Star Wars: Battle of Hoth brings the legendary conflict from The Empire Strikes Back to the tabletop using Richard Borg’s familiar Memoir ’44 system. Days of Wonder has once again delivered a high-quality production—solid miniatures, sturdy cards, and smooth, approachable gameplay that captures the theme beautifully.
In the game, players take opposing sides in the famous battle—Imperial versus Rebel—fighting across a hex-grid map representing the icy surface of Hoth. Each turn, players play a Command Card that determines which units can move and attack, with combat resolved by dice rolls. The goal is simple: destroy enemy units or capture key objectives to earn victory points. Games move quickly, usually finishing in about half an hour, making it easy to play multiple rounds in a single session.
The unit variety is limited to three types per side, but each has its own distinct feel. The Imperials have their massive AT-ATs, disciplined Snowtroopers, and fast-moving probe droids, while the Rebels rely on cover, mobility, and smart positioning to hold out. Terrain plays a meaningful role—trenches, ice ridges, and crevasses all affect line of sight and movement, forcing players to think carefully about where to place their forces. The design balances luck and tactics nicely: while dice rolls are certainly decisive, thoughtful planning and good positioning can still make the difference.
Our first play came down to a few key rolls, including several tense moments where the entire outcome hung in the balance. The game produces these “stand-up” moments often—those times when everyone leans forward to see if the dice will deliver glory or disaster. The ending of our game was particularly exciting, decided by one final exchange of fire that could have gone either way. It’s a fast game, but it packs plenty of drama.
The components are what you’d expect from Days of Wonder—well-detailed miniatures, crisp printing, and clever tray organization. The smaller board (seven hexes wide instead of Memoir ’44’s nine) brings the action closer and keeps the pace brisk. Leader cards add a nice extra layer, giving temporary bonuses or special abilities that add flavor without bogging down the flow.
Beyond Hoth, the possibility of expansions for other battles—Endor, anyone?—is especially exciting. The system seems perfectly suited to capturing the tension and drama of multiple iconic Star Wars conflicts, and it’s easy to imagine future expansions or scenarios bringing even more cinematic skirmishes to the table.
Overall, Star Wars: Battle of Hoth is a fast, thematic, and thoroughly enjoyable tactical skirmish game. It isn’t a deep war simulation, but that’s part of its charm—the focus is on quick decisions, cinematic moments, and exciting dice rolls. Fans of Memoir ’44 will appreciate the streamlined tweaks and fresh theme, while Star Wars fans will love reliving one of the saga’s most iconic battles.
The mix of luck and light strategy keeps things tense and fun, and with the short playtime, it’s easy to reset and go again. Our group had a great time with it, and everyone was eager for a rematch.