The Commands & Colors: Medieval game allows players to recreate important engagements of early medieval history. The stylized battlefield scenario maps emphasize the important terrain features and highlight the historical deployment of forces in scale with the game system. The scale of the game is flexible and varies from battle to battle. For some scenarios, a unit may represent a Byzantine infantry or cavalry Banda of soldiers, while in other scenarios a unit may represent just a few brave Warriors. Still, the battlefield tactics you will need to execute to gain victory conform remarkably well to the strengths and limitations of the various medieval unit types, their weapons, the terrain, and history.
Commands & Colors: Medieval is based on the highly successful Commands & Colors game system and by design it is not overly complex. The Command cards drive movement, create “fog of war” and present players with many interesting challenges and opportunities, while the battle dice resolve combat quickly and efficiently.
In this core game, the focus is on early medieval battles between the Byzantine Empire and Sassanid Persians (528-586). In addition, some key battles between the Huns and Romans are included, which act nicely as a bridge between C&C Ancients and the early medieval period, as well as a gateway into the rest of the medieval core game scenarios. However, as we dug deeper into the early medieval time period, we found it truly was a “Dark Age” of history with only very sketchy information at best, for a good many battles of the age.
Finally, the Byzantine Empire during this period of medieval history was in constant transition and reorganization. Its army tended to mirror its eastern adversaries by deploying an increasing number of super heavy cataphract armored cavalry formations and more missile troops. Yet, it was how the Byzantines adapted their battlefield tactics in relation to the enemy they faced that is perhaps the chief reason for the longevity of the Empire. Although the Byzantine army fought on other frontiers, against a multitude of opponents including Visigoths, Moors, Ostrogoths, Franks, Alemanni, it is beyond the scope and space of this one package.
Additional expansion modules will be forthcoming.
I truly believe, that Commands & Colors: Medieval will provide even the most veteran Commands & Colors players many new challenges and experiences.
Welcome and Enjoy!
Richard Borg
Experienced Commands & Colors Ancients players please note this icon ► will proceed a game rule section and/or game concept that has been updated for the medieval game.