Phantom Leader: Playthrough/Tutorial Video

Playthrough/Tutorial video of Phantom Leader, Deluxe Edition, published in 2013 by Dan Verssen Games. In this video we play the Extended Example of Play contained in the rulebook of the game.
Correction Note: In the video, I understated the types of aircraft that come with the game. There are actually 10 types of Air Force and 9 types of Navy aircraft.
WARNING: Wargaming videos such as this one, are related to board games that simulate war, with all the destruction, ravages and death associated to such human conflicts. At times, the games and videos will include references to nefarious historical figures, such as, for example: Attila the Hun, Shaka Zulu, Adolf Hitler and Mao Zedong. Viewer discretion is advised.

[@richardgriffith895]

I realize this video is 7 years old, but I just bought this game and this is, hands down, the best tutorial I've watched. Thanks!!

[@StukaJoe]

Thanks, Richard! That’s the whole purpose of video, to show what the game does. Cheers!

[@AlfonsoFigueroa]

Fantastic tutorial. I needed a refresher after four years not playing the game and this was golden. Good job!

[@mahuloq7562]

Great video! Would love to see more of the Leader series!

[@ggrant1189]

I was jazzed about this game, and ordered it after watching this video the first time. My copy just arrived and I decided to go all the way through, all campaigns, all long. Played first mission from Cuban Missile Crisis late this afternoon. Drew a weird mission card: Search & Rescue, i.e., basically suppressing four enemy infantry units, one in each approach to center, where, presumably the "downed pilot" was holed up, awaiting rescue. Mission was a complete success, with no loss of planes due to enemy action or stress. I wasn't sure I'd gotten everything correct, so I just re-watched your video, and sure enough, I screwed up one or two rules, but live and learn. Thanks, Joe!

[@StukaJoe]

I'm glad that the video was useful. Thanks for your support, Grant.

[@ggrant1189]

For whichever campaign you choose, there is a length of time for the campaign measured in days. For the Cuban Missile Crisis, long campaign, for example, it's "9 days." My question is this: Does "1 day" = 1 mission? I'm not sure, because it is possible, given the total number of pilots/planes, to run two missions a day. So I'm thinking that a day ends when there are not enough available pilots who haven't run a mission that day to run another, say third, mission. I couldn't find it anywhere in the rule book.

[@StukaJoe]

That's what I understand, 1 mission per day. It places a premium in selecting the right kind a mission: a mission that is not so puny that you can barely score points, but on the other hand, one must be careful not to send our people into a mission which is clearly a one-way ticket to disaster.

[@ggrant1189]

Thanks, pods!

[@AzraelSilent]

Love your pacing & methodical step by step explaining the play of the game, Stuka. You're the Ken Burns of wargames. Thanks for your time and efforts delivering these vids.

[@StukaJoe]

Thank you. Actually, I like to use what is known as the "Ken Burns Effect" in my videos. The effect consists in a slow panning or zoom motion while using a still image, sych as a photograph. The motion, although slow, enhaces the interest for the viewer, Thanks, again. A true honor for me! Cheers.

[@DV-sx5di]

You helped me decided to invest into this game. I been eyeballing it for a while but nobody else made this game look so interesting. I will check out your other videos..!!!

[@aaronutley]

Still helpful in 2022! THX!!!

[@aaronutley]

I had not played in a few years and had forgotten EVERYTHING. Watched through this excellent video again and I am right back in the fight! :)

[@BobHessling]

Great job, Joe. You are the master of these kinds of videos. Keep up the good work.

[@StukaJoe]

Thank you, Bob. Glad you liked it.

[@DjigitDaniel]

Absolutely brilliant video, sir. Thank you so much for the excellent tutorial.

[@StukaJoe]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you.

[@DjigitDaniel]

@@StukaJoe , my pleasure! Currently doing research for a hobby project of my own and, between Phantom Leader and Skyhawk, the videos I've found on KZbin have been really great for helping me develop some rules for a combat aviation game.

[@StukaJoe]

@@DjigitDaniel Nice! Best wishes and success with the project!

[@biffybeans]

Very clear and helpful tutorial on how this type of game is played. Thank you!

[@StukaJoe]

Thank you, Stephanie.

[@GrievousFrom]

These have to be both the luckiest and unluckiest pilots I've ever seen.

[@valor36az]

Well made video watched the whole thing I don’t even play board games

[@greybeard8012]

This is the most detailed review. I've seen so far amazing job thank you.

[@Panzerfan93]

I don't have Phantom Leader (yet) but this helpful for Hornet Leader too Thanks a lot!

[@StukaJoe]

Thanks, Panzerfan93! My pleasure that the video is helpful!

[@PoultergeistMedia]

I just got this game and your play through helped tremendously. Great job explaining everything.

[@StukaJoe]

Thank you. Glad that the video remains useful. Cheers!

[@ericlegear7134]

Really well done explanation. Thank you for providing

[@kublakhan1747]

Love the way you add a little flavour at the beginnings.

[@xqyz01]

The best videos of this type I have ever seen. Well done and thank you.

[@StukaJoe]

Thanks for the kudos!

[@eliane2743]

Thanks for the excellent piece. No I rush to tear open the wrapping of the deluxe box that has been sitting on a shelf for one moth.

[@tommyjohansson1180]

Just set up the game for playing, for the first time. This Video has made it easier for me sorting out som "issues" I had w the rules. Thx!

[@raygun6271]

Excellent learning video!!! I'll be looking for other Stuka Joe tutorials for my other games!

[@StukaJoe]

Thank you, Ray. I’m happy that the video remains useful after all these years. Cheers!

[@49SABRES]

Annnd this video was what I needed to push me to buy this game! Thanks you for making these!

[@lufasumafalu5069]

Great video... please make the same video on Thunderbolt Apache leader too

[@FreeFragUK]

I think I may have to pick this up when I get the opportunity although I may have to look into Thunderbolt Apache Leader instead. Excellent video and I'd love to see a campaign playthrough akin to your Queen of the Skies series.

[@stevenschoch4877]

Loved this video I've watched all of your B17 video logs and now this. I was inspired to buy both on eBay from them thanks for giving such fun and entertaining walkthroughs of the stories you can have from these games

[@StukaJoe]

Thanks, Steven. I'm glad you liked the videos and the games.

[@susanadiaz1526]

FANTÁSTICO MIL GRACIAS POR EL VÍDEO

[@martinblank1484]

Fantastic vid...Glad I listened to the guys at Dice Tower. Phantom Leader is now on my To Buy list. Subbed and liked!

[@StukaJoe]

Thanks, Martin. Hope you enjoy the channel. Cheers!

[@brianpierce7520]

Thank you for this great video. Very well explained and fantastic production value!

[@StukaJoe]

***** Thanks, Brian. I appreciate it.

[@FreeFragUK]

Excellent gameplay video Joe, I'd love to see more videos from the Leader series on your channel. Apologies if this has been answered elsewhere (hell, I may have asked this previously myself but my memory is less than stellar) but can you confirm which clippers you used on your Leader counters? I've been looking at getting some but I'm concerned the 2.5mm will trim data off of the DVG counters as some of the info gets very close to the edge.

[@StukaJoe]

Thank you, FreeFrag UK! I used the 2.5mm Oregon Laminations corner cutter. I like the rounded corners. It does come close to trimming the info, as you can see in the video. Cheers!

[@FreeFragUK]

@@StukaJoe thank you for the reply Joe, it's greatly appreciated. I may go with the 2.5mm myself as it seems the best compromise for smaller and larger counters. Admittedly I prefer the rounded look too. I look forward to seeing more content from you, I'm currently watching the Queen of the Skies series and thoroughly enjoying it. Thank you for all the content and stay safe.

[@ryangarritty9761]

Good to see Buick finally got his act together... .

[@zimzam4932]

Great video , very clear :)

[@nyanates]

Gr8 vid. Am very interested in this period of history and think I’d enjoy this game a lot.

[@washingtonboy1986]

Extremely well put together video. Very informative

[@joeperez3520]

Excellent. Have both the original as well as the newer Deluxe version, but only tinkered with the original. I see there is some evolution with the newer version, as I don't believe that in the original the enemy AA was limited by any "arc" restrictions.

[@Jackthetattedone]

Suoer helpful. Thanks!

[@ronniebutler2608]

Enjoyed this, would love to watch more missions, would be awesome for a few 'story' missions. I enjoy all the vids, keep it up. Onward.

[@StukaJoe]

Thank you, Ronnie. Actually, the playthroughs are the videos I enjoy filming the most. However, most of the times, I'm learning the game while I'm playing, and thus, they can take some time to put together. Cheers.

[@ronniebutler2608]

Stuka Joe love the formula. So much fun to learn the game like on this one, and then watch some playthroughs or storiesline games. You've become a nightly go-to channel and we appreciate all your hard work!

[@manuelkong10]

very clear loved it thank you

[@richardzajic172]

Excellent tutorial. Really helped. Thanks!

[@SeanUCF]

Awesome tutorial! Where did you get the cubes that give the chits height?

[@StukaJoe]

Thanks. Those are square mosaic tiles taken from a mosaic sheet like the ones used to decorate kitchens.

[@therealwildwildwest]

Where you get the wooden flight high stands? I just love that idea

[@StukaJoe]

I believe it was on eBay; it was a long time ago. They are wooden cubes, 5/8 of an inch.

[@vstar7196]

Great video. However, once I saw that there was a 10 sided die included in the game box, I decided right there that I didn’t want this game. I’ve become a huge fan of John Butterfield’s solo gaming system with the use of random events cards. I’ve since thrown out all of my die controlled sim games (eighteen games in all).

[@NoNameAtAll2]

fascinating I have exact opposite preferences, I hate cards let the chances be always visible!

[@AdrianoSantos-zs1li]

Very very nice video man, congratulations!!!!

[@ericbrooks1562]

Wonderful produced. Thanks. I subscribed 👍

[@soviethammer]

Nice music. Reminds me of the doors.

[@math4U1234]

Looks like a fun summer game. Very well done. ~S~

[@usapatriot4163]

Love the cinematic opening to your latest videos. Quality stuff all the way. Then again I like Enrico's stuff too so what do I know? : )

[@StukaJoe]

Thanks, Patriot. I'm an Enrico fan myself.

[@batesmt25]

How does "BUICK" get a gun pod? It's not on the aircraft card nor the campaign card. Thanks

[@JPFalcononor]

As usual much fun to watch you video. The subject matter does not interest me enough to buy this game as did U Boat leader but it does look good. I can't wait until the new KS game TIGER LEADER gets into my hands...as usual thanks....

[@StukaJoe]

Thanks. I tend to prefer World War Two games more myself. I agree with you that the Tiger Leader system looks very interesting, especially if one could play a campaign from Poland in 1939 to Berlin in 1945.

[@jsb1969]

At 20:17 is that a valid placement of the exit flight path marker? The way I read the rules on page 10 of the rule book, I thought that the exit marker had to be directly opposite the enter flight path marker. Is that wrong?

[@StukaJoe]

You are right, Jeff. I misread the example of play. I should have initially placed the exit marker on southern exit space and then rotate it one space counter-clockwise as a result of the Over-Target event. Good observation. Sorry about that, man.

[@MansourReviews]

The counter placement itself was wrong, but the exit was permissible as "intended". The example in the rule book states that the aircraft can exit from "Pre-Approach Areas Adjacent to the Exit Flight Path Counter"

[@tevalove]

F4 cannot carry a gun pod. The gun pod is not listed as a weapon it can carry.

[@StukaJoe]

Woops! My bad.

[@Eurodance_Groove]

...cool the explosion markers... where did you bought them ? Are they part of the games' markers ?

[@StukaJoe]

[phone] Thank you. Those explosion markers I made using PowerPoint.

[@Fireinthestubble]

Could you do one of these for Hornet leader? 😊

[@StukaJoe]

Sorry, but Hornet Leader isn’t in the pipeline.

[@farpointgamingdirect]

Buick needs to go back to Gunnery School...

[@GodsPoetryProductions]

In 2021 thanks

[@StukaJoe]

Glad to see that the video remains useful! Cheers!

[@GamesfromtheFront]

Before I watch all of this, any sense how useful this will be for learning PL on iPad?

[@StukaJoe]

I have no clue if it will be useful for the iPad version. I imagine that if the iOS version is true to the board game, many of the procedures shown in the video will be similar.

[@augustvonmackensen2102]

Should the pilot selection be random? I've noticed that two different pilots of the same plane type and on the same skill level, have often different bonuses for the air and ground attacks. So one is clearly better than the other and it doesn't make sense for the player to select an inferior pilot.

[@StukaJoe]

+Michal Senajko I think the game is set so that you select a specific number of pilots (newbies, veterans, etc.). If you pick aircraft that are better than the Phantom, you pay in Special Option points. If you pick aircraft inferior to the Phantom, you receive extra Special Option points. So, yes, you can select the pilots you want, and within that selection, you should pick the best.

[@augustvonmackensen2102]

+Stuka Joe Thank you for the reply. What I mean is, that if you for example take two F-105 pilots - Dutch and Judge - Dutch has better anti-air and ground attack bonuses, on each of the experience levels - from newbie to ace. So logically the player who wants to have a F-105 pilot in his squadron, should always pick Dutch. What's the point then in having inferior pilots like Judge in the F-105 deck? I'm just asking this question here because I haven't found any forum for this game.

[@badbones777]

+Michal Senajko I don't have my set to hand so I cannot give a response in terms of the two specific pilots you mentioned, but double check the cards (all of them, across all experience levels) for both pilots. You might find that one that seems inferior makes up for it by levelling up quicker if they have less XP requirements (they suck now, but will hit veteran quicker). On the other hand you might find that one that seems poor now has a sudden leap in quality in a couple of levels time (an investment for the future as it were!). Or it could even be that the poorer choice is (or can become) Fast and the other one cannot - there is a whole host of potential differences like this. I have found that there is almost always a consideration like this when it comes to picking your squad. There's one pilot (I forget which one) that looks terrible at Newbie (to the point I was thinking who would ever take this guy) until I noticed he ony needs 1 XP to go Green and then only 2 or something to go Average so I actually took him as a newb as it filled a requirement and on the reasoning that if I could carry his arse through a couple of missions he'd hit Average level (where he actually becomes a pretty good pilot - wish I could remember his name). Anyway hope that helps :)

[@augustvonmackensen2102]

Cluster bomb against a bridge? This seems wrong, I thought that you'd use them against the enemy AAA. What's the difference in the game between cluster bombs and normal "dumb" bombs?

[@dbd31463]

+Michal Senajko The CBU cluster bomb gets a +4 modifier against soft targets. The enemy counters with a white "S" in a black box shows they are soft targets, some targets are also soft and say so on the card. Yes, the CBU was a bad choice to destroy the bridge with.

[@augustvonmackensen2102]

OK, thanks for the clarification.

[@jimrobinette1036]

That answers my question as to why the modifier on the CBU wasn’t used. Thanks.