Korea: Fire and Ice

Korea: Fire and Ice is an operational-level wargame covering the first year of the Korean War using the Operational Scale System.

Players command large formations across a map where divisions are the primary maneuver units and each turn represents a week of campaigning. The system centers on a flexible impulse-based movement structure: all units may move once, but additional movement can be pushed further—at the cost of supply. This creates a constant tension between maintaining momentum and avoiding overextension.

Supply is the core of the game. Advancing forces will see their logistics stretched, making it increasingly difficult to sustain offensive operations. At the same time, detection plays a critical role—finding and fixing enemy forces is often the difference between success and missed opportunity.

Beyond ground combat, the game includes key aspects of the wider conflict: jet combat between F-86 Sabres and MiG-15s, naval support and amphibious operations, political constraints, and even the possibility of escalation through Soviet intervention or nuclear weapons. These elements give the campaign a broader strategic context without overwhelming the operational focus.

Multiple scenarios allow for shorter engagements or extended campaigns, while the full grand campaign offers a deep look at the war’s opening year. This makes it suitable both for players looking for a contained session and those wanting a more extended operational challenge.

Contents include: a 48-page rulebook, a 24-page scenario book, three 22” x 34” maps, five displays and charts, two 9/16” countersheets, four dice, and a box.