What are Commands & Colors Games?
Commands & Colors (C&C) is a popular wargaming system known for being easy to learn and for its historical themes. The system uses command cards, battle dice, and cool-looking hexagonal maps to simulate historical battles.
There are many different Commands & Colors games, and this article will provide an overview and ranking of some of the most popular titles. We’ll explore the strengths and weaknesses of each game based on our gameplay experience.
The combination of tactical decision-making, historical settings, and relatively simple rules makes Commands & Colors games appealing to a wide audience of tabletop gamers.
Understanding the Commands & Colors System
The Commands & Colors (C&C) system is a board game engine that’s been used to recreate battles from throughout history. Here’s a quick rundown of how it works:
Core mechanics
- Command cards. The command cards are the heart of the system. You use them to activate units and order them to move around the battlefield. The cards enable you to move, attack, or use special abilities.
- Battle dice. Combat is decided by rolling a set of custom dice that have symbols representing different types of hits. The terrain and type of unit involved in the battle also affects the outcome.
- Hexagonal maps and unit types. The game is played on maps made of hexagons, each of which represents a piece of terrain. Each unit has different strengths and weaknesses, which influences the tactics you’ll use.
Adaptability and historical settings
The C&C system is adaptable to many different historical periods, from ancient warfare to medieval battles, Napoleonic conflicts, and even World War I.
Each game tries to capture the feel of its historical era, and small changes to the rules can have a big impact on how the game plays.
Top Tier C&C Games: A Deep Dive
The Commands & Colors series has a lot to offer strategy game enthusiasts. Here are some of the best:
Commands & Colors: Ancients
Commands & Colors: Ancients is a favorite among C&C players, focusing on battles from ancient times. One reviewer has played it more than 640 times — which tells you something about its replayability and the depth of its gameplay.
Each scenario recreates a famous battle from ancient history, like Cannae or Zama. Expansion packs add even more units and scenarios to extend the gameplay even further.
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Commands & Colors: Samurai Battles
Commands & Colors: Samurai Battles focuses on warfare in 15th-century Japan. It has a different feel than the ancient battles, because of the unique units and tactics specific to the samurai era.
The gameplay incorporates elements of Japanese warfare, like honor and bushido. Command cards reflect the specific strategies and tactics used by samurai armies.
The Great War
The Great War adapts the C&C system to the unique challenges of World War I. It captures the trench warfare and technological advancements of the era.
Unfortunately, The Great War has been discontinued by its publisher, PSC. That’s a shame, because it’s a great take on the C&C system and a great way to refight the battles of World War I.
Other Notable Commands & Colors Titles
The Commands & Colors system is versatile, lending itself to many historical periods and conflicts. Here are a few other popular titles in the series:
Commands & Colors: Medieval
This game plunges you into the thick of medieval warfare, featuring knights, archers, and all the iconic units you’d expect. Terrain and careful unit positioning are absolutely critical to victory in C&C Medieval. The command cards reflect the real-world tactics and strategies used by medieval armies, adding a layer of historical realism to the gameplay.
Commands & Colors: Napoleonics
Step into the boots of a Napoleonic commander! C&C Napoleonics recreates the epic battles of the Napoleonic Wars, emphasizing the devastating power of artillery and the speed of cavalry. The command cards let you execute historical tactics like flanking maneuvers and deploying grand batteries to shatter enemy lines.
Memoir ’44
Set during World War II, Memoir ’44 is another popular game using the Commands & Colors system. It’s often considered more accessible than some of the other titles, making it a great entry point to the series. While it’s appreciated for its large-scale battles and engaging gameplay, some players find it less strategically complex compared to other C&C games.
Key Takeaways
The Commands & Colors system stands out in the wargaming world for its mix of historical detail, tactical thinking, and ease of play. Its flexible design means it can be used to recreate battles from many different eras and conflicts.
Some of the most popular games in the C&C series include Commands & Colors: Ancients, Samurai Battles, and The Great War. Each offers a unique take on the system, with its own set of challenges and rewards.
Whether you’re a long-time wargamer or just getting started, the Commands & Colors system provides engaging and satisfying gameplay. Its intuitive rules and focus on command decisions make it a great choice for anyone looking to experience the thrill of historical battles on the tabletop.