Conquest of the Empire (2005) Board Game

Conquest of the Empire is a board game released in 2005 and designed by Paul Niemeyer. It falls under the categories of ancient, fighting, political, territory building, and wargame. The game is set in ancient Rome, where players take on the role of generals leading armies to conquer territories and build their empire.

Game Components of Conquest of the Empire

Game board: A detailed map of the Roman Empire.

Province tokens: Representing various provinces.

Chaos tokens: Used in the advanced rules.

Influence/control tokens: For each player color.

Instructions Booklets: One for Classic rules and one for the new Conquest of the Empire 2 rules.

Game pieces:

Caesars, Generals, Infantry, Cavalry, Catapults, Galleys: Each player has a set of these in different colors.

Coins: 25 five-talent coins (Silver) and 50 ten-talent coins (Gold).

Dice: Six-sided dice with pictures of different units.

Fortifications and Cities: To be placed in provinces.

Roads: To be built between cities in adjacent provinces.

Cards: Action cards and senate vote cards in the advanced rules.

How To Setup Conquest of the Empire

To set up the game, players begin by selecting their home provinces, which are determined by the number of players. Each player starts with a Caesar, six generals, a small number of combat units, and a home province. The game board is laid out, and each player places their starting units and tokens accordingly. The tribute scale at the bottom of the board is used to track income, which increases or decreases based on controlled provinces and cities.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Classic Rules

Objective: Capture the other players’ Caesars.

Turn Structure:
– Movement
– Combat
– Collect Tribute
– Destroy Cities
– Purchase New Pieces
– Place New Pieces

Combat: Dice are rolled, and units are removed based on matching symbols on the dice.

Leaders: Generals and Caesars provide combat bonuses and mobility.

Tribute: Collected based on controlled provinces and cities, with inflation triggering at certain levels of tribute.

Conquest of the Empire 2 Rules

Objective: Gain the most points by controlling key provinces.

Mechanics:
– Forced alliances
– Chaos points
– Action cards
– Senate votes

Units: No limitation on area movement, focusing on influence in key provinces.

Player Experience

Players take on the roles of would-be Caesars, competing to control the ancient Roman Empire. The game mixes strategic planning with a dose of luck, especially in combat. The classic rules offer a more straightforward elimination-based game, while the advanced rules introduce more complex mechanics like alliances and senate votes. The variety in rulesets caters to both war gamers and Eurogamers, making the game appealing to a wide range of players.

Pros

Two Games in One: Offers both classic and advanced rules for different playing experiences.

Historical Accuracy: Includes over 300 historically accurate miniatures and detailed game components.

Strategic Depth: Combines resource management, unit placement, and combat tactics.

Replayability: High replay value due to the different rulesets and random elements like dice rolls.

Cons

Luck Factor: Combat can be heavily influenced by luck, leading to superior forces losing to smaller troops.

Complexity: The advanced rules can be overwhelming for new players.

Inflation Mechanic: Can significantly increase costs, making late-game purchases challenging.

Personal Thoughts on Conquest of the Empire

Conquest of the Empire is an excellent choice for those interested in empire-building games, whether you prefer a focus on combat or strategic influence. The game’s dual rulesets make it versatile, catering to both casual and experienced gamers. While the luck factor in combat can be frustrating, the strategic elements and historical setting make it a compelling and engaging experience. This game is ideal for players who enjoy a mix of strategy, history, and a bit of luck.

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