The Sword of Rome: 5th Player Expansion

About this expansion

The Sword of Rome: 5th Player Expansion adds Carthage as a fifth player power to Sword of Rome: Conquest of Italy, 362–272 BC, supporting games for 2–5 players with an approximate play time of 360 minutes. Ownership of the base game is required.

Carthage enters the struggle with a customized deck of 38 strategy cards and special powers reflecting its historic strengths. Eight new events also replace cards in the Etruscan, Roman, and Greek decks, creating fresh possibilities across the campaign.

• Mercenaries: Carthage can hire lesser peoples to fight on its behalf, but their loyalty belongs to silver and gold rather than Carthage.
• Naval supremacy: Interdict naval movement, blockade enemy cities, and provide supplies to allied cities under siege.
• Allied mobility: Lend ships to allies so they can travel great distances and launch unexpected attacks.
• Sicilian stakes: Conquering Sicily provides reinforcements and victory points to either the Greeks or Carthage, while denying the island carries a severe cost.

Diplomacy can reshape the entire conflict. Carthage might ally with the Greeks and combine its naval strength with theirs for a sweep north, while a Greek partner may have other plans for a Sicilian campaign—or may simply be encouraging a voyage toward Rome.

Failure carries a grim price for Carthaginian commanders: a general with the audacity to lose a battle may be crucified for incompetence. Meanwhile, surviving generals must carefully manage mercenaries whose allegiance can shift with their pay. The Sword of Rome: 5th Player Expansion broadens the strategic contest with new cards, events, naval options, and a powerful new faction.