Stats:
No. of players: 1
Amount of time to play: 60 min or more depending on the campaign you play
Age requirements: 12+
Set-up time: 15-30 minutes

Thunderbolt Apache Leader Rules Description:

Thunderbolt Apache Leader is a solo strategy game of airborne warfare. You build and command a squadron of aircraft and choose the campaign they need to complete. Each campaign is made up of missions to destroy enemy battalions that must be completed in a timely manner.

The set-up time for this game is not short but should be considered part of the game. During set-up you choose your campaign, the current situation, determine enemy battalions and put together your squadron. The campaign determines the terrain, the number of enemies you’ll face and scores your performance. The situation card tells you your starting Special Option (SO) points and how long you have to complete the campaign. You randomly determine the enemies you must defeat. Each battalion is made up of different units.

Now you get to build your squadron. You spend your SO points to purchase different aircraft then outfit them with pilots. Pilots enter the game at an average skill rating but you can move one pilot up a rank by lowering another ones’ rank. You may also spend one SO to raise a pilot’s rank.

Campaigns are divided into days and you may fly as many missions as you like in a day. Each aircraft may only fly one mission per day though. After determining which aircraft will fly in the missions you’ve picked, you must choose the mission you want to complete first and allocate aircraft and pilots to it. Now you prep your aircraft for battle by purchasing weapon counters for each individual aircraft. These weapon counters cost SO points.

You are almost ready to fly. Shuffle and place the terrain on the map and randomly determine where enemy units are on the map and let the fireworks begin.

During mission resolution your fast pilots attack then enemy units followed by your slow pilots. You can use your maneuverability to try to stay out of enemy range but this might cause your pilot stress. Also flying at a high altitude makes it possible for more enemy units to notice you and join the fight. You have to determine what will be best in the current situation. You only have so long on the battlefield so you can’t afford to waste time not hitting your foes. Hopefully when the smoke clears your aircraft are in one piece and your enemies are destroyed.

To conclude a mission you head back to your airbase. If you stayed too long and are close to running out of fuel it might mean more stress for your pilots. At your base you gain XP and may move your pilots up a rank if they qualify. Then you start the next mission you choose for the day if any remain.

Before you start the next day you can repair your aircraft and try to let your pilots recover some stress. Don’t relax too long as the enemy battalions may be advancing to your airbase. If they reach your airbase you lose SO points and could lose the game.

Once the last day of missions is completed you total your victory points and check your rating on the campaign card.

Quick Review of Thunderbolt Apache Leader:

Thunderbolt Apache Leader is an excellent tactical game. Your decisions matter and you’ll have many meaningful ones to make. The amount of customization you can make by choosing different aircraft, pilots and weapons gives this game high replay value. Even the campaign can be switched up a bit by using different situation cards.

The components in this game are very good. The chits are thick cardboard, the cards are durable and the map looks excellent. The rules are pretty well done. There are a lot of details and you’ll be referring to them often your first couple of missions. That said once you get a hold of the sequence of things you should need the rules less. I highly recommend reading the rules then reading the example of play at the end of the rulebook.

You need to determine what battalions you want taken out. Do you go for the ones close to your airbase or the ones that lose you SO points at the end of each day? There are many tough decisions to make and risks you’ll have to take.

The combat system is good and plays quickly. There is a good bit of tension as you try to outmaneuver enemy units, take them out and do it before you run out of fuel.

There are a couple things I wish were different. None of them are vital to the game but would be nice touches. First there is an introductory campaign, but I wish my hand was held even more than that. Some suggestions of which aircraft and weapons to take would make your first play easier. Secondly the aircraft cards should have the movement rate for that aircraft on it. There is room and constantly referring to the board is a bit annoying at first. Again neither of these things is a deal breaker. Maybe I am being nit-picky.

Fans of modern warfare games or aircraft combat games should try Thunderbolt Apache Leader. Even if you are just looking for a fun game to play solo you should look into this. It may seem complex at first but after a bit you’ll be completing missions and high-fiving yourself.

Score and synopsis: (Click here for an explanation of these review categories.)
Strategy 4 out of 6
Luck 4 out of 6
Player Interaction N/A
Replay Value 5 out of 6
Complexity 5 out of 6
Fun 5 out of 6
Overall 5 out of 6