Fire in the Lake
1–4 players • 180 min • ages 16+ • GMT Games • 2014
- Publisher
- GMT Games
- First published
- 2014
- Players
- 1–4 players
- Playing time
- 180 min
- Age
- 16+
How it plays
Fire in the Lake plays 1–4 players, takes about 180 minutes to play, and is recommended for ages 16 and up.
Where to find one
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Where it came from
Fire in the Lake was published in 2014 as the fourth entry in GMT Games' COIN (Counter-Insurgency) series. Designed by Mark Herman and Volko Ruhnke, the game focuses on the Vietnam War, shifting the series' mechanical focus toward a more complex political and military landscape. The development process sought to balance the asymmetrical objectives of the four factions—the US, the South Vietnamese government, the North Vietnamese Army, and the Viet Cong—reflecting the multifaceted nature of the conflict rather than a traditional battle simulation.
The game is noted for its deep historical research and its ability to represent the 'hearts and minds' struggle alongside conventional military operations. Designers Herman and Ruhnke aimed to force players into difficult tactical and strategic compromises that mirror the dilemmas faced by decision-makers during the war. It was received with high critical acclaim within the hobbyist community for its technical rigor and its success in translating modern counter-insurgency theory into a functional, historical board game.
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Who's collecting this
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About Fire in the Lake
Fire in the Lake is a game in the Board Games catalog on collecto.rs. 1–4 players • 180 min • ages 16+ • GMT Games • 2014. Catalog data is sourced from Wikidata. No public games collectors track this one yet — adding yours would make you the first on collecto.rs.
How do you play Fire in the Lake?
Fire in the Lake is a board game for 1–4 players, running about 3 hours. collecto.rs catalogues the game, not its rules — the rulebook is the publisher's to distribute, and their own site is the authoritative source: https://www.gmtgames.com/p-903-fire-in-the-lake-3rd-printing.aspx
How many players is Fire in the Lake for?
Fire in the Lake is built for 1–4 players. That count comes from this catalog entry alone — nothing from an expansion or a spin-off is folded into it.
How long does Fire in the Lake take to play?
A game of Fire in the Lake is listed at about 3 hours. Real sessions run shorter or longer depending on player count and how well the table already knows the game.
What age is Fire in the Lake for?
Fire in the Lake lists a minimum age of 16. That's a recommended starting age rather than a hard rule.
Who publishes Fire in the Lake?
Fire in the Lake is published by GMT Games. The catalog gives its publication year as 2014.
How many collectors track Fire in the Lake on collecto.rs?
Fire in the Lake doesn't have any public collectors on collecto.rs yet. Sign up to add it and become the first.
Can I track my own copy of Fire in the Lake?
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Where does the Fire in the Lake catalog entry come from?
The catalog entry for Fire in the Lake is sourced from Wikidata. Catalog-level facts stay consistent across every collector; your own data (condition, edition, acquisition notes) is yours.
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