Chaos in the Old World

2009

Chaos in the Old World is a strategic board game where you play as a god, deploying unique abilities and followers to corrupt the Old World. Battle rival gods and resist the denizens' efforts to banish you. Reshape the world in your image and seek ultimate domination!

120
minutes

3 - 4
player(s)

13+

Medium Heavy

About the game

Chaos in the Old World is a uniquely thrilling board game that transports players into a world steeped in fantastical lore and epic conflicts. In this game, you get to explore the rich, dark universe of Warhammer, a beloved setting known for its detailed mythology and intricate world-building.

As a player, you take on the role of one of the four gods of Chaos, each with its own strengths, weaknesses, and hell-bent on spreading corruption and destruction across the Old World. The gods include Khorne, the god of blood and skulls; Nurgle, the god of decay; Tzeentch, the god of change; and Slaanesh, the god of pleasure and pain.

Game components Unboxing the fun!

The board game ‘Chaos in the Old World’ comes with several unique and interactive components. Each component plays a specific role in the game and contributes to the overall gameplay experience. Here is a detailed description of each component:

1. Game Board

The Game Board is the main component of the game. It represents the Old World and is divided into several regions. Players place their figures on this board to establish control over regions, instigate battles, and spread corruption. The layout of the regions and their connections greatly influence the strategy of the game.

2. Chaos Cards

The Chaos Cards are a deck of cards that players draw during each turn. These cards contain various actions, spells, and events that can alter the state of the game. They can affect player’s figures, the game board, or other cards. They add a level of unpredictability and strategic depth to the game.

3. Ruin Cards

Ruin Cards are drawn when a region becomes fully corrupted. They provide rewards for the player who corrupted the region, often in the form of victory points or additional powers. This incentivizes players to spread corruption across the game board.

4. Dial Advancement Tokens

Dial Advancement Tokens are used to track each player’s progress towards victory. A player’s Dial is advanced depending on their actions during their turn, such as spreading corruption or winning battles. When a player’s Dial reaches a certain point, they can trigger the end of the game and potentially win.

5. Summary Sheets

Summary Sheets provide an overview of the rules and actions available to each player. They are a handy reference during the game, especially for new players.

6. Chaos, Cultist, Warrior and Greater Daemon Figures

Each player has a set of Chaos, Cultist, Warrior and Greater Daemon Figures to represent their forces on the game board. These figures are used to spread corruption, control regions, and engage in battles. Different figures have different strengths and abilities, adding another layer of strategy to the game.

7. Threat and Victory Point Tokens

Threat and Victory Point Tokens are used to track each player’s current standing in the game. Threat Tokens indicate the level of threat a player poses to the Old World, while Victory Point Tokens track the points a player has earned. The player with the most Victory Points at the end of the game is the winner.

8. Dice

The game includes Dice which are used to resolve battles. The outcome of a battle can be influenced by the number and type of figures involved, as well as Chaos Cards and other game effects.

Game setup Lay it out, line it up, let’s go

Chaos in the Old World is a strategy board game in which you take the role of a chaos god, each with its unique abilities and goals. The game is played on a board representing the Old World, where you aim to spread corruption and dominate regions. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to set up the game.

Step 1: Player Roles

Each player chooses a Chaos God. The options include Khorne, Nurgle, Slaanesh, and Tzeentch. Each god has its deck of cards and unique abilities. The player places the chosen god’s dial, power cards, and tokens in front of them.

Step 2: Placing the Board

Place the game board in the center of the table. The board consists of the different regions of the Old World, each with its characteristics and populace that may influence your strategy.

Step 3: Initial Resources

Each player receives the initial resources corresponding to their chosen god. This includes a number of Chaos and Peasant tokens, power points, and cards from their deck.

Khorne: Starts with 6 power points, 8 Chaos tokens, and 2 Peasant tokens.
Nurgle: Begins with 7 power points, 7 Chaos tokens, and 3 Peasant tokens.
Slaanesh: Receives 6 power points, 8 Chaos tokens, and 2 Peasant tokens.
Tzeentch: Gets 6 power points, 9 Chaos tokens, and 1 Peasant token.

Step 4: Random Elements

Shuffle the Old World deck and draw the top card. Place it in the first slot of the Old World track on the board. Then, shuffle the Chaos deck and deal five cards to each player. Players can look at their cards but should keep them secret from others.

Step 5: Placing Initial Figures

Starting with the first player and proceeding clockwise, each player places one of their Chaos tokens in any region of the board. This continues until all players have placed all of their initial Chaos tokens.

Step 6: Power Phase

Each player counts the number of power points they have (from their Chaos God and any bonuses) and adjusts their dial accordingly. Now, the game is ready to begin.

Game flow Round and round we go

‘Chaos in the Old World’ is a strategic board game set in the Warhammer universe. The game is played in rounds, each divided into several phases. During these phases, players representing the ruinous powers of Chaos seek to cover the Old World in corruption and control its regions to win the game.

The game is divided into the following phases:

Old World phase

This is the initial phase of the game. During this phase, players reveal the top card of the Old World deck and carry out its instructions. The card’s effects may spawn additional neutral units, create new objectives, or present other changes that affect all players.

Draw phase

In this phase, players refill their hands to five cards from their respective power decks. These cards allow players to perform various actions, cast spells, and summon greater daemons in later phases.

Summoning phase

During this phase, players take turns placing their Chaos cards and summoning their units onto the game board. Units cost power points to deploy, and players must manage their resources wisely to control key regions and combat their opponents.

Battle phase

After all summonings are complete, battles are resolved in each region that contains more than one player’s units. Players compare the total battle values of their units, and the player with the highest total wins the battle and reaps the rewards.

Corruption phase

In this phase, players place corruption tokens in regions where they have cultists. These tokens represent the spreading influence of Chaos, and controlling a region with corruption can provide significant advantages.

End phase

The end phase wraps up the round. Players check for any regions that have become dominated by Chaos and score victory points accordingly. They also check if any player has achieved their individual victory condition, in which case the game ends and that player is declared the victor. If no player has won, a new round begins with the Old World phase.

Each round of ‘Chaos in the Old World’ offers strategic depth and player interaction, as everyone seeks to outmaneuver their opponents and spread their corrupting influence across the Old World.

Players'turn One turn to rule them all

In the game ‘Chaos in the Old World’, players take on the role of one of the four Ruinous Powers seeking to dominate the Old World. The gameplay is broken down into phases, and during each phase, players have a range of actions and strategic choices they can make. Here’s a thorough breakdown of what happens during a player’s turn:

Phase 1: Draw Cards

Each player begins their turn by drawing two Chaos cards from their deck. These cards can provide a range of effects, such as summoning monsters, casting spells, or inflicting corruption. Players need to consider which cards will be most beneficial for their current strategy when drawing.

Phase 2: Summoning Units

Players can summon units to the gameboard during their turn. To summon a unit, a player must spend power points equal to the unit’s cost. Summoning units can help players control areas and fight enemy units, so strategic placement is key.

Phase 3: Playing Chaos Cards

Next, players can play Chaos cards from their hand. To play a card, a player must spend power points equal to the card’s cost. These cards can have a range of effects and can influence the game in various ways, so choosing when and where to play them is a crucial part of the strategy.

Phase 4: Battle

During the Battle phase, players resolve battles in each area where there is more than one player’s units. The player with the most power in an area wins the battle and can reap various rewards, such as victory points or additional power points. Therefore, winning battles is a key element of gameplay.

Phase 5: Corruption

In the Corruption phase, players can place corruption tokens in areas where they have units. These tokens can help players gain control of areas and score victory points. However, players need to be mindful of the fact that too much corruption can lead to an area becoming ruined, which can have negative effects.

Phase 6: End of Turn

At the end of their turn, players refresh their power points, draw new Chaos cards, and prepare for the next round. The game continues until one player has achieved their victory condition, which can involve controlling a certain number of areas, earning a certain number of victory points, or other criteria based on their chosen Ruinous Power.

In terms of strategic choices, players need to carefully consider how they spend their power points, where they place their units, when they play their Chaos cards, and how they spread their corruption. These decisions can all have significant impacts on the outcome of the game.

End of the game All good games must come to an end

Chaos in the Old World is a strategy board game set in the Warhammer Fantasy universe, where players take on the roles of the four Gods of Chaos, each seeking to corrupt the Old World. The game ends and victory is determined in a few ways:

1. Victory Point Victory:

Chaos in the Old World can end when one player reaches a specified amount of victory points. This is tracked on the victory point dial, which is advanced by completing objectives specific to each God. When a player reaches 50 victory points, the game ends immediately and that player is declared the winner.

2. Dial Advancement Victory:

If no player has reached 50 victory points, the game can alternatively end when a player advances their victory point dial to the “Victory” space. This is achieved by meeting certain conditions specific to each God’s individual playstyle. Once the dial reaches the “Victory” space, the game ends immediately and that player is declared the winner.

3. Game Round Limit:

If neither of the above conditions are met, the game ends after the completion of the Old World deck, which typically lasts around five rounds. At the end of the final round, the player with the highest score on their victory point dial is the winner. In case of a tie, the player whose dial is furthest along wins. If there is still a tie, the player with the most corruption tokens on the board wins.

Before final scoring takes place, players should take the following actions:

Resolve Battle: Players resolve any remaining battles on the board, which can influence the final number of corruption tokens and potentially the final dial position.
Domination: Players check each region for domination, which can grant additional victory points or dial advancements.
Corruption: Players place corruption tokens in regions where they have presence, potentially leading to region ruination and scoring bonus points.
End Phase: Players reset the game state for the next round, advancing the round marker and drawing new cards.

Once these steps have been completed, final scoring can take place according to the victory conditions outlined above.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

Chaos in the Old World is a strategy board game where players take the role of one of the four gods of Chaos, each with unique powers and abilities, in a quest to corrupt the Old World. Scoring in the game is based on a number of factors, including territory corruption, dial advancements, and achieving victory conditions.

A. Territory Corruption:

At the end of each round, players score victory points based on the number of regions they have corrupted. For each region a player has corrupted, they earn one victory point.
If a player has corrupted a region more than any other player, they earn an additional victory point.
If a player has corrupted six or more regions, they earn a bonus of four victory points.

B. Dial Advancements:

Players can also earn victory points by advancing their dial. Each time a player advances their dial, they earn the number of victory points shown on the next space of their dial track.
Some dial spaces also grant additional bonuses, such as additional action cards or upgrades to a player’s units.

C. Achieving Victory Conditions:

Players can also earn victory points by achieving their god’s specific victory condition. Each god has a unique victory condition, and achieving it grants a large number of victory points.
If a player achieves their victory condition, they immediately win the game, regardless of the current score.

In the event of a tie, the tie-breaking rules are as follows:

If two or more players are tied for victory points at the end of a round, the player with the most dial advancements is the winner.
If there is still a tie, the player who has the most corruption tokens on the board wins.
If there is still a tie, the player who has the most units on the board wins.
If there is still a tie, the tied players share the victory.

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

‘Chaos in the Old World’ is a strategic board game that requires a good understanding of its unique rules to fully enjoy the gaming experience. Here are some rare or special rules, exceptions, and any rule clarifications that might be important:

Power Points: The game does not have a traditional turn order. Instead, players spend power points to carry out actions until everyone has spent all their points. Remember, a player who runs out of power first gets the first player marker for the next round.

Summoning: Unlike other games, in ‘Chaos in the Old World’, you can summon units to any region where you have a unit or a cultist, not just controlled areas. However, Greater Daemons can only be summoned where you have a cultist.

Exception: Khorne, the Blood God, has a special rule that allows him to summon Bloodletters in any region, not just where he has a cultist or unit.

Combat: Combat is resolved by rolling dice equal to a unit’s attack value. Each roll of 4 or higher is a hit and either kills an enemy unit or degrades an enemy stronghold.

Exception: Nurgle, the Plague God, has a special rule that allows his Plaguebearers to kill on a roll of 3 or higher.

Dial Advancement: You can only advance your Threat Dial if you meet your god’s specific condition AND win a victory point during the End Phase. Winning a victory point can be achieved through controlling populous regions or through card effects.

Final Battle: If a player’s Threat Dial reaches the “Victory” space, a final battle occurs. All players can participate, whether or not they have units in the region. The player with the most victory points at the end of the battle wins the game.

Rule Clarification: If the final battle ends in a tie, the player who triggered the battle wins. If that player is not involved in the tie, the tied player who is furthest ahead on the Threat Dial wins.

End of the Game: The game can end in three ways: if a player’s Threat Dial reaches the “Victory” space, if a player earns 50 victory points, or if there are no Old World cards left to draw at the start of the Old World phase. In the first two situations, that player wins. In the last situation, the player with the most victory points wins.

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

Advanced Strategies:

Study each god’s strengths and weaknesses. Khorne is all about conflict and battle, Nurgle excels at corrupting populous regions, Tzeentch thrives on manipulation, and Slaanesh goes for noble targets. Recognize what your god excels at, and play to those strengths.
Adapt your strategy based on other players’ actions. For example, if you’re playing as Khrone and your opponents avoid fighting, focus more on placing units in populous regions to gain victory points.
Use your chaos cards wisely. They can dramatically alter the game state, so consider the potential impact before playing them.

Beginner Tips:

Get familiar with the game mechanics by reading the rulebook thoroughly and playing a few practice rounds. Understanding the basics will give you a solid foundation for developing advanced strategies.
Try to balance your focus between earning victory points and advancing your threat dial. Both are necessary to win the game.
Pay attention to the Old World cards and upcoming events. They can influence the game in significant ways and should be part of your strategic planning.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

Don’t ignore the threat dial. It’s tempting to focus solely on victory points, but advancing your threat dial can provide powerful bonuses and even a path to victory.
Avoid becoming too predictable. If your opponents can anticipate your moves, they can counter them more easily.
Don’t underestimate the power of chaos cards. They can transform a losing position into a winning one.

Ways to Optimize Gameplay:

Synchronize your actions. Try to coordinate your unit placements, card plays, and dial advancements to create powerful combos.
Manage your resources carefully. Make sure you always have enough power to carry out your plans.
Keep an eye on your opponents. Understand their strategies and be ready to react to their moves.