El Grande Big Box
Hans im Glück, 999 Games, Devir · Board game · 2015
2–5 · best 5
90 min
Weight 2.8/5
8.8
rating
Ludopedia
8.2
rating
BGG
8.8
rating
Ludopedia
8.2
rating
BGG
Our Verdict
If you enjoy a good strategic challenge and love area control games with plenty of interaction, El Grande Big Box is a fantastic choice! A timeless classic that delivers depth and tension with every turn.
Highlights
- Strategic area control
- Direct player interaction
- Constant decision tension
- High replayability
- Complete edition with expansions
Keep in mind
- Initial learning curve
- Can be a bit long
- Requires careful planning
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
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In El Grande, you take on the role of a powerful Grande in medieval Spain, at a time when the king's authority is waning. Your mission is simple (but not so simple in practice!): expand your influence and gain control of the various regions of the kingdom. To achieve this, you recruit your loyal caballeros (represented by meeples, of course!) to your court and then strategically deploy them to the provinces on the board.
The game unfolds over nine rounds, with intermediate scoring every three rounds. At the end of the ninth round, the Grande with the most points is crowned the ultimate winner. Each round begins with the secret selection of one of your 13 power cards. This card not only determines turn order but also how many caballeros you can move from the general supply to your personal court. You then choose one of five available action cards, which offer varied effects, extra scoring opportunities, and dictate how many caballeros you can move from your court to regions on the board (or to the mysterious Castillo, a secret tower).
Normally, your caballeros can only be placed in regions adjacent to the one containing the king's pawn. And here's a golden rule: the king's region is untouchable! Nothing enters, nothing leaves. One of the five action cards always allows you to move the king to a new region, adding an interesting tactical layer. The other four action cards change each round, keeping the game dynamic. The goal is to have a majority of caballeros in as many regions (and the Castillo) as possible during scoring rounds. After the Castillo is scored, your hidden meeples there are revealed and placed in the region you secretly indicated on your region dial. Each region is then scored individually, with two-point bonuses for having sole majority in the region containing your Grande (the larger meeple) and in the region containing the king.
El Grande Big Box is the 20th-anniversary edition, a gift for fans, which includes all previously released expansions: Grand Inquisitor & Colonies, Grandissimo, King & Intrigant, King & Intrigant: Players' Edition, King & Intrigant: Special Cards, and the mysterious 'Anniversary Extension'. It's the complete experience of a classic!
The game unfolds over nine rounds, with intermediate scoring every three rounds. At the end of the ninth round, the Grande with the most points is crowned the ultimate winner. Each round begins with the secret selection of one of your 13 power cards. This card not only determines turn order but also how many caballeros you can move from the general supply to your personal court. You then choose one of five available action cards, which offer varied effects, extra scoring opportunities, and dictate how many caballeros you can move from your court to regions on the board (or to the mysterious Castillo, a secret tower).
Normally, your caballeros can only be placed in regions adjacent to the one containing the king's pawn. And here's a golden rule: the king's region is untouchable! Nothing enters, nothing leaves. One of the five action cards always allows you to move the king to a new region, adding an interesting tactical layer. The other four action cards change each round, keeping the game dynamic. The goal is to have a majority of caballeros in as many regions (and the Castillo) as possible during scoring rounds. After the Castillo is scored, your hidden meeples there are revealed and placed in the region you secretly indicated on your region dial. Each region is then scored individually, with two-point bonuses for having sole majority in the region containing your Grande (the larger meeple) and in the region containing the king.
El Grande Big Box is the 20th-anniversary edition, a gift for fans, which includes all previously released expansions: Grand Inquisitor & Colonies, Grandissimo, King & Intrigant, King & Intrigant: Players' Edition, King & Intrigant: Special Cards, and the mysterious 'Anniversary Extension'. It's the complete experience of a classic!
GALLERY
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Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
Hans im Glück, 999 Games, Devir, Filosofia Éditions, Giochi Uniti, Korea Boardgames, MeepleBR, Swan Panasia Co., Ltd., Z-Man Games
Designer
Richard Ulrich, Wolfgang Kramer
Artist
Doris Matthäus
How many players does El Grande Big Box support and what is the average game time?
El Grande Big Box is designed for 2 to 5 players. The average game time is around 90 minutes, but it can vary slightly depending on the number of players and familiarity with the rules.
What is the complexity level of El Grande? Is it a game for beginners?
El Grande is considered a medium-complexity game (BGG weight of 2.8/5). It's not ideal for absolute beginners, but players with some experience in strategic board games will adapt well. The rules are logical, but the tactical depth requires a few plays to master.
Does this Big Box edition really include all expansions?
Yes! The El Grande Big Box is the 20th-anniversary edition and comes with all previously released expansions: Grand Inquisitor & Colonies, Grandissimo, King & Intrigant (various versions), and the 'Anniversary Extension', offering the complete game experience.
Is there a lot of player interaction in the game?
Absolutely! Interaction is one of El Grande's strong suits. You'll constantly be vying for regions, anticipating opponents' moves, and even moving the king to disrupt their plans. It's a game with plenty of 'cutthroat' direct competition.
What is the main objective in El Grande?
Your main objective is to have the majority of your caballeros (knights) in the various regions of medieval Spain, including the Castillo (a secret tower), during the scoring rounds. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins.
Who is El Grande Big Box recommended for?
It is highly recommended for fans of area control games, classic Eurogame strategy, and anyone looking for a game with tactical depth and high replayability. If you enjoy planning your moves and reacting to opponents, you'll love it!
Are the components of good quality?
Yes, the Big Box edition generally features good quality components, including wooden meeples for the caballeros and a sturdy game board. It is a premium edition for a classic.
