Tactics II
Revised introductory wargame from Avalon Hill's early years.
Tactics II, a wargame from Charles S. Roberts, hit the market in 1958 through his own company, Avalon Hill. It followed Roberts’ first title, Tactics, and served as a polished update of that game. After its initial release, Avalon Hill brought it back in 1961 and again in 1972. Rising costs led to its discontinuation in 1972, but the next year saw a redesigned version with cheaper parts, marketed as a loss leader to draw newcomers into wargaming. A 25th anniversary edition of the original Tactics, featuring a fresh map, came out in 1983.
The gameplay stayed almost identical to Tactics, with only minor map tweaks and more detailed unit counters. Critics were unimpressed. In his 1977 guide, Nicholas Palmer called it a “respectable but dull abstract introductory game,” suggesting readers would prefer a simulation of a real battle. Jon Freeman, writing in 1980, was harsher, dismissing the then-22-year-old game as unplayable. He argued that against any competent opponent, victory was impossible, and the geography forced a stalemate straight across the board. He gave it an overall rating of “Poor,” declaring it overdue for retirement. Reviews also appeared in *The Playboy Winner’s Guide to Board Games* and *The Star Press*.
- Designer
- Charles S. Roberts
- Publisher
- Avalon Hill
- Year of first publication
- 1958
- Re-release years
- 1961, 1972
- Field
- Board wargaming
- Known for
- Early commercial wargame, revised version of Tactics
Lore & Background
Tactics II was published in 1958 by Charles S. Roberts, who formed Avalon Hill that same year to release it. It is a revised version of his earlier game Tactics, with a slightly revised map and more detailed unit counters. The game was reissued in 1961 and 1973, and in 1972 it was discontinued due to rising costs. In 1973, it was redesigned with less costly components and used as a loss leader, serving as an introductory wargame. In 1983, Avalon Hill released a 25th anniversary edition of the original Tactics, with a new, different map.
Reader's Guide
Tactics II holds a place in wargaming history as an early commercial title from Avalon Hill, but its reception was mixed. In his 1977 book The Comprehensive Guide to Board Wargaming, Nicholas Palmer called it a 'Respectable but dull abstract introductory game,' suggesting readers might prefer a simulation of an actual battle. In the 1980 book The Complete Book of Wargames, Jon Freeman dismissed the then-22-year-old game as unplayable, stating it had no redeeming qualities aside from historical importance, and that against a competent opponent it could not be won, leading to an inevitable stalemate. Freeman gave it an Overall Evaluation of 'Poor,' saying it was 'overdue for retirement.' The game was reviewed in The Playboy Winner's Guide to Board Games and The Star Press. Its legacy is as a foundational but criticized entry in the development of commercial wargaming.
Did You Know?
- Tactics II was the second game produced by Charles S. Roberts, following the success of his first game, Tactics.
- The game was discontinued in 1972 due to rising costs.
- In 1973, it was redesigned with less costly components and used as a loss leader.
- A 25th anniversary edition of the original Tactics, with a new map, was released in 1983.
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