Power

About this board game

Power is a 2–4 player strategy game from 1981 that plays in about 30 minutes, using simultaneous written orders to direct modern military forces across a simple grid.

Each player receives an equal force of ships, planes, and other weapons of modern warfare, including a “nuke” of sorts. The board is built from straightforward orthogonal squares, creating a clear setting for movement and conflict.

On each turn, players may move a set number of their pieces according to the movement value of the chosen piece. Orders are written before anything moves, so every player commits to their plans without seeing how the other forces will act.

• Write movement orders for your forces.
• Resolve all movement simultaneously.
• Make a superiority check wherever opposing forces share a space.
• Use strength points to determine which force takes control.

When multiple forces occupy the same square, each piece type contributes a set number of strength points. These values are usually inversely related to movement, so the pieces that move differently contribute differently to a battle’s result.

The largest force takes possession of all opposing pieces in the contested space. This can create a significant shift in power, making each simultaneous order an important part of the game’s central struggle.

Drawing on the written-order and simultaneous-resolution concept associated with Diplomacy, Power removes the backstabbing emphasis and centers play on coordinated movement, force comparison, and changing control of the board.