Overview

Rise and Decline of the Third Reich is a grand strategy wargame covering the European theater of World War II, published by Avalon Hill in 1974. Players take on the roles of major powers – Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, France, the Soviet Union, and the United States – from 1939 to 1946. The game features a campaign of up to 24 turns and includes multiple shorter scenarios. It is considered one of the definitive strategic-level World War II wargames.

Components

• Large strategic map of Europe, North Africa, and the Atlantic
• Hundreds of cardboard unit counters representing armies, fleets, and air forces
• Basic Resource Points (BRP) tracks
• Turn record track
• Multiple dice
• Rules booklet and scenario guides
• Player aid cards

Setup

Setup varies by scenario. For the full campaign game:

1. Place the map on a large table.
2. Each player (or team) selects their power(s): Germany, Italy, UK, France, USSR, USA.
3. Place initial unit counters according to the scenario setup chart.
4. Set initial BRP levels for each power on the BRP track.
5. Set the turn marker to Spring 1939.

Turn Structure

Each game turn represents one quarter (3 months). Each turn contains:

1. Determine Initiative: The side (Axis or Allies) with the higher total BRP count generally moves first.
2. First Side’s Player Turn:
   • Strategic Warfare Phase (submarine warfare, strategic bombing)
   • Movement Phase
   • Combat Phase
   • Construction Phase (build new units, replacements)
   • Strategic Redeployment Phase (rail movement)
3. Second Side’s Player Turn: Same phases as above.
4. Attrition Phase: Check supply for all units.
5. Turn Advancement: Move the turn marker forward.

Actions

Movement: Units move according to their movement allowance across the hex map. Terrain affects movement costs. ZOCs (Zones of Control) restrict enemy movement.

Combat: Attacking units total their combat strength against defending units. A combat results table (CRT) determines outcomes based on the odds ratio and a die roll. Results include defender retreat, exchange, attacker retreat, or elimination.

Construction: During the Construction Phase, players spend BRPs to build new units, replace eliminated units, or upgrade existing forces. Each unit type has a specific BRP cost.

Strategic Redeployment: Move units by rail across friendly territory without normal movement restrictions. Used for rapid repositioning between fronts.

Declarations of War: Players may declare war on neutral nations, spending BRPs and potentially triggering diplomatic consequences.

Strategic Warfare: Conduct submarine warfare in the Atlantic and strategic bombing of enemy industrial capacity to reduce their BRP income.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

Victory conditions vary by scenario:

• Campaign Game: The Axis wins by controlling a certain number of objective hexes by the end of the game or by forcing Allied surrender through BRP depletion. The Allies win by liberating Axis-held objectives and reducing Axis BRPs.
• Shorter Scenarios: Each has specific victory point objectives based on territorial control at scenario end.
• Individual player victory (in multi-player games) can be determined by each power’s performance relative to historical outcomes.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• Neutrals: Nations like Spain, Turkey, and Sweden have specific rules for when and how they can be attacked or allied with.
• Lend-Lease: The USA can provide BRPs to Allied nations before entering the war.
• Partisans: Occupied territories may generate partisan units that disrupt supply lines.
• Weather: Seasonal effects reduce movement and combat effectiveness during winter turns.
• Italy Surrender: Special rules govern what happens when Italy’s BRPs drop to zero.
• Atomic Bomb: In the advanced game, the USA may develop atomic weapons in the final years.

Player Reference

Power	Starting BRPs (Campaign)
Germany	150
Italy	75
United Kingdom	150
France	75
USSR	150
USA	150+

Turn sequence: Initiative > Movement > Combat > Construction > Strategic Redeployment > Attrition.

Combat CRT: Odds-based (1:2 through 6:1+), modified by terrain, air support, and special units.