Overview
At a glance
Is this game right for my group?
ABG editorial scores on a 1–5 scale.
Harder to teach
High replayability
Highly interactive
Scales well
Deep strategy
How it plays
How does it play?
For twenty years, the "Battles from the Age of Reason" (BAR) game series has been the ultimate gaming expression of mid-eighteenth century warfare.
Core mechanisms
Key systems that shape the decisions players make.
Dice Rolling
Roll dice to introduce uncertainty into actions, production, movement, or resolution.
Line of Sight
Visibility between pieces determines valid targets, movement, or effects.
Movement Points
Spend a movement allowance across spaces with different costs.
Scenario Campaign
Play linked or standalone scenarios with their own setup, objectives, and consequences.
Hexagon Grid
Use a hexagonal map where each space connects evenly in six directions.
Simulation
Model a real or imagined system through detailed cause-and-effect rules.
Read the full game description
For twenty years, the "Battles from the Age of Reason" (BAR) game series has been the ultimate gaming expression of mid-eighteenth century warfare. The BAR games feature a highly detailed, realistic and interactive game system, gorgeous map and counter graphics, thorough research and exciting battles throughout Europe and America. However, because of rules depth, detail and period "elan", many gamers have been perplexed in learning the system. This Primer is designed as an illustrated learning tool to accompany and enhance the Third Edition BAR rules. This Primer features illustrated rules demonstrations, game tactics, learning modules and 280 upgrade and errata counters for previous BAR games. This "Battles from the Age of Reason Primer" can be used with all BAR games and even with older rules sets, but is designed around the Third Edition BAR rules and ownership of Fontenoy is required for use of the "Learning Modules" sections. It includes: 1-An introduction to BAR 2-Command Control 3-Formations 4-Fire Combat 5-Close Combat 6-Disorder 7-Morale 8-Basic BAR Tactics 9-Learning Modules & Exercises 10-Updating games to BAR v3 11-BARv3 errata, game support and credits