# Brazil: Imperial – Autômato

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2022
- **BGG Rating**: 7.7
- **BGG Rank**: —
- **Players**: 1-4 (Best with: 1)
- **Duration**: 100 min
- **Weight**: 2.75 / 5
- **Designers**: Lukas Schwarzmeier, Rony Fagundes, Zé Mendes
- **Publishers**: MeepleBR, MUNDUS, Giant Roc, Glyptodon, Maldito Games, Super Meeple, TLAMA games, uplay.it edizioni
- **Categories**: City Building, Civilization, Expansion for Base-game, Exploration, Industry / Manufacturing, Territory Building
- **Mechanics**: Card Play Conflict Resolution, Contracts, Grid Movement, Hexagon Grid, Modular Board, Once-Per-Game Abilities, Open Drafting, Solo / Solitaire Game, Tile Placement, Variable Player Powers

## Verdict
Essential for those who love the base game and want a solo option or an opponent who doesn't negotiate. Its strength lies in the simulation's fluidity.Enables a full solo experienceUnpredictable and challenging opponentNo tedious negotiations neededSimple implementation via cardsRequires the base game to functionHeavy reliance on rule translationRECOMMENDED

## Description
Ever had those days when you want to dive into the complexity of Brazil: Imperial, but no one is available to play, or you just want to ramp up the tension at the table? That's where the Autômato comes in. This module isn't just a 'gap filler'; it's a relentless adversary that simulates the intelligence of a national leader, forcing you to refine every strategy to avoid being overwhelmed.

The Autômato transforms the game dynamics by introducing an opponent who doesn't accept bribes, makes no deals, and shows no mercy. It's perfect for those seeking the ultimate solo experience or for groups of 2 to 3 players who feel that 'extra spice' of conflict is missing from the map. With the addition of 21 new cards, the module ensures that the simulation is fluid and unpredictable, mimicking human decision-making without the need for a game master or overly complex AI rules.

Whether you're expanding borders, managing industry, or fighting for territorial control, having an artificial player at the table changes your perception of risk. You no longer have to worry about diplomacy — here, the only thing that matters is your ability to overcome a system designed to win. It's the ideal tool for testing your tactics before heading into total war with your friends, or simply for dominating the Empire alone on a historical immersion afternoon.

## How to Play
Game Objective
The Automaton is a game-controlled opponent that simulates a human player in Brazil Imperial. It competes against 1 to 3 real players, following automated rules with Action Cards and Movement Cards. The goal remains the same as the base version: accumulate Victory Points (VP) through constructions, achievements, and missions. The game ends when a player completes their Era III Mission, and the winner is the one with the most VP at the end.

Setup

  Set up the game as per the base manual (page 6).
  Choose a Board for the Automaton (it does not use the Monarch's Board or Palaces II to VI).
  Draw 1 card from each Era for the Automaton and place them face down.
  The Capital not chosen by the players becomes the Automaton's Capital, receiving its Palace I in its color.
  Place the Compass on the Automaton's Capital.
  Choose the difficulty:
    
      Easy: Remove all 4 cards with a Star from the decks.
      Hard: Do not remove any cards.
      Epic: Remove all 4 cards with a Feather.
    
  
  Shuffle the Action Cards and Movement Cards separately.


Game Flow
The Automaton's turn consists of two fixed phases:

  Action Phase: The Automaton performs actions using its Action Cards (always occurs).
  Movement Phase: Only occurs if the Automaton has Military Units on the map, using Movement Cards and the Compass.


Actions and How to Play
Action Phase

  Action Cards have 3 columns (one per Era) with 4 rows of actions each.
  In the first round, flip the entire Action Card stack face up and execute the first row of the current Era's column.
  In subsequent rounds, remove the top card from the stack. The Arrow on it indicates which row of the next card will be executed.
  If no action in the current Era's column is possible, the Automaton collects 1 Gold Card.


Movement Phase

  Only occurs if the Automaton has Units on the map.
  Movement Cards determine the Compass direction and bonuses (such as +1 Movement or Combat Cards).
  The Automaton moves all Units in the same hex as its Strongest Unit, following the priority on the card.
  The number of movements is limited by bonuses (maximum 3 per turn).


Special Rules

  Constructions: Follow normal rules, but in ties, prioritize spaces that offer more future construction options.
  Cities: Are built adjacent to the Automaton's empire, ignoring the Monarch.
  Missions: Revealed only when an action card requests it. The Automaton performs only 1 action from the objective (does not need to complete it entirely).


End of Game and Scoring
The game ends when a player completes their Era III Mission. For the Automaton:

  Add up all normal Victory Points (Palaces, constructions, etc.).
  Reveal all of the Automaton's Gold Cards and add their VP, even if the criteria are not met.
  The Automaton does not manage resources or elements, so they do not affect its score.


Tips to Win

  Control the Compass: The Automaton prioritizes directions near enemy Capitals or cities. Position units strategically to divert its movement.
  Explore Before It Does: The Automaton automatically explores Exploration Tiles when it reaches them. Secure key resources before it takes them.
  Use Defensive Combat: The Automaton always uses 2 Combat Cards if possible. Force combat in advantageous situations to deplete its deck.

## FAQ
### Do I need the base game to use the Autômato?
Yes, this is an expansion module. You need all the components and rules of Brazil: Imperial to play.

### Is the Autômato hard to operate?
Not at all! It's designed to be fluid, using cards to dictate actions, ensuring the 'bot' management doesn't slow down the game.

### Can I use the Autômato in games with other humans?
Absolutely. You can add it to 2 or 3 player games to fill the map and increase the competitiveness.

### Does the game become more complex with it?
The strategic complexity increases because you have an enemy who doesn't negotiate, but the rule complexity remains low.

### Who is this module recommended for?
Expert players who enjoy civilization games and want the convenience of playing solo or with fewer people.

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