Barbarians at the Gates - Strategic Card Game

Barbarians at the Gates is a strategic card game that takes players back to the pivotal period of the fall of the Western Roman Empire. Designed by acclaimed game designer Kris van Beurden, who also worked on the game Europe in Turmoil, this game is designed for two players and captures the intensity of the conflicts that took place between the Romans and the barbarians during the years 337 to 476 AD.

Players take on the roles of either the Roman player or the Barbarian player:

• Roman Player: Leads the legions loyal to the falling central power and the Germanic peoples who have settled peacefully within the Roman Empire.
• Barbarian Player: Commands Usurper emperors and controls the migrations of the wild Germanic peoples, who are the barbarians at the gates.

The game is played on a point-to-point map of Western Rome, divided into 11 dioceses (administrative districts) such as Gallia Belgica, Caledonia, or Italia Suburbicaria. Each diocese consists of areas like Roma, Massilia, or Nova Carthago, connected by the network of Roman roads, more difficult connections (often in uninhabited areas), or river connections (usually the Danube and Rhine).

Key Features of Barbarians at the Gates

• Two Players: An intense and strategic experience for two players where tactics and planning determine the outcome.
• Historical Context: Experience the crucial events during the fall of the Roman Empire with famous leaders like Aetius, Attila, Alaric, and Usurper emperors like Magnentius.
• Gameplay Mechanics: Use cards to activate generals for movement and sieges, bring new barbarian invasions into play, recruit new legions, and lead barbarian groups to ravage the Roman hinterland.
• Combat and Strategy: Each time leaders move, they can encounter enemy armies and fight for eternal glory or an unknown grave.
• Interactive Decisions: Players must navigate the complexities of Roman and barbarian strategies to dominate the undefended Italian, Iberian, and Gallic dioceses.

Tips for Storage and Play: To ensure long-lasting enjoyment of Barbarians at the Gates, store the cards in a dry and cool environment, away from direct sunlight. Remember to keep game components organized for easy access during play.

Will enough of Roman civilization remain to eventually ignite a Renaissance, or will Europe remain forever in the Dark Ages? With Barbarians at the Gates, you get the chance to shape the course of history!