Eagles in the sky

Silk scarves fluttering in the breeze, leather helmets snugly in place, the whisper of wind through taut wires as you navigate over the treacherous expanse of No Man's Land, vigilant for the telltale signs of enemy aircraft. In an instant, your keen eyes spot one, prompting you to plunge your aircraft into a daring descent, emerging from the blinding sun...

"Eagles in the Sky" takes flight as a dynamic 2-player card-based game that thrusts you into the heart of airborne combat during the final year and a half of the First World War. With authority, each player commands a squadron of 1 to 6 aircraft, embarking on a variety of missions including patrols, reconnaissance flights, and even the audacious task of balloon destruction.

Within the game's scope lie the entire spectrum of aircraft that once dominated the Western Front during that era, including iconic models such as the Fokker triplane, the Sopwith Camel, the SPAD XIII, and the Fokker DVII.

"Eagles in the Sky" offers two distinct modes of play: individual skirmishes or in-depth campaigns. In the latter, players assume control of squadrons, embarking on a series of missions spanning 5 days. Throughout these endeavors, considerations encompass losses, pilot fatigue, and the directives from higher command.

Each engagement is encapsulated within 8 intense turns, with each turn, save the initial one, commencing with an unpredictable random event. These events can shift the balance by adding or subtracting aircraft from the fray, introducing flak fire, or instigating other game-changing effects. The initiative is then determined, followed by the drawing of cards based on the scout count within a flight and the prowess of the flight leader. Subsequently, players, commencing with the initiative holder, strategically deploy cards to activate their aircraft. Activation options span from targeted actions, including attacks against airborne adversaries or ground installations, to untargeted actions such as resolving weapon malfunctions. When targeting enemy aircraft, the targeted player can respond with a card of their own. Aircraft positioning hinges on ratings and card interactions, dictating the potential for an attack. The outcomes of these aerial skirmishes are decided by drawing cards and referencing the combat segment to gauge success and assess inflicted damage.

The campaign mode deepens the engagement, with each day commencing by drawing cards to determine the missions unfolding that day. As the day progresses, players sequentially resolve missions, a process that starts with the assignment of aircraft and pilots. Although a pilot can take to the skies multiple times in a day at the player's discretion, this comes at the cost of accumulating fatigue, which can eventually incapacitate the pilot.

Missions transpire as either engagements, adhering to the foundational rules, or encounters that thrust players' aircraft into clashes against non-player-controlled opposing forces. As the day concludes, fatigue amongst pilots recedes, damaged aircraft are repaired, and the task of acquiring replacements for lost aircraft and pilots ensues.

The pace of the game is swift; a one-on-one dogfight might be concluded within 15 minutes, while a comprehensive campaign can span a fulfilling evening. The game's arsenal includes a play mat, 140 aircraft counters measuring 1" square, 176 markers of 5/8” square, 110 cards, as well as an assortment of play aids and record sheets.