I must admit that I was pretty disappointed after playing my first game of command and colours. The rules and combat system was really nice and straight to the point, better than I had seen in any other wargame, but the command system just did not work for me. I simply did not feel that I controlled my units, because I had to rely on the cards I got.

So I made the following alternative command system that I really like playing with because it gives the player full control and makes it really importaint to keep your army togeather and try to break holes in the opponents line:

Alternative command system

All your units are activated each turn!

If they are “in command” they act as normal.

At the beginning of each players turn all units that is not linked to a commander* is marked as out of command.

The following rules apply to units out of command:
1. The units movement is reduced by 1, but never below 1.
2. The unit may not enter a hex that are adjacent to enemy troops.
3. The unit may not battle enemy units or leaders.

All markers are removed at the end of the turn.
*The unit must be in connection withe a commander by adjacent linked hexes.

The command system as it stands is I feel better as it creates a fog of war. ie I know what I wuold love to do at this point. However can I really see all my troops through the fog/dust/rain ,will my orders all be recieved at the same time, will the tactical situation have changed by the time the unit commanders recieve their orders. will my orders be interpretated the way I intended. will they even be ignored by local officers that think they have a better measure of the troops morale etc etc.
How much more enjoyable and challenging the game becomes when you have to cope with an ever changing,fluid,confused battlefield. That you finally win through. try it a few more times with this mind set.

I think CnC ancients is not a chess game. You must imagine you are the commander of the army in the battlefield. You can´t see all of your units. The Command cards represent the despair of the commander that can not handle the troops as he wanted.
The system is simple and effective.

mesala wrote:
I think CnC ancients is not a chess game.

Absolutely. I enjoy the C&C system because of its representation of historical warfare, especially the Fog of War resrtiction / frustration.

"In war, always expect the unexpected".