Mighty Empires (1990) Board Game

Mighty Empires is a strategic board game released in 1990 by Games Workshop. It falls under the categories of fantasy, territory building, and wargame. Designed by Tony Ackland, Albrecht Altdorfer, Dave Andrews, and Chris Baker, this game offers players the chance to conquer and expand their empires on a hexagon grid board.

Game Components of Mighty Empires

Map hexagons representing coastal, highland, and plains terrain

Capital spot markers

Army banners

Dice for random events and scouting

Settlement and terrain pieces

Spell cards

Baggage tokens

Random event charts

Subsistence charts

How To Setup Mighty Empires

To set up Mighty Empires, players first assemble the game map by placing the map hexagons together, following specific rules to maintain geographical realism. For example, rivers must continue until they terminate in a coastal, lake, or swamp tile. Players then choose their starting positions on designated “capital spots” and roll a six-sided die to determine the existing settlements around their capital. The starting armies are then determined either randomly or based on the players’ available models, and these armies are divided into army banners and placed within the player’s realm.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Campaign Seasons: Each year is divided into the spring equinox, six summer months, autumn equinox, and winter.

Scouting and Movement: Armies scout and move into new map tiles, encountering various outcomes like friendly settlements, independent settlements, or random events.

Subsistence: Armies must manage food and supplies, with penalties for shortfalls.

Battles: Conflicts can be resolved using Warhammer Fantasy Battle rules or a simple points-based system.

Sieges: Sieges can be played out using Warhammer Siege rules.

Spells: Spells can be cast during equinoxes with significant effects.

Naval Warfare: Simple rules for naval warfare are included.

Winter Season: Revenue collection, unit recruitment, diplomacy, espionage, and settlement construction occur during the winter season.

Player Experience

Mighty Empires offers a complex and immersive experience, designed to add a strategic layer to Warhammer Fantasy Battle campaigns. Players must manage resources, explore new territories, and engage in battles, all within a dynamic campaign setting. The game’s mechanics, such as scouting and subsistence management, add a layer of realism and challenge.

Pros

Deep Strategy: Provides a comprehensive campaign setting with intricate strategies.

Customizable Map: The hexagonal map tiles allow for a unique map setup each game.

Integration with Warhammer: Seamlessly integrates with Warhammer Fantasy Battle, enhancing the overall campaign experience.

Replayability: High replayability due to random events and varied setup.

Cons

Complex Rules: The game has wordy and semi-incoherent rules, making it challenging for new players.

Time-Consuming: Managing resources, scouting, and battling can be time-consuming.

Component Management: The game requires a lot of components, which can be overwhelming.

Personal Thoughts on Mighty Empires

Mighty Empires is ideal for experienced Warhammer players looking to expand their campaign experience with a strategic board game. It is not for the faint of heart due to its complex rules and time commitment, but it offers a rich and rewarding experience for those willing to dive in. If you enjoy deep strategy, campaign management, and the Warhammer universe, Mighty Empires could be the perfect addition to your gaming collection.

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