Top BGG Ranked Wargames of the Decade
David Dockter
United States
Minnesota
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Despite being labeled by Time Magazine as "The Decade from Hell" for society in general, it was truly a second golden age of wargaming. Did a search of wargames published 2000 > 2009. And, used those titles on the Top 100 BGG Wargames list (Dec 16th), plus a few other highly rated (7.00+ - and at least 100 ratings) and one or two titles I really dig.
Games are listed by year. And, I included a ranking from the BGG Top 100 Wargame list (if the title made that list). And, a few comments here and there.
Regarding the games: 34 WWII games (under the usual 50/50 hobby split)...and ONLY 3 Battle of the Bulge titles in this group of about 80 wargames  By mechanics: looks like less than 1/2 (I counted about 35) are the traditional hex-counter games we grew-up with. 12 Card Driven Wargames (CDWs), about 10 block games, and about 20 other types (card assisted, plastic men, etc). However, although those games employ cards, blocks, plastic, and what not, they are still very similar to what we have been playing the last 50 years with the big exception of little downtime (much more interactive) between plays (verses the old days of - "oh, it's your turn? I think I will go mow the lawn.")
Regarding game co's, I counted 29 from GMT, 15 from MMP and the rest from the smaller game co's in the hobby (Clash of Arms, Decision Games, L2, etc). Good to see that diversity of smaller wargame co's surviving.
I also counted about 14 monster games, which, is great news to see them so prevlant on the list of high ranked wargames. No way of life games though in the mode of Empire in Arms, World in Flames or ASL. Maybe those won't ever be replaced.
Many of these games got a BIG push from ACTS, Consim, BGG, Vassal, Cyberboard and the Podcasts - none of which really existed in the 90s.
If you have a spare $5,000, you could buy the whole list; assuming 80 games at an average price of $65 (some monsters push up the average price).
This list fits within an analysis of the Top 100 BGG Ranked Wargames I conducted a few weeks ago:
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/475267/quick-analysis-of...
...and a more in-depth analysis of wargaming 1958 > 2008:
http://www.thewargamer.com/grognard/gamedata.pdf
Feel free to add if I missed some (that didn't make the cut) - and indicate a reason why the game is so great.
I'll prune from the list if we get any clunkers 
Let's hope "The Teens (2010 > 2019)" produce a wealth of wargaming titles similar to "The Naughts".
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David Dockter
United States
Minnesota
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Year 2000. #55 of the BGG list (as of Dec 16). Had to laugh that this old foogie kick'd off the list; many of us played the Milton Bradley version about 40 years ago. Entry level game - and there were alot of those this decade (M44, C&C, TOI, etc). And a remake - and there were al number of those this decade. Ditto with series games.
What's new? A ton of Card Driven Wargames from the We the People and Paths of Glory 1990s tribe. And, the comeback of big honkin monster wargames during the decade. Both the CDWs and monsters were aided significantly by Cyberboard & Vassal.
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David Dockter
United States
Minnesota
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2000. Part of well regarded series. First of 29 GMT games making the list; picking up the weight previously carried by Avalon Hill classic before its unfortunate demise. And, first of 22 games on this list I have purchased, and really want to play, and, sadly, haven't been able to. I've got enough unplayed games from just this decade to last me for the next one! Well, maybe not.
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David Dockter
United States
Minnesota
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2001. #29. Card Driven Wargame (CDW). Very clever design; seems to fit the actual historic conflict like a glove. Next game out by the designer is Labyrinth on the current dust up in Iraq/Afghan/etc
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David Dockter
United States
Minnesota
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2001. #98. First monster on the list in a decade that produced a truckload of them. Good to see the hobby still producing opera's and not silly 30 minute sitcoms. ;-)
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David Dockter
United States
Minnesota
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2001. Not that widely played, but those of us that have played it recommend this one by Ted R.
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David Dockter
United States
Minnesota
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2001. #50. Fantastic series - Great Campaigns of the American Civil War. Good to see game system still supported by the hobby - with another GCACW title from MMP out shortly.
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David Dockter
United States
Minnesota
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2002. #87. CDW. Fun follow-up by Ted R to Paths of Glory. Original took some heat, but the sharks stepped in, made suggestions, and Ted R. responded. Upgraded rules/cards play well. Still, one of the few playable (one long day)/fun wargames on the whole European Threatre with enough chrome to keep the nutcases interested and challenged.
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David Dockter
United States
Minnesota
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2002. #19. That crazy tower!
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David Dockter
United States
Minnesota
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2002. #15. A block game that has gotten a ton of play.
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David Dockter
United States
Minnesota
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2002. How doesn't this one make the list of the Top 100 wargames?
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David Dockter
United States
Minnesota
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2002. I'm going to add this under-rated game to the list; the only one on the list on Vietnam. Played it a few weeks ago; want to play it more soon. Hopefully, a few Vietnam strategic level titles stuck in the pipeline will appear soon.
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David Dockter
United States
Minnesota
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2003. #99. Clash of Arms detailed airware sim and one of the "heaviest" games on the list. One of three Clash of Arms games on the list.
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David Dockter
United States
Minnesota
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2003. #38. Great game system on ancient tactical scale.
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David Dockter
United States
Minnesota
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2003. #100. Another block game. Will be good to be playing Mr.Herman's new card driven wargame involving this conflict, Washington's War, in a month or two.
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David Dockter
United States
Minnesota
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2003. #27. ...and another block game. Playable in a few sessions, covering WWII European Theatre. I have a few friends that rave about the sequel - Asia Engulfed - further down on the list.
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David Dockter
United States
Minnesota
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2003. #62. Highly regarded game on a subject that has very few games. Did a poll on BGG earlier this year on why so few games on Vietnam. Someone suggested "because the USA lost, and, wasn't a clear cut force against the dark side war". Not sure why Korea hasn't got much coverage by the hobby.
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David Dockter
United States
Minnesota
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2003. Not on the BGG list, but, oooooooh, any wargame with counters for dogs with bombs strap'd on their backs has got to make the list. Truly epic game. Remember seeing it set up a few times at Don-Con in Hunt Valley. And, any list of wargames MUST include a game or two on Stalingrad.
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David Dockter
United States
Minnesota
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2003. #66. What would any wargame list be without a Battle of the Bulge game? l2's other entry on the list.
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David Dockter
United States
Minnesota
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2003. #52....and another Bulge Game. Never knew if I should try this one or Bitter Woods.
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David Dockter
United States
Minnesota
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2004. #6. A wargame? Well, a fantasy wargame.
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David Dockter
United States
Minnesota
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2004. #88. CDW.
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David Dockter
United States
Minnesota
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2004. #31. Entry level game.
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David Dockter
United States
Minnesota
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2004. #21. Innovative card assisted wargame. Still unplayed in my closet.
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David Dockter
United States
Minnesota
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2004. #44.
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25.
Board Game: DAK2
[Average Rating:8.28 Overall Rank:803]
David Dockter
United States
Minnesota
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2004. #34. Game from popular WWII OCS series of Case Blue fame.
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Posted Mon Dec 28, 2009 9:48 pm
