Overview

Asia Engulfed is a grand strategic wargame covering the entire Pacific and Asian theater of World War II from 1941-1945. One player controls the Allies (USA, Commonwealth, China, Philippines, Dutch East Indies) while the other commands Japan. Using block units for fog of war, players manage naval fleets, air forces, and ground armies across a vast operational theater. The game features unique supply, oil, and strategic bombing systems.

Components

• Game board covering the Pacific and Asia
• Wooden block units (labeled with stickers)
• Cards (event and combat)
• Resource/supply markers
• Oil markers
• Turn track
• Combat results tables
• Dice
• Rules booklet and playbook

Setup

Follow scenario-specific instructions for unit placement. The standard campaign begins with Pearl Harbor (December 1941). Place Japanese and Allied blocks on their historical starting positions. Set up resource tracks, supply chains, and initial oil reserves.

Turn Structure

Each game turn represents approximately 3-4 months. Each turn:

1. Strategic Phase: Both players allocate resources, repair units, and make strategic decisions.
2. Initiative Determination: Determine who has the initiative this turn.
3. Operations Phase: Players alternate conducting operations (moving forces, attacking).
4. Supply Phase: Check supply lines; unsupplied units suffer attrition.
5. Production Phase: Produce new units and allocate reinforcements.
6. End Phase: Advance turn marker, check victory conditions.

Actions

Naval Operations:

• Move fleet groups across sea zones.
• Conduct naval battles (surface combat, carrier strikes, submarine warfare).
• Amphibious invasions to land troops on enemy-held islands/coasts.
• Convoy escort and interdiction.

Ground Operations:

• Move ground forces along land connections.
• Conduct ground combat for territory control.
• Siege operations against fortified positions.

Air Operations:

• Strategic bombing against enemy production.
• Air support for naval and ground operations.
• Air superiority missions.

Supply and Oil:

• Units need supply to maintain combat effectiveness.
• Japan depends on oil from conquered territories.
• Cutting supply lines weakens enemy forces.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

Japanese Victory: Control sufficient resource areas and maintain a strong defensive perimeter long enough to force Allied surrender (checked at various turn intervals).

Allied Victory: Recapture key objectives and/or advance close enough to the Japanese home islands, or force Japan’s surrender through strategic bombing and naval supremacy.

Victory conditions vary by scenario (full campaign or shorter scenarios).

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• Fog of War: Block units face the owning player; opponents cannot see unit types or strength until combat.
• Oil System: Japan must capture and maintain oil-producing regions. Running low on oil cripples naval operations.
• China Theater: Chinese forces have special limitations and reinforcement rules.
• Strategic Bombing: B-29 operations against Japan follow specific rules.
• Carrier Operations: Carrier air groups have distinct rules for strikes and defense.
• Submarine Warfare: Both sides conduct submarine campaigns against shipping.
• Combined Game: Can be linked with Europe Engulfed for a global WWII experience.

Player Reference

Phase	Actions
Strategic	Resource allocation, repairs
Initiative	Determine turn order
Operations	Move, attack, invade
Supply	Check supply lines
Production	Build new units

Key Resources	Effect
Oil	Required for naval operations
Supply	Required for combat effectiveness
Air power	Supports all operations