# Feet First Into Hell tags: #game/wargame/feet-first-into-hell ![[Feet First Into Hell (cover).jpg]] _Feet First Into Hell_ is a miniatures-agnostic sci-fi skirmish wargame that simulates the questionable tactical decision of dropping soldiers from orbit directly into a meat grinder. Set in the "Aries Sector"—a place that seems to exist solely to consume ammunition and personnel—the game focuses on "Drop Teams." You don't just set up your toys on the edge of the table; you deploy them via orbital drop pods mid-game. This means you can crush your enemy (or yourself, if you’re clumsy) before a single shot is fired. It emphasizes customization, allowing you to build anything from cyber-ninjas to power-armored hulks without needing a specific manufacturer’s plastic. It is fast, brutal, and assumes your soldiers are as disposable as the dice you roll for them. ## Core Mechanics The mechanics are built to be "succinct," which is a polite way of saying you won't need a law degree to resolve a shooting phase. - **The Die System:** The game utilizes a standard **d6 system**. It is described as "deadly," implying that your soldiers will likely not survive the experience. - **Activation:** It uses **alternating activation**, keeping both players engaged so no one falls asleep while their opponent moves 50 conscripts. - **Orbital Drop Deployment:** This is the game's signature gimmick. Deployment isn't just a setup phase; it is a tactical weapon. You drop units onto the battlefield throughout the game, creating chaos and allowing for deep strikes behind enemy lines. - **Cover & Damage:** The cover system is designed to reduce math (a mercy, truly). Instead of calculating obscure modifiers, cover simply **discards hits**. If you are shot at while behind a wall, the wall takes the hit, not you. Simple. Efficient. - **Reaction System:** The game features "dynamic reactions," allowing units to respond to enemy actions rather than standing still and accepting their fate like polite targets. ## Edition Intelligence The provided manual is for the **2nd Edition (2E)**. Here is how it differs from the original: - **Scale:** 2E is significantly larger—bloated, one might say, if it weren't full of content. It has jumped from a lean pamphlet to a 150-page manual. - **Compatibility:** Despite the expansion, 2E is **fully backwards compatible** with 1st Edition campaigns and expansions. Your old books are not yet kindling. - **New Content:** 2E introduces **SPEC-TRs** (Special Tactics and Reconnaissance) classes, which are essentially high-lethality operators. It also adds new enemy logic for solo play, new deployment patterns, and a "posture system" for those who desperately crave more crunch in their rules. - **Refinement:** The rules have been illustrated and clarified to reduce mid-game litigation. ## References & Acquisition - [Official Game Page - Lionborn Publishing](https://www.lionbornpublishing.com/games/feet-first-into-hell "null") - [Field Manual 2E Store Page - DriveThruRPG](https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/529666) - [Developer Discussion and Overview - Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/wargaming/comments/10xiz3o/feet_first_into_hell_orbital_drop_combat_skirmish/ "null") - [Operation Phoenix Campaign Expansion - DriveThruRPG](https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/443281/feet-first-into-hell-operation-phoenix "null")