How Do You Play Board Game Rome?

By Robert Palmer

The board game Rome is an exciting strategy game that allows players to relive the glory days of the Roman Empire. In this article, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of playing this captivating game. So, gather your friends and let’s dive into the world of ancient Rome!

Setting Up the Game

Before you can start playing Rome, you need to set up the game board and all its components. Here’s how:

  • Step 1: Unfold the game board and place it on a flat surface.
  • Step 2: Each player should choose a color and take all the corresponding tokens.
  • Step 3: Shuffle the deck of cards and place it facedown next to the board.
  • Step 4: Place all the victory point tokens in a pile within reach of all players.

Taking Turns

Rome is played in turns, with each player taking actions to expand their influence and conquer territories. Here’s how a typical turn looks like:

  1. Step 1: Roll the dice to determine your available actions for this turn.
  2. Step 2: Choose one action from the available options based on your dice roll.
    • If you roll a ‘1’:
      • – Expand: Place one of your tokens on an unoccupied territory adjacent to your existing territories. This allows you to extend your influence.
      • – Conquer: If you have more tokens in a territory than any other player, you can conquer it. Remove the opponent’s tokens and replace them with your own.
    • If you roll a ‘2’:
      • – Recruit: Add one token to any of your existing territories. This strengthens your control over that area.
      • – Build: Spend victory points to construct buildings in your territories.

        These buildings provide various benefits throughout the game.

    • If you roll a ‘3’:
      • – Trade: Exchange resources with other players. Negotiate and make deals to strengthen your position.
      • – Research: Spend victory points to advance on the technology track. Technological advancements grant special abilities and advantages.
  3. Step 3: After taking your chosen action, pass the dice to the next player clockwise.

Earning Victory Points

In Rome, victory points are crucial for determining the winner of the game. Here are some ways to earn victory points:

  • Conquering Territories: Whenever you conquer a territory, you earn victory points based on its value.
  • Building Buildings: Constructing buildings in your territories grants you victory points.
  • Achieving Objectives: Throughout the game, there will be objectives that players can fulfill for additional victory points.

The End Game

The game continues until one of the following conditions is met:

  • All Territories Conquered: If a player manages to conquer all the territories on the board, the game ends.
  • Victory Points Threshold: Alternatively, the game ends when a predetermined victory points threshold is reached. The player with the highest number of victory points wins.

Now that you know how to play Rome, gather your fellow strategists and embark on a journey to build your own empire. May the gods favor your endeavors!