Imperium: Classics (2021) Board Game

Imperium: Classics is a board game released in 2021 by Osprey Games. Designed by Nigel Buckle and Dávid Turczi, this game falls under the categories of Ancient, Card Game, and Civilization. The game is set in the ancient world where players take on the roles of different empires, aiming to build powerful civilizations through strategic card play.

Game Components of Imperium: Classics

Civilization Decks: Each player has a unique deck representing their civilization, including leaders, accomplishments, technologies, territories, and potential unrest.

Power Cards: Double-sided cards that serve as the base civilization card and can be chosen at the start of the game.

Accession Cards: Mark the transition from a barbarian nation to an empire.

Nation Decks: Provide new cards to the draw deck each time it needs to be shuffled.

Development Cards: Add powers and scoring to the deck once a civilization becomes an empire.

State Cards: Indicate whether a civilization is barbarian or empire and hold action & exhaustion markers.

Market Cards: Include civilized cards, uncivilized cards, regions, tributaries, and unrest cards.

Fame Cards: Award great power and many victory points, leading up to the King of Kings card.

Automa System: For solo play, using a die and reference charts to simulate AI opponents.

How To Setup Imperium: Classics

Setting up **Imperium: Classics** involves several steps. First, each player chooses a civilization and sets up their starting deck, including the power card, accession card, and initial nation cards. The market is prepared by placing the various card types (civilized, uncivilized, regions, tributaries, and unrest) in their designated areas. For solo play, the Automa system is set up with the appropriate charts and die. Players also need to sort and organize their cards, which can take some time due to the detailed setup required.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Player Turns: Choose between Activate, Innovate, or other special actions.

Activate: Use up to three actions and five exhaust abilities.

Innovate: Discard the entire hand to acquire new cards.

Card Types:

Civilized Cards: Used once the civilization is an empire.

Uncivilized Cards: Can be used at any point in the game.

Regions: Provide resources and places to garrison cards.

Tributaries: Smaller nation states that can assist in building the civilization.

Unrest: Cards that lower the Progress score and can end the game if the market runs out.

Objective: Achieve the most Progress (victory points) by building and managing your civilization effectively.

Player Experience

**Imperium: Classics** offers a rich and immersive experience, especially for solo players. The game requires strategic planning, adaptive strategies, and managing resources efficiently. Each civilization plays uniquely, with its own strengths and weaknesses, making each game distinct. The Automa system for solo play is highly praised for its complexity and realism, simulating the behavior of human opponents effectively.

Pros

Deep Strategy: Multiple paths to victory and complex card interactions.

High Replayability: Different civilizations and random card draws ensure varied gameplay.

Excellent Solo Play: The Automa system provides a challenging and realistic solo experience.

Thematic Integrity: Each civilization is thematically distinct and true to its historical roots.

Good Component Quality: Excellent artwork and robust card design.

Cons

Steep Learning Curve: Teaching the game to new players can be time-consuming.

Long Setup and Teardown: Sorting and organizing cards takes considerable time.

Involved Scoring: Calculating victory points can be complex and time-consuming.

Personal Thoughts on Imperium: Classics

**Imperium: Classics** is ideal for players who enjoy deep strategy, deck-building mechanics, and civilization-building games. It is particularly recommended for solo players looking for a challenging and engaging experience. The game’s thematic depth and variability make it appealing to those interested in history and different cultural perspectives. However, it may not be the best fit for casual gamers due to its complexity and lengthy setup. For dedicated board game enthusiasts, **Imperium: Classics** offers a rich and rewarding experience that stands out in the genre.

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