Commands & Colors - Tricorne: The American Revolution Review with Sam Healey

[@juddvance7721]

Why blocks? 1. It allows for more unit differentiation. 3 different types of heavy infantry, 2 different types of light units, for example. To make unique molds for each would be prohibitive. To use badges like Memoir clutters the board and is lame. Much easier to see a unit is light by the green label. The bigger, more complex C&C games use the blocks and unit differentiation because they have to and appeal to an audience wanting more depth out of the game than Memoir and Battle Cry (both games which I have, but face it, Battle Cry totally whiffs on how they model cavalry). 2. You can easily see the strength of the unit. 4 strength? 2 strength. A quick scan of the board reveals all. No need to stack and think of trying to fit 5 counters (yes, the French have 5 blocks per infantry in the expansion) in a single hex unstacked. Too much clutter. 3. Looks better. You can create artwork and show the units in their historical uniforms. If you don't like stickering blocks, I assume you have not played C&C: Ancients and C&C: Napoleonics? Because they use more blocks. You are missing out: Ancients is a brilliant game -- best in the system. Napoleonics? Not so much, but still solid. So how do you sticker the blocks and save your sanity? 1. If you watch sporting events on TV, it is a perfect time to sticker because there is loads of downtime, so perfect to sticker. 2. Long road trips when you sit shotgun. Bring a lot of snack-sized ziploc baggies (pro tip). 3. I take them to family reunions and sticker while I visit and tell the people it keeps my hands busy. Very easy to do two things at once. I'll buy a C&C Expansion and then sticker it months later while I play through my other games. But I really have no problem stickering them outside of the examples I gave above. I'm good at it. The end result is worth it.

[@andrewsmith144]

your reviews have become more and more concise... i like it

[@francescodefilippis9384]

Didn't consider the new rout system as a pro...it actually makes for a huge change into the c&c system, and helps finally create a morale system independent from an abstract concept on unit's strength...and the cons are all based on judgment on graphic and materials (which are actually really good quality and can be considered clearer and more essential). Quite simplistic and superficial review.

[@jarnomiedema]

As much as I love the system behind these games, the look of them has steadily become really unappealing to me. The terrain is really bland and dull, the tiles are poorly drawn and I absolutely miss the miniatures. I get it, there are unit types here and in other C&C games that would be difficult to distinguish from eachother in miniature form and the wooden blocks are much easier to move around, but I can't help but wonder if Battle Cry and Memoir '44 would've been as succesfull if they used these blocks. So yeah, as much as I appreciate the tactical depth, I'm thoroughly dissappointed by the aesthetic decisions..

[@jarnomiedema]

I commented before reaching the end of the video and just heard your conclusion: I couldn't agree more.. Looks like the game needs the board and terrain hexes from Battle Cry and miniatures from model kits in order to enjoy it fully..

[@hofico6]

During the melee example the American regulars rolled some sabers. Aren’t they counted as hits?

[@timothysmith6211]

they should have been yes

[@-RTC-]

Thanks for reviewing this Sam! I agree with the disappointing graphic design. I think I’ll stick with Battlelore! Keep up the good work.

[@turks1966]

Thanks for the review Sam, everyone has different views on putting stickers on the blocks. The board does look very bland even with the separate hex tiles(GMT's C&C base map is so much nicer). I think if someone would want a nice entry weight game on the American Revolution with everything in one box this would be the way to go. Next year we will see another version of C&C when GMT puts out a Medieval version of the system, can't wait to see what it looks like. I just wonder how many different versions of this game system are really needed, the consumers will let us know. Once again thanks for the review, I hope you continue to review more war games, especially ones with Chits and Hexes :).

[@Tuxedoian]

Well, looking back on this is enlightening. We now have Ancients, Medieval, Napoleonics, American Revolution, American Civil War, World War I, World War II, Jacobite Revolutions, a fantasy version, a Game of Thrones version, and a futuristic version... And an upcoming Samurai one, too.

[@litphaniusmcmelloy4275]

I honestly really like blocks. Minimalistic, practical look. Nevertheless I understand that for a lot of people it looks bland and uninspired. And that kind of look is a normal thing in wargames.

[@timd4524]

You would absolutely need different figures for each class. Some way to tell them apart. Also I have an army of games with armies of minis. The blocks are easier to move without fuss and to those of us who may be more old school, look more like what we saw in the movies. They may also keep the cost of the game at an agreeable price. I do have a game where the blocks are printed on. Napoleon, by Avalon Hill. For each hit you rotate the block. Very efficient. Aesthetically pleasing yet the board is actually more functional than pretty. I think if either boards were brighter or covered with more color, it may seem to wash out the playing pieces. The stickers? Yea. Totally agree. But the expansion was a breeze. Only like 100+ units. 😁

[@juliesquirrel5269]

Comparison to Hold the Line remastered? I know Hold the Line has minis, but gameplay?

[@stephanegrimard2687]

Julie Squirrel similar but the combat system is different

[@juddvance7721]

www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/2218800/commands-colors-tricorne-richard-borgs-masterpiece

[@dearmrdw]

These blocks look 100% better than minis in C&C games. I would say chits are better than minis in C&C games - I hate setting up all this crappy flimsy plastic in Battlelore, storing minis is hell and distinguishing minis is not easy and unpainted minis often look BAD. I do not want to spend more money and time on a game painting minis - I want to play games, not paint minis. Hooray to standees and blocks.

[@juddvance7721]

I'm with you, but I found the easiest way to store these is with big plano boxes. As you eliminate units, you are putting up the game at the same time, which is quite efficient.

[@sampokeskitalo3766]

Thanks for the review. Unfortunately this won't hit my collection because of the blocks. C&C:N just barely got there.

[@johnschultz6731]

Stickers fun. But you're right about blocks. I think I'll be buying miniatures.

[@e-4airman124]

I enjoy the game. The blocks well there will other games down the road that some of these blocks may be needed for them.

[@0CalAgricola]

I have most of the other C&C games, but this one seems a step back graphically, and for the price, it is going to be a pass for me. I am looking forward to C&C Medieval when it ships.

[@juddvance7721]

You can get it for $66.50 at nwswargamingstore.net. What's wrong with that? That's cheaper than C&C:N when you factor in that you have to buy Expansion #5 to get the combat cards.

[@stephanegrimard2687]

C&C Napoleonics have this card system now too. Very cool

[@juddvance7721]

Not quite. They have one shared deck for both sides and from what I saw, you don't redraw them as frequently. Napoleonics system is closer to Memoir 44's combat cards.

[@e-4airman124]

stickers and blocks do not bother me.

[@charlesrowan1978]

Won't play the C+C systems until a time limit and objective rules are implemented.

[@polyfission2776]

Why a time limit? You ought to try the game before demanding those kind of "fixes". C&C are surpisingly fast paced, especially Ancients, and often end right after the climax. Its the most fun right out of the box I've ever had in my wargaming hobby time. Seriously, try it. you wont be disappointed.

[@gheilers]

I will stick with Avalon Hill's "1776." :-)

[@charlesrowan1978]

Of course you could try out GMT Washington's War.

[@charlesrowan1978]

You need to try out GMT new tri pack revolution battles. More involved but much more rewarding.

[@juddvance7721]

I wrote a review and I compare the Tricorne to the GMT games and Hold the Line: www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/2218800/commands-colors-tricorne-richard-borgs-masterpiece The GMT games don't work for me because they try to force the Saratoga system on to other games that cannot handle it. Greene enfiladed the British troops at Monmouth from Combs Hill, but you can't do it in that game. Greene employed Morgan's 3-line skirmisher tactics at Guilford, but the 1-hex range of rifle units means you cannot replicate it. Just too much fail in that system. It could work, but it would require throwing out the series rules and customizing each game. The army morale is a smart idea, but it too often turns into ZOC chess.

[@paulgerg6879]

I get what you mean, Sam. C&C just isn't as engaging without miniatures! I play Memoir 44 regularly and have just bought Battlelore on the strength of it. I would love to play the other C&C Ancients games but I won't waste my money on such a bland looking game.

[@bobmanser4189]

So Sam, blocks....... get off the fence. You like them really, admit it!

[@jasongrundy1717]

And why would I play this over another C&C game? I wouldn't. 0/10.

[@juddvance7721]

Because it's better than all of them except Ancients.

[@jameskyle7943]

Looks like a prototype. Not even.

[@Gsumedia]

Airfix, italeri, ibex, all make 1/72 miniatures, problem solved

[@Gsumedia]

Imex, “spell check”

[@t9t967]

I’m getting sick of all these quasi identical C&C games. Memoir 44 was (is) is so ‘tasty’ with its superb production value, the different expansions, theatres of operations, overlord epic scale, cool miniatures, etc... At the time of writing these lines, the Tricorne flavour of C&C costs 109 $, for a game with no inspiration, ambition and utterly ugly.

[@polyfission2776]

Compass game is a niche publisher, its probably why the cost is so high. Most of their catalogue is very expensive, not just C&C. Also, I think it is a good thing that Borg is giving us many different wars to explore through his system. Personally I think it is better suited to close combat than modern so I welcome the variety.

[@juddvance7721]

$66.50 at NWS and it's got the best combat system of all of the C&C games.

[@francescodefilippis9384]

What are we, eight years old we need our lil soldiers on the board, or wargamers trying to simulate historical battles?

[@inhumanbookworm]

Thumb down for talking so much about blocks and stickers, I get it, it's a con for you, move on or follow your own advice and play another game that doesn't have them.