Commands & Colors Medieval

Commands & Colors: Medieval

Commands & Colors: Medieval is based on the Commands & Colors game system and by design is not overly complicated. It introduces many new gameplay concepts into the Commands & Colors system, which add historical depth. Some of the new concepts are:

• Superior armor and status during battle
• Cavalry units increase to 4 blocks
• The heavy infantry battle dice are reduced from 5 to 4
• Light Bow Cavalry units can use Parthian Shot when they retreat

Nevertheless, certain game mechanics of Commands & Colors remain familiar to players of other games in the system, such as the deck of Medieval Command cards that direct movement while creating a 'fog of war' and the battle dice that will resolve combat quickly and efficiently. The stylized scenario maps of the battlefield emphasize important terrain features and highlight the historical deployment of forces at scale with the game's system. The scale of the game is flexible and varies from battle to battle. In some scenarios, a unit may represent a thousand soldiers, while in other scenarios a unit may represent only a few brave warriors. The tactics on the battlefield, however, which you must execute to achieve victory, adapt impressively well to the strengths and limitations of the various types of medieval units, their weapons, the terrain and history.

The medieval battles presented in the scenario book focus on the historical confrontations between the Byzantine Empire and the Sassanid Persians (530 to 627 AD) with a small detour to fight the Moors and their rebel allies (645 – 648 AD). The Byzantine Empire during this period of medieval history was a time of constant transition and reorganization. Its army tended to mirror its eastern opponents by developing an increasing number of armored cavalry formations (Cataphracts) and more missile troops. However, how the Byzantines adapted their battlefield tactics in relation to the enemy they faced is perhaps the main reason for the longevity of their Empire.

Although the Byzantine army fought on other frontiers against a multitude of opponents, Visigoths, Vandals, Ostrogoths, Franks, Alemanni, those conflicts are beyond the scope and coverage of this pack. Additional expansion sections covering those battles will follow.

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