Ironclads! Naval Warfare in the Age of Sails and Steam

Ironclads! is a relatively fast play set of rules covering naval warfare, along with its associated land combat, set in the ironclad era of 1860-1879. Don't turn your nose up at the fast play designation. Fast play does not in the least mean lacking in era ambience or that the rules are simplistic in any way. Far from it! Ironclads! covers all aspects of naval warfare of the era, from fleet actions, such as the Battle of Lissa, to the riverine fights of the American Civil War. Also included are well thought out rules for land combat that includes a unique system that separates and qualifies army training and armament. Thus the rules reflect not only how well trained soldiers are, but also how well they are equipped. Ironclads! uses exclusively six sided dice and has easy to learn and exceedingly smooth mechanics that make the game a joy to play. Ironclads! features all the things 4P Press games are known for, such as an in-depth QRS, generous player aids (including our excellent turning circles), continuous updates and support, and of course the usual extensive listing of ratings, this time featuring 1,324 individual ships from 29 era navies. As if that all weren't enough, Ironclads! includes extensive advice on scenario and campaign development, as well as several scenario examples, such as an in depth Battle of Lissa scenario with complete orders of battle. Please note, to insure quality reproduction, the turning circles are in PDF form and in a separate downloadable file. Sequence of Play: Game play is divided into four phases. Each side completes a phase before the next one begins. 1. Movement Phase Initiative is determined and then ships are moved. Movement is not simultaneous. 2. Gunnery Phase Gunnery is conducted simultaneously, thus it is possible for a ship to be sunk but still get off one last salvo. 3. Torpedo/Mine Phase All torpedo and mine attacks are carried out. 4. Damage Control Phase Ships attempt to repair battle damage which occurred in the previous gunnery phases. —description from the publisher