Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North

2019

Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North is a dynamic card game where players lead Scotsmen, Inuits, or Vikings to create the most successful civilization.

90
minutes

1 - 4
player(s)

10+

Medium

About the game

Welcome to Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North, a standalone game in the Imperial Settlers universe that takes you on a captivating journey through the northern seas!

The game is set in an era of exploration and conquest, where you lead one of six distinct factions, each with its unique deck of cards and abilities. Factions include the crafty Scotsmen, the resourceful Inuits, the ingenious Vikings, and more. With each faction offering a different playstyle, the game boasts an immense variety of strategies, keeping every playthrough fresh and exciting.

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

Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North is a strategy board game that requires careful planning and resource management. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to set up the game.

Step 1: Determine Player Roles

Firstly, every player selects a clan from the six available: Roman, Barbarian, Egyptian, Japanese, Scottish, or Inuit. Each clan comes with its own unique deck of cards that influence the strategy of gameplay. Once each player has chosen their clan, they should take the corresponding clan board and deck of cards.

Step 2: Board Placement

Place the main game board in the center of the playing area. This board is where players will place their workers to perform various actions throughout the game. Nearby, set up the expedition board. This board is used to track players’ progress as they venture out to conquer islands.

Step 3: Initial Resources

Each player should place one worker on each of the three worker spaces (harvest, sail, and construct) on their clan board. Then, each player receives a starting set of resources as indicated on their clan board. These usually include things like workers, gold, apples, stone, and wood.

Step 4: Shuffle and Deal Cards

Shuffle your clan deck and draw the top three cards. These are your starting cards. The remaining cards form your draw pile.

Step 5: Setting Up the Islands

There are two decks of island cards: nearby islands and distant islands. Shuffle these decks separately and place four cards from each deck face up near the expedition board. These represent the islands that players can try to conquer during the game.

Step 6: Random Elements

There are a few random elements in the game that add variability to each playthrough. These include the order in which island cards are drawn, the cards that players draw from their clan decks, and the dice rolls that determine the outcome of various actions.

Now that everything is set up, you’re ready to start playing Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North!

Players'turn One turn to rule them all

Each player’s turn in Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North consists of a series of phases. The player can take one action in each of their turns and the turn proceeds clockwise. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what happens:

1. Lookout Phase:

During this phase, the player can draw cards from their faction deck or the common deck. This allows the player to strategize their gameplay by choosing the appropriate cards that suit their strategy.

2. Action Phase:

This is the main phase of the game where the player can take one action. The actions available are:

Construction: The player can construct a building using resources. This can be a location from their hand or a field. Constructing buildings can provide the player with special abilities or victory points.
Activation: The player can activate a location in their empire. To do this, they need to exhaust an action pawn. Activating locations can provide the player with resources, cards, or other benefits.
Sailing: The player can send a ship on a journey to distant islands. This is done by moving a ship from their harbor to an unoccupied island on the board. Sailing can provide the player with resources, cards, or other benefits.
Expedition: The player can send a ship on an expedition by playing an expedition card. This can provide the player with resources, cards, or other benefits.

3. Cleanup Phase:

During this phase, the player prepares for the next round. They can discard any number of cards from their hand and draw the same number of cards from their deck. They also replenish their action pawns and remove any resources from their expedition and island cards.

The strategy in Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North revolves around efficient resource management, strategic building construction, and timely expeditions. Each action that a player takes can potentially affect their standing in the game, either by providing them with immediate benefits or by setting them up for future turns. Therefore, players must carefully consider their options and make the best decision based on their current situation and their opponents’ actions.

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

Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North is a strategy board game where players lead one of the four clans, building their empire and conquering distant lands. The game ends and the winner is determined based on certain triggers and victory conditions.

The game can end in two ways:

At the end of a round in which a player has no more cards left in their draw deck.
At the end of a round in which any player has reached the 25 victory points threshold (indicated on the scoring track).

Note: The game does not end immediately when these conditions are met. Instead, the game continues until the end of the current round, so that each player has an equal number of turns.

Before final scoring, players need to perform the following actions:

Players must check and confirm their victory point total on the scoring track.
Players then need to count the number of victory points on their empire cards (both in their empire and their hand) and add these to their scoring track total.
Finally, players have to count the number of victory points they have earned via their clan’s specific abilities (if any) and add these to their total score.

The player with the highest total score at the end of the game is the winner. In case of a tie, the player with the most unused resources wins. If there’s still a tie, the player who reached the final score first wins.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

In ‘Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North’, the points are awarded in various ways. The game lasts for a series of rounds, and at the end of each round, scoring takes place. Here is a detailed explanation of how scoring works:

1. Scoring at the End of Each Round:

Islands: Players score points for each island they have explored and/or conquered. The number of points a player receives is indicated on the island card.
Buildings: Players score points for each building in their empire. The number of points depends on the type and level of the building, as indicated on each building card.
Harvest: Players can also score points during the Harvest phase if they have certain buildings or actions that provide points.

2. End Game Scoring:

At the end of the game, additional scoring happens:

Unspent Resources: Players score 1 point for every 3 unspent resources they have.
Action Cards: Some action cards can give players additional points at the end of the game.

3. Tie-Breaking Rules:

In the case of a tie at the end of the game, the following rules are applied to determine the winner:

The player with the most island cards wins.
If there is still a tie, the player with the most building cards wins.
If there is still a tie, the player with the most unspent resources wins.
If there is still a tie, the victory is shared.

This scoring system ensures a strategic and dynamic game, where every action can lead to gaining points. The key is to balance your focus between building your empire, exploring islands, and managing your resources efficiently.

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North has several unique or special rules and exceptions that can affect gameplay. These rules can greatly alter the strategy and outcome of your game, so understanding them can be critical to your success.

1. Unique Clan Abilities: Each clan in Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North has unique abilities that can give players an advantage. These abilities are not available to other clans, so it’s important to understand your clan’s specific abilities and how to leverage them for your strategy.

Glenn Clan: The Glenn clan can use their ability to gain an additional action during their turn.
Ulaf Clan: The Ulaf clan has a unique ability that allows them to conquer islands without the need for a ship.

2. Card Draw Exception: Normally, players draw cards from their faction deck during the Lookout phase. However, there is an exception to this rule. If a player’s deck is empty during the Lookout phase, they shuffle their discard pile and create a new deck to draw from.

3. Fields and Building Rules: When constructing buildings or fields, players must remember that they can only construct one building or field per action. Additionally, they cannot construct a building or field if they do not have the necessary resources.

4. Harvest Phase Exception: During the Harvest phase, players normally collect resources from their fields. However, if a player has no fields, they do not participate in the Harvest phase.

5. End Game Scoring: At the end of the game, players calculate their scores based on the number of islands they’ve conquered, the buildings they’ve constructed, and the cards in their empire. However, some cards and clan abilities can provide additional points or modify the scoring rules.

Understanding these rules and exceptions is crucial to mastering Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North. Remember that the most successful players are those who can adapt their strategies to the unique challenges and opportunities presented by the game.

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North is a complex and strategic board game. Here are some tips, strategies, and common mistakes to avoid to optimize your gameplay experience.

Advanced Strategies:

Planning Ahead: Try to draw and explore as many cards as possible early in the game. This will afford you a wider range of options as the game progresses.
Optimize Your Actions: Use your clan’s unique abilities to your advantage. Each clan has a unique set of actions, so it’s important to understand them and use them strategically.
Resource Management: Resources play a critical role in the game. Try to manage your resources wisely, and don’t be afraid to spend them when necessary.

Beginner Tips:

Learn the Basics: Familiarize yourself with the game rules and the different types of cards before you start playing.
Experiment with Different Clans: Each clan has its own strengths and weaknesses. Try playing different clans to find the one that suits your style of play.
Focus on Building: Don’t forget to spend your resources on constructing new buildings. They can provide you with valuable bonuses and advantages.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

Overlooking the Harvest: Many new players forget to harvest at the beginning of each round. This can lead to a shortage of resources and hinder your progress.
Ignoring the Islands: The islands can provide valuable resources and benefits. Neglecting to explore them can be a big mistake.
Misusing Actions: Be careful not to waste your actions. Each action you take is important, so make sure each one counts.

Ways to Optimize Gameplay:

Use Your Workers Wisely: Your workers are a valuable resource. Use them strategically to get the most out of each round.
Plan Your Expansions: Expanding your empire is crucial, but it’s important to plan your expansions carefully. Consider where you’ll get the most benefit before you decide to expand.
Take Advantage of Your Opponent’s Weaknesses: Pay attention to your opponents’ strategies and try to exploit their weaknesses. This can give you a significant advantage.