The Seven Years War In Europe, 1756-1763

Clash of Monarchs lets two to four players recreate the titantic struggle that raged across Europe and the world, pitting Frederick the Great’s Prussia and its Hanoverian allies against Maria Theresa’s Coalition of Austrian, French, Russian, Saxon, Swedish, and Holy Roman Empire forces. Each player directs the effort of one or more of the major powers, plus their minor allies, using the card-driven operations and point-to-point movement system of many of GMT’s most highly-regarded games. The cards help players enact Frederick’s pre-war invasion planning, Austrian minister Kaunitz’s diplomatic triumph in the 2nd Treaty of Versailles, the operational ascendancy of Prussian and Hanoverian light troops, formation of the Austrian General Staff, huge financial loans, court intrigue at Versailles, Vienna, and St. Petersburg, and dozens of other key political, economic, and military events. COM also uses split decks, which foster play of each power’s events in two phases -- Early War (usually through mid-1758), and Wider War (1758 to conclusion) – and allow a multi-player game to use exactly the same rules as a 2-player contest. COM augments the CDG system with a Colonial Conflict sub-game, a fully-integrated treatment of light unit operations, and a Fortunes of War chit pull, which varies the occurrence and/or timing of events beyond players’ control each year -- severe weather, desertion, attrition, possible deaths of English king George II, Empress Elizabeth of Russia, et al, and Madame Pompadour’s political influence over the French commanders, to add further uncertainty and drama to the campaigns.

In 1756, Frederick the Great launched a preemptive strike on Saxony and his archenemy Austria, sparking the Seven Years War and pitting the most powerful countries of Europe against the fledgling state of Prussia. Frederick's gamble nearly destroyed Prussia, but a few stunning victories over numerically superior forces, many delaying actions, British gold, and the timely death of Tsarina Elizabeth of Russia saved Prussia and ensured Frederick's place in history as a great general.

Prussia's Defiant Stand recreates the fierce struggle for mastery of Central Europe. Using the well-proven, card-driven action system the game showcases the importance of maneuver, fortresses, sieges, supply, and the potentially costly option of winter campaigning. The countries of Prussia, Austria, France, Russia, and Sweden are represented with units for leaders and artillery, heavy and light infantry, cavalry, Cossacks, and fortresses.

Players will have difficult choices in managing their cards as some can be used for "commands" to move units, or used to modify combat odds. The game mechanics reflect the period's focus on maneuver for position and a "Frictions of War" table beautifully models the indecisiveness of many allied leaders. This explains more than anything how the small nation of Prussia was able to withstand the combined weight of the most powerful states of the day. Frederick himself attributed Prussia's survival more to the timidity of allied commanders than to his own actions.

Four of Frederick's most famous actions come to life using a system heavy on nuance but easy on time and space. From the Prussian triumphs of Rossbach and Leuthen to the bloody ordeals at Zorndorf and Torgau, players can examine the Seven Years' War in games playable in a single evening. Graphic icon counters capture the colorful splendor of 18th century Prussian, Austrian, Russian, French, Saxon, and Holy Roman Empire forces. Short Battle Scenarios place the armies in their historical deployments, while the Main Scenarios give players the chance to recreate or alter their armie's critical approach marches to the field, radically changing deployment possibilities with intriguing pre-battle maneuver.

GMT's grand tactical, light-moderate Seven Years War battle series continues with four more battles in Prussia's Glory II. Players can enact some of the war's most famous battles in games playable in a single sitting. PG II hones the original Prussia's Glory system with some slight changes, and introduces Optional rules that further break out combat arms differences, such as Austrian Croat Sniper Attacks, Howitzer fire, and advanced Cavalry facets. The game also expands on the PG visual feast of Prussian, Austrian, French, Empire, Saxon, and Russian icon units with the Hanoverian-Allied army, featuring new heavy dragoon cavalry, and a striking red-dominant color scheme. Each battle includes one or more variants to allow players to explore historical possibilities involving larger/smaller forces present, or Alternate History battles that reverse attacker/defender roles on the same fields.

Travel back to where global strategy all began with Soldier Kings, our multiplayer game of the Seven Years War worldwide! Two to eight players take the roles of Frederick the Great, Empress Maria Theresa, and the other monarchs of Europe, vying for glory, empire, and most importantly, MONEY!!!

For 2-8 players, ages 10 & up with 305 playing pieces, two 17”x22” maps, 8 page rule book.