Tanto Monta: The Rise of Ferdinand & Isabella 1470-1516

Tanto Monta: The Rise of Ferdinand & Isabella 1470‑1516 is the prequel to "Here I Stand", Ed Beach's celebrated GMT Games title. Four powers — Muslim, French, Portuguese and Spanish — vie on a map that spans the reign of the Catholic Monarchs and the surge of the Age of Discovery. Each game lasts up to seven turns, and each nation must reach 45 victory points (VP) through military conquests, discovery of new zones, trade routes, royal marriages and special events.

The engine of the game is the campaign cards: they can be played as events that temporarily alter rules or as action points, letting you mobilize armies, explore territories or negotiate. Every action carries a specific cost, demanding careful hand management. Combat is resolved with dice, but combat cards representing unit support or tactics can boost your odds. Unit movement follows a point‑to‑point system, echoing real maritime and land routes of the era.

Beyond territorial warfare, the game simulates the commercial and diplomatic race of the Renaissance: discover routes in the Mediterranean and North Africa, establish colonies, and celebrate royal marriages that grant VP bonuses. Each nation has variable powers — Portugal excels at sea exploration, while France enjoys stronger land forces. The board and starting conditions vary with setup cards, ensuring no two games feel the same. Clocking in at over four hours, this title blends strategic depth, historical richness, and the tension of a card‑driven war game, perfect for fans of epic campaigns and high‑stakes decisions.