Triumph & Tragedy: European Balance of Power 1936-1945

triumph amp tragedy geopolitical strategy game player playable cover competition european supremacy period capitalism west communism soviet union fascism axis diplomatic economic technological military component win gain economic hegemony technological supremacy abomb vanquish rival militarilythe x area map cover eurasia india ural plus america military unit quot block type infantrytankfortressairforcecarrierfleetsubmarine different color germanyitalyrussiabritainfranceusaneutral mix block allow great flexibility force composition card action deck card investment deck plus peace dividend chit marker typesthe game start great power virtually disarm germany repudiate versaille peace treaty initiate arm race europe block nature military buildup remain unknown rival unlessuntil military conflict break game end peacefully war game sanction attack neutral minor declare war opponent reward remain peaceful peace dividend chit value year remain peaceyou win peacefully bull economic hegemony total production secret peace dividend value atomic research great reach time bull technological supremacy build abomb take stage able deliver main capitalif war win method extra economic hegemony victory point available bybull military victory capture enemy capital player control threeeconomic production underlie form power game production control population city control resource industry start low build investment card resource ignore peacepower spend current economic production bull military unit new step unit additional step exist unit bull action card diplomatic value gain population resource conflict command value military unit bull investment card technological value enhance unit ability factory value way increase industry levelsbuilde unit step buy card cost production simple canrsquot inspect card buy spend productioninitially axis economy populationresource limited ahead war industry west russia industrylimite adequate empire population resource throttlinglimite rival economy denial populationresource key form competition peacetime primarily diplomacy commit action card gain control minor nation populationresource deny reduce rival control war directly military conquest land navalsubmarine blockade trade route sea strategic bombing enemy industry air force early phase game tend revolve bull diplomatic infighting action card gain minor nation czech rumania etc population resource bull industrial buildup investment card withbull military buildup nature force build unknown opponentsbull technology advancement investment card somebull military operation action card command include violate attack neutral minor gain populationresource diplomacy failsif game continue peacefully impose defense player inclination pressure build player approach production secret peace dividend chit victory threshold player succeed develop atomic bomb steal victory wayat point power see opportunity necessity declare war victim get immediate economic benefit reaction military reality come forefront point onward party continue economic development peace notunit movement command card specify command priority letter determine order movementcombat command value number determine maximum number unit move command card valid specify season springsummerfall variety command card onersquos hand necessary power able season handsize limit player balance compete demand card resource military securitycombat occur rival unit occupy area execute unit fire order type defender fire equal type roll dice hit unit different firepower hit value depend class unit target ground naval air sub land combat round season sea battle fight conclusion ground unit supply line lose step season build fortress unit immune effect movetriumph amp tragedy true threeside game requirement west russia fact valid reason attack player win game table talk allow encourage agreement enforceable alliance shift cooperation undependable game continue economic battle attrition sudden military explosion change immense replayability player pursue dominance europe land sea air military superiority technological supremacy economic hegemony rival realize strategy late highly interactive tense fastmoving game little downtime player turn cover crucial geopolitical decade th century hour