Dominion: Empires

Rio Grande Games, 999 Games, ASS Altenburger Spielkarten · Board game · 2016
2–4 · best 2 30 min Weight 2.8/5
9.3 rating Ludopedia
8.3 rating BGG
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9.3 rating Ludopedia
8.3 rating BGG
Our Verdict

If you're already a Dominion fan looking for more depth and new strategies, Empires is a very worthwhile addition! The new mechanics bring incredible freshness.

Highlights
  • New scoring opportunities
  • Creative 'buy now, pay later' cards
  • Increases replayability
  • High-quality components
Keep in mind
  • Requires Dominion base game
  • Can increase complexity
  • Moderate language dependency
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
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About the game
Listen up, folks! Dominion: Empires arrives as the tenth expansion to the series that revolutionized deck-building. Now, you're not just the owner of a mere kingdom, but a giant empire! Prepare yourself for the challenges of being emperor: from lighting the sacred flame (and hoping it doesn't go out) to dealing with armies that conquer entire continents and you have no idea where to put them. Oh, and of course, the paranoia about assassination risk forces you to have tasters for everything, even for the dagger that might stab you! But don't be fooled, being emperor has its perks, especially when you already have half the world in your hands.

Empires brings 300 new cards and 96 metal tokens that add that special touch. The big hook here is the cards you can buy now and pay for later – a true masterstroke for managing your imperial finances. There are also piles with two different cards, which add extra spice when building your deck, and Landmarks that introduce new ways to score, moving away from the traditional. And for those who enjoy them, VP tokens and Events return to give that extra nostalgia and strategy. It's the perfect expansion for those who already love Dominion and want more complexity and tactical options.
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Game details

Families

Game: Dominion
Publisher Rio Grande Games, 999 Games, ASS Altenburger Spielkarten, Games Factory Publishing, Hobby Japan, Korea Boardgames, Lautapelit.fi
Designer Donald X. Vaccarino
Artist Alayna Lemmer-Danner, Brian Brinlee, Claus Stephan, Donald Crank, Elisa Cella, Garret DeChellis, Harald Lieske, Joshua J. Stewart, Julien Delval, Kurt Miller, Lynell Ingram, Marco Primo, Mark Poole, Martin Hoffmann, Matthias Catrein, Raina Kuptz, Ryan Laukat, Tomasz Jedruszek
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need the Dominion base game to play with the Empires expansion?
Absolutely! Empires is an expansion and requires the Dominion base game to be played.
How many players can participate with this expansion?
Just like the base game, Empires is for 2 to 4 players.
Does the expansion make the game more complicated?
Empires adds new layers of strategy and complexity, especially with the Landmarks and delayed purchase cards. It's ideal for those who already master Dominion's basic mechanics.
How long does a game with Empires take?
The playtime remains similar to the base game, generally around 30 minutes, depending on players' familiarity with the new cards.
What are the main components the expansion adds?
Empires brings 300 new cards, 96 metal tokens (like VP tokens), and introduces Landmarks, which are special cards that change scoring rules.
Is this expansion good for someone just starting Dominion?
We recommend you are comfortable with the base game before adding Empires. It introduces more advanced mechanics that might be a bit challenging for absolute beginners.
Are the cards in English?
The base game and its expansions typically have manuals in English, but the cards themselves might have text that requires translation or a reference guide. Check the specific edition.