They Died For Glory uses a rather complex turn structure with 17 different phases. These have been greatly streamlined in the summary above. Both sides alternate phases of movement, morale, fire, melee, and countercharges. The turn order creates a push-pull rhythm where one side advances while the other reacts, often with defensive fire or morale checks. The game clearly wants you to experience the historical reality of the Franco-Prussian War: attacks that begin confidently but gradually disintegrate under modern firepower. The fire combat system is really the centerpiece of the rules. The game models the impact of breech-loading rifles and concentrated artillery. French Chassepot rifles outrange Prussian needle guns, and the French can inflict brutal casualties at long range. Meanwhile, Prussian artillery is extremely dangerous and often becomes the decisive arm later in the battle.

 

But what makes it interesting is the interaction of terrain and formations. Infantry behind walls, inside towns, in woods, or lying prone become dramatically harder to destroy. Meanwhile dense columns in the open can evaporate quickly under artillery or concentrated rifle fire. Infantry can deploy in line, column, deep column, skirmish order, or prone positions, and each formation radically changes what the unit can do and how vulnerable they are.

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The morale system is especially important because units do not simply fight to destruction. Morale checks occur constantly from artillery casualties, melee losses, charges, nearby routing units, and cumulative battlefield pressure. This creates one of the best aspects of the game, where players see formations gradually unravel. Entire sectors of the battlefield can suddenly collapse after appearing stable for several turns.

 

The melee and charge system is comparatively simple but works well because melee is not constant. Unlike Napoleonic games where bayonet charges dominate, here melee feels like the culmination of a deteriorating firefight. Units generally do not want to close unless the enemy is already weakened. Cavalry can exploit exposed flanks, artillery, or broken infantry, but frontal attacks into steady rifle fire are usually disastrous. This gives cavalry an opportunistic role rather than making them battlefield superheroes.

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One very interesting mechanic is the treatment of voluntary fallback movement. Units can deliberately withdraw while facing the enemy, allowing players to conduct fighting retreats and defensive repositioning. This helps the game recreate the historical ebb and flow of Franco-Prussian engagements where formations frequently disengaged, regrouped, and resumed fire from new positions.

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Don't let the 17-step turn sequence fool you. The 51-page rule book (which looks nicer than most modern games released today) includes just 10 pages of actual gameplay rules. Despite handling division- and corps-level engagements, the core mechanics are concise enough that experienced players can move through large battles efficiently. The rest of the book is historical background, illustrations, optional rules, and scenarios.