Admiral's Order

Admiral’s Order is a simulation of naval engagements between ships-of-the-line and frigates in the Age of Fighting Sail. The focus of the game lies on the wars between Britain and France and her allies in the years 1775 to 1815.

How Admiral's Order is played
Each player takes on the role of an admiral, commander or captain whose command could include a single ship or even a fleet of 20 or more vessels. The core game (“Edition 74”) has seven scenarios to choose from, everything from a small, fast and furious encounter between two frigates to a strategic action involving a total of 35 ships-of –the-line. Furthermore, the “Trafalgar” expansion allows players to re-create the dramatic and decisive battle between the British and the allied fleet at Cape Trafalgar, an engagement featuring no less than 60 vessels. Further expansions such as „Cape Vincent“, „Chesapeake” or „Battle of the Nile“ are in preparation.

The Rule Book with three levels of complexity
A game turn equates to a ½ hour watch on the day of battle. In each turn, players will play cards to execute sailing manœuvres such as tacking, wearing or changing sail configuration in order to put their ships into position for devastating broadsides or even rakes on the enemy vessels.

In larger engagements ships are grouped together in squadrons and usually form a “Line of Battle”, a formation that provides the commander with the most control over his fleet. Using Admiral's Order cards players signal general commands to their squadrons ranging from "Form a Keel Line" and "Wearing in succession" to "Prepare for Close Action". Keeping the ships in formation and effectively deploying the fleet in the heat of battle while also retaining the initiative is the main challenge for a commander.