Wooden Ships & Iron Men

Command sailing ships in historical Age of Sail battles, with wind, hexes and broadsides on a huge ocean map.

Designer: S. Craig Taylor
Published by: The Avalon Hill Game Co
Editions by: Battleline

Wooden Ships & Iron Men is a tactical naval wargame of the Age of Sail, published in 1974 and still a reference for cannons and canvas. Two players take fleets from a whole catalogue of historical scenarios, form their lines of ships and trade broadsides across a large ocean map overlaid with hexes. Ships take up two hexes and have special movement and firing rules, so wind, angle and timing matter. You can start with a small skirmish and work up to a full fleet battle. It is a long, detailed, dice-driven game for anyone who wants the smell of gunpowder on the tabletop. Patience is part of the price of admission.

Many historical scenarios, from skirmish to fleetShips occupy two hexes with special rulesOrders written in advance, revealed together

Who it's for

You love naval history and detailed old-school wargames, and you have a patient opponent and a free afternoon.

Not for you if…

You want a quick, light game. This is a long, detail-heavy simulation for two.

Vibe's take

Deliberate and detailed. You commit your orders in advance, then watch your plan meet the dice, and every battle becomes a small piece of naval history.