relative range

Flying Colors returns you to the pinnacle of the Age of Sail, where mighty men-o-war and ships of the line met in vast engagements for command of the seas. Unlike other games set in the same period, Flying Colors provides a simpler, quick-playing system allowing players to reenact battles including dozens of ships on a side. Rather than focusing on the details of each ship, Flying Colors allows players to focus on maintaining control of their fleets as a whole, using a simple command system.

This web site represents the official support center for Flying Colors on the Web. From here, you can download the latest rules revisions and supplementary components for the game.

GAME HISTORY

Flying Colors was originally published in DTP form by Relative Range. It was picked up by GMT Games, LLC in 2005 for professional publication. The game has undergone some substantial rules revision after its general release as the gaming community deeply involved in naval combat offered several suggestions to improve playability and realism. The latest version of the game rules and charts are available here for download.

The first expansion to the game, Ship of the Line, is currently available for pre-order from the GMT Games web site. The second volume in the series, Serpents of the Seas, is currently under development.

Downloads

Flying Colors

Scenario Status Sheets

Ship of the Line

Scenario Status Sheets

under construction

AWARDS & NOMINATIONS

2005 Charles Roberts Award Nomination for Best Pre-WWII Game

GAME EXPANSIONS

SHIP OF THE LINE

Ship of the Line is the first expansion to Flying Colors. It primarily (although not exclusively) covers major fleet actions during the period of the American Revolution. The expansion includes sixteen total scenarios and adds over 100 new, individually named and rated ships as well at over 30 new commanders.

In addition to the sixteen included scenarios, Age of Sail aficionados can recreate the struggle between Admirals Suffren and Hughes with newly introduced campaign rules. Players must maintain their vessels through five historical confrontations, and may or may not receive reinforcements to continue their fight for control of the Indian Ocean.

Also included in Ship of the Line are a new "Map D" (which mates with maps from Flying Colors), two player aid cards, a set of rules incorporating changes and corrections from the first edition of Flying Colors, and plenty of additional status markers.

In order to be published, Ship of the Line must accumulate between 700 and 750 pre-orders. Check the GMT Games web site for pre-order status and to place your own discounted pre-order.

GAME SUPPORT

On this page you’ll find several support files to enhance your play of the game that were not included with the original publication.

SCENARIO STATUS SHEETS

These sheets allow players to keep track of their fleets on paper, rather than using a large number of status markers that may clutter up the play area. These sheets should be open at all times for inspection by all players.