Pericles: The Peloponnesian Wars (2017) Board Game

Pericles: The Peloponnesian Wars is a board game that takes place during the ancient Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta in the 5th century BC. Players take on the roles of various Greek city-states, trying to gain control and influence in the region.

Game Components of Pericles: The Peloponnesian Wars

Map: A mounted board featuring the Aegean region divided into 20 theaters of war.

Cards: Three decks, including Aristophanes event cards and two political card decks for Athens and Sparta.

Tokens and Units: Wooden bits such as cubes, sticks, discs, and cylinders, along with plastic pawns and dice.

Counters: Thick cardboard counters with rounded corners for various issues and actions.

Strategos Tokens: Used for military capital and resource management.

How To Setup Pericles: The Peloponnesian Wars

Setting up the game involves preparing the political board and the theater map. Each player selects their faction within either the Athenian or Spartan side, with each side having two factions (Athenian: Aristocrats and Demagogues; Spartan: House Agiad and House Eurypontid). Players draw initial hands of political cards and set up their starting forces and bases. The game also includes setup rules for solo, two-player, and three-player variants to accommodate different player counts.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Political Debates: Players engage in secret and simultaneous card play to resolve issues within their own faction, determining control and strategy.

Issue Placement: Players place won issues secretly on the theater map, using rumor tokens as decoys.

Theater Phase: Issues are resolved in turn order, allowing players to move forces, build bases, and engage in battles.

Combat: Battles are resolved using Strategos tokens, general cards, and random card draws.

Resource Management: Managing Strategos tokens is crucial for military actions.

Game Objective

Winning the War: The objective is to accumulate the most Honor (Victory Points) while ensuring your side wins the war. A side wins by conquering the opponent’s home city-state or achieving specific strategic goals (e.g., the Spartans capturing all granaries that feed Athens).

Player Experience

Playing **Pericles: The Peloponnesian Wars** is a deeply strategic and interactive experience. The game demands a balance between factional politics and overall side strategy, creating a dynamic of cooperation and competition among teammates. Players must manage resources, debate issues effectively, and make tactical decisions on the battlefield. The game’s complexity and the need to sequence actions carefully add to the challenge and depth of the gameplay.

Pros

Deep Strategy: Combines political intrigue with military strategy, offering a rich and complex gameplay experience.

High Replayability: Multiple factions, random events, and variable setup ensure no two games are the same.

Historical Depth: Faithfully represents the period of the Peloponnesian Wars, incorporating historical figures and events.

Versatile Player Count: Supports solo, two-player, three-player, and four-player modes.

Cons

Steep Learning Curve: The game has numerous mechanics and rules, which can be overwhelming for new players.

Long Playtime: Games can be lengthy due to the complexity and depth of the gameplay.

Rule Complexity: Mark Herman’s rules can be very detailed and literal, which might deter some players.

Personal Thoughts on Pericles: The Peloponnesian Wars

**Pericles: The Peloponnesian Wars** is ideal for experienced board game enthusiasts who enjoy complex strategy, historical themes, and deep gameplay mechanics. It is particularly suited for players who appreciate the blend of politics and warfare, and are willing to invest time in learning the rules and mastering the game. For those who enjoy cooperative-competitive dynamics and the challenge of balancing individual and team goals, this game offers a unique and rewarding experience.

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