Four-Player Empire: Turn Two (340-330 BC)

Situation in 340 BC

The revolt phase again falls on Sicilia, and so again has no effect, but perhaps is a warning of trouble for anyone who attempts conquering the province. 

This is the first of two turns in which Alexander the Great appears as a great captain, meaning the Macedonians go first and get to launch five campaigns instead of the usual one.

They also get a +2 modifier, and great captains do not suffer the normal -1 modifier for attacking a province controlled by another of the four powers, except if attacking a homeland province.

Alexander only benefits from avoiding the -1 modifier if the Macedonians control Graecia, and so that is attacked first this turn.

But then it takes Alexander two campaigns to conquer Thracia, before using the remaining two campaigns to take Asia (that is the province name in the game, although it only covers part of Asia Minor) and Pontus.

The result is the Macedonians have added four provinces to their domains, but Andy is looking glum as he had hoped to be doing better at this stage (in my solo game the Macedonians conquered Graecia on turn one, with Alexander taking Thracia, Asia, Syria, AEGYPTUS and Mesopotamia on turn two).

Great captains always go first, so now the rest of us draw for next move - the choice is Rome. A 1 is needed to consolidate control of ITALIA on turn two, but the roll is an agonising near-miss with 2.

I am drawn next, and again try to invade Sicilia. This time the naval crossing is not a problem, and for the attack I roll a 4, which is not quite enough as Carthage suffers a -1 modifier for campaigns outside its original empire.

The Persians attack Macedonian-held Pontus, but roll a 2.

Conflict in the east, but the west has seen no change