Comparing the Contents of Ogre Sixth Edition and Ogre Designer’s Edition

By Drew Metzger

There have been many questions in the comments of our Ogre Miniatures Set 1 Kickstarter campaign pertaining to the differences between Ogre Designer’s Edition and the pairing of Ogre Sixth Edition with Ogre Reinforcements. Hopefully this overview will help clarify both the similarities and the differences between these products.

Ogre Designer’s Edition was created to be just that: the ultimate word in the Ogre/G.E.V. line with top-notch components. It incorporated material from Ogre, G.E.V. and Shockwave, as well as other supplements, to create the definitive rule set for the line. Discrepancies within the various rulebooks were resolved and ambiguities clarified. The end result is a compilation of all manners of play: ramming, overrun, terrain rules, the train, laser towers, cruise missiles, building damage, and all Ogre Marks. Unsurprisingly, the box containing all of this Ogre goodness is huge. It does an amazing job storing the components, but is admittedly a challenge for easy transport.

Ogre Sixth Edition takes the base game of Ogre and gives it the full Ogre Designer’s Edition treatment with regard to the game components. A large map, 3-D Ogres and CPs, and high quality counters are all standard for this product. A box with its own “Ogre garage” to store the components further enhances this release. Ogre is now easily portable, making the game more accessible to new players.

Ogre Reinforcements picks up where Ogre Sixth Edition leaves off. Introducing some units not included in Ogre Sixth Edition such as Light GEVs, Superheavy Tanks and others, as well as the “Town” terrain type, Ogre Reinforcements adds additional complexity to Ogre Sixth Edition without overwhelming the game. These two products combined are not the equivalent of Ogre Designer’s Edition; there exists rules for still other terrain types, other units, and other styles of play seen in Ogre Designer’s Edition that have not yet been released for Ogre Sixth Edition. That’s not to say that those who have downloaded the Ogre Designer’s Edition rulebook can’t use the additional rules; they most certainly can. But Ogre Reinforcements carves out a middle ground between Ogre Sixth Edition and Ogre Designer’s Edition.

What’s in Ogre Sixth Edition that’s not in Ogre Designer’s Edition?

- Two pearl white Ogre dice.

- Two 3-D Mark III Ogres and one Mark V Ogre in a variant Combine color scheme.

- GEVs, Heavy & Missile Tanks, Howitzers and Infantry, plus 3-D Command Posts, in a variant Paneuropean color scheme.

- An Ogre garage that fits the Ogre Sixth Edition box, making the game much more portable.

- The scenario “GEV Escort” (which may be found online for free).

What’s in Ogre Reinforcements that’s not in Ogre Designer’s Edition?

- Two 3-D Mark III Ogres and one Mark V Ogre in a variant Paneuropean color scheme.

- GEVs, Heavy & Missile Tanks, Howitzers and Infantry, plus 3-D Command Posts, in a variant Combine color scheme.

- Light GEVs, Light and Superheavy Tanks, and GEV-PCs for both the Paneuropean and Combine factions in the variant color schemes.

- Eight scenarios: Note that although these are not in Ogre Designer’s Edition, backers of the Ogre Designer’s Edition Kickstarter have received/will receive all eight of these scenarios.

As Ogre attracts new players to the game, so too may the line grow, evolving into a robust system for fans both old and new to enjoy for years to come. Ogre Designer’s Edition is a heartfelt homage to the past; Ogre Sixth Edition and Ogre Reinforcements are a look to the future. These products are designed to be complementary with each other, allowing all players to benefit from on-going support of the line.