Author Archives: theory

General Strategy: Reshuffles

Posted on December 15, 2011 by theory

In a typical game of Twilight Struggle, the draw deck will reshuffle while dealing out the cards for Turns 3 and 7.  Occasionally, the deck will reshuffle immediately before Turn 10 as well. What this means is that cards can … Continue reading →

Posted in General Strategy | 14 Comments

General Strategy: Events vs Operations

Posted on December 14, 2011 by theory

The overarching paradigm of Twilight Struggle is that events create opportunities, and Operations are how you take advantage of those opportunities.  Accordingly, you should treat events not as your primary source of influence, but rather as gamechangers that break open … Continue reading →

Posted in General Strategy | 7 Comments

Fidel

Posted on December 14, 2011 by theory

Fidel 1959 Coming to power after deposing the corrupt Batista, Castro disenchanted the US after it became clear he was leading a Marxist revolution. The US tried various schemes to depose or assassinate Castro, culminating in the disastrous “Bay of … Continue reading →

Posted in Early War, USSR Events | Tagged | 9 Comments

Regions: Asia

Posted on December 14, 2011 by theory

Asia Scoring While Europe may have been the object of the Cold War, Asia was the battleground. From the Chinese Civil War, to the Korean War to Vietnam and Afghanistan, Asia was the place where the Cold War came closest … Continue reading →

Posted in Early War, Neutral Events, Regions | Tagged | 6 Comments

Socialist Governments

Posted on December 13, 2011 by theory

Socialist Governments 1947 Beginning with the end of the Second World War, the US was challenged by democratic leftist movements within its sphere. Italy, under de Gasperi, was particularly contentious with communists and socialists participating in government. The CIA funded … Continue reading →

Posted in Early War, USSR Events | Tagged | 1 Comment

Battlegrounds: Thailand

Posted on December 12, 2011 by theory

Experienced players know that the road to Asian domination begins and ends in Thailand. Assuming that the USSR keeps Pakistan, India, and North Korea (generally safe assumptions in the Early War), the US needs both South Korea and Thailand to … Continue reading →

Posted in Battlegrounds | Tagged | 6 Comments

General Strategy: DEFCON

Posted on December 12, 2011 by theory

One of the most important rules in Twilight Struggle is that you lose the game if DEFCON drops to 1 on your turn.  It doesn’t matter who “caused” it: if it happened on your watch, you’re responsible for humanity’s destruction. … Continue reading →

Posted in General Strategy | Tagged | 25 Comments

General Strategy: Turn 1

Posted on December 12, 2011 by theory

The first turn of Twilight Struggle is arguably the most important one.  An empty board means that the board is rife with both opportunity and pitfalls.  Even the smallest mistake early on can have dramatic ramifications: misplaying into Asia on … Continue reading →

Posted in General Strategy | 36 Comments

General Strategy: Opening Setup

Posted on December 12, 2011 by theory

Each side begins the game with the ability to place Influence in Europe.  (Note that this is Influence, not Operations points for influence.)  The USSR can place up to 6 in Eastern Europe, while the US can place 7 in … Continue reading →

Posted in General Strategy | 73 Comments

Regions: Europe

Posted on December 12, 2011 by theory

Europe Scoring Some Cold War historians view the entire struggle, costing millions of lives, untold trillions of dollars, and conflict around the globe, as a struggle for the future of Germany. While that view may be too myopic, it is … Continue reading →

Posted in Early War, Neutral Events, Regions | Tagged | 7 Comments