Dark Ages: Tactical Warfare, 500-1300 (1971)

About this game

Tactical Warfare 700-1300 A.D. It covers all the major military systems such as the Vikings, Crusaders, Muslim Cavalry, Byzantine Legions and Mongol Hordes. It has 14 scenarios that cover the major battles from the Battle of Tours in 732 to the Battle of Liegnitz in 1241. It has one general map that all 14 battles are fought on, in different locations on the map. There are 6 types of infantry units, 4 types of cavalry units and Viking fleets. Victory is gained by destroying enemy units and a special rule accounts for the "panic threshold" of the troops. There are two types of combat, melee and missile. It uses an odds based combat results table, a terrain effect chart and a combat unit capability chart.

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Strictly 2 players — no more, no fewer.
• Rules load. At 2.2/5 this is a mid-weight game — expect a proper rules explanation before you start.
• Age. The publisher suggests 12 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.