# Here I Stand

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2006
- **BGG Rating**: 7.9
- **BGG Rank**: #544
- **Players**: 2-6 (Best with: 6)
- **Duration**: 180-360 min
- **Weight**: 4.20 / 5
- **Designers**: Ed Beach
- **Artists**: Mark Simonitch, Rodger B. MacGowan
- **Publishers**: GMT Games, Banana Games, Ergo Ludo Editions, Udo Grebe Gamedesign
- **Categories**: Negotiation, Pike and Shot, Political, Religious, Renaissance, Wargame
- **Mechanics**: Campaign / Battle Card Driven, Dice Rolling, Events, Hand Management, Movement Points, Point to Point Movement, Scenario / Mission / Campaign Game, Simulation, Variable Player Powers, Variable Set-up

## Verdict
Perfect for history buffs and political schemers; the secret diplomacy is the star of the show.Visceral secret diplomacyRich historical simulationAsymmetric victory pathsEpic and immersive campaignsVery steep learning curveExtremely long playtimesHigh language dependenceFOR GENRE FANS

## Description
Imagine diving into one of history's most chaotic and fascinating periods: early 16th-century Europe. Here I Stand isn't just a wargame; it's a political and religious simulator where you take control of one of the six great powers of the era: the Ottomans, the Habsburgs, the English, the French, the Papacy, or the Protestants. The game covers that frantic 40-year window where figures like Martin Luther, Henry VIII, and Suleiman the Magnificent shaped the modern world.

The heart of the game beats in diplomacy. Unlike many wargames, the most critical action happens away from the board. During the Diplomacy Phase, players can get up, whisper secret deals, and hatch malicious plans. It's pure Machiavelli: you build alliances to take down whoever is leading, knowing that betrayal is almost inevitable. The system is Card-Driven (CDG), where historical events and unexpected response cards can flip the game in an instant.

Each power has its own unique path to victory, making matches asymmetric and deeply strategic. You can play quick tournament scenarios (3 to 4 hours) or embark on epic campaigns that can take twice as long. The experience is dense, with a high strategic weight, requiring you to manage your hand of cards and movement points with precision. If you love history, political intrigue, and don't mind long sessions, this game is a feast. The 500th Anniversary Edition brought significant improvements, refining rules and adding cards that make the negotiations even more dynamic.

## FAQ
### Is the game too complex?
Yes, it's an 'expert' game. With a BGG weight of 4.19, it requires dedication to master the rules and card management.

### How long does a game take?
It varies. Tournament scenarios take 3 to 4 hours, but full campaigns can take 6 to 8 hours or more.

### Do I need 6 players to play?
Not at all! The game includes rules for 3, 4, or 5 players, and the 3-player setup is considered very well balanced.

### Is the game focused only on battles?
Not at all. While there is combat, politics, religion, and economics are just as important as the wars.

### Do I need to know history to play?
It's not mandatory, but it helps a lot with immersion. The game makes you feel part of the Machiavellian era.

### What's different in the 500th Anniversary Edition?
It adds new cards, revises existing ones for better gameplay, and updates rules to make the experience smoother.

## Price Comparison
### Best International Offers
- **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 99.21 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=5769331&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com)
  - See all on BoardGamePrices: https://boardgameprices.com/item/show/2680/here-i-stand?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com