"Rate Commands & Colors: Ancients" Topic

Rate these rules as a miniatures ruleset, on a scale of 0 (awful) to 10 (excellent).

9

4

8

7

Lots of fun. Wargaming lite.

6 for the standard version
8 for the epic version.

As a game 6
As a historical wargame 3

I would far rather play a mininatures game. Any miniatures game, even DBMM.

10

8

We use it for lots of periods using 28mm figs in units of 8-12 figs. We use colored markers for hits, thus the game looks and feels like a lot of other miniatures games.
9-10
Clif

A 9…

8 (this is the only set of rules I will use for Ancients which is the period I least like)

6.

I rate the Nap version at at least 8.

The ancients version doesn't account for flanks or rear, which I think diminishes it.

I have played the Samurai version.(I think it was the non-board game rules) I rate it 7.5/8 in playability and historical flavor. No, not extremely detailed, but captured the flavor in a fast-pasted game with plenty of miniature elements included.

I'm with the big red bat 9

Epic is a 9; regular is a 7 or 8. Easily miniaturized, taught and learned.

I give it a 10. Very easy to teach and looks great with miniatures.

Midpoint, I think it does a nice job with flanks and rear. If you cut off the retreat hexes the opponent looses blocks on retreat results as well. Getting on a units flank means that you can get more units fighting the same unit and usually even if he has to retreat you still get a hack at him.
This game is not a tactical game so individual modifiers for hitting anyone on the flanks or in the rear just does not seem justified.

9

Three years ago a 10, but reduced now to an 8.5. I got a bit disillusioned with the milking of we the faithful that occurred with one of the expansions, but it's still a lot of fun, and it has a great deal more depth and skill to it than at first appears.

Of course, if you go into it looking for a simulation you will likely be disappointed, but if you and your opponent both take it as a game of skill, nerve, and card management it can be very good indeed.

Sorry – I sound a bit cranky there in my post. In fairness, it's important to qualify that by saying that GMT have been *very* generous in allowing rules and scenarios to be posted online, so my accusing them of milking players is off the mark.

It is a fun game (9) but not a wonderful simulation of Ancient (or Napoloenic or WW2 or ACW) combat, even allowing for design for effect and all that(5).

It looks very nice played with toys on Hexon terrain (10).

7

7

2 At least it's better than C&C Napoleonics. Nice if you want to watch a game like you watch TV, but usless for simulating actual problems & decisions of ancient commanders.

Epic 10

Standard 8

Mollinary

9

Always interesting to see the 'simulation' vs game comments come out. Seems like we have reached a better level of exchange in that discussion where reviewers can indicate their own preferences but still make valuable judgements for others with different game philosophies.

Interesting inverse correlation between rating and number of stifles for the rater.

Bill

9

2.76

6.699999999999999999999999999999999999999999999.

9

Solid 10…It even has an "Epic" version that allows for team play.

link

9 for me. It rewards keeping battle lines together and light troops have to be used in the correct role. Charging is not an option for them except against the weakest opponent. The card management is just a mechanic and actually adds something to the game, for that is what it is. As for the other CC flavours I have Battlecry and really like that. I've only played the Napoleonic version twice, but have to say I wasn't that enamoured. I think Ancients is the best version!

5.77734569876 for normal 8.174567893456 for epic. Security minister critter made me do it.

10. Fun game, looks great, sets up quickly, plays in 45mins to 2 hours. Like the card driven decisions and resource management.
Play it with my son. He asks questions about history and tactics etc. What could be better than that?

10 – for fun and enjoyment. Actually, the most enjoyable set of rules I've ever played.

10

As a miniatures rules set, based on my preferences, 1 (almost awful).
As a wargame, based on my preferences, 9 (damn near perfect)

10 – at least thats how I rated it on BGG

9- It is a great GAME and that is what is was meant to be.