Battle-Cry (1961) Board Game

Battle-Cry is a classic board game released in 1961 by Milton Bradley. It is set during the American Civil War and Post-Napoleonic era, offering players a chance to engage in strategic warfare on a square grid battlefield.

Game Components of Battle-Cry

Square-grid map of the Eastern United States during the American Civil War

44 playing pieces (22 blue for the Union, 22 gray for the Confederacy): 10 infantry, 10 cavalry, and 2 artillery for each side

Rulebook

Two six-sided dice

How To Setup Battle-Cry

Each player starts with 22 color-coded counters placed on specified starting locations on the map. The setup is fixed, with infantry, cavalry, and artillery units marked with I, C, and A respectively on the map.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Movement: Players roll two 6-sided dice to determine movement points, which can be allocated to units. Infantry moves one square per pip, while cavalry and artillery move two squares per pip. Units must stop if they reach a mountain square.

Combat: Combat is initiated by lining up a column of pieces horizontally or vertically to attack an enemy column. The attacker must have numerical superiority, calculated as 2 points for infantry and artillery, and 1 point for cavalry. The entire defending column is eliminated, and the rear-most unit in the attacker’s column moves to the front.

Victory Conditions: The game is won by the side that eliminates all enemy pieces.

Player Experience

*Battle-Cry* is praised for its simplicity and hidden strategic depth. Players need to judiciously use their movement points and calculate how many moves it will take to attack and eliminate enemy forces. The game requires strategic maneuvering to protect high-value pieces like artillery and to outmaneuver the opponent.

Pros

Easy to understand rules

Quick playtime of 30-40 minutes for 2 players

Light but with some strategic depth

Quality pieces, though differentiated only by color

Cons

Randomness of dice rolls can affect gameplay

No specific differences in the pieces for each side

Concerns over replayability

Not a true “war” game but abstracted

Personal Thoughts on Battle-Cry

*Battle-Cry* is ideal for those looking for a light, strategic game with a historical theme. It is particularly suited for families or casual gamers who want to engage in a fun and relatively quick game. While it lacks the complexity of more advanced war games, it offers a satisfying and engaging experience that requires tactical thinking and strategic planning.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.