Commands & Colors: Medieval – Expansion #1 Crusades is the first expansion to Richard Borg’s acclaimed Commands & Colors: Medieval system, published by GMT Games. It jumps ahead some 500 years from the Byzantine-Sassanid battles of the base game to bring us the iconic engagements of the Crusader era – featuring Knights in shining armor (including Military Orders like the Templars and Hospitallers), Crossbowmen, Turcopoles and a variety of Turk and Arab factions as opponents.
The expansion not only introduces a host of new units but also brings a number of fresh mechanics to the system – Impetuous Pursuit, Feigned Flight, Shower Shooting, Relics, new Inspired Actions and Battlefield Actions – all adding historical depth and flavor while preserving the familiar, elegant core of the C&C system.
I had a chance to play this title extensively – including the whole First Crusade sequence of scenarios (Nicaea, Dorylaeum, Antioch and more). My experiences, observations and suggestions I gradually converted into a set of materials which I would like to share with Dear Readers today. Enjoy!
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We start with a general overview of the expansion – covering its historical context (the Crusades period), the gorgeous components that GMT Games delivered, new unit blocks (Crossbow Infantry, Foot Knights, Turcopole Light Bow Cavalry, Heavy Knight Cavalry and the elite Military Order Knight Cavalry), as well as the scenario book content. This section serves as an ideal introduction, allowing Readers to quickly understand what the expansion offers and decide if it might appeal to them.
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Next, we examine in detail the plethora of new mechanics that this fantastic expansion brings to the table. We go through Knights and their impact on the battlefield, other new units, new cavalry tactics (including Impetuous Pursuit and Feigned Flight), Relics, new Inspired Actions and new Battlefield Actions. This part is more procedural and explanatory, walking you step by step through what has changed and what has been added compared to the base game. In many ways, it can also function as a practical alternative to studying the rules leaflet directly.
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What is the best way to learn a game? By playing it! In the above video we go through the scenario details first and then present an actual example of play, showing the new units, mechanics and solutions in action. Knights, Templars and Hospitallers in shining armor, Relics, cunning light-bow Muslim cavalry and many other interesting aspects of that game are all on display – together with strategic considerations for both sides.
The above set will give you a solid foundation in Commands & Colors: Medieval – Expansion #1 Crusades. If you want to see the system in action in actual battles, I also recommend my First Crusade series of session reports (Nicaea, Dorylaeum, Antioch). I hope I sparked a bit of interest in you to try this title – definitely recommended for any C&C fan!