Commands & Colors: Ancients reflects warfare from the Dawn of Military History (3000 BC) to the opening of the Middle Ages (400 AD). Quite an ambitious undertaking for one game, yet Commands & Colors by design is a unique historical game system which lets players effectively portray stylized battles from this time in history. The 15 battles, showcased in the scenario booklet, although stylized, focus on critical terrain features and the historical deployment of forces in scale with the game system. The battles include Cannae, Bagradas and Zama.

The scale of the game changes from battle to battle. In some scenarios, an infantry unit may represent a legion of fighters, while in other scenarios a unit may represent just a few brave warriors. But the tactics you will need to execute conform remarkably well to the advantages and limitations inherent to the various units, their weapons, terrain and time.

Unlike its older brother, Battle Cry by Avalon Hill Games, Inc., Commands & Colors: Ancients is moderately more complex and includes additional historical details without the battlefield clutter. Most scenarios will still play to a conclusion in under than an hour.

The command card system, drives movement, gives a true fog of war and presents both challenges and opportunities. There are four types of command cards: Section cards, Leadership cards, Troop cards and Tactic cards.

The battle dice system resolves all combat quickly and efficiently. Every battle die has one Light, one Medium, one Heavy, one Leader, one Flag and one Swords symbol.