Overview

Dirtside II is a science fiction miniatures wargame covering combined-arms ground combat with infantry, vehicles, artillery, and aerospace craft in a far-future setting. Players build custom forces using a detailed vehicle design system and resolve combat through confidence-based morale and opposed die rolls. The game is designed to be generic and background-independent, allowing players to create their own armies and settings. Scale is approximately 1:300 with 1” = 100 meters on the tabletop.

Components

• Miniatures (any scale; 1:300 recommended)
• Game table/terrain
• Various dice: D4, D6, D8, D10, D12 (referred to by die type throughout)
• Counters/markers: Damage chits (numerical), “BOOM” chits, Mobility Fire chits, Systems Down chits, Target/Fire markers, Command markers, Confidence Level markers, Flag markers, Ruined Building markers, Minefield markers, Hidden Unit markers, Objective markers, various artillery markers
• Counter sheets (black damage chits, colored play markers)
• Measuring tape or ruler
• Force record sheets

Setup

1. Players agree on a scenario, point values, or force compositions.
2. Each player designs their force using the vehicle and force organization rules (COMBAT GROUP is the basic building block: typically a Command unit + 3-5 squads/vehicles).
3. Set up terrain on the game table. Recommended ground area is 4’ x 6’ for 1:300 scale.
4. Deploy forces according to the scenario rules. Hidden deployment is optional.
5. Determine first player (dice roll or scenario rules).

Turn Structure

Each game turn follows this sequence:

1. Encounter Battles: Resolve any meeting engagements if applicable.
2. Attacker/Defender Battles: Resolve based on scenario type.
3. Deployment Phase: Place arriving reinforcements.
4. Sequence of Play:
   • Active player selects a unit/group to activate.
   • “Cyberstats” Activation: The active unit may move, fire, or perform other actions.
   • Target Priority: Units must engage the closest visible enemy unless passing a confidence test.
   • Continue alternating activations until all units have acted.
5. End Phase: Check victory conditions, morale, objectives.

Actions

Movement

• Tracked vehicles: Fastest ground mobility; can traverse most terrain.
• Wheeled vehicles: Fast on roads, slower off-road.
• GEV (hover) vehicles: Move freely over most terrain including water.
• Walkers: Slower but handle rough terrain well; come in various sizes.
• Infantry: Move on foot or in transport vehicles.
• Movement rates vary by mobility type and terrain (roads, open, rough, woods, urban, etc.). Evasive movement halves speed but imposes penalties on incoming fire.

Combat - Direct Fire

1. Check Line of Sight (ground-based LOS up to 60” maximum range; blocked by elevated ground, buildings, woods).
2. Determine range band (Close, Medium, Long based on weapon class).
3. Attacker rolls firepower die vs. defender’s armor die in opposed roll.
4. If attacker’s roll exceeds defender’s, a hit is scored. Apply damage results.
5. Weapon types: Direct Fire (HEL, DFFG, HVC, RFAC, MDC), each with different size classes affecting firepower die type.

Combat - Artillery

• Off-board or on-board artillery fires using area templates.
• Resolve impacts per target in the beaten zone.
• Types include conventional, SLAM rocket packs, and guided missiles.

Combat - Aerospace

• Aircraft make attack runs or provide close air support.
• Subject to Area Defense Systems (ADS) interception.
• VTOL and conventional aircraft have different approach rules.

Confidence and Reaction

• Units have a Confidence Level (Green, Regular, Veteran, Elite) affecting their die type for morale checks.
• Confidence Tests are triggered by: taking casualties, seeing friendly units destroyed, leadership events.
• Reaction results range from carrying on normally to falling back, breaking, or routing.
• Units that fail badly enough may be removed from play.

Infantry Combat

• Infantry squads fight at close range and in urban/built-up areas.
• Close Assault: Infantry vs. vehicles at point-blank range; resolved with opposed confidence rolls.
• Anti-Personnel weapons are effective against infantry; anti-armor weapons against vehicles.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

Victory is scenario-dependent. Common objectives include:

• Controlling specific terrain features or objective markers.
• Destroying a set percentage of enemy forces.
• Holding ground for a certain number of turns.
• Exiting units off the enemy board edge.

Points values for forces allow balanced pick-up games. Each unit has a calculated points cost based on its weapons, armor, mobility, and quality.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• Vehicle Design System: Players custom-build vehicles by choosing size class (1-5, plus oversize), armor rating, weapon systems, power plant (CFE, HMT, FGP, FFC), and mobility type. Points costs are calculated from these choices.
• Size Classes: Class 1 (very small, e.g., recon drones) through Class 5 (very large, e.g., superheavy tanks). Oversize and “Modular” vehicles exist for even larger designs.
• Stealth: Vehicles may be fitted with Stealth capabilities in levels, reducing detection range. ECM systems also available.
• Hidden Units: Units may start hidden and are revealed when spotted or when they fire.
• Combat Walkers: Bipedal/multipedal vehicles with special rules. Come in size classes 4-5+ for Combat/Transport walkers; Infantry walkers are all class 1.
• Riverine Craft: Watercraft with restrictions (armor rating more than TWO LOWER than size class for large craft; weapon restrictions apply).
• Airborne Vehicles: VTOLs and aerospace craft divided into two groups with different engagement rules.
• Firing at Modular Vehicles: Each module of a multi-part vehicle is targeted separately; destroying the tread module immobilizes the vehicle.
• Target Priority: Units must normally fire at the closest enemy unless they pass a confidence check to select a different target.
• Area Defense Systems (ADS): Automated point-defense systems that intercept incoming missiles and aerospace craft.

Player Reference

Confidence Levels	Green, Regular, Veteran, Elite
Die Types Used	D4, D6, D8, D10, D12 (higher = better)
Ground Scale	1” = 100 meters
Max LOS Range	60” (ground-based)
Vehicle Size Classes	1 (Very Small) through 5 (Very Large) + Oversize
Mobility Types	Tracked, Wheeled, GEV (Hover), Walker, Grav
Power Plants	CFE, HMT, FGP, FFC
Weapon Categories	Direct Fire, Guided Missiles, Artillery, ADS

Force Organization
Combat Group	Command unit + 3-5 elements
Infantry element	Carries 4 capacity points
Powered Infantry element	Takes up 8 capacity points
Cargo load	4 points of capacity per load
Typical force	3-5 Combat Groups per side