Gothic Invasion

About this board game

Gothic Invasion is a card-driven wargame for 2–5 players, playable in about 90 minutes, depicting the Gothic Wars from 377 to 382 A.D.

One side commands the Goth leaders Fritigern, Alatheus, and Saphrax. Their objective is to plunder nine cities of the East Roman Empire between 377 and 382 A.D., creating a clear race against time as they pursue their aggressive war.

The opposing side takes the roles of the Roman leaders Valens, Theodosius I, Gratian, and Flavius Richomeres. The Roman player must defend the imperial cities and slow the Gothic advance for as long as possible, holding out until spring 382 A.D.

• Gothic objective: Plunder nine cities of the East Roman Empire.
• Roman objective: Defend the imperial cities and delay the Goths until spring 382 A.D.
• Core format: A card-driven wargame focused on opposing historical roles.

From the Roman point of view, Gothic Invasion is a “cat and mouse” tactical defensive game. Roman leaders must respond to the Gothic threat while attempting to protect the empire’s cities and buy time.

From the Gothic perspective, the game becomes an aggressive war against a deadline. The contrasting objectives give each side a distinct role and direction, with the Goths seeking rapid success and the Romans striving to delay them through the spring of 382.

Released in 2014, Gothic Invasion offers a focused depiction of this pivotal conflict through its card-driven wargame format and its sharply opposed Gothic and Roman campaigns.