Old School Tactical vol 4 : For The Empire

For the Empire is an expansion for Old School Tactical Vol. 4: Italian Theater 1943–1945 published by Flying Pig Games. It introduces Canadian and New Zealand Commonwealth forces, along with elite German Fallschirmjäger, covering key operations of the Italian Campaign from 1943 to 1945. The Vol. 4 base game is required.

Game system

The expansion adds new nationalities, units, and tactical situations while remaining fully compatible with the core Old School Tactical rules.

New content includes:

• Canadian forces;
• New Zealand forces;
• German Fallschirmjäger;
• additional infantry, leaders, support weapons, and vehicles;
• new unit data cards;
• new historical tactical situations.

The core mechanics remain unchanged, including alternating activation, fog of war, command, morale, infantry and vehicle combat, and terrain effects.

Included scenarios

The expansion includes 14 historical scenarios featuring Canadian and New Zealand operations during the Italian Campaign.

Featured engagements include:

Albaneta Farm

The 20th New Zealand Armoured Regiment attempts to outflank the German defenses at Monte Cassino.

Ortona

Canadian forces battle German Fallschirmjäger during the brutal urban fighting known as the "Italian Stalingrad."

Additional scenarios depict:

• Monte Cassino;
• the Hitler Line;
• Apennine mountain operations;
• German counterattacks;
• urban and mountain warfare.

Objective

The Allied player must combine Commonwealth mobility and firepower to break through German defensive positions.

The German player must exploit strong terrain and elite Fallschirmjäger units to delay the Allied advance.

Players

2 players

Playing time

60–180 minutes.

Complexity

Medium

The expansion greatly increases tactical variety while preserving the accessibility of the core system.

Game scale

Period: 1943–1945

Level: Tactical

Units: Squads, leaders, support weapons, armored vehicles, and transports

Replayability

14 historical scenarios

Canadian and New Zealand forces

German Fallschirmjäger

Fully compatible with the Old School Tactical system

Excellent tactical variety

Components (indicative)

2 die-cut counter sheets

Additional unit data cards

Full-color playbook with 14 scenarios

Player aids.