Overview

Commands & Colors: Napoleonics is a card-driven wargame simulating Napoleonic-era battles using the Commands & Colors system. Players command blocks representing infantry, cavalry, and artillery on a hex battlefield. Command cards dictate which units can be ordered. Battle dice resolve combat. Unlike the Ancients version, this game features square formation, combined arms, cavalry breakthrough, and Napoleonic-specific tactics. First to collect the required victory banners wins.

Components

• Game board (hex grid, three sections)
• Wooden blocks with unit stickers (French, British, Portuguese, Spanish, etc.)
• Command cards
• Tactic cards
• Battle dice
• Victory banner tokens
• Terrain tiles
• Scenario booklet

Setup

Per scenario: place terrain, deploy units, deal command cards, set banner target.

Turn Structure

1. Play a Command Card
2. Order Units in designated sections
3. Move ordered units
4. Battle with ordered units in range
5. Draw a Card

Actions

Unit Types and Movement

| Unit | Move | Battle Dice (melee) | |——|——|——————-| | Line Infantry | 1 | 4 | | Light Infantry | 2 | 3 | | Militia | 1 | 3 | | Grenadier/Guard | 1 | 5 | | Rifle Infantry | 2 | 2 (but ranged) | | Light Cavalry | 3 | 3 | | Heavy Cavalry | 2 | 4 | | Horse Artillery | 2 | 3 | | Foot Artillery | 1 | 3-5 (by range) | | Leader | Attached to unit | – |

Special Formations

• Square: Infantry can form square to defend against cavalry (+2 defense dice vs cavalry, but cannot move or attack).
• Combined Arms: Infantry supported by artillery and cavalry in the same battle gains bonuses.

Combat Resolution

Roll battle dice equal to unit’s combat value:

• Infantry symbol = hit on infantry
• Cavalry symbol = hit on cavalry
• Artillery symbol = hit on artillery
• Crossed Swords = hit on any
• Retreat flag = force retreat (may be ignored by certain units)
• Saber = hit on any for some units

Cavalry Breakthrough

When cavalry eliminates or forces an enemy unit to retreat, the cavalry may advance into the vacated hex and battle again immediately.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

Earn victory banners by eliminating enemy units. Banner target is per scenario (usually 5-8). First to reach the target wins.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• Forming Square is a critical defensive maneuver against cavalry charges.
• Retreat flags may be ignored by units in certain terrain (town, fortification) or by elite units.
• Leaders add combat dice and allow rerolls; killing a leader earns a banner.
• Mother Russia rule (Russian scenarios): Russian line infantry ignore 1 retreat flag.
• Artillery can bombard from range but is vulnerable in melee.
• National differences: Each army has slightly different unit capabilities.

Player Reference

Symbol	Effect
Infantry	Hit on infantry
Cavalry	Hit on cavalry
Artillery	Hit on artillery
Crossed Swords	Hit on any
Flag	Force retreat
Saber	Hit (cavalry-specific)