Death in the Dark Continent: Wargames in 19th Century Africa

Death in the Dark Continent is a historical tabletop miniature wargame that simulates small-scale battles and large-scale skirmishes in Sub-Saharan Africa between 1870 and 1900.

Core Gameplay & Scale

Scale: Represents tactical engagements ranging from tribal border clashes to imperial conquest campaigns (e.g., the Zulu War and Sudan campaigns).
Basing: Miniature models (typically 28mm) are mounted together on multi-figure element bases (commonly 60mm x 30mm) rather than moving individually.
Army Size: Players typically field 40 to 80 miniatures per side depending on the faction. Tribal forces rely on mass numbers, while European forces use smaller, elite detachments.
Turn Structure: Employs an alternate unit activation system featuring variable movement rates, straightforward shooting, and decisive close combat.

Key Mechanics

Morale-Driven Results: Battles are won or lost primarily through breaking enemy morale and forcing retreats rather than outright physical annihilation.
Disorder System: Units accumulate disorder markers from terrain, weapon fire, or tactical chaos, which degrades their combat effectiveness until rallied.
Tactical Modifiers: Combat resolution utilizes overlapping additive and subtractive D6/D20 dice modifiers to reflect specific weaponry, unit training (from raw to elite), and tactical positioning.
Environmental Hazards: Scenarios frequently integrate unpredictable African terrain and local wildlife hazards, such as crocodile attacks.

Content & Inclusions

80 Army Lists: Comprehensive faction lists covering indigenous African tribes, native kingdoms, coastal slavers, and invading European colonial powers.
Historical Lore: Includes detailed breakdowns of the “Scramble for Africa” alongside contemporary facsimile maps outlining tribal territories.
Bonus Game Modes: Features a dedicated mini-skirmish ruleset and unique rules for big-game hunting.