Sturmovik Commander

Sturmovik Commander is the original spark – the game that started it all. Hailing from the roots of the Assault Publishing Studio, it has grown from a free community-driven project into an absolute classic for lovers of World War II aerial wargaming.

Fast, Flexible, Fun! – these aren’t just buzzwords: they are the guiding principles behind Sturmovik Commander. The ruleset is designed to be fast to play, avoiding overly complex special rules, modifiers, or heavy bookkeeping.

Flexible & Modular – the system covers nearly all aspects of WWII air combat. From epic Battle of Britain dogfights to stealthy night raids, from pivotal engagements in the Pacific to overlooked duels over Burma – all are possible. Optional expansions and modular rules let players customize the level of detail.

Community-Created & Living System – Sturmovik Commander is built by hobbyists and players. Its evolution is ongoing: rules, squadron lists, modules are refined by feedback. It’s free to download and free to use – truly a gift from the community.

What Makes It a Classic?

• Its Role as the Foundation – Sturmovik Commander was the first major ruleset from Marcin Gerkowicz, who founded Assault Publishing (which turned to Assault Publishing Studio you caan see here) a few years later . It laid down the design philosophy and style that the studio would build on.
• Balance of History & Playability – Based on real historical factors but never bogged down by them. It respects WWII air combat, but always puts fun and fluid gameplay first.
• Free Forever – Sturmovik Commander was (and stil is) free to download, which helped grow a dedicated and passionate user-base.

What You’ll Find in the Game?

• Rules for building squadrons and conducting air missions over historical theatres.
• A streamlined system that doesn’t require tens of special-case rules – you can focus on tactics, manoeuvre, and thrilling aerial combat.
• Modular expansions for covering more aspects of WWII air war: more aircraft types, more theatres, more rules, etc.

Why You Should Play It?

Because it’s where it all began. If you want to see the essence of Assault Publishing Studio’s design – what they believe a great WWII air combat wargame must be – this is it. It remains beloved because it strikes a great balance: historical flavour without micromanagement; fast play without sacrificing iconic aerial spectacle. In short: once you’ve flown with Sturmovik Commander, you’ll understand why many others followed and why this one still stands tall.