Battalion: War of The Ancients

Battalion: War of the Ancients stakes its claim as a modern classic in streamlined historical wargaming. Conceived by Paolo Mori and Francesco Sirocchi, with evocative art by Roland MacDonald, it transforms ancient conflicts into brisk, tactical duels that balance thematic resonance with minimalist mechanics.

At its core, the game embraces modular simplicity: 144 rank tiles, faction-specific tactics cards, a pair of compact boards, and a few dice. The absence of an ornate grid board is surprising and refreshing. Instead, players marshal units into lanes, echoing MOBA-style confrontations with left, center, and right flanks. These lanes aren’t just cosmetic; controlling the center can yield instant victory, injecting urgency and strategic foresight into every decision.

Gameplay is crisp. Each turn unfolds through a series of macro-level choices, deploying units, managing order/disorder tokens, discarding tactics cards to activate elite moves, or launching assaults. Combat hinges on rolling three D8s, where 8s hit automatically and lesser values are assigned against unit thresholds, augmented by token-driven bonuses. This system is quick to learn yet rich in nuance, rewarding both tactical planning and calculated risk.

Asymmetry is a strength. Four historical factions—the Romans, Han crossbowmen, Greco-Bactrian cavalry, and Hannibal’s Carthaginians with elephants—offer varied traits and distinctive tactics decks. However, there’s a complexity trap: the traits, each with unique names and effects, can blur together and slow down play. Similarly, the indistinct design of order/disorder tokens sometimes makes unit statuses hard to read at a glance, a surprisingly minor but persistent UX flaw.

Pacing is a high point. With no cumbersome bookkeeping or arcane tables, rounds flow briskly. In two-player duels, games often finish within 30–45 minutes; the four-player variant extends this, though some feel it was tacked-on. The shrinking deck of tactics cards also acts as a timer, ensuring crisp progression toward an inevitable climax.

Production quality matches the design’s elegance. Tiles and components are solid; MacDonald’s illustrations and clean graphic design successfully evoke antiquity without fuss. The rulebook, while mostly clear, could benefit from enhanced examples and clarifications about edge cases.

Battalion: War of the Ancients is not for grand strategic minds seeking detailed simulation. Instead, it’s tailored to players who relish sharp tactical choice, fast-moving confrontations, and historical flair. Its tight design makes each lane clash feel meaningful, every token flip a tactical gamble, and every dice roll a moment of tension. Little tweaks such as crisper tokens, more intuitive trait icons, and polished rules could elevate it further. But even as-is, it stands as a cleverly designed, portable wargame: accessible, thematic, and engaging.

In conclusion, for fans of streamlined strategy with a taste of ancient warfare, “Battalion” delivers satisfying depth in a compact package. Its minor quirks aside, it’s a compelling addition to both historical gamers and casual competitors alike.