Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North – Barbarian Hordes

IELLO, Maldito Games, Pegasus Spiele · Board game · 2020
1–4 · best 2 Solo 45–90 min Weight 3.2/5
rating Ludopedia
8.0 rating BGG
How to Play Buy
rating Ludopedia
8.0 rating BGG
Our Verdict

If you're a fan of 'Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North' and are looking for more variety and interaction, 'Barbarian Hordes' is a great pick, adding clans with unique playstyles and plenty of character.

Highlights
  • New clans with unique abilities
  • More strategic variety
  • Increases player interaction
  • Captivating pirate and robber themes
  • Adds replayability to base game
Keep in mind
  • Requires base game to play
  • May increase complexity
  • Focus on aggressive interaction
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About the game
Get ready to expand your empire with the arrival of 'Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North – Barbarian Hordes'! This expansion brings an extra dose of challenge and strategy, introducing two brand-new barbarian clans, each with their unique card deck and a very distinct playstyle. If you already enjoy the core mechanics of 'Empires of the North', you'll love the new dynamics these guys bring to the table. One of the clans consists of audacious pirates, masters of the seas, who sail on their robust rafts and thrive on raiding and exploring maritime routes. They are experts at accumulating wealth and surprising opponents with unexpected attacks. The other clan is made up of notorious robbers, who don't hesitate to sabotage others' plans and demand ransoms, adding a layer of more aggressive and direct interaction to the game. With them, negotiation and intimidation can be as important as building your own empire. 'Barbarian Hordes' isn't just another card pack; it's an injection of personality and new strategic possibilities, which will force you to rethink your tactics and adapt to these new and unpredictable neighbors. Prepare for naval duels, raids, and plenty of diplomacy (or the lack thereof!) as you try to lead your clan to glory.
Expansion for
Rules manual
Rules manual — Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North – Barbarian Hordes English · PDF
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Game details

Families

Game: Imperial Settlers
Publisher IELLO, Maldito Games, Pegasus Spiele, Portal Games
Designer Joanna Kijanka
Artist Grzegorz Bobrowski, Roman Kucharski
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this expansion for?
This expansion is perfect for those who already own and love 'Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North' and are looking for more clan options, strategies, and player interaction. If you want to spice up your games, this is for you!
What does 'Barbarian Hordes' add to the base game?
It introduces two new barbarian clans – pirates and robbers – each with their own unique card deck and mechanics that encourage more direct and, at times, aggressive interaction with opponents.
Can 'Barbarian Hordes' be played without the base game?
No, this is an expansion and requires the 'Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North' base game to be played. It complements and enriches the original experience.
What complexity does the expansion add?
The expansion adds a bit more strategic complexity due to the new clan abilities and increased interaction. Experienced players of the base game will adapt easily, but beginners might feel a slight increase in the learning curve.
Are the new clans balanced with the base game clans?
Yes, the expansion is designed to maintain the overall balance of the game, offering new strategic options without breaking the parity between clans. Each clan has its strengths and weaknesses.
How many players can participate with this expansion?
The expansion maintains the player capacity of the base game, meaning 1 to 4 players, allowing you to enjoy the new tribes in different table configurations.