- BGG rank
- BGG #9,118
- BGG rating
- 8.5
The Battles of Mollwitz 1741 and Chotusitz 1742
- 2 players
- 120–720 min
- Complexity 4.1/5
- 2017
- BGG rating
- 8.8
Expansion for The Battle of Fontenoy: 11 May, 1745
Primer: The Gamer's Source for Battles from the Age of Reason
2013
Rules assistance for Primer: The Gamer's Source for Battles from the Age of Reason
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–6 players
- 120 min
- 14+
- Complexity 4.0/5
Rules assistant for Primer: The Gamer's Source for Battles from the Age of Reason
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Primer: The Gamer's Source for Battles from the Age of Reason is an expansion for The Battle of Fontenoy: 11 May, 1745 released in 2013 for 2–6 players, 120 minutes per game, and ages 14 and up. It was designed by Mathew Hinkle and its main mechanics are Dice Rolling, Hexagon Grid, and Simulation.
Similar games
- BGG rank
- BGG #2,219
- BGG rating
- 7.1
Wooden Ships & Iron Men
- 2 players
- 60–300 min
- Complexity 3.1/5
- 1974
- BGG rank
- BGG #4,980
- BGG rating
- 6.6
1776: The Game of the American Revolutionary War
- 2 players
- 120 min
- Complexity 3.1/5
- 1974
- BGG rank
- BGG #2,953
- BGG rating
- 7.6
Flying Colors
- 1–4 players
- 240 min
- Complexity 3.0/5
- 2003
- BGG rank
- BGG #9,103
- BGG rating
- 8.0
Horse & Musket: Dawn of an Era
- 1–2 players
- 60–90 min
- Complexity 2.5/5
- 2017
- BGG rank
- BGG #226
- BGG rating
- 7.5
Memoir '44
- 2–4 players
- 30–45 min
- Complexity 2.3/5
- 2004
- BGG rank
- BGG #664
- BGG rating
- 7.9
Star Wars: Battle of Hoth
- 2–4 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 1.9/5
- 2025
- BGG rank
- BGG #3,462
- BGG rating
- 6.7
Panzer Leader: Game of Tactical Warfare on the Western Front
- 2 players
- 90 min
- Complexity 3.1/5
- 1974
- BGG rank
- BGG #4,915
- BGG rating
- 7.3
Melee
- 2 players
- 15 min
- Complexity 2.2/5
- 1977
- BGG rank
- BGG #5,142
- BGG rating
- 8.4
Austerlitz 1805: Rising Eagles
- 1–6 players
- 60–600 min
- Complexity 3.1/5
- 2016
- BGG rank
- BGG #6,666
- BGG rating
- 8.0
Quatre Bras 1815: Last Eagles
- 2–4 players
- 120–600 min
- Complexity 3.5/5
- 2019
- BGG rank
- BGG #6,713
- BGG rating
- 6.6
Submarine
- 1–6 players
- 60–180 min
- Complexity 3.2/5
- 1976
About the game
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
Categories
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- Clash of Arms Games
Questions and answers
Primer: The Gamer's Source for Battles from the Age of Reason supports 2–6 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Primer: The Gamer's Source for Battles from the Age of Reason is 120 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Primer: The Gamer's Source for Battles from the Age of Reason for ages 14 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Primer: The Gamer's Source for Battles from the Age of Reason has a complexity rating of 4.0 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a heavy game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Primer: The Gamer's Source for Battles from the Age of Reason belongs to these categories: Wargame, Expansion for Base-game, and Age of Reason. Its main mechanics are Dice Rolling, Hexagon Grid, and Simulation. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Primer: The Gamer's Source for Battles from the Age of Reason are: Mathew Hinkle. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Primer: The Gamer's Source for Battles from the Age of Reason as an expansion for The Battle of Fontenoy: 11 May, 1745. Expansions add new content, rules or scenarios to the base game and usually cannot be played on their own, so you need The Battle of Fontenoy: 11 May, 1745 to use it. Check that your edition of The Battle of Fontenoy: 11 May, 1745 is compatible, as some expansions were revised between editions.