Polis (2020) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Polis is a board game that was released in 2020, designed by Enrique Corominas and published by Devir. It falls under the categories of Ancient, Economic, and Wargame, providing players with a strategic and competitive gameplay experience set in ancient Greece.

Game Components of Polis

Main board featuring a map of Greece

Resource boards for each player

Wooden cubes for units (hoplites, galleys, merchants)

Battle cards

Prestige tokens

Resource tokens (iron, wood, grapes, silver, wheat)

Proxenos piece

Player aids

How To Setup Polis

To set up Polis, each player chooses to control either Athens or Sparta, each with asymmetric starting positions and resources. Athens starts with a naval presence, while Sparta begins with a growing army of hoplites. Players place their starting units and resources according to the initial setup rules. The main board is laid out, and each player receives their resource board and player aids.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Area Control: Players expand their influence over various poleis (city-states) on the map.

Resource Management: Manage resources such as iron, wood, grapes, silver, and wheat to perform actions.

Battle Mechanics: Combat is resolved using a deck of battle cards when two players’ units are in the same region.

Prestige System: Prestige is crucial for taking actions, moving units, and collecting resources. It is gained through conquering cities, completing projects, and engaging in battles.

Strategic Movement: Units can move flexibly across the board, with limitations when crossing enemy-controlled territories.

Economic Management: Trade resources using merchant pieces and manage a dynamic market.

Objective: The objective is to accumulate the most prestige points by controlling poleis, completing projects, and efficiently managing resources.

Player Experience

Playing Polis is a challenging and strategic experience. Every decision is critical due to the limited number of turns and the scarcity of resources, particularly prestige. The game requires careful planning and balancing of resources to avoid losing due to mismanagement. It is a game of control rather than direct combat, with a focus on strategic movement and resource optimization.

Pros

Deep Strategy: Offers a complex and rewarding strategic experience.

Balanced Gameplay: The game is finely tuned, ensuring balanced play between Athens and Sparta.

Replayability: High replay value due to the need for repeated play to master strategies.

Simple yet Elegant Rules: Rules are straightforward, but the gameplay is deep and engaging.

Cons

Unforgiving: Mistakes can lead to instant loss, making it challenging for new players.

Resource-Intensive: Managing multiple resources and prestige can be overwhelming.

Limited for Beginners: Not recommended for casual or new gamers due to its complexity.

Personal Thoughts on Polis

Polis is ideal for experienced gamers who enjoy deep strategic games, particularly those interested in historical settings and area control mechanics. It is best suited for players who have a regular opponent, as the game benefits from repeated play and strategic evolution. If you’re looking for a game that challenges you to balance resources, manage prestige, and outmaneuver your opponent in a historical context, Polis is an excellent choice. However, it may not be the best fit for those seeking a more casual or chaotic gaming experience.

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