V for Victory WWII Wargame: Rules, History & Beginner's Guide

What does it take to lead a platoon of soldiers through the chaos of World War II? In V for Victory, success isn't simply about having the most powerful weapons. It's about maintaining morale, coordinating your troops, exploiting terrain and making the right decisions when everything starts going wrong.

Published by Studio Tomahawk, V for Victory is a historical World War II tabletop miniatures game designed for two to four players. It recreates platoon-level engagements in which infantry, support weapons and armoured vehicles fight over objectives inspired by the real battles of the Second World War.

Unlike larger wargames that require hundreds of miniatures, V for Victory can be played with approximately 30 figures per side on a relatively compact battlefield. Its approachable rules and emphasis on leadership make it an interesting alternative for fans of Bolt Action and other WWII miniature games.

In this guide, we'll explore the historical background of V for Victory, briefly explain its rules, introduce the playable nations and show you how to get started with your first army.

We'll also look at the V for Victory: From Poland to Sicily campaign supplement available at TistaMinis, which expands the game into the early years of World War II.

What Is V for Victory?

V for Victory is a World War II miniatures wargame developed by Studio Tomahawk, the publisher known for historical tabletop systems including Saga and Muskets & Tomahawks.

Released in 2024, V for Victory focuses on the challenges of commanding soldiers during the Second World War.

Rather than representing entire divisions or large formations, the game concentrates on smaller engagements where the actions of individual platoons can determine the outcome of a battle.

Players command infantry supported by machine guns, mortars, light vehicles and armoured fighting vehicles.

The rules are designed to be accessible while preserving the uncertainty and tension of historical combat.

What Makes V for Victory Different?

• Platoon-level battles: command a manageable force rather than an entire army.
• Morale and cohesion: leadership and maintaining fighting effectiveness are central to the experience.
• Historical scenarios: recreate engagements inspired by the Second World War.
• 28mm miniatures: use a wide selection of compatible historical figures.
• Compact battlefields: a typical game uses a 4 × 4 ft table.
• Multiple nations: field American, British, German, Soviet and partisan forces.
• Campaign potential: connect individual engagements into a larger historical narrative.

The Historical Story Behind V for Victory

Unlike science-fiction or fantasy miniature games, V for Victory doesn't have a fictional universe or invented storyline.

Instead, its setting is the real history of World War II, a global conflict fought between 1939 and 1945.

The game focuses on the experiences of the soldiers who fought during that conflict, particularly the difficult decisions faced by junior officers and platoon commanders.

For these men, victory was rarely decided by grand strategic plans alone.

Success often depended on whether a squad could hold a farmhouse, whether a machine-gun team could suppress an advancing enemy or whether a platoon commander could rally exhausted soldiers after a costly attack.

These smaller engagements are the foundation of V for Victory.

The War Through the Eyes of a Platoon Commander

Imagine commanding a British platoon advancing through the countryside of Normandy in the summer of 1944.

Your objective is simple: capture a crossroads before German reinforcements arrive.

However, your soldiers encounter unexpected machine-gun fire from a fortified farmhouse.

One squad becomes pinned down. Another attempts to advance through a nearby orchard. Your supporting Bren gun team opens fire while a mortar section prepares to engage the enemy position.

You must decide whether to press the attack, manoeuvre around the farmhouse or regroup before continuing.

Even if your force has more soldiers, poor coordination could turn the engagement into a defeat.

This is an illustrative scenario rather than a specific mission from the rulebook, but it captures the type of tactical challenge V for Victory is designed to represent.

V for Victory Rules Explained: How Does the Game Work?

One of V for Victory's most appealing features is its emphasis on command and morale.

The rules aim to represent the difficulty of maintaining control over soldiers while they are under fire.

1. Commanding Your Platoon

Players command a platoon consisting of several infantry squads and supporting elements.

Successful commanders must coordinate their units rather than treating every soldier as an independent fighter.

Good leadership helps troops carry out objectives and remain effective during difficult engagements.

2. Movement and Positioning

Movement and battlefield positioning are important elements of the game.

Players must consider terrain, enemy firing positions and the location of objectives before advancing their troops.

Using buildings, hedgerows, forests and other terrain can help reduce exposure to enemy fire.

A poorly positioned squad may become vulnerable even when equipped with effective weapons.

3. Shooting and Combat

V for Victory includes rules for infantry weapons, support weapons and vehicles.

Players can field rifles, automatic weapons, machine guns and other historically appropriate equipment.

Combat is about more than inflicting casualties.

Enemy fire can disrupt a unit's ability to act effectively, creating opportunities for manoeuvre and attacks against objectives.

4. Morale and Unit Cohesion

Morale is one of the defining mechanics of V for Victory.

Units must remain cohesive and responsive to their commanders despite the pressure of enemy fire.

A force that becomes disorganized may struggle to accomplish its objectives even if it hasn't suffered devastating casualties.

This encourages players to consider the psychological effects of combat rather than focusing entirely on eliminating enemy miniatures.

5. Support Weapons and Vehicles

The rules include support weapons and light or armoured vehicles.

These units provide additional tactical options, but they also require coordination with infantry.

For example, a machine gun might help suppress enemy troops while infantry advances, while an armoured vehicle can provide additional firepower against a defended position.

6. Scenarios and Victory Conditions

Rather than simply fighting until one side is destroyed, V for Victory uses scenarios that give players specific objectives.

The core rulebook includes ten two-player scenarios and one four-player team scenario.

These provide opportunities to recreate different types of engagements and encourage varied tactical decisions.

V for Victory at a Glance

Playable Nations and Forces in V for Victory

The core rulebook provides orders of battle for several major WWII powers, focusing on the final years of the conflict.

United States Army

American forces are an appealing choice for players interested in the Allied campaigns across Western Europe.

US infantry formations can be supported by machine guns, mortars and armoured vehicles.

Historically, American units benefited from substantial logistical support and an extensive range of military equipment.

For tabletop collectors, US infantry are widely available in 28mm, making them a practical first army.

Recommended theme: US infantry fighting through Normandy or the German border regions in 1944–1945.

Great Britain and the Commonwealth

British and Commonwealth forces participated in major operations across Europe, North Africa and the Mediterranean.

Players can recreate infantry engagements involving British rifle sections, Bren gun teams, mortars and supporting armour.

The range of possible historical settings makes British forces particularly attractive to collectors interested in campaign gaming.

Recommended theme: British infantry advancing through Normandy or fighting in the Italian campaign.

German Army

German forces provide opponents for many of the scenarios covered by the core game and its historical supplements.

Players can represent infantry formations supported by machine guns, mortars and armoured vehicles.

The variety of equipment and uniforms used throughout the war offers considerable modelling potential.

Recommended theme: German infantry defending a village or strategic crossroads in Western Europe during 1944.

Soviet Red Army

The Soviet Union played a decisive role in the defeat of Nazi Germany on the Eastern Front.

Soviet forces offer opportunities to recreate engagements involving infantry, automatic weapons, support teams and armoured formations.

For historical gamers, the Eastern Front provides an enormous range of potential scenarios, from defensive battles to large-scale offensives.

Recommended theme: Soviet infantry advancing through Eastern Europe in 1944–1945.

Resistance Fighters and Partisans

One particularly interesting aspect of V for Victory is the inclusion of resistance fighters and partisan forces.

These formations represent irregular groups that fought against Axis occupation across Europe.

They provide opportunities for narrative scenarios involving ambushes, sabotage, reconnaissance and attacks on supply routes.

Recommended theme: a resistance force attempting to disrupt German movements ahead of an Allied offensive.

V for Victory: From Poland to Sicily – Expanding the Story

While the core rulebook focuses on 1944–1945, the From Poland to Sicily supplement explores the earlier years of the war.

It broadens the historical scope of the game by introducing campaigns and engagements from 1939 through 1943.

This makes it especially attractive to players interested in early-war equipment, desert warfare and the campaigns that shaped the conflict before D-Day.

1939: The Invasion of Poland

World War II in Europe began on September 1, 1939, when Germany invaded Poland.

The campaign demonstrated the importance of mobility, communications and combined-arms operations.

For V for Victory players, Poland provides opportunities for early-war engagements involving infantry, cavalry, artillery and lightly armoured vehicles.

Historical scenarios can explore delaying actions, defensive positions and desperate attempts to hold important roads or settlements.

1940: The Battle of France

In May 1940, Germany launched its offensive into Western Europe.

French, British and other Allied forces fought to resist the invasion before the collapse of France in June.

For tabletop gamers, this period offers a distinctive selection of early-war equipment and uniforms.

Players can recreate defensive battles, mechanized breakthroughs and the fighting that preceded the Dunkirk evacuation.

1940–1943: The North African Campaign

North Africa provides one of the most recognizable settings for WWII miniature wargaming.

British Commonwealth, Italian, German and other Allied forces fought across vast desert regions where mobility, supply and terrain played important roles.

At platoon level, the setting offers opportunities for attacks on fortified positions, reconnaissance patrols and engagements involving infantry supported by light vehicles.

Desert terrain is also relatively straightforward to build for the tabletop.

1943: The Allied Invasion of Sicily

Operation Husky began in July 1943, bringing Allied forces onto the island of Sicily.

British, Commonwealth, American, German and Italian forces participated in the campaign.

The island's rugged terrain, villages and narrow roads provide excellent inspiration for platoon-level scenarios.

For V for Victory players, Sicily is a natural setting for linked narrative games involving advancing Allied forces and Axis defenders.

Why From Poland to Sicily Is Worth Adding

The supplement is particularly valuable for historical gamers who want to move beyond the familiar late-war battles of Normandy and Germany.

It provides a framework for exploring different uniforms, vehicles and battlefield environments.

Its greatest appeal is the ability to create campaigns that follow the changing nature of the war.

Players might begin with Polish defensive actions in 1939, explore the Battle of France in 1940 and eventually move into North Africa or Sicily.

Each setting provides new tactical challenges and modelling opportunities.

Browse the From Poland to Sicily supplement at TistaMinis for more details.

How to Get Started with V for Victory

Step 1: Get the Core Rulebook

Begin with the V for Victory core rulebook from Studio Tomahawk.

It contains the rules, scenarios and army lists required for the main 1944–1945 setting.

The historical supplements expand the system but do not replace the core rules.

Step 2: Choose a Nation and Campaign

Decide whether you want to collect American, British, German, Soviet or resistance forces.

For beginners, a late-war British or American infantry platoon is a practical choice because suitable 28mm miniatures are widely available.

Choose the campaign period before purchasing figures, as uniforms and equipment changed during the war.

Step 3: Collect Approximately 30 Miniatures

A typical game can be played with approximately 30 miniatures per side and some support weapons.

Begin with a platoon-sized infantry collection rather than immediately purchasing multiple tanks.

A useful hobby starting point might include:

• One officer or command group.
• Several infantry squads.
• One light machine-gun team.
• One mortar or additional support-weapon team.
• Optional specialist figures.

This is a modelling recommendation rather than a rules-validated army list. Use the relevant order of battle to determine the correct squad organization and equipment.

Step 4: Build a 4 × 4 ft Battlefield

V for Victory is generally played on a 120 × 120 cm table.

For a Western European setting, consider adding:

• Hedgerows and fences.
• Farmhouses and small villages.
• Woodland and fields.
• Roads and crossroads.
• Low walls and defensive positions.

Terrain is especially important because it creates opportunities for manoeuvre and cover.

Step 5: Play an Introductory Scenario

Begin with a straightforward scenario from the core rulebook.

Concentrate on learning movement, combat, command and morale before introducing more complicated combinations of units.

Step 6: Add Support Weapons and Vehicles

Once you're comfortable with infantry combat, add mortars, machine guns, light vehicles or armour.

These provide new tactical possibilities without requiring an entirely new army.

Step 7: Start a Historical Campaign

Use the core scenarios or a supplement such as From Poland to Sicily to link battles together.

Campaign gaming is one of the most rewarding ways to experience a historical wargame.

Best WWII Miniatures for V for Victory

Because V for Victory is designed for 28mm miniatures, players can use compatible figures from a variety of manufacturers.

Warlord Games Bolt Action Miniatures

Warlord Games produces an extensive range of WWII infantry, vehicles and support weapons.

Although designed primarily for Bolt Action, many of these models are also suitable for V for Victory when they represent the correct historical units.

Explore Bolt Action miniatures at TistaMinis for possible army-building options.

Perry Miniatures

Perry Miniatures produces detailed historical figures, including WWII ranges suited to particular campaigns.

These can be especially attractive to players interested in historical accuracy and characterful sculpting.

Browse Perry Miniatures at TistaMinis.

Rubicon Models

Rubicon Models is well known for detailed military vehicle kits, including WWII tanks, transports and other armoured vehicles.

Its 1/56-scale vehicles can be useful for players building a 28mm WWII force.

Explore Rubicon Models at TistaMinis.

WWII Terrain and Accessories

Buildings, hedgerows, roads and battlefield obstacles are essential for creating convincing historical scenarios.

Browse WWII terrain at TistaMinis for battlefield-building options.

V for Victory vs Bolt Action: What's the Difference?

Both V for Victory and Bolt Action recreate WWII combat using tabletop miniatures, but they emphasize different aspects of the experience.

The biggest attraction of V for Victory is its focus on the challenge of commanding soldiers under fire.

Bolt Action, meanwhile, is particularly recognizable for its order-dice activation system and extensive range of dedicated miniatures.

Players who already collect Bolt Action figures may be able to use many of the same models for V for Victory, making it an appealing second WWII ruleset.

Creating a Narrative WWII Campaign

One of the most enjoyable aspects of V for Victory is the opportunity to recreate a sequence of historical engagements.

Rather than treating every game as an isolated battle, players can connect scenarios through a shared campaign.

Example Campaign: The Road to Normandy

The following is an original introductory campaign concept inspired by the fighting in Normandy during 1944.

Scenario 1: The Reconnaissance Patrol

Allied troops attempt to locate German defensive positions around a small village.

Scenario 2: The Crossroads

A platoon must capture an important road junction before enemy reinforcements arrive.

Scenario 3: The Farmhouse

German defenders occupy a fortified farmhouse that controls the surrounding countryside.

Scenario 4: The Counterattack

The defending force launches an attack to recover territory lost during the previous engagement.

Scenario 5: Breakthrough

The final battle determines whether the attacking force can secure the route needed for a larger Allied advance.

Players can track victories, losses and important events between games, using the core rules and mutually agreed campaign guidelines.

Why Historical Background Matters in V for Victory

Historical miniature gaming becomes especially rewarding when players understand the events behind the battles they recreate.

Learning about the equipment, uniforms, terrain and tactics used by different armies can improve both the gaming experience and the accuracy of a miniature collection.

For example, a German force fighting in Poland in 1939 would look different from one defending Normandy in 1944.

Likewise, British forces in North Africa used different uniforms, equipment and vehicles from those fighting in Northwest Europe.

Choosing a specific campaign helps create a more coherent army and battlefield.

The From Poland to Sicily supplement is particularly useful for players who want to explore these historical differences.

Common Beginner Mistakes in V for Victory

Ignoring Morale

Maintaining cohesion is a central part of the game. Don't focus exclusively on causing casualties while neglecting your own troops' fighting effectiveness.

Using Too Little Terrain

Open battlefields can expose infantry to excessive fire and reduce opportunities for manoeuvre. Include buildings, woods, walls and other historically appropriate cover.

Buying Too Many Vehicles

Start with infantry and support weapons. Add vehicles once you understand the core mechanics and the scenarios you want to play.

Mixing Historical Periods

Not every WWII miniature is suitable for every campaign. Check uniforms, weapons and vehicles before building an early-war or late-war force.

Starting with Too Many Special Rules

Learn the core infantry mechanics before introducing large numbers of specialized units.

Frequently Asked Questions About V for Victory

Final Verdict: Is V for Victory Worth Playing?

V for Victory is an excellent option for historical miniature gamers who enjoy World War II but want a ruleset that places particular emphasis on command, morale and platoon cohesion.

Its relatively modest miniature requirements make it accessible to beginners, while the tactical importance of positioning and leadership provides depth for experienced players.

The core rulebook offers a foundation for recreating late-war engagements involving American, British, German, Soviet and resistance forces.

Meanwhile, the From Poland to Sicily supplement expands the game's historical possibilities into the opening years of the war, covering campaigns from Poland and France to North Africa and Sicily.

For players who already own 28mm WWII miniatures, V for Victory is particularly attractive because much of an existing collection may be suitable for use with the rules.

Whether you're recreating a Normandy firefight, a desperate defensive action in Poland or a battle in the North African desert, V for Victory offers a rewarding way to explore the tactical challenges faced by soldiers during the Second World War.

Ready to command your platoon? Explore V for Victory: From Poland to Sicily at TistaMinis and discover the historical campaigns that helped shape World War II.