# Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North – Japanese Islands ## General Info - **Year Published**: 2019 - **BGG Rating**: 7.9 - **BGG Rank**: — - **Players**: 1-4 (Best with: 2) - **Duration**: 45-90 min - **Weight**: 3.08 / 5 - **Designers**: Ignacy Trzewiczek, Joanna Kijanka - **Artists**: Roman Kucharski - **Publishers**: Portal Games, Broadway Toys LTD, IELLO, Maldito Games, Pegasus Spiele, White Goblin Games, Zvezda - **Categories**: Ancient, Card Game, City Building, Civilization, Expansion for Base-game - **Mechanics**: Hand Management, Variable Player Powers ## Verdict If you're already a fan of *Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North*, this expansion is a treat for those seeking more variety and strategies, bringing a super interesting Japanese faction.New factions and strategiesIncreases replayabilityConnects with base gameMore island cardsRequires base gameAdds complexityRECOMMENDED ## Description It's time to broaden your horizons with *Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North – Japanese Islands*! This expansion brings a breath of fresh air to your *Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North* base game, immersing you in the rich culture of the Japanese islands. Get ready to explore new strategies with two brand-new decks and a set of additional island cards that will supercharge your games. The big highlight here is the introduction of the Japanese faction, which not only integrates perfectly into the *Empires of the North* universe but also creates a super interesting bridge to the original *Imperial Settlers* base game. If you're already a fan of the series, you know that each faction has its unique way of playing, and the Japanese are no exception, promising mechanics and synergies that will make you think outside the box. With this expansion, replayability soars, and you'll have even more options to build your empire, manage your resources, and, of course, dominate the table. It's the perfect chance to refresh your strategies and discover how your empire fares in the land of the rising sun! ## How to Play How to Play Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North – Japanese Islands 1. Game Objective In Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North – Japanese Islands, players take on the roles of two new Japanese clans (Saikoro and Umineko), competing to gain honor and glory through trade, exploration, and resource management. The exact victory conditions are not detailed in the provided context. Consult the manual for details on this section. 2. Setup To prepare the game: Add the new Distant Islands cards to their corresponding deck. Add the new Near Islands cards to their corresponding deck. Players may now choose to play as one of the two new Japanese clans (Saikoro or Umineko) in addition to the existing factions. Each player receives their respective clan cards and Clan Ship tokens. Consult the manual for details on this section. 3. Game Flow The game follows a structured turn order with specific phases. For the Umineko clan, the phases are: Observation Phase Storage Phase – Resolve storage effects on cards by discarding assigned goods. Delivery Phase Actions Phase Expedition Phase Maintenance Phase Consult the manual for details on other clans or additional phases. 4. Actions and How to Play Clan Abilities Saikoro Clan: Expert negotiators who can trade with opponents. They may use opponents' cards, except those requiring card types they don’t have or cards with Storage or Assign effects. Umineko Clan: Specializes in managing goods in ports, with a focus on the Storage Phase. Key Mechanics Exchange: When trading with an opponent, you choose the resource you give and take a different one from their stock. Identical resources cannot be exchanged. Give: When giving a resource to an opponent, select one from your stock and transfer it to theirs. Storage Effects: During the Storage Phase, discard assigned goods to activate card effects. If you assign double or triple the required goods, resolve the effect multiple times. Example: The Commercial Counter (224) requires discarding 3 assigned goods to gain 3 resources and 1 additional resource. If 6 goods are assigned, resolve the effect twice. Consult the manual for details on other actions. 5. End of Game and Scoring The exact end-game trigger and scoring criteria are not detailed in the provided context. Consult the manual for details on this section. 6. Tips to Win Saikoro Clan: Leverage your trading advantage by negotiating with opponents for favorable exchanges. Umineko Clan: Maximize your Storage Phase by assigning extra goods to activate effects multiple times. Pay close attention to card interactions, especially those involving Storage or Exchange mechanics. ## FAQ ### Do I need the Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North base game to play this expansion? Yes, this is an expansion and requires the *Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North* base game to be played. It adds content and is not a standalone game. ### What does this expansion add to the game? It introduces two new faction decks, with a focus on Japanese culture, and additional island cards, offering new strategies and gameplay options. ### Is the Japanese faction very different from the others? Yes, the Japanese faction has its own unique mechanics and synergies, which can significantly change how you approach the game and interact with the cards. ### Does this expansion increase the game's complexity? It adds new strategic layers and options, which might slightly increase complexity for newcomers, but for experienced players, it's a welcome challenge. ### How many players can play with this expansion? The expansion maintains the player count of the base game, which is 1 to 4 players, offering new options for all types of matches. ### What is the average playtime with this expansion? The playtime generally remains in the 45 to 90-minute range, depending on the number of players and familiarity with the new mechanics. ## Price Comparison ### Best International Offers - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 22.26 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=2311915&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - See all on BoardGamePrices: https://boardgameprices.com/item/show/30806/imperial-settlers-empires-of-the-north-japanese-islands?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com