The Conquistadors: The Spanish Conquest of the Americas 1518-1548

About this board game

The Conquistadors: The Spanish Conquest of the Americas 1518-1548 is a partly card-driven, partly procedural game for 1–5 players, with play taking up to 360 minutes. Each player leads a group of Spanish conquistadors across an abstract point-to-point map of Central and South America, seeking gold, influence, and victory.

The game begins with the outline of the Americas as known in 1520. Players must first discover cities and empires, which can appear in their historical locations or in unexpected places. Once discovered, these civilizations can become the focus of battles, plunder, diplomacy, or alliances—especially when an expedition includes an Indian interpreter.

Many paths to success are available. A player might launch a Sudden Shock Attack to capture a native king and demand a ransom, descend the Amazon, search for the Fountain of Youth, or appeal to Mano de Dios in a desperate moment. At the same time, expeditions must manage threats including native uprisings, painted warriors, poisoned darts, defections, and the possibility of a warrant from an unhappy Governor.

• Basic Game: an introductory experience with lower complexity.
• Standard Game: a more involved contest lasting roughly four to six hours.
• Solitaire module: enables solo play with a dedicated scenario.

The Conquistadors includes two maps, two countersheets, 130 Strategy/Conquistador Cards, 26 Asset Cards, player aids, a logsheet, rules, and two six-sided dice. With its variable time scale, individual leaders, Spanish troops, and potentially thousands of Indian troops, it presents an expansive struggle for discovery, survival, gold, and power.