Ia Drang, Vietnam 1965 (1999)

About this game

Ia Drang is a solitaire game which covers the 1965 battle in the Ia Drang River valley between NVA troops and the 1st Air Cavalry Division. The game uses area movement across a map that covers from Cambodia to Pleiku, turns lasting 2 days each, and company-level units. The player, as the US, has overwhelming firepower and mobility, but the NVA has stealth. The NVA uses dummy units to hide his actual deployment while the US (player) must search constantly and hope not to get caught in an ambush. There are extensive rules covering headquarters units/command and control, fatigue, CIDG, tactical air support, battalion cohesion, and of course air-mobile transport. Counters must be mounted and cut.

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Works with 1 to 2. It has a designed solo mode.
• Rules load. At 2.8/5 this is a mid-weight game — expect a proper rules explanation before you start.
• Age. The publisher suggests 12 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.