Battle Line review

Battle Line is the cheapest way into military board games at $24 from GMT Games, now in its 12th printing. It is a two-player card game set in the age of Alexander the Great, built on Reiner Knizia's earlier Schotten-Totten. The box contains 60 troop cards showing formations such as War Elephants, Heavy Cavalry and Phalanx, 10 tactics cards that work as wildcards, and 9 plastic flags. You win by taking 5 of the 9 flags, which GMT calls an envelopment, or three adjacent flags, a breakthrough. GMT says a game takes about 30 minutes and the rule book is 4 pages, so it is the easiest game here to teach. The limits are clear: there is no map, no movement and no third player, and the ancient setting will not suit someone looking for WWII. It works well as a filler between longer wargames or as a first strategy game for a partner.

Who it is for

Two players on a budget who want a 30-minute battle

Price

$24 direct from GMT Games.

Rodger MacGowan, Mark Simonitch Price: $24.00
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 11, 2026.

Key features

• 60 full-color troop cards and 10 tactics cards
• 9 plastic battle flags
• Win 5 of the 9 flags, or three adjacent flags
• About 30 minutes per game
• 4-page rule book

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Cheapest game on this list at $24
• Strength: GMT says a game takes about 30 minutes
• Strength: Rules fit in a 4-page rule book
• Weakness: Two players only
• Weakness: A card game with no map or unit movement
• Weakness: Ancient warfare theme, not modern wars

Key facts

• Publisher: GMT Games
• Designer: Reiner Knizia
• Setting: Age of Alexander the Great
• Playing time: About 30 minutes
• Printing: 12th printing

Where it ranks

Battle Line is No. 3 in our Best Military Board Games verdict.