Iliad (2006) Board Game – Board Game Guys

The Iliad board game, released in 2006, is a strategic card game based on Homer’s epic poem, The Iliad. Designed by Dominique Ehrhard and published by Asmodee, the game immerses players in the world of ancient Greek mythology, where they must strategically build their army and conquer Troy.

Game Components of Iliad

Army Cards: 75 cards representing various troops and war machines like archers, hoplites, chariots, elephants, ballistae, and catapults.

Victory Cards: Three types – Cities (1-3 VPs), Triremes (1-3 VPs), and a single Helen card (5 VPs).

Oracle Cards: Determine the manner of each siege.

Hero Cards: Boost army strength.

Agamemnon, Athena, and Poseidon Tiles: Worth 1-2 VPs each, awarded based on performance.

Trojan Horse Card: Allows placing cards face-down.

How To Setup Iliad

To set up the game, each player is dealt a hand of 12 Army cards from a shuffled draw pile. The Victory cards and Oracle cards are shuffled and placed into their own separate piles face-down. An Oracle card is revealed at the start of each round, and the appropriate number of Victory cards are turned over based on the number of players.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Gameplay Actions: Players can either play a card from their hand, attack an opponent, or pass.

Round Structure: Rounds are called “sieges,” with the winner determined by the highest score of played cards.

Victory Points: The first player to collect 12 VPs (15 in a two-player game) wins.

Army Building: Players build their armies using Army cards, with some cards having special abilities.

Siege Types: Oracle cards determine the type of siege, affecting how the round is conducted.

Team Play: Optional team mode where partners aggregate their Victory point cards.

Player Experience

Iliad offers a “middle-weight” feel, lasting about 40 minutes per game. It is quick to set up and play but provides significant depth. The game requires tactical decisions, including building armies, creating formations like phalanxes with hoplites, and using special cards like the Trojan Horse strategically. The interactive nature of the game, where players can attack each other, adds a layer of engagement and consequences.

Pros

Tactical Depth: Requires strategic army building and card management.

Interactive Gameplay: Players can attack each other, adding a competitive element.

Quick Setup: Easy to set up and start playing.

Variability: Different Victory cards and Oracle cards ensure varied gameplay.

Team Play Option: Supports team play for a different dynamic.

Cons

Loose Theme: The game’s theme is not strictly adherent to historical or mythological accuracy.

Randomness: Some randomness due to card draws and Oracle card effects.

Learning Curve: Interactions between units can be complex and require some learning.

Personal Thoughts on Iliad

Iliad is a great fit for those who enjoy competitive card games with strategic depth but don’t want a game that is overly complex or time-consuming. It is suitable for groups of 2 to 6 players, making it versatile for different gaming setups. While the theme is light and not always historically accurate, the game’s mechanics and variability make it a compelling choice for fans of tactical card games.

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