Desert Duel: First Alamein (2008)

Overview

An LPS bonus mini-game for two-players, Desert Duel, by designer Mike Rinella, looks at the first battle of Alamein in 1942, where modern armies fought each other and the desert, in a desperate effort to breakthrough to or defend the path to the Nile. This is not the Monty vs. Rommel El Alamein battle most people think of but an earlier action, July 1 to July 27, 1942. Each turn represents three days of combat, and each hex is about four miles across.

Where 2nd El Alamein reminded many of WW1 type conflict, this first battle was pure open desert warfare, of the guy that both sides were developing on the fly, and Rinella’s design captures the feel of the grit and gloom.

Low density counter mix, ratio combat results table, supply, leaders, weather, air support, recon screening units, minefields and a special 88 Flak unit make for an interesting mix of mechanics.

Desert Duel comes with 88 large 5/8" mounted die-cut counters, and an integrated 17" x 22" full color map with rules and charts.

This game was included as a bonus game for subscribers with Against the Odds (ATO) magazine #21 (the Kadesh issue).