Conquistador

Conquistador is a board game that simulates the exploration of the New World in the 16th century. It was originally published by Simulations Publications, Inc. (SPI) in 1976 and designed by Richard Berg. The game is quasi-historical in nature, providing the atmosphere and mechanics of the 16th Century world, along with historical personages. Players take on the role of European countries sending expeditions to find gold and establish colonies. Although the design uses the trappings of board wargames such as a hex map, combat is not a major part of the game.

Why is Conquistador Popular?

Conquistador is considered a classic board game and has been praised for its entertainment value and dynamic Gameplay Mechanics of Conquistador. It is a game that should provide hours of keen competition. The exploitation of a new continent is a tremendously attractive game situation, and the game mechanics are dynamic and free-wheeling.

Game Components of Conquistador

22″ x 32″ hex grid game map of North & South America

200 die-cut counters (SPI edition) or 520 counters (Avalon Hill edition) representing soldiers, colonists, missionaries, carracks, caravels, galleon fleets, gold bars, and individually named explorers, privateers, and conquistadors

12-page rules booklet

Two six-sided dice (SPI boxed set and Avalon Hill edition)

How To Setup Conquistador

Setting up **Conquistador** involves preparing the game map, distributing the counters, and initializing the players’ expeditions. The game map is laid out, and each player selects their European country to play as. The game starts in 1495, and players plan their expeditions during the Royal Council phase, determining the order of play, purchasing materials and forces, and recording the composition and destination of each expedition.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Phases:
– Royal Council phase: Planning and determining the order of play.
– Initial Naval phase: Moving expeditions to and from the New World.
– Land phase: Discovering gold, moving and combat of land units, attrition checks.
– Final Naval phase: Moving expeditions and checking for attrition.
– Maintenance phase: Paying for units to keep in play.

Victory Points:
– 2 Victory Points for each ducat in the treasury.
– 150 Victory Points for each area of the map under control.
– Points for completing Exploration Goals listed in the Discovery Table.

Objective: Accumulate the most Victory Points by 1600.

Player Experience

Playing **Conquistador** is a complex and engaging experience that requires strategic planning and resource management. Players navigate the challenges of exploring the New World, managing expeditions, and dealing with native inhabitants. The game is rich in historical context and offers a deep dive into the era of exploration and colonization.

Pros

Historical Depth: Rich in historical detail, providing a realistic simulation of the exploration era.

Complex Strategy: Engaging gameplay with multiple phases and strategies to manage.

Replayability: High replayability due to the random events and varied player choices.

Educational Value: Offers insight into the historical period of exploration and colonization.

Cons

Counter Shortages: The SPI edition has limited counters, which can lead to shortages during gameplay.

Complex Rules: The game has detailed rules, which can be overwhelming for new players.

Lengthy Game Sessions: Games can be quite long, spanning several hours.

Personal Thoughts on Conquistador

**Conquistador** is ideal for players who enjoy complex strategy games with a strong historical theme. It is particularly suited for those interested in the era of exploration and colonization, and who appreciate the depth and detail that comes with it. While it may be challenging for newcomers to board games, experienced players will find it a rewarding and immersive experience.

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