Nuclear War is a card game designed by Douglas Malewicki, and originally published in 1966. It is currently (as of 2005) published by Flying Buffalo, and has inspired several expansions.

Gameplay

Each player is dealt a number of "population cards", which they must protect. They are then dealt a number of cards, which may contain:

• Secrets which usually steal or reduce another player's population
• Propaganda which usually steal or reduce another player's population, but have no effect during a war
• Missiles which stay in play ready to hold a warhead
• Warheads which are fitted to a missile, or discarded if there is no available missile for them.

Secrets are resolved immediately. Each player plays two cards face down. Players then take turns during which they will play a third face down card, and then reveal the oldest face down card (first in, first out) and resolve it. Once they have a warhead fitted to a missile, they may launch an attack. A successful attack reduces the target's population; when a player's population reaches zero, they may launch a retaliatory attack and are then out of play. Often, this will lead to many players being removed at once.

The object of the game is to be the only player still in play after all attacks are resolved. More often, retaliatory strikes remove all the players, and there is no winner.

Expansions

Flying Buffalo have released a number of expansions, each of which can be played separately or with the original game.

Nuclear Escalation (1983)

Each player now represents a different country with unique special powers.

Nuclear Proliferation (1992)

Adds deterrents and defensive capabilities.

Weapons of Mass Destruction (2004)

More cards for the game featuring characters from Nodwick, Kenzer and Company and Dork Tower.

Awards

• 1984: Nuclear Escalation - Charles Roberts Award for Best Science Fiction Boardgame of 1983
• 1993: Nuclear Proliferation - Origins Award for Best Fantasy or Science Fiction Boardgame of 1992
• 1998: Nuclear War - inducted into the Origins Adventure Gaming Hall of Fame

External links

Board Game Geek reviews and pictures of the game