Osprey Games is set to release a new tile-based wargame titled Battalion: War of the Ancients in Autumn 2024. The game is a creation of designers Paolo Mori, known for Pandemic: Fall of Rome and Libertalia, and Francesco Sirocchi, associated with Pocket Battles. The artwork for the game is provided by Roland MacDonald, who has contributed to Shogun 2: Total War, Undaunted, and Final Girl.
Battalion: War of the Ancients is designed as a dynamic tile-based wargame that draws inspiration from ancient history’s epic battles. It offers players the opportunity to command armies from notable periods and regions, such as the Roman legions, the crossbowmen of the Han dynasty, the Greco-Bactrian cavalry, and the forces led by Hannibal, including mercenaries, elephants, and the Sacred Band of Carthage.
The game emphasizes strategic assembly of armies, management of unit ranks, and tactical deployment on the field. Players must carefully consider the composition of their units, utilizing the unique traits of each rank tile to strengthen their forces while avoiding unwieldy combinations.
Battalion: War of the Ancients supports two or four players and features gameplay that balances accessibility with strategic depth. The game includes four playable factions, each with distinct strengths, weaknesses, and faction-specific tactics cards. The objective is to effectively manage your forces, control the tempo of the battle, and secure victory.
Included components are 1 rulebook, 144 tiles, over 70 cards, 24 tokens, 2 boards, 6 dice, and 4 sector markers. The game is recommended for players aged 14 and up and has an estimated playtime of 20 to 45 minutes.