When you start a game of Archon, the two forces will advance their units onto the board. After determining the number of players and which side starts first, the game can commence.
The game is divided into two parts: the strategic phase, and the combat phase.
During the strategic phase, players make alternating turns to move one of their units, or to have their wizard cast a spell. When a player moves their unit onto an opponent's unit, they engage in combat.
During the combat phase, units will be placed at the opposite ends of the arena. The colour of the tile they are on will determine which player has the advantage; white favoring the light player, and black favoring the dark player.
The game will end when all enemy forces are defeated, when one player controls all five power points, or when there is a stalemate after a number of turns.