Fulcrum Leader Core Game

The battle for supremacy in the skies over Germany between NATO and the Warsaw Pact is about to begin! In this double offering, Eagle Leader and Fulcrum Leader puts you in command of the combat aircraft from NATO and Warsaw Pact forces, in the European cold war setting of the mid-80s.

In Eagle Leader and Fulcrum Leader, your responsibility as the wing commander, is to organize and integrate your aircraft in different roles. These include air superiority, strike, SEAD (suppression of enemy air defences) and electronic jamming, allowing you to employ a diverse array of weapons to accomplish the missions tasked to you.

Air Leader games are designed as solitaire or cooperative tactical card-based games for one or more players, where you select and arm a squadron of aircraft, and deploy your aircraft to attack their targets over multiple-day campaigns.

Fulcrum Leader offers an array of Soviet Frontal Aviation aircraft ranging from the venerable MiG-21 and MiG-23 to the early models of the more sophisticated MiG-29 and Su-27 fighters. They will be reinforced by other auxiliary aircraft such as the A-50, MiG-25R and Yak-28, which can provide advanced weapons or specific capabilities to support your mission. And there will be a Political Officer - a Zampolit - who can help or hinder your progress, and will constantly monitor your loyalty and fitness to command.

Gameplay:

Eagle Leader and Fulcrum Leader are the latest titles to join the Air Leader catalog, which includes Hornet Leader, Phantom Leader and Israeli Air Force Leader.

A key part of the game is mission planning. You decide how to arm your aircraft with the right ordnance for the targets you are attacking. You will also choose which pilots are best suited for the mission based on their skills. Pilots will gain experience for each mission flown, but their capability will degrade if they are flown too often.

As a solitaire wargame, the game system "A.I." handles all the enemy decisions and actions which will thwart your mission plans. You will have to respond to the unexpected events and hostile attacks faced by your pilots. Achieve mission success by destroying the target, and earning enough victory points to win the campaign.

Each game incudes:

• 17" x 11" gameboard
• 1 Rulebook
• At least 280 cards (depending on Stretch Goals)
• Player Help Sheet, Skill Sheet and Key Terms Sheet
• Player Log Sheet
• 500+ counters
• d10 dice

Designer: Benjamin Chee

Flip the perspective of Cold War air warfare in Fulcrum Leader: Soviet Frontal Aviation by Dan Verssen Games (DVG). Designed by Dan Verssen, this premier solitaire tactical air-combat board game puts you in command of Soviet, Warsaw Pact, and allied air regiments operating iconic Russian aircraft like the MiG-29 Fulcrum, Su-27 Flanker, and Su-25 Frogfoot.

Designed primarily for 1 player (with seamless 2-player co-op capability), Fulcrum Leader flips the traditional western viewpoint of DVG’s Leader series. Balance pilot fatigue, ammunition shortages, political pressure from political officers (Zampolits), and Ground Control Intercept (GCI) logistics across campaigns in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

Tactical Air Warfare from the Soviet Perspective

While previous titles in DVG's acclaimed Leader series focused on Western air forces (such as Phantom Leader and Hornet Leader), Fulcrum Leader turns the tables. You assume command of Soviet Frontal Aviation (VVS) regiments during late Cold War and post-Soviet operational campaigns.

Instead of Western air-superiority doctrines, you must navigate unique Soviet-era operational constraints: relying on Ground Control Intercept (GCI) stations for target acquisition, managing political loyalty metrics alongside pilot stress, and operating heavy-hitting yet maintenance-intensive aircraft.

Core Gameplay & Unique System Features

Fulcrum Leader brings several distinct mechanics that set it apart from previous entries in the series:

• Diverse Aircraft Roster: Fly classic Soviet and Russian airframes including the MiG-21 Fishbed, MiG-23 Flogger, MiG-29 Fulcrum, MiG-31 Foxhound, Su-24 Fencer, Su-25 Frogfoot, and Su-27 Flanker.
• Ground Control Intercept (GCI) Mechanics: Soviet doctrine relies heavily on ground stations to vector fighters toward targets. Protecting your GCI network and utilizing its guidance is vital for securing favorable engagement angles against NATO adversaries.
• Zampolit & Political Stress: Manage political officers and doctrine requirements. Decisions on the tarmac impact not just mission success and pilot skill levels, but also party standing and squad morale.
• Varied Campaign Settings: Includes hypothetical WWII-turned-hot scenarios, late-1980s NATO vs. Warsaw Pact clashes in Central Europe, the Soviet-Afghan War, and regional conflicts in the Middle East and Asia.

Component Quality & Presentation

The core box includes hundreds of high-quality cards (covering pilots, targets, events, and ordnance), multiple sheets of thick counters for aircraft and munitions tracking, campaign sheets, a mounted tactical display board, log sheets, and ten-sided dice.

BOARDGAMEGENERAL ADVICE

Expert Recommendation

Fulcrum Leader is a fascinating evolution in the DVG solitaire system. By shifting the perspective to Soviet doctrine, it offers a fresh tactical puzzle for series veterans while remaining completely accessible to new solo wargamers.

The addition of GCI mechanics and political oversight adds distinct thematic flavor that separates it from Phantom Leader or Hornet Leader. If your customers enjoy aviation history, solitaire wargames, or alternate Cold War history, this core box is a stellar addition to their collection.

Verdict: The definitive Soviet air-warfare simulation—rich in atmospheric detail, pilot progression, and engaging solo tactics.