Guadalcanal (Avalon Hill, 1966, 1992)

DIGITAL DOWNLOAD ONLY

Avalon Hill Guadalcanal – includes 2 versions, 1966 and 1992

1966 Version

Guadalcanal is a hex based simulation of the land battle of Guadalcanal from August, 7 1942 through January 29, 1943, with battalion-sized units and a map scale of approximately one mile per hex. The naval and aerial combat that surrounded Guadalcanal are assumed to have their historical results so only historical reinforcements are available.

The “Basic Game” introduced the components: the map board, unit counters, victory conditions, movement, zones of control, and combat.

The “Tournament Game” the effects of different terrain types, reduction of units due to combat rather than wholesale elimination, ranged artillery fire, and point-based victory conditions.

The “Optional Rules” introduced hidden movement, supply rules, different ranges for different artillery units based on their historical composition, withdrawing units from the island, and specialized capabilities for amphibious tractor and engineer units. Records for step reduction were kept on paper side records, rather than using reduced units (as in Anzio); records for hidden movement were also kept on paper, rather than using screens to hide each player’s view of the opponent’s forces as in Midway.

The game victory conditions in the basic game were that the United States won if the Japanese were unable to hold Henderson Field for two consecutive turns between the September 25 and November 20 turns, inclusive, with the game ending on November 20 turn. The Tournament Game extended until the January 29, 1943 turn, with the point-based victory determined based on points awarded for eliminating enemy combat factors, occupying Henderson Field, or (for the Japanese) having Henderson Field in range of their artillery units.

Avalon Hill assigned to the game the following characteristics:

• Playing Time: 2-4 hours
• Play Balance: Even
• Complexity: Very Complex
• For Beginner: Very Poor
• Play-By-Mail: Poor
• Suggestion: Use of Optional Rules

The rules were revised to a small extent in their second printing in June, 1966. These changes were described in the Avalon Hill ”General”, Volume 3. Number 2.

1992 Version (Smithsonian Edition)

The basic idea is each player has their own map of the area (in this case the Solomon Islands) behind a screen. Each player “searches” for the enemy fleet by flying search planes to the hex and calling the hex number. Once found, bombers can be sent in to sink the enemy fleet. The actual attack is fought on a separate battle board where the ships are first placed on hexes and the attacking planes are placed in hexes to indicate which ship they are attacking.

The basic game is very simple. But there are many additional rules which add realism (and complexity): CAP fighters, surface actions, bases, inaccurate search reports, etc.

Note: The back of the box says 356 counters, but there are only 298 (1 of which is blank).

This download includes the following:

• Game Rules in PDF format (1966 and 1992 Smithsonian Edition)
• Game charts, log pads, and counters.
• A map of the game board
• A PDF with Avalon Hill General magazine articles in it

This is a very nice to have addition for the game with scenarios, variant counters, and additional rules, commentary, and discussion.

A fantastic addition to any wargame collection in a convenient format.