Hadrian’s Wall

2021

Immerse yourself in Hadrian's Wall, a captivating board game where players construct and defend a Roman milecastle, vying for the Emperor's favor!

60
minutes

1 - 6
player(s)

12+

Medium Heavy

About the game

Welcome to the world of ‘Hadrian’s Wall’, a captivating board game that immerses you in the role of a Roman general, tasked with defending the Empire’s most significant frontier. In this game, you’ll experience the thrill of building fortifications, managing resources, recruiting soldiers, and striving to gain the favor of the Roman gods.

The game is set in the year 122 AD, during the reign of Emperor Hadrian. You are situated at the northern frontier of Roman Britain, where the Emperor has ordered the construction of a mighty wall – Hadrian’s Wall – to keep the rebellious Picts at bay. The setting and theme of the game are steeped in history, providing a rich and immersive experience.

Game components Unboxing the fun!

Hadrian’s Wall is a rich and strategic board game that comes with various components, each playing a crucial role in the game. Here’s a detailed list of each component and their functions in the game.

1. Player Boards:

Hadrian’s Wall includes six double-sided player boards. These boards are where players record their actions and track their progress. Each board has sections for buildings, soldiers, civilians, and resources. The boards also have areas for tracking fame and fortification levels, both of which contribute to a player’s score at the end of the game.

2. Resource Cards:

The game comes with 60 resource cards, which are used to represent the different resources players can collect and use throughout the game. These include stone, wood, and grain. Players can use these resources to build structures on their player board, recruit soldiers, or trade for other resources.

3. Fate Cards:

Fate cards are a set of 20 cards that add an element of unpredictability to the game. When drawn, a fate card can change a player’s fortunes in an instant, either positively or negatively. These cards are drawn at the start of each round and can affect all players.

4. Renown Tokens:

There are 18 renown tokens included in Hadrian’s Wall. These tokens are used to track a player’s renown, which is one of the ways a player can score points. Renown can be gained through various actions, such as building certain structures or achieving specific goals.

5. Worker Tokens:

The game includes a set of 30 worker tokens. Workers are a crucial component in the game. They are used to carry out various actions such as building structures, recruiting soldiers, and collecting resources. There are limited worker tokens available each round, so players must strategize on how best to use them.

6. Player Aid Cards:

Hadrian’s Wall comes with six player aid cards. These cards summarize the rules and actions available to players, making it easier for new players to learn the game and for experienced players to reference during play.

7. Score Pad:

The game includes a score pad for players to record their scores at the end of each round and at the end of the game. This allows players to easily keep track of their progress and compare their scores with their opponents’.

Each of these components interacts with the others to create a complex and rewarding game experience. Players must strategically manage their resources, workers, and actions to build the most successful wall and gain the most fame and renown.

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

‘Hadrian’s Wall’ is a strategic board game where players take on the roles of Roman generals, tasked with defending the empire against the barbarian hordes. To get started, follow these steps:

Step 1: Player Roles

Each player assumes the role of a Roman general. Their task is to construct fortifications, man them with soldiers, and fend off incoming attacks. Each player will need a Player Board, which will be their primary base of operations.

Step 2: Board Placement

Place the Main Board in the center of the play area where all players can reach it. This board represents the entirety of Hadrian’s Wall and the surrounding territory. Each player’s Board should be placed in front of them, representing their personal sector of the Wall.

Step 3: Initial Resources

Each player begins with a set number of resources, including soldiers, builders, and supplies. The exact number of each resource is determined by the number of players (for example, in a 4-player game, each player starts with 6 soldiers, 6 builders, and 8 supplies).

Step 4: Random Elements

Shuffle the Fate cards and place them in a pile face down next to the Main Board. These cards represent unpredictable events that can affect the game, such as sudden barbarian attacks or unexpected resource shortages. Draw the top card of the Fate deck at the beginning of each round and apply its effects immediately.

Step 5: Game Start

The player who most recently visited a historical monument goes first (or decide randomly if you prefer). They take their turn by performing actions – such as building fortifications, recruiting soldiers, or collecting resources – based on the resources they have available. Play then proceeds clockwise.

Step 6: Gameplay

During their turn, a player can perform as many actions as they have resources to pay for. Actions include constructing sections of the Wall, deploying soldiers to man the Wall, gathering additional resources, or dealing with the effects of Fate cards. Once a player has completed their actions, play passes to the next player.

Step 7: Winning the Game

The game ends after a predetermined number of rounds (usually 6). At this point, the player with the most Victory Points – earned by building sections of the Wall, repelling barbarian attacks, and other strategic accomplishments – is declared the winner.

Game flow Round and round we go

‘Hadrian’s Wall’ is a strategic board game where players take on the roles of Roman generals, building fortifications, recruiting soldiers, and gaining favor from the gods. The game is played over 6 rounds, each consisting of four main phases: Resource Acquisition, Action Phase, Renown Phase, and End of Round Phase.

Resource Acquisition:

Every player receives resources based on their current Income Tracks. These resources can include workers, soldiers, and materials.
Players also draw Fate cards. The Fate cards reveal additional resources that players can collect.

Action Phase:

During the Action Phase, players can perform a variety of actions, spending resources to do so. Actions include building walls, recruiting soldiers, training civilians, and gaining favor from the gods.
Each action requires spending specific resources and has certain effects. For example, building a wall requires materials and workers but increases a player’s defense and renown.
Players can take actions in any order and can perform the same action multiple times during a round.

Renown Phase:

After all players have finished their actions, the Renown Phase begins. In this phase, players compare their Renown Track with other players.
The player with the highest Renown Score gains bonus resources.
In case of a tie, the player with the most completed wall segments wins the tie.

End of Round Phase:

At the end of the round, players check for any completed objectives on their player board.
Players then prepare for the next round by resetting their used resources and adjusting any tracks as necessary.
The game continues with the next round, starting again with the Resource Acquisition phase.

The game ends after 6 rounds. The player with the most Victory Points, calculated based on completed objectives, built structures, recruited soldiers, and earned favors, is declared the winner.

Players'turn One turn to rule them all

The game ‘Hadrian’s Wall’ is a strategic and immersive board game where players assume the role of a Roman general, building fortifications and managing citizens within their city. A player’s turn in the game involves several actions and strategic choices that affect the overall gameplay.

Firstly, there is the Action Phase which can be broken down into the following steps:

Resource Allocation: During this step, a player receives resources indicated on their player board. These resources may include soldiers, builders, servants, and raw materials like stone and wood. The number and type of resources received can be influenced by a player’s previous actions and choices.
Action Selection: A player then uses their resources to perform various actions. Actions include building fortifications, training soldiers, attracting civilians, and advancing in trades. Each action requires a specific number and type of resources.
Action Execution: Once an action is selected, the player places the required resources on their player board to indicate the action’s execution. The effects of the action are applied immediately. For example, building a wall provides immediate defense points, while training soldiers can be used for future conflicts.

After this phase, players will then move to the Conflict Phase, where the following steps are taken:

Conflict Resolution: Each player must defend their city against incoming threats. This is done by comparing the player’s total defense (from soldiers and fortifications) against the current threat level. If a player’s defense is less than the threat level, they lose resources or citizens.
Scoring: At the end of the conflict phase, players tally their scores based on their remaining resources, citizens, and constructed buildings. Points are awarded for each citizen, resource, and building. The player with the highest score wins the game.

Strategically, players must balance their resource allocation between building their city, training soldiers, and attracting new citizens. Mismanagement of resources can leave a player vulnerable to threats, while focusing too much on defense can limit a player’s ability to score points through city development and citizen attraction.

In conclusion, a player’s turn in ‘Hadrian’s Wall’ involves careful decision-making and strategic planning, as each action and choice can greatly impact their final score and their city’s survival.

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

The game of ‘Hadrian’s Wall’ ends after the completion of six years (rounds), with each year consisting of two phases – the Fate Phase and the Action Phase. Players build fortifications, man the wall, and strive to gain the favor of the Roman Gods throughout these rounds. The game concludes once the sixth year is fully completed.

Actions Before Final Scoring:

Complete all Actions: Ensure that all your actions for the sixth year have been fully completed. This includes building fortifications, recruiting soldiers, civilians and performing any other tasks that earn resources or Renown.
Use all Resources: Before final scoring, it’s crucial to use all your resources. Unused resources do not contribute towards your final score, so ensure they are used efficiently.
Renown Transfer: If you have the necessary resources, you can convert them into Renown. This is the primary scoring value in the game, so it’s beneficial to convert as many resources as possible.

Victory Conditions:

Maximum Renown: The primary victory condition in ‘Hadrian’s Wall’ is the player with the most Renown at the end of the game. This is achieved by building fortifications, manning the wall, gaining favor from the Gods, and other actions that generate Renown.
Soldier and Civilian Points: Players also earn victory points for every Soldier and Civilian they have at the end of the game. These are added to the player’s Renown to calculate their final score.
Gods’ Favour: Players can earn extra points by gaining the favor of the Gods. The player with the most favor tokens of each God earns a substantial bonus to their final score.

After completing these actions and calculating the scores based on the victory conditions, the player with the highest total score is declared the winner of ‘Hadrian’s Wall’.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

In the board game ‘Hadrian’s Wall’, players earn victory points (VPs) through a variety of avenues. The exact way to score points differs based on the actions you take and the cards or resources you’ve collected during the game.

Scoring During the Game:

There are several ways to earn points during the game.

Building Structures: Building a structure on your player board will earn you immediate VPs. The exact number of points you earn depends on the specific structure built.
Completing Objectives: Completing objectives on your player board or on objective cards will also earn you immediate VPs. Again, the specific number of points earned depends on the objective completed.
Defeating Enemies: Successfully defeating enemies during the game will earn you VPs. Each defeated enemy is worth a specific number of points.

Scoring at the End of the Game:

At the end of the game, players tally their points in the following areas.

Remaining Resources: Players earn VPs for any unused resources left on their player board. The conversion rate of resources to points is specified in the game rules.
Completed Cards: Players earn VPs for any completed cards they have. These can be objective cards, enemy cards, or any other type of card that offers points upon completion.
Population: Players earn VPs based on the total population of their section of the wall. This is calculated by adding up the population values of all built structures and bonuses.

Tie-Breaking Rules:

If two or more players end the game with the same number of VPs, the game has specific tie-breaking rules.

The player with the most completed cards wins the tie.
If there is still a tie, the player with the most remaining resources wins the tie.
If there is still a tie, the player with the highest population wins the tie.
If there is still a tie, the player who is first in the player order wins the tie.

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

Hadrian’s Wall is a strategic game that requires careful planning. Here are some rare or special rules, exceptions, and clarifications that might be important when playing ‘Hadrian’s Wall’:

1. Building the Wall:

In the game, when a player completes a section of the Wall, they are awarded with a Soldier, but they do not receive any immediate reward for placing a Soldier on the Wall. However, the player may activate their Soldier on a subsequent turn by paying the required cost.

2. Activation of the Wall:

Remember, a Soldier placed on the Wall can only be activated once per turn. This means that if you place a Soldier on the Wall, you cannot activate it again until your next turn.

3. Resource Limitations:

Players cannot have more than 15 resources of any single type at any given time. This rule applies to all types of resources, including Soldiers, Civilians, and Building Materials. If a player would gain more than 15 resources, they must discard the excess.

4. End Game Scoring:

At the end of the game, players score Victory Points for each completed section of the Hadrian’s Wall. However, they do not score points for partially completed sections or for Soldiers and Civilians that have not been placed on the Wall.

Example: If a player has completed 5 sections of the Wall and has 2 unused Soldiers and 3 unused Civilians, they would score 10 points (2 points for each completed section) and no additional points for the unused Soldiers and Civilians.

5. Bonus Cards:

Bonus cards are one-time use only. Once a bonus card has been used, it is removed from the game. Additionally, bonus cards must be used at the time they are drawn. They cannot be saved for later use.

6. Discarding Cards:

There is no limit to the number of cards a player can have in their hand at any time. However, at the end of each round, players must discard down to their maximum hand size. This is typically 7 cards, but it can be increased through the use of certain game effects.

7. Rule Clarification:

When a player uses a ‘Gain 2 Resources’ action, they may gain any combination of resources. They are not required to gain two of the same type.

8. Rule Exception:

It’s important to remember that the ‘Build Wall’ action can only be performed once per turn. This is a common mistake made by new players. Even if the player has sufficient resources, they cannot perform the ‘Build Wall’ action more than once in a single turn.

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

Advanced Strategies for ‘Hadrian’s Wall’

1. Focus on Building the Wall: Building the wall not only provides protection from the Picts but also grants you valuable resources and victory points. Aim to build the wall as early as possible in the game.

2. Utilize Your Discipline Track: The Discipline track can provide important bonuses that can benefit your game. Try to advance on this track early to take advantage of these bonuses.

3. Invest in Workers: Workers are a vital resource in this game. They can be used to build structures, recruit soldiers, and perform other important tasks. Spend your resources wisely to ensure you have a steady supply of workers.

Beginner Tips for ‘Hadrian’s Wall’

1. Understand the Scoring System: Familiarize yourself with the scoring system to understand what actions will earn you the most points.

2. Plan Ahead: Try to anticipate future rounds and plan your moves accordingly. This can help you optimize your actions and make the most of your resources.

3. Learn From Others: Watch and learn from more experienced players. You can pick up valuable strategies and tips from observing their gameplay.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in ‘Hadrian’s Wall’

1. Forgetting About the Picts: Don’t neglect your defenses against the Picts. Ignoring them can lead to costly attacks and loss of resources.

2. Overextending Resources: Try not to spend all your resources at once. It’s important to keep a balance and have resources available for future rounds.

3. Ignoring Victory Points: While it’s important to build up your resources and defenses, don’t forget that the ultimate goal is to earn the most victory points.

Ways to Optimize Gameplay in ‘Hadrian’s Wall’

1. Balance Your Strategies: Instead of focusing on one strategy, try to balance your gameplay. This can include a mix of building, recruiting, and advancing on different tracks.

2. Use Your Cards Wisely: Each card can provide different benefits. Use them strategically to boost your gameplay and earn more points.

3. Take Advantage of Bonuses: Bonuses can provide a significant boost to your resources and points. Be sure to take advantage of them whenever possible.