# Conquistador: The Age of Exploration – 1495-1600 ## General Info - **Year Published**: 1976 - **BGG Rating**: 6.5 - **BGG Rank**: #6009 - **Players**: 1-5 (Best with: 4) - **Duration**: 360-420 min - **Weight**: 3.21 / 5 - **Designers**: Richard H. Berg - **Artists**: Kenn Nishiuye, Redmond Aksel Simonsen - **Publishers**: The Avalon Hill Game Co, SPI (Simulations Publications, Inc.) - **Categories**: Economic, Exploration, Pike and Shot, Political, Religious, Renaissance, Territory Building, Wargame - **Mechanics**: Dice Rolling, Events, Grid Movement, Hexagon Grid, Movement Points, Paper-and-Pencil, Ratio / Combat Results Table, Scenario / Mission / Campaign Game, Simulation, Solo / Solitaire Game, Variable Set-up ## Verdict If you're a fan of classic wargames and love diving into dense historical simulations, Conquistador: The Age of Exploration is a perfect fit. It puts you in command of a European nation during the Age of Discovery, with the mission to explore, conquer, and accumulate power in the New World. It's an immersive experience that rewards strategic planning and patience, with a very old-school feel that veterans will appreciate.Deep historical simulationExploration and conquestClassic wargame componentsScenario replayabilityChallenging solo modeLong play durationComplex rulesetDated visual styleFOR GENRE FANS ## Description Get ready to embark on an epic journey with Conquistador: The Age of Exploration – 1495-1600, a classic wargame that transports you to the 16th century. Here, you take on the role of one of Europe's major powers – Spain, France, England, and in some editions, Portugal – with the goal of exploring and conquering the New World, both North and South America. The game is a true historical simulator, immersing you in the era's atmosphere with its mechanics and historical figures. Your country needs to accumulate as much wealth, land, and prestige through actual discoveries to be crowned the victor. The original 1976 SPI version, published in Strategy & Tactics magazine #58, was for 1 to 3 players, with Spain, France, and England as the main factions. Interestingly, it even included rules for Portugal or German bankers as a fourth player, but without the physical components. The Avalon Hill edition, released in 1982, expanded to 1 to 4 players, officially including Portugal with its own counters. This version came with a mounted map and a bookcase box, a luxury for its time! Later, a variant called "Fur Traders & Buccaneers" added Dutch, Danish, and slave units, showing how the game evolved and adapted over time. If you enjoy a good historical simulation with exploration, management, and combat, Conquistador is a worthwhile trip back in time. ## FAQ ### What is the average playtime for Conquistador? Get ready for a marathon! A full game can take anywhere from 6 to 7 hours, so it's a game to dedicate significant time to and plan in advance. ### How many players can play Conquistador? The original SPI version was for 1 to 3 players, while the Avalon Hill edition expanded to 1 to 4 players. It's possible to play solo or with a small group. ### Is Conquistador a complex game for beginners? Yes, it has a BGG weight of 3.2143/5, which indicates considerable complexity. It's a classic wargame with detailed rules and combat tables, ideal for those already experienced in the genre. ### What are the main components of the game? You'll find a large map of the New World (North and South America), counters for the different European nations and military units, dice, and reference tables for combat and events. ### Who is Conquistador most recommended for? It's highly recommended for fans of historical wargames, players who appreciate deep simulations, and those not intimidated by long play sessions and detailed rules. If you love the Age of Discovery, you'll greatly enjoy it! ### Does the game have a solo mode? Yes, Conquistador offers rules for solo play, which is great for those who want to delve into strategies or simply enjoy the historical experience without the need for other players.