Battle Line

2000

Experience Battle Line, a reimagined version of Schotten Totten. With enhanced graphics, wooden flags, and new tactics cards, win the battle by building the highest formation!

30
minutes

2 - 2
player(s)

12+

Medium Light

About the game

Battle Line is a uniquely strategic and immersive board game that takes you back to the era of fierce warriors and epic conflicts. Crafted by renowned game designer Reiner Knizia, Battle Line is a two-player game that challenges you to outmaneuver your opponent through tactical decisions and calculated risks.

The game’s setting transports you to a battlefield where two armies stand ready for combat. Your goal is to lead your army to victory by breaking through your opponent’s battle line or winning 5 out of 9 possible flags. This is achieved by playing cards from your hand that represent different units in your army, each with unique strengths and abilities.

Game components Unboxing the fun!

The game ‘Battle Line’ consists of several components that each play a unique role in the gameplay. Here’s a detailed description of each component:

1. 60 Troop Cards: These are the main cards players use during the game. They are divided into six colors (or suits), each containing ten cards numbered from 1 to 10.

Role: Players place these cards in front of their nine flags to build formations. The highest formation wins the flag.
Interaction: Players draw a troop card at the end of their turn, keeping their hand at a total of seven cards.

2. 10 Tactics Cards: These are special cards that can provide a range of advantages to the player.

Role: Tactics cards are used to alter the normal rules of the game, giving players an edge in certain situations.
Interaction: Players can choose to draw a tactics card instead of a troop card at the end of their turn. However, there are restrictions on how many tactics cards each player can play.

3. 9 Flags: Flags represent the various battlefields between the two opposing forces.

Role: The goal of the game is to capture these flags by having superior formations. A player wins by capturing five of the nine flags, or three adjacent flags.
Interaction: When both players have played three cards at a flag, the formations are compared and the flag is awarded to the player with the stronger formation.

4. 2 Reference Cards: These cards provide a summary of the game rules and card hierarchy.

Role: These are used to assist players in understanding the game rules and determining which formation is higher.
Interaction: Players can reference these cards at any point during the game to clarify rules or resolve disputes.

Understanding the role of each component in ‘Battle Line’ is crucial to formulating strategies and enjoying the game.

Game setup Lay it out, line it up, let’s go

Battle Line is a two-player card game designed by Reiner Knizia. The game is set in antiquity with players taking on the roles of rival generals, each commanding an array of troops. The goal is to win the game by securing the majority of the ten battle flags on the board.

To set up the game, follow these steps:

Setting Up The Game: You will need a flat surface, such as a table or a floor, to set up your game. Place the game board between the two players with the ten spaces for flags in the middle.
Player Roles: Each player is a general commanding an army. There are no specific roles other than this, and both players have equal powers and abilities.
Deck Preparation: Shuffle the 60-card troop deck. These cards are numbered from 1-10 in six different colors. Each color represents a different unit in the army. There are also 10 tactic cards which can be used to gain an advantage in the game. After shuffling, deal seven cards to each player. The remaining cards form the draw pile.
Flag Placement: Place the ten flags on their designated spaces on the game board. The flags are used to mark which battles (or games) a player has won.
Initial Resources: Each player starts with seven cards in hand. These cards are the player’s initial resources for the game. They represent the troops and tactics available to the player.
Random Elements: The order of the cards in the draw pile is a major random element in the game. Players do not know what cards they will draw during their turn, which adds an element of unpredictability to the game.
Game Play: Players take turns playing a card from their hand onto a flag, then drawing a card from the deck. A player can play their cards on any flag, but once a card is played on a flag, it cannot be moved. The goal is to create a stronger formation on your side of each flag than your opponent has on their side.
Winning the Game: The game ends when all flags have been claimed or one player has claimed a majority of the flags. The player who has claimed the most flags is the winner.

The key to winning Battle Line is to carefully manage your resources (cards) and to strategically decide where to place your cards to win the majority of the flags. Good luck and enjoy the game!

Game flow Round and round we go

Battle Line is a strategic board game for two players, centered around the concept of deploying troops and tactics to win battles. Here is a detailed explanation of how the game is structured, and what actions are performed at each stage.

The game starts with each player having a deck of 60 cards, which include troop cards and tactic cards. The primary objective is to win five of the nine flags or any three adjacent flags.

Setup: At the start of the game, nine flags are placed on the game board. Each player shuffles their deck and draws seven cards.

Player Turn: On a player’s turn, they can perform two actions:
- Play a card: The player can play a Troop card on their side of a flag or a Tactics card. A maximum of three cards can be played on each side of a flag.
- Draw a card: After playing a card, the player draws a card from the deck to replace it in their hand.
Claiming Flags: A flag is claimed when:
- The formations on both sides of the flag are complete (i.e., three cards each).
- It is the player’s turn and they can prove that the opponent cannot beat their formation, even if the game continues.
End of the Game: The game ends when a player has won either five of the nine flags, or any three adjacent flags. If neither player can achieve this, the game ends when all cards have been drawn and players have played all their cards.

In Battle Line, strategic decision-making is vital. Players must decide where to deploy their strongest formations, when to play their Tactics cards, and how to manage their hand to ensure they can respond to their opponent’s moves.

Players'turn One turn to rule them all

Battle Line is a strategic card game where players take turns trying to gain control of the nine flags that constitute the ‘battle line’. During their turn, players must follow a specific sequence of actions, with various strategic choices that can impact the outcome of the game.

A player’s turn in Battle Line consists of the following steps:

Draw a Card: The player begins their turn by drawing a card from one of two decks – the Troop deck or the Tactics deck. The Troop deck contains cards representing different units with values ranging from 1 to 10, while the Tactics deck contains special cards that can alter the course of the game.
Play a Card: After drawing, the player must play one card from their hand. This card can be a Troop card, which is placed face up on the player’s side of one of the nine flags, or a Tactics card, which is played to the discard pile and its special effect is immediately resolved.
Claim a Flag: If the player has a stronger formation of cards on their side of a flag than their opponent (based on the game’s ranking system of formations), they may claim that flag. The player must have at least three cards on their side of the flag to claim it, and their opponent must have had an opportunity to play three cards on their side as well. Once a flag is claimed, it cannot be contested or changed for the rest of the game.

Strategic choices in Battle Line revolve around where to place your cards and when to claim flags. Since the goal of the game is to claim more flags than your opponent, players must carefully consider where to allocate their strongest cards. However, deploying high-value cards early can leave a player vulnerable later in the game, as they may run out of strong cards to play.

Additionally, choosing when to claim a flag can also be a crucial decision. Claiming a flag early can put pressure on your opponent, but it can also reveal your strategy and allow your opponent to counter your moves. Thus, a balance of offense and defense, as well as a keen understanding of the game’s mechanics, is crucial to achieving victory in Battle Line.

End of the game All good games must come to an end

Battle Line is a strategic card game where the primary objective is to win either any five of nine flags (a majority) or three adjacent flags. The game ends immediately when either of these conditions is met, and the player who fulfills any of these victory conditions is declared the winner. There is no final scoring or score tallying in Battle Line; the game concludes when the victory conditions are met.

To clarify, the victory conditions are:

Majority Victory: This occurs when a player successfully captures five out of the total nine flags. Capturing a flag is achieved by creating a more powerful formation on your side of the flag than your opponent.
Breakthrough Victory: A player achieves this by capturing three adjacent flags on the battlefield.

Before a flag can be claimed, both players must have played either three cards on their side of the flag or have passed their turn. The formations of cards are then compared, and the player with the stronger formation wins the flag.

Note: In the event that players tie in formation strength, the player who completed their formation first wins the flag. If it is still a tie, then the flag remains unclaimed until a tie-breaker can be determined.

Remember: Play strategically and with foresight, as the game can end abruptly if a player achieves a breakthrough victory.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

Battle Line is a strategic card game where scoring is determined by the players’ ability to form powerful formations on their side of the battlefield. The game does not use a point-based scoring system but rather a positional victory system. Below is a detailed explanation of the game’s scoring system.

Formation Victory:

A player wins immediately if they have 5 or more Flags claimed on their side. This is irrespective of the number of cards or formations on either side.
A player also wins immediately if they claim three adjacent Flags on their side. This is known as a ‘Breakthrough’ victory.

Claiming a Flag:

A Flag is claimed when a player has a stronger formation on their side of the battlefield. Formations are ranked from strongest to weakest as follows: Wedge, Phalanx, Battalion Order, Skirmish Line, Probe, and Redeploy.
In case of a tie in the strength of the formation, the total value of the cards in the formation is used as a tie-breaker. The player with the higher total value claims the flag.

Tie-Breaking Rules:

If both players have the same formation and the same total value of cards, the player who completed their formation first claims the flag.
If a flag cannot be claimed because both formations are equal and were completed in the same turn, the flag remains unclaimed.
If all nine flags are unclaimed at the end of the game because of ties, the game ends in a draw.

It’s crucial to note that the game of Battle Line requires not only strategic planning but also the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. A well-timed tactical move can often swing the tide of the battle and lead to victory.

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

Battle Line is a strategy card game designed by Reiner Knizia. Although it’s simple to play, there are few special rules and exceptions that can create confusion. Here are some crucial clarifications:

Troop Cards and Tactics Cards: A player cannot have more Tactics cards than his opponent. If a player has more Tactics cards in their layout, they cannot play another one until their opponent catches up.

Claiming a Flag: A player can claim a flag only when both sides have played at least one card on that flag, and it’s the player’s turn. Once a flag is claimed, it cannot be challenged or changed.

The Last Card Rule: If all cards are drawn from the deck, players must play their remaining cards in their hands. If a player cannot play a card, they must discard one card from their hand instead.

Rules for Special Tactics Cards

Scout: When a player plays this card, he can draw 1 to 3 cards from the deck or the discard piles. However, he must discard the same number of cards from his hand at the end of his turn.
Traitor: This card allows a player to take a card from the opponent’s side of a flag and play it on their own side. This can only be done if the flag is unclaimed.
Redeploy: A player can move one of their cards from one flag to another with this card. The new flag must be unclaimed, and the player must not break the formation of the previous flag.
Deserter: This card allows a player to remove an opponent’s card from a flag. The removed card is placed in the discard pile.
Mud: This card slows down the game. When this card is played, neither player can claim the flag on which it is played until three cards have been played on both sides.

Winning the Game: A player wins if they claim three adjacent flags or any five flags. If all flags are claimed and there’s no winner, the player with the most claimed flags wins. If there’s still a tie, the player who claimed the most flags first wins.

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

Advanced Strategies

Battle Line is a game of wits and strategy. Here are a few advanced strategies to help you gain an edge:

Bluffing: This can be a powerful tool when used correctly. Pretend to compete for a flag that you have no intention of winning to draw out your opponent’s strong cards.
Card Counting: Keeping track of the cards that have been played can give you an idea of what your opponent might have left. This can help you make more informed decisions about where to play your cards.
Strategic Flag Placement: Try to win the flags in the center of the line. This can help you control the flow of the game and put pressure on your opponent.

Beginner Tips

If you’re just starting out with Battle Line, here are some tips to help you get started:

Understand the Cards: Make sure you understand the strengths and weaknesses of each card. This will help you make better decisions during the game.
Be Flexible: Don’t get too attached to a single strategy. Be prepared to change your approach based on the cards you draw and the actions of your opponent.
Practice: The best way to improve is by playing the game. Practice makes perfect!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common mistakes to improve your Battle Line gameplay:

Forgetting the Rules: Make sure you understand the rules before you start playing. This can help you avoid costly mistakes.
Ignoring Your Opponent: Don’t focus solely on your own cards. Pay attention to what your opponent is doing and try to anticipate their moves.
Playing Too Defensively: While it’s important to protect your own flags, don’t forget to attack your opponent’s. Balance is key.

Ways to Optimize Gameplay

Here’s how to optimize your gameplay in Battle Line:

Plan Ahead: Try to plan your moves a few turns in advance. This can give you a strategic advantage.
Use Your Tactics Cards Wisely: These cards can turn the tide of the game, but only if used correctly. Don’t waste them on insignificant moves.
Manage Your Resources: Be mindful of the cards left in your hand and in the deck. Knowing when to play certain cards can be the difference between winning and losing.