Question 1

Who rolls the dice for the independent armies (white armies)?

Accepted Answer

No one does. Dice are not used when fighting an independent army. In order to beat an independent army, all you have to do is attack it with a superior force. Once you do, you automatically win the battle.

Question 2

Do you win a gold coin if you beat an independent army?

Accepted Answer

No

Question 3

If you defeat an independent army, can your victorious army move or attack again during that turn?"

Accepted Answer

No

Question 4

Can you use a hero card to defeat an independent army?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can. However, we would recommend saving your cards for battling other players

Question 5

If you use a hero card while battling an independent army, would you claim the benefits of the card if you are victorious?"

Accepted Answer

Yes. For example, Carssus's card states that if you are victorious in battle, you will earn 6 currency. If you use this card on an independent army, you would earn 6 currency upon victory.

Question 6

If I defend my capital, do I receive a defensive bonus of +7 (+4 from the capital, +2 from the great fort and +1 from all territories)"

Accepted Answer

No, the total defensive bonus you receive from the capital is +4 only (it is not accumulative – you do not add +2 and +1). Similarly, a territory with a great fort that is not your capital will receive a total bonus of +2 only (not +3)

Question 7

If I leave my capital empty, I still maintain control over it. However, what happens if someone attacks it while its empty? Does the defensive bonus still count? Do I still roll the dice?"

Accepted Answer

Yes your bonus still counts as an army and you still roll the dice. You can also still use a hero card. I.E: your battle strength will be +4 plus any hero cards and the number of your dice roll.

Question 8

If I conquer another player's capital, do I earn a +4 defensive bonus when defending it?"

Accepted Answer

No. You only gain a +4 defensive bonus when defending your nation's capital. This is because another nation's capital population will be hostile towards their occupiers. Only a +2 defensive bonus is gained due to the presence of a large fort.

Question 9

Can you repurchase a hero card if you have purchased and used all your hero cards?

Accepted Answer

The official answer is “No”. However, we understand many players prefer to play with the option to repurchase your hero cards once you have exhausted them all. We do not see any issues with this; it makes the game slightly easier, especially in 6 player games.

Question 10

During the Hun attack, if the players lose, the lowest bidder loses a hero card. Can this hero card be repurchased?"

Accepted Answer

Yes it may be repurchased by the player during his turn as it was never played to begin with.

Question 11

Do I have to reveal my hero card when purchasing a card?

Accepted Answer

No. You do have to reveal the price though so other players can check if you are paying the right amount

Question 12

Do armies occupying a sea territory gain a defensive bonus of +1 when they are attacked?

Accepted Answer

Yes

Question 13

Can two player armies occupy the same sea territory

Accepted Answer

No. Like land territories, 2 or more players cannot occupy the same sea territory

Question 14

If a defender loses a battle, its units cannot retreat from a land territory into the sea. What if an army is defeated at sea? Can it retreat to a land territory?"

Accepted Answer

Yes, units at sea can retreat into land territories provided they are unoccupied or occupied by that player.

Question 15

Can we play without the timer and bribing mechanism?

Accepted Answer

The timer and bribing mechanism are a key part of the game. You should not play the game without those rules as we cannot guarantee the same experience without them. Playing without a timer can also significantly increase playing time.

Question 16

Can we play without the Chronicle Cards?

Accepted Answer

The chronicle cards are a key part of the game; they mimic real life in how random events can affect your strategy and plans. We do not recommend playing without drawing the cards. Just make sure you shuffle them properly before doing so. If this is your first time playing, you may choose not to use them until you have learnt the other rules of the game.

Question 17

Right now, the turn order is fixed (the first player always plays first). Can the turn order change every round (so that the player who went first last round would go second or last the next round and so forth)?"

Accepted Answer

We understand some players may think they are disadvantaged by playing last. We assure you this is not the case as the ordering does not statistically impact the outcome of the game (though at times, chronicle cards may benefit a particular order of play to favor the first, middle or last player). Having that said, you are free to implement this rule as long as you ensure this does not affect the game’s victory condition (each player must have 1 turn only to try to capture one of your forts before you are declared a winner)

Question 18

If your attacking army wins a battle, does it have to use its extra move / action immediately or can I move another unit before moving my victorious army again?"

Accepted Answer

This is not specified in the rule book. A player should immediately move his victorious armies again before moving any other unit.

Question 19

Can we play with a round limit?

Accepted Answer

If you are short on time and would like to play a quick game, it might be best to introduce a 10 round limit to the game.   How it Works: The game ends if  1. A player controls any 5 forts (or more) and holds them for one round. That player wins the game OR 2. There are no more chronicle cards to draw (and no player has achieved the victory condition yet). In this case, players tally up their victory points. Players gain +5 VP for each capital they control (their capital or another player's capital). They also gain +3VP for any large fort they control (except for capitals). Finally, they gain +2 points for any small fort they control. The player with the highest vicotry points wins the game. In case of a tie, the player with the most units wins the game. In case of another tie, the player with the most currency wins the game. If 2 or more players are still tied, victory is shared among the winning players.

Question 20

The Hun chronicle cards confused me. Who are the goths?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately this is a typo. Goths should have been written as Huns. Our apologies

Question 21

Can you attack a territory from two or more territories?

Accepted Answer

No. As as specified in the manual, your army must attack from the same territory.

Question 22

What is the ideal number of players for the game?

Accepted Answer

4 or 5 player games are ideal

Question 23

What happens if I successfully bribe an enemy unit and turn it into my own but in doing so, I exceed my food supply?"

Accepted Answer

You must never exceed your food supply. As such, eliminate any excess units (of your choosing) immediately

Question 24

How many dice does each player roll during battle?

Accepted Answer

One Dice

Question 25

Can you attack another player with a weaker army?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Nothing prevents you from trying your luck though you will be at a disadvantage

Question 26

What is North Africa? (it is mentioned in a number of missions)

Accepted Answer

North Africa is colored in yellow. Its borders stretch from Thebes all the way to Berber.