Pacific Battles: Guadalcanal

Pacific Battles: Guadalcanal is a two-player (Japanese versus U.S.) operational level game, designed by Joseph Miranda. The game includes 228 medium-sized die-cut counters, with the battalion as the primary maneuver unit, and also includes air units, supply markers, campaign chits, suppression chits, and deception markers. The colorful map features the island of Guadalcanal, with each hex representing approximately two miles across, and includes such prominent locations as Henderson Field and Bloody Ridge, as well as various charts and tables for easy reference during play.

The rules entail a variety of standard and unique rules, such as Reinforcements, Suppression, Logistics, Reorganization, Headquarters, Air Operations, Naval Bombardment, Fog of War, Engineer Units, Fortifications, Amphibious Movement, Evacuation, as well as optional rules detailing aspects such as High Ground, Artillery, Air Superiority, Close Air Support, Capturing Supply, and Airborne mechanics.

The game sequence is as follows:

• PLANNING PHASE
• FIRST PLAYER INITIAL IMPULSE
• SECOND PLAYER INITIAL IMPULSE
• FIRST PLAYER FOLLOW-ON IMPULSE
• SECOND PLAYER FOLLOW-ON IMPULSE
• Victory Points phase

Victory in the game is determined by the accumulation of VPs for control of important hexes, eliminating enemy units, as well as evacuating friendly units.