Alliance

A 1-6 player game of diplomacy and warfare in the Napoleonic Era... with a Columbia Block System twist. Play as Austria, Britain, France, Prussia, Russia, and Spain. These major powers cannot survive alone, however. They require the assistance and support of neighboring countries, the Minor States. The Columbia Block System adds a level of granularity to the traditional style of such games. Even though Alliance is best with 3-6 players, the Minor States create added depth for the two-player game and solo rules are in the works for the growing demand for solitaire play. Players start each turn by receiving six cards, and discarding one. Afterwards, they take turns playing a card, moving and building units, and conducting combat operations if necessary. Then a political phase occurs in which the major powers make diplomatic plays for the Minor States. Players can forge alliances lasting a year or more, with various conditions in effect: gold tributes, border disputes, non-aggression pacts, etc. By default, the winner is the player with the most Victory Points in cities by the game's end. Other scenarios may have extra stipulations that also determine victory.