Retro (4th Edition)

Retro, 4th edition is a tactical, squad-level World War II combat variant rules set. Its goal is to provide players--experienced and inexperienced alike--with simplified rules to enable them to play and enjoy tactical wargames and modules without having to master hundreds of pages of rules and a steep learning curve. You must own the necessary components (counters and mapsheets) of the "host" game to utilize Retro.

The variant was originally written assuming that Avalon Hill's Squad Leader and Advanced Squad Leader was the host system, and this edition continues that tradition, even though gamers have used Retro with other tactical World War II games from various publishers.

Retro covers the various nationalities and theaters of the war, but using a greatly simplified sequence of play. This shortened, "I go/You go" sequence utilizing the "Hesitation" rule, and a new Infantry Fire Table which makes morale checks unnecessary are the biggest modifications to the standard game, although streamlining and simplification has also been applied to a myriad of details, including those for AFV and vehicular combat.

To quote the variant's Introduction, Retro is not for the gamer who thinks "more is better" when it comes to chrome and realism and process, but is offered to those who think that "less is acceptable" and even preferable, in the name of straightforward playability.

Retro, 4th edition consists of a 36-page rulebook, two double-sided Reference cards, seven scenarios, and a set of 70 uncut color card counters. The rules are unchanged from the 3rd edition, apart from a new Introduction, and rules layout.