Successors (1993) – Board Game Guys

Successors

“Successors” is a board game published by Avalon Hill in 1997, designed by Richard Borg and Mark Simon. The game is set in the ancient world of Alexander the Great and focuses on the conflicts between his generals after his death. In 1998, Successors won the Origins Award for Best Historical Board Game of 1997. The game has since been republished by Phalanx in 2008 and again in 2023, with the fourth edition including updated components and scenarios.

Why is Successors Popular?

Successors is a popular and significant board game for several reasons:
– Historical Theme: The game is set in the fascinating world of ancient history, allowing players to immerse themselves in a rich and thematic experience.
– Multiplayer Strategy: Successors is a multiplayer strategy game, allowing players to compete against each other using their cunning and strategic skills.
– High-Quality Components: The game has beautiful mounted maps, miniatures, and high-quality components, making it visually appealing and enjoyable to play.
– Replayability: With its card-driven gameplay and various scenarios, Successors offers a high level of replayability, allowing players to explore different strategies and outcomes.

Game Components of Successors

Board with a new, improved layout

23 large plastic leader miniatures

128 cards, including Tyche cards

494 tokens

7 six-sided dice

20 stands

5 Player Aids

Rulebook and Playbook.

How To Setup Successors

To set up the game, each player is assigned a faction of Alexander’s generals, such as Perdikkas, Ptolemaîos, or Antigonos, and is given initial areas of control and starting forces. These are randomly drawn to ensure a fairly balanced start. Players also receive a hand of cards from the Tyche deck. The board is laid out with various provinces and neutral armies, and players position their miniatures and tokens accordingly.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Card-Driven Mechanics: Players draw and play cards from the Tyche deck, which can be used for operations points or event effects.

Point-to-Point Movement: Players move their generals and troops across the board.

Combat Resolution: Combat is resolved using dice rolls and a table, with superior forces still having a chance to lose, reflecting the brutality of ancient battles.

Victory and Legitimacy Points: Players aim to gain Victory Points by controlling provinces and Legitimacy Points by securing Alexander’s family members, his body, and other historical figures.

Intrigue and Alliances: Players must navigate complex alliances and intrigues, such as marriages and funerals, to gain legitimacy.

Dynamic Victory Conditions: Victory conditions are recalculated constantly, with auto-win scenarios possible under certain conditions.

Player Experience

Successors offers a unique blend of strategy and historical intrigue. Players must balance military conquest with diplomatic maneuvers to secure legitimacy. The game encourages delayed conflict, as attacking other champions reduces legitimacy, but allows for open season on the leading player. This dynamic creates a tense atmosphere where alliances are ever-changing. The game is known for its steep learning curve but rewards players with deep, complex gameplay.

Pros

Historical Depth: Immersive in the historical context of Alexander’s successors.

Replayability: Randomized starting positions and multiple paths to victory ensure high replayability.

Complex Strategy: Combines military strategy with diplomatic and social maneuvers.

Updated Components: The fourth edition includes improved board layout, new cards, and high-quality miniatures.

Cons

Steep Learning Curve: Requires a significant investment of time to understand the rules.

Complex Victory Conditions: The multiple sets of victory and legitimacy points can be confusing.

Combat Randomness: Combat outcomes can be unpredictable and brutal, which may not appeal to all players.

Personal Thoughts on Successors

Successors is a game for those who enjoy deep, complex strategy and are interested in ancient history. It is particularly suited for players who appreciate the intricacies of card-driven games and are willing to invest time in learning the rules. While it may not be as accessible as some other strategy games, the unique blend of military and diplomatic strategies makes it a standout in the genre. It is ideal for players looking for a challenging and historically rich gaming experience.

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