EPIC Napoleonics is the sixth expansion for GMT’s Commands
& Colors Napoleonics game system. EPIC Napoleonics allows for fighting
larger battles with more units. EPIC Napoleonics is actually two game systems
in one – the Epic Battles system, and the La Grande Battles system. Although
the scope of our Napoleonic game has changed size wise, the historical feel and
the basic rules of play, for the most part, remain the same. To experience the
maximum enjoyment with these two new Napoleonic game formats, both EPIC
Napoleonics and La Grande Battles scenarios are best played using the Command
card and Tactician card decks that were part of the Generals, Marshals and
Tacticians expansion.
Included in this expansion are six standard sized scenarios
that focus on key phases of the battle of Austerlitz, 2 December 1805. This
expansion also features 12 EPIC sized engagements and two La Grande Battle
scenarios. Also included are two double-sided mounted maps. The EPIC sided
battlefield is larger, and at 11 hexes deep by 20 hexes wide, it is almost
double the size of the standard size battlefield of 9 hexes deep by 13 hexes
wide. When laid side-by-side to form the La Grande battlefield, the battle area
is a whopping 11 hexes deep by 26 hexes wide.
In an EPIC Napoleonics game, one player on each side assumes
the role of the Commander In Chief (CIC). Each CIC has a hand of Command cards
and on a turn must play one card from his hand to order units in one section of
the EPIC battlefield. Also on the turn, the CIC must select one card from the
Courier rack to play. The card selected from the Courier rack will also order
units in one section of the EPIC battlefield. There are only three sections in
the EPIC battlefield (left, center and right) and with two Command cards played
each turn, the action quickly becomes very fast and furious.
The Courier rack is a new game mechanic, and starts each
battle with five Command cards that are visible to both players. Each turn one
card is taken from the rack, so the choice of cards a player has each turn is
reduced, until there are only two cards remaining on the rack. The rack is then
filled back to five cards before the next player’s turn, and the card selection
process from the Courier rack will start again.
EPIC Napoleonic will allow two or more players to enjoy a
truly Epic size battle, but it is important to note in order to play most EPIC
Napoleonic scenarios, players will need a copy of the Commands & Colors
Napoleonic game and its expansions (Spanish, Russian, Austrian, Prussian and
Generals, Marshals and Tacticians) This EPIC Napoleonic expansion will only
provide enough units and terrain to fill any gaps.