games that were put out by Tsukuda in the mid to late 80's to early 90's. These consist of four fleet action games, one campaign game, and one tactical battle game.
Fleet Action Games:
These games simulate the different battles in the series. Each volume contains several scenarios which are designed around a common theme. The rules for each volume follow a standard system, with added optional rules and complexity as you play the different volumes.
Games in this series follow a chit-pull system. Depending on how good a leader is, they will have several chits in a cup. When a chit is pulled from the cup, it allows the named commander and his fleet to activate. The more chits a commander has the more activation chances they get. Yang, for example will have four chits, while Bittenfeld would only have two. Commanders in the game are rated for their attack ability, defense ability, fleet command ability, range of their command, morale value, number of chits, mental capacity, and any special abilities.
During an activation ship can assume a formation, and this formation will allow the fleet to move and fight in different ways. Normal wargame concepts, such as facing and zones of control, apply with these games. When ships move, they move along a hex grid towards their objectives. Defensive fire can be done by fleets as the enemy approaches, and depending on the formations of the attackers, shooting and assaults can be done by them.
Combat is resolved by a die roll on a Combat Results Table. As fleets take damage, ships can be lost or routed. When this happens the morale of the fleet will eventually break down. Even commanders can be affected by loses to the point that they commit suicide.
The games in this series are:
1. Lost Complete Victory (HG-077) 1989
Scenario 1 - Battle of Astarte
Scenario 2 - Battle of Amritsa Starzone
2. Lippstadt Campign (HG-081) 1990
Scenario 3 - Battle of Altener
Scenario 4 - Battle of Doria Starzone
Scenario 5 - Battle of Kyffhauser
Scenario 6 - Battle of Shanntau
Scenario 7 - Battle of Geiersburg
3. Iserlohn (HG-091) 1991
Scenario 8 - Fluttering Bald Hawk: Battle between Kempf and Yang at Iserlohn.
Scenario 9 - Reuenthal versus Yang
Scenario 10 - The trap of Attemborough
4. Vermillion (HG-094) 1992
Scenario 11 - Battle of Rentamario
Scenario 12 - Yang Magic: Yang versus Steinmetz
Scenario 13 - Yang Magic 2: Yang versus Lennenkampf
Scenario 14 - Yang Magic 3: Yang versus Wahlen
Scenario 15 - Battle of Vermillion
Scenario 16 - Battle of Vermillion: Decoy
Scenario 17 - Iron Wall Muller
In addition to these scenarios, there are other scenarios and expansions for these games that are made by fans (Doujin). These are made on demand and are only for sale at various game shows in Japan. Titles are by TUBG, TSS, and AMI:
1. Geiden (side stories) #1 by Nishiki Taitei of TUBG 2006(He passed away in 2021)
Battle of 3rd Tiamat
Battle of 4th Tiamat
2. Geiden (side stories) #2 by Nishiki Taitei of TUBG 2006
Battle of Vanfleet Starzone
6th Siege of Iserlohn
3. Geiden (side stories) #3 by Nishiki Taitei of TUBG 2007
Battle of 2nd Tiamat
Battle of Dagon Starzone
4. Mal Adetta by Nishiki Taitei of TUBG 2008
Recreates the Battle of Mal Adetta
5. Battle of the Corridor by Nishiki Taitei of TUBG (?)
Recreates the Battle of the Corridor
6. Super Geiden Rampage of Haruhi Suzumiya Sagittarius Day by Nishiki Taitei of TSS 2007
This is a scenario that has nothing to do with LotGH. It is based on the Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya Episode 11, where they fight one another in a LotGH-like fight [[1]].
7. Battles of Vega Fleet Starzone - by Kiyohide Nakaminami of AMI Solger 2009
Recreates the battles during the Earth-Sirius campaign of the 27th Century [[2]]
Campaign Games:
1. Ragnarok by Tsukuda (HG-092) 1992
This game simulates the first Imperial invasion of Alliance territory by Reinhard. The scale is 1 ship counter represents 2,000 ships, and each turn is 10 days of time. It is an operational game where players maneuver their fleets on a hex map representing Alliance territory. The map stretches from Iserlohn to Fezzan, and over to Heinessen. When fleets fight, both sides choose tactical chits, and then the combat is resolved by a die roll on a combat results table.
2. 2nd Ragnarok by Nishiki Taitei of TUBG 2008
This is a fan made (Doujin) expansion for the above. It simulates the Imperial's second invasion of Alliance territory.
Tactical Battle Game:
Brunhilde by Tsukuda (HG-083)
This is a tactical level game where each fleet is made up of individual flagships, battleships, fast battleships, carriers, cruisers, and destroyers. Depeding on the scenario played, there could be several fleets per side. Players organize these ships in each fleet and then maneuver them on a hex-grid map. As fleets draw closer to one another the players fire at their opponents.
Other LotGH Games
In addition to the above, there are other games made by other makers:
1. Legend of the Galactic Heroes by Ryuuji Asano, Game Journal no.40 1998.
This came with issue no.40 of Game Journal (old edition). It is a strategic game where one player controls the Empire, and the other controls the Alliance. Players collect income, build fleets, maneuver, combat, and capture planets, all with the goal to capture their opponent's home world. Players form fleets that consist of a commander and their ships. Each general is rated for their initiative, attack, defense, and rank. Commanders with a higher rank can place more ships in their fleet. Fleets move along a point-to-point map of the LotGH universe, and when the fleets meet, combat is resolved on a tactical map.
The game is I-go-you-go. It begins with an economic phase where you collect income, pay upkeep and buy new ships, you then assign and relieve commanders, and then you perform movement. Movement is similar to A House Divided by GDW. Ships are organized into fleets (with a one-star leader able to have 6 ships, 2 stars 8 ships, and 3 stars 10 ships). You then move about the board, going from planet to planet, and when you enter an enemy occupied planet, you fight.
The tactical map has several columns, each denoting a range bracket. The battles involve some good strategy because certain ship classes only attack at certain ranges. Battleships can shoot 2-4 spaces, but can't shoot at 0 to 1, Cruisers can shoot 0 to 2, but not 3 or 4, while carriers can attack at 0 to 1, but not 2 to 4.
The ability to damage is highest with carriers, which hit on a 6+, cruisers hit on 8+ and battleships on 10+. To attack you roll 2d6 and add your commander's ability for attack or defense (depending on your stance). Reinhard is a 3 attack and 2 defense, so he adds this score to his die roll. Thus, if he is defending, his battleships will hit on an 8+ (because he has a +2 to the roll.
So, you need to think about your fleets and do a good job of organizing them. If you think you can close the range fast, then go with carriers, which can devastate the fleet with a good commander. Again, if Reinhard was to get in close his carriers would hit on a 4+ (which is almost a sure thing with two dice). By the way, Yang is a 3-3.
Initiative is also important in the battle because you get to decide if you want to move first or last in combat. Both roll a d6 and add their value to the roll and the high side decides to go first or second for the combat round. During a round you can move your fleet 2 spaces or move one space and attack (though you don't have to move). Movement is by the entire fleet, either forward or backward, but you cannot split up a fleet. You can withdraw off the battle board to end the combat. Yang has an initiative of 4 while Reinard has a 3.
UPDATE: Someone has made this game available for download. It is also translated into English: [[3]]
2. Legend of the Galactic Heroes Hand-to-Hand Combat game by Haruzehi of TUBG 2008
This game is a retheme of the old GDW Asteroid game. The game plays much like Asteroid, with some changes to suit the Legend of the Galactic Heroes theme. Pieces are provided for Imperial and Alliance troops, Imperial Grenadiers and Rosenritters. There are energy weapons, and others, such as axes and crossbows, which can be used when Seffle Particles are utilized (since energy weapons cause explosions within Seffle proximity).
The game consists of rules, several maps, and two sets of counters that need tom be attached to cardstock and cut out.
3. Legend of the Galactic Heroes - Two-Headed Snake: The Battle of Rantemario by Nishiki Taitei of TUBG
This game uses SPI's Napoleon's Last Battles system to recreate the Battle of Rantemario from the show.
The sequence of play is roughly:
A. Cadence determination
B. Imperial Army Movement Phase
C. Imperial Army Combat Phase
D. Allied Army Movement Phase
E. Allied Army Combat Phase
F. Turn Update Phase
Combat is fought using a Combat Results table. Odds are calculated and a die is rolled for results. Victory is dependent upon the scenario played.
While this game uses the NLB system, it adds some new innovations. Commanders have a Command rating A-D, and a tactical color-coding red, white, blue, green. These are used to give certain abilities and bonuses to the fleets. This brings the game closer to the feel of the animated series.
4. Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Reinhard Joraku by Haruzehi of TUBG 2007
Reinhard Joraku reproduces the Legend of the Galactic Heroes conflict using the Sengoku Gunyuden system. It is a campaign game with a map that stretches the galaxy. The game comes with an 8-piece map, rules, two sheets of counters, and four tables/charts. You need to assemble the map and mount the counters. Scenarios include Mar-Adetta and Twilight of the Gods. A second edition of the game was also published.
5. Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Frontier Conquest by Haruzehi of TUBG 2007
Frontier Conquest is an expansion for Renhardt Jorkau (above). It includes an 8-piece map, rules, three sheets of counters, and four tables/charts. You need to assemble the map and mount the counters. Scenarios include Lippstadt and Imperial Invasion.
Note: A combined set was also sold that had both the Reinhardt Joraku and Frontier Conquest games.
6. Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Crimson Star Road by Kiyohide Nakaminami of AMI SOLGER 2007
A strategy-class wargame with the theme of battles around volumes 1~5 of The Legend of the Galactic Heroes. As the Commander-in-Chief of the Galactic Empire or the Free Planetary Alliance, each player is responsible for the mobilization of troops, the personnel of Starfleet, and even the actual operation of troops.
The game is a simple reproduction of strategic combat in space with the sequence of move-reaction move-pitched battle-second move.
There are five scenarios as follows:
1. Idol of Heroes (July 796) An all-out war scenario that begins immediately after Jan's capture of Iserlohn.
2. The Wise Man's Miscalculation (October 796) It begins when Yang's intentions are derailed, and the Alliance forces invade Imperial territory.
3. Those who walk the path of supremacy (April 797) Civil war scenario using only the Imperial territory map.
4. Twilight of the Gods (November 798) Recreation of Reinhardt's masterpiece of war art, Operation Ragnarok.
5. Old Tree (January 796) A thrilling setting in which the coup d'état of the Lippstadt Campaign and the National Salvation Military Council occurs in an event in the middle of the game.
The game includes a four-part laminated map, rules, two tactical displays, and a sheet of counters. Assembly is required.
7. 6th Battle of Iserlohn and The Battle of Tiamat (unknown maker)
This is a Japanese doujin game. The game uses the system found in Game Journal n.29 "Fierve Battle," to recreate the 6th Battle of Iserlohn. The Battle of Tiamat is provided as a bonus.
8. Battle of Amritsar (unknown maker)
This is another Japanese doujin game. It uses the system found in Game Journal n.29 "Fierce Battle," to recreate the Battle of Amritsar
9. Battle of Vermilion Star Zone (unknown maker)
Another Japanese doujin. The "Fierce Battle" system from Game Journal n.29 is used to recreate the Battle of Vermilion.
10. Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Fleet Battles by Brian Bradford 2023
I have created a game that uses the 1/12000 ships from Hobby Base and Alba Creates. It is a miniatures game, based on the American Civil War Rules "Brigade Fire and Fury." In order to play the game, you will need a copy of these rules and some ships. The rules allow you to fight out the massive space battles of show on the tabletop.
Rather than me going through the rules, you can take a look over at Board Game Geek: [[4]]
