Conflict of Alliances: Warring States (2011)

About this game

Conflict of Alliances: Warring States （纵横战国） is a two player game about diplomacy and warfare in period of the Warring States in ancient China. The game begins in the year 312 BC, when state of Qin （秦国）had just become the most powerful state in China. The strategy of Qin is to unite the States in “horizontal alliance”（连横）and to conquer the States in “vertical alliance”（合纵）. In this game, one player controls the “horizontal alliance”, the other player controls the “vertical alliance”. The game integrates diplomacy, warfare, reinforcements and initiative（天时）in a simple Card Driven mechanic. The game integrates diplomacy and warfare in a simple Card Driven mechanic. The game places heavy emphasis on diplomatic struggle. Each state except Qin is either belongs to “horizontal alliance” or “vertical alliance” or neutral. A state in an alliance may shift to the other alliance and can be controlled by the other player during the game. The game is easy to learn and difficult to master, there are plenty of examples in the rule book and play book.

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Strictly 2 players — no more, no fewer.
• Rules load. At 2.5/5 this is a mid-weight game — expect a proper rules explanation before you start.
• Age. The publisher suggests 10 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.