Dangerous Skies: WWI Air Rules 2025

Dangerous Skies is a fast play set of rules that represent aerial warfare during the Great War. Taking place just a decade after man’s first tentative ‘hops’ into the air, at the start of the war, early aircraft were fragile and prone to structural and mechanical failure. It took a very special breed of men to fly these aircraft, let alone to do anything else whilst actually in the air. Indeed, more crew died as a result of accidents or mechanical failure than enemy action. However by the end of the war, most modern strategies and tactics had evolved, many of which can be traced to modern times.

The rules work well for any number of players up to 20 per side, though approximately 12 players works best. Players each fly a single aircraft, pitting their wits against opponents. Novices can be easy prey to the more experienced pilot, but even they get lucky sometimes, and beware the two-seater observer’s arc of fire.

The rules include nine scenarios representing real events that happened during WWI (which were often one-sided either in numbers, skills or both). Can you do better than the aces mentioned, or will you be another victim of the Red Baron (and become another commemorative cup).

The rules include statistics for 44 Allied and 30 Axis aircraft covering the various theatres of the First World War (more can be requested). The game needs a hex mat (sized according to the aircraft models used) and sets of red and white dice, preferably in closed containers. Why not research into this fascinating period of aviation history and create your own battles and campaigns.

—description from the designer