Leviathans Great War Starter Box

Pre-order. Expected in December 2026.

From the Publisher:

Leviathans is a tabletop miniatures game that uses the innovative modular dice system of color-coded dice and easy-to-read physical record-keeping cards that allow for quick and easy play while retaining the depth of strategy that will encourage repeat play.

This expands on the original edition, adding new abilities, ships and factions past what was in the original edition, while advancing the timeline directly into the The Great War era.

Each game centers around moving our pre-painted miniatures across a hex board, trying to out-maneuver your opponent. Players will fire various weapons at each other's ships until either an objective is completed or the enemy falls from the sky. The base game comes with German and French fleets, additional Fleets are planned.

Leviathans prides itself as a game that is easy-to-learn, while having a large amount of tactics and replayability.

Step into a thrilling alternate-history 1910s sky-navy conflict with the Leviathans: The Great War – Starter Box from Catalyst Game Labs. Designed for 2 to 4 players with epic fleet clashes running 90 to 180 minutes, this standalone core box serves as the ultimate gateway into high-flying dieselpunk tactical warfare.

Command massive floating battleships and nimble air cruisers as the British Royal Navy and Imperial German Kaiserliche Luftmarine duel for control of the skies over Europe. Complete with high-detail pre-assembled miniatures, double-sided hex maps, custom ship record cards, and a polyhedral dice engine tracking structural damage and system breaches, this starter box delivers unmatched visual spectacle and deep naval strategy straight to your tabletop.

Alternate-History Setting & Skies of Flame

Leviathans: The Great War presents a dark, captivating alternate timeline where the discovery of gravity-defying electroid technology in the late 19th century transformed naval warfare forever. Instead of battleships clashing on the ocean, massive steel Leviathans float high above the clouds, raining down devastating broadsides and launching screening operations over the war-torn landscapes of Europe.

The Starter Box immerses you directly into the escalating conflict between the world's premier sky superpowers: the British Empire and the German Empire. Players take operational command of full fleets—balancing heavy dreadnought line tactics with fast cruiser screening maneuvers to dominate key air corridors.

Tactical Mechanics & Unique Ship Management

At the core of Leviathans is an incredibly satisfying blend of classical naval maneuver and detailed vessel management. Rather than simple hit-point tracking, each ship acts as a living, dynamic machine:

• Individual Component Damage: Utilizing specialized Ship Record Cards, players track precise damage across hull plates, engines, turrets, steering gears, and crew compartments.
• Polyhedral Dice Combat Engine: Weapon strikes roll custom polyhedral dice pools (ranging from d4s to d12s) to determine strike locations, structural breaches, and catastrophic internal fires.
• Altitude & Momentum: Navigating the skies requires managing vessel speed, turn arcs, and altitude shifts to gain superior firing angles or slip past lethal enemy broadsides.

Complete All-in-One Core Contents

The Leviathans: The Great War Starter Box contains everything required to launch immediate sky fleet battles out of the box:

• Pre-Assembled Pre-painted Miniatures: Multiple finely detailed, high-impact plastic miniatures representing British and German battleships and cruisers.
• Playable Maps & Accessories: Large, double-sided mounted hex maps depicting atmospheric cloudscapes, alongside movement templates, reference sheets, and punched game tokens.
• Comprehensive Rulebooks: Includes both a streamlined Quick-Start rulebook for rapid learning and a complete Rulebook detailing advanced scenarios, fleet building, and terrain rules.

With its modular fleet point values and flexible map setups, the box offers immense replayability. It supports head-to-head duels, 4-player team games, or solo scenario testing with equal ease.

BOARDGAMEGENERAL ADVICE

Expert Recommendation

At Boardgamegeneral, we love the sheer thematic weight and tabletop presence of Leviathans: The Great War. It hits a brilliant sweet spot: offering the rich, granular system damage of classic naval wargames (like Star Trek: Star Fleet Battles) without getting bogged down in endless bookkeeping.

The standout feature of this starter box is the ship damage tracking. Watching a enemy battleship lose its port engines, catch fire, and struggle to maneuver into a firing arc feels genuinely cinematic. It treats every ship as a complex behemoth rather than a generic piece on a board.

A key consideration for prospective commanders is table space and setup time. The game's mounted hex maps and detailed ship record cards require a good amount of space to play comfortably. However, if you love tactical positioning, alternate-history lore, or dieselpunk miniatures, this box is a magnificent triumph.

Verdict: The ultimate introduction to dieselpunk naval combat. Exceptional component quality and deep tactical mechanics make this starter box a must-have centerpiece for miniature and historical wargamers alike.