---
product_id: 12634121
title: "Fire in the Lake"
brand: "gmt games"
price: "$295.97"
currency: USD
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 8
category: "Gmt Games"
url: https://www.desertcart.ec/products/12634121-fire-in-the-lake
store_origin: EC
region: Ecuador
---

# Card-assisted COIN system Multi-faction Vietnam War simulation 1-4 players, solo to group play Fire in the Lake

**Brand:** gmt games
**Price:** $295.97
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Summary

> 🔥 Command the Vietnam War’s untold battles — strategy meets history in every card!

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Fire in the Lake by gmt games
- **How much does it cost?** $295.97 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.ec](https://www.desertcart.ec/products/12634121-fire-in-the-lake)

## Best For

- gmt games enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted gmt games brand quality
- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Key Features

- • **Versatile Player Modes:** Seamlessly supports solo, 2-, 3-, or 4-player sessions with AI flowcharts for missing factions.
- • **Deep Strategic Immersion:** Navigate complex political and military decisions reflecting the true Vietnam War experience.
- • **Dynamic Multi-Faction Gameplay:** Engage as US, Communists, South Vietnamese, or NLF with unique goals and conflicting alliances.
- • **Expertly Crafted Collaboration:** Designed by Mark Herman and Volko Ruhnke, blending modern warfare expertise with innovative game design.
- • **Rich Replayability & Scenarios:** Includes 3 scenarios with 2-3 hour playtimes, ensuring fresh challenges every game night.

## Overview

Fire in the Lake is a critically acclaimed card-driven COIN series board game simulating the complex multi-faction conflict of the Vietnam War. Designed for 1-4 players, it combines deep political and military strategy with immersive gameplay crafted by renowned designers Mark Herman and Volko Ruhnke. With versatile solo and multiplayer modes, multiple scenarios, and a unique focus on insurgency dynamics, it offers a rich, historically grounded experience for serious strategy gamers aged 15 and up.

## Description

Fire in the Lake: Insurgency in Vietnam Vietnam, 1964. The most wrenching US engagement of the Cold War would be far more than GI versus Charlie. The conflict had set tribesman against nationalist, Buddhist against Catholic, mandarin against villager, and of course Northerner against Southerner - even among the communists. As revolutionary change burned through that ancient civilization, Washington would apply its armament and its operations research. To get out, the US counterinsurgency would have to motor deeper and deeper in. In the end, culture and will would overcome technology and math and signal the end of the primacy of industrial might in modern warfare. Volume IV in GMT’s COIN series dives headlong into the momentous and complex battle for South Vietnam. A unique multi-faction treatment of the Vietnam War, Fire in the Lake will take 1 to 4 players on US heliborne sweeps of the jungle and Communist infiltration of the South, and into inter-allied conferences, Saigon politics, interdiction of the Ho Chi Minh Trail, air defense of Northern infrastructure, graduated escalation, and media war. Renowned designer and modern warfare expert Mark Herman joins COIN series creator Volko Ruhnke for a collaborative production not to be missed. Fire in the Lake features the same card-assisted counterinsurgency game system as GMT's "Andean Abyss", "Cuba Libre", and "A Distant Plain", with a pack of twists that take the series to another level. As with earlier COIN series volumes, players of Fire in the Lake will face difficult strategic decisions with each card. Flow charts are at hand to run any faction missing a player - solitaire, 2-player, 3-player, or 4-player experiences are equally supported. Ride on up the river. Players: 1-4 Product Part Number: 1409

Review: Masterpiece - This is a masterpiece of a game. Each faction has a different goal and often allies will have a very hard time working together if they are going to try and win. The game really feels like the Vietnam War and more so by not being fixated merely on the fighting. The game recognizes that modern wars are political and thus the actions that are taken must be guided by political considerations as much or more than purely strategic ones. Most war gamers as well as Eurogamers used to heavier worker placement games (such as Agricola) will be able to learn the Fire in the Lake without too much trouble but there are many novel concepts and mechanics so I would encourage you to watch videos on YouTube about the COIN series of games. The game comes with 3 scenarios, the shortest running between 2-3 hours play. Solitaire play is very possible, though more involved.
Review: I love this game - My favorite boardgame ever. This game is so good in so many ways, and not near as complicated as so many claim. This game is really beautiful and fun for me, like playing with every toy in the toy box on a playground while eating ice cream.

## Features

- Renowned designer and modern warfare expert Mark Herman joins COIN series creator Volko Ruhnke for a collaborative production not to be missed. Fire in the Lake features the same card-assisted counterinsurgency game system as GMT's "Andean Abyss", "Cuba Libre", and "A Distant Plain".
- Volume IV in GMT’s COIN series dives headlong into the momentous and complex battle for South Vietnam - a unique multi-faction treatment of the Vietnam War.
- As with earlier COIN series volumes, players of Fire in the Lake will face difficult strategic decisions with each card. Flow charts are at hand to run any faction missing a player.

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| ASIN | B00NJ397P4 |
| Best Sellers Rank | #447,910 in Toys & Games ( See Top 100 in Toys & Games ) #11,894 in Board Games (Toys & Games) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars (63) |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Item Weight | 1 pounds |
| Item model number | 331477 |
| Language | English |
| Manufacturer | GMT Games |
| Manufacturer recommended age | 15 years and up |
| Product Dimensions | 11.61 x 11.61 x 3.35 inches |

## Images

![Fire in the Lake - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Tl-N+j6qL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Masterpiece
*by S***Y on April 26, 2016*

This is a masterpiece of a game. Each faction has a different goal and often allies will have a very hard time working together if they are going to try and win. The game really feels like the Vietnam War and more so by not being fixated merely on the fighting. The game recognizes that modern wars are political and thus the actions that are taken must be guided by political considerations as much or more than purely strategic ones. Most war gamers as well as Eurogamers used to heavier worker placement games (such as Agricola) will be able to learn the Fire in the Lake without too much trouble but there are many novel concepts and mechanics so I would encourage you to watch videos on YouTube about the COIN series of games. The game comes with 3 scenarios, the shortest running between 2-3 hours play. Solitaire play is very possible, though more involved.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I love this game
*by D***S on November 24, 2020*

My favorite boardgame ever. This game is so good in so many ways, and not near as complicated as so many claim. This game is really beautiful and fun for me, like playing with every toy in the toy box on a playground while eating ice cream.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Buy the best and forget the rest!
*by B***S on March 30, 2015*

This game is a most excellent effort to portray the intricate and complicated scenario that was the Vietnam War. As a combat veteran of the War I can assure you that this is about the best anyone can do to create a tableau that addresses not only battle strategy but also the equally important issues of politics, economics and culture that affected the outcome. And having spent more that 40 years researching the War I can honestly state that this strategy game is right on point. Yes, the game is complicated, but that only intensifies the richness of detail with which you will deal. The game board isn't just your map full of hexes but rather plays a part in the interactive experience. Other reviewers have commended the strong solitaire option and I second those comments wholeheartedly. Quality is present in all aspects of design, directions and materials. April 11 2015 This is a follow up to my review. I have now played the "practice" scenarios and am pleased to say that my 5-star review stands. This game is definitely a challenge, though, and I found myself making several look-ups in the various rulebooks, etc. I am sure I am missing some aspects of the game process but I'm sure I'll correct those with more experience. One aspect that I really like is how the political and economical influences change the complexion of the game. And the fact that various components, such as the role of the cards, allow apparently unlimited variations on the scenarios will keep the game fresh. I look forward to trying Fire in the Lake against an opponent, but in the meantime the solitaire set up is very rewarding and entertaining. Once again I say "Buy it, you'll like it."

## Frequently Bought Together

- Fire in the Lake
- Fire in The Lake: Tru'ng Bot
- GMT Games Fire in The Lake: Fall of Saigon Expansion

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*Product available on Desertcart Ecuador*
*Store origin: EC*
*Last updated: 2026-02-25*