Tactics II
Charles S. Roberts formed the Avalon Hill game company in 1958 to publish Tactics II. This release marked his second attempt at creating a wargame after the success of his first title, Tactics. The year 1958 served as the starting point for what would become a significant chapter in board gaming history. Roberts aimed to refine his initial concepts into a more polished product for the market. His decision to establish a dedicated publishing house signaled a shift from hobbyist project to commercial enterprise. The timing coincided with growing interest in strategic simulation games among American consumers.
Avalon Hill reissued Tactics II in 1961 and again in 1973 following its original 1958 launch. Rising production costs forced the company to discontinue the standard version in 1972. By 1973, designers redesigned the game using less expensive components to keep it on shelves. This revised edition functioned as a loss leader intended to introduce new players to wargaming. The strategy allowed Avalon Hill to maintain presence despite financial pressures affecting the industry. In 1983, the same publisher released a twenty-fifth anniversary edition featuring an entirely different map design.
The ruleset remained nearly identical to the original Tactics across all major aspects of play. A slightly revised map replaced the earlier layout while maintaining core movement patterns. Unit counters received more detailed markings compared to their predecessors in the first release. These changes represented minor refinements rather than fundamental overhauls of the system. Players encountered familiar mechanics wrapped in updated visual elements during each session. The design choices reflected Roberts' confidence in his initial framework for strategic simulation.
Nicholas Palmer described Tactics II as a respectable but dull abstract introductory game in his 1977 book The Comprehensive Guide to Board Wargaming. He suggested readers seeking easy entry points might prefer simulations of actual battles instead. Jon Freeman dismissed the then-twenty-two-year-old title as unplayable in his 1980 work The Complete Book of Wargames. Freeman argued that against even vaguely competent opponents the game could not be won due to geography creating inevitable stalemates. His overall evaluation labeled the product poor and declared it overdue for retirement from circulation.
Tactics II holds enduring importance within the wargaming community despite its commercial struggles. Poor sales figures never diminished its role as a stepping stone for future designers and players. The game's existence helped establish Avalon Hill as a major force in board gaming history. Its repeated reissues demonstrate persistent demand among collectors and historians of the genre. Even critics who panned gameplay acknowledged the historical value embedded in its simple structure. This paradox between critical dismissal and continued relevance defines its unique place in gaming archives.
Common questions
When did Charles S. Roberts form Avalon Hill to publish Tactics II?
Charles S. Roberts formed the Avalon Hill game company in 1958 to publish Tactics II.
What years did Avalon Hill reissue Tactics II after its original launch?
Avalon Hill reissued Tactics II in 1961 and again in 1973 following its original 1958 launch.
Why did Nicholas Palmer describe Tactics II as dull in his 1977 book The Comprehensive Guide to Board Wargaming?
Nicholas Palmer described Tactics II as a respectable but dull abstract introductory game because he suggested readers seeking easy entry points might prefer simulations of actual battles instead.
How did Jon Freeman evaluate Tactics II in his 1980 work The Complete Book of Wargames?
Jon Freeman dismissed the then-twenty-two-year-old title as unplayable in his 1980 work The Complete Book of Wargames due to geography creating inevitable stalemates against competent opponents.
What major change occurred with the 1973 edition of Tactics II regarding components?
By 1973, designers redesigned the game using less expensive components to keep it on shelves after rising production costs forced the company to discontinue the standard version in 1972.