Flying Colors

About this board game

Flying Colors is a tactical Age of Sail naval game for 1–4 players, with battles that can take up to 240 minutes. It recreates engagements ranging from small clashes to enormous fleet actions involving dozens of individually named ships.

Rather than using pre-plotted movement, the game combines initiative with a straightforward command system. Players activate and maneuver their fleets while trying to maintain control as combat develops, reflecting the difference between commanders who followed established rules of engagement and more forward-thinking leaders who retained control after the first broadsides.

The system focuses on broad vessel classes within each rate instead of emphasizing unique abilities for every ship. Even so, each ship is represented individually and rated for size, gunnery, boarding ability, and damage capacity. Nearly four dozen named commanders also bring ratings for formation control and the influence of their presence within a fleet.

• Historical scenarios covering small engagements and major fleet battles
• Tactical mechanics for broadsides, rakes, anchoring, wind, weather, and shore batteries
• Individually named ships and commanders
• Point values for creating variants and “what-if” scenarios
• Scenarios suitable for one player, with support for up to four players

Turns represent approximately 5–10 minutes, while each hex covers 100 meters. Battles range from single-map engagements to huge actions such as the Glorious First of June, which uses three maps. Most scenarios can be completed within a few hours, although the largest may take a full day for two players.

With a short, accessible rulebook and plenty of historical situations, Flying Colors offers a focused way to experience the movement, firepower, weather, and command challenges of tactical naval warfare during the Age of Sail.