Britannia (1986) – Board Game Guys

Britannia

“Britannia” is a strategy board game first released and published in 1986 by Gibsons Games in the United Kingdom and The Avalon Hill Game Company in 1987 in the United States. Designed by Lewis Pulsipher, the game has been revised and republished by Fantasy Flight Games, with the latest version sometimes referred to as Britannia Second Edition or Britannia II. The game has been selected among the anthology Hobby Games: The 100 Best and is ranked by members of the Board Game Geek site in the top 350 of over 10,000 ranked games.

Why is Britannia Popular?

Britannia is a popular and significant board game for several reasons:
– It is a historical strategic board-wargame that broadly depicts the millennia-long struggle for control of England, Scotland, and Wales.
– The game has spawned a subgenre of wargames characterized by epic time scales, with players taking the part of multiple tribes or nations over the course of the game.
– Britannia has gone through various revisions and publications, with the latest version introducing new concepts and rules.
– The game allows players to re-create historic events and re-enact battles, making it an immersive and educational experience.

Game Components of Britannia

Board: A large, beautifully colored map of the British Isles, including parts of Ireland and Normandy, though these are not used in the game.

Unit Markers: 251 markers in red, blue, yellow, and green, representing infantry, cavalry, leaders, Roman forts, and Saxon Burhs.

Nation Cards: 17 cards with information on each nation’s appearance, objectives, and victory point scoring.

Victory Point Tokens: 175 tokens in denominations of 1, 5, and 25.

Population Markers: 16 markers for tracking population increases.

Game Round Marker: A sword-shaped marker.

Combat Dice: Five white, six-sided dice.

Rulebook: A 24-page, full-color rulebook with historical guidelines and strategy hints.

How To Setup Britannia

To set up the game, each player selects a subset of the 17 different nations, typically controlling 2-3 nations at any given time. The board is populated with the initial armies of various nations such as the Belgae, Welsh, Brigantes, Caledonians, and Picts. The Romans begin in the English Channel and are the first to move. Players place their nation cards, unit markers, and other components according to the nation’s specific rules and the game’s timeline.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Historical Timeline: The game follows a strict historical timeline, with new invaders arriving at specific points.

Nation Turns: Each nation takes a turn in strict order, with five phases per turn.

Combat and Movement: Players engage in combat and move units across the board to control territories.

Victory Points: Nations earn victory points based on their objectives, such as controlling certain regions or eliminating other nations.

Game Objective: The objective is to accumulate the most victory points by the end of the game, which concludes after the Norman Conquest.

Player Experience

Playing **Britannia** can be a lengthy and immersive experience, with the full four-player game taking at least four hours. The game is best played with four players but can accommodate two to five players. Players need to balance short-term tactical decisions with long-term strategic planning, as different nations rise and fall throughout the game. For those who enjoy detailed historical strategy and are willing to invest the time, **Britannia** offers a rich and rewarding experience.

Pros

Historical Depth: The game provides a detailed and historically accurate depiction of the invasions and migrations in the British Isles.

Strategic Complexity: Players have numerous strategic choices, including managing multiple nations and navigating historical events.

High-Quality Components: The Fantasy Flight Games version features improved graphics and sturdy components.

Replayability: With multiple nations and scenarios, the game offers high replayability.

Cons

Long Playtime: The game can take several hours to complete, especially for inexperienced players.

Complex Rules: The game has a steep learning curve due to its complex rules and numerous components.

Misprints: The Fantasy Flight Games version has some misprints, which can be corrected with downloadable errata.

Personal Thoughts on Britannia

**Britannia** is ideal for players who enjoy deep historical strategy and are willing to invest time and effort into mastering the game. It is a great choice for those interested in British history, as it offers a unique blend of historical accuracy and strategic gameplay. However, it may not be the best fit for casual gamers due to its complexity and lengthy playtime. For enthusiasts of wargames and historical strategy, **Britannia** is a gem that provides a challenging and rewarding experience.

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