The Last Empire: Turn 10 (260-250 BC)

Situation in 260 BC

Victory points are added at the end of this turn, but it starts with the revolt dice (3-6) seeing Pontus throw off Macedonian rule.

I am drawn first and I try to reconquer Pontus, but roll 3.

The Romans have a choice of attacking Carthaginian-held Sicilia, which would mean a -1 modifier for attacking a controlled province, or independent Cisalpina, which would mean a -1 modifier because there is tribal unrest there (and in Gallia) in the first 10 turns. Since the odds are the same, it makes sense to carry out the attack that, if successful, would reduce another people's strength, and Sicilia is conquered with a 5.

Richard's Parthians attack Persia, but roll 1.

Andy's Carthaginians could attack Sicilia, but that would mean a naval crossing as well as -1 modifiers for attacking a controlled province and for attacking outside of the original Carthaginian empire. Instead they attack Gallia, although that also means two -1 modifiers (tribal unrest and outside the original empire). It is rather academic as the roll is 1.

So the Carthaginians add five victory points for having three provinces, two of which (IBERIA and AFRICA) are marked in capital letters and so count double points. That takes Carthage to 17 victory points.

The Romans have a consolidated ITALIA, worth three points, and two other provinces, so they have five victory points.

The Macedonians have 10 provinces, including AEGYPTUS, and so have 11 victory points.

The Persians/Parthians have one province, taking their victory points to 13.

Andy's Carthaginians lead from Richard's Persians/Parthians and my Macedonians, with the Romans trailing

It is interesting comparing these totals with my previous four games of Philip Sabin's Empire.

                                     Carthaginians...Persians/Parthians...Macedonians...Romans....Total
Current                            17                        13                        11                  5             46

Third Four-Player           14                        16                          6                  5             41
Second Four-Player        17                        17                          9                  7             50
First Four-Player             17                        12                        11                  5             45
Solo                                 17                        12                        14                  5             48

Andy's Carthaginians are matching that people's previous best, but it seems fair to say no people are badly struggling compared to their previous scores at the halfway point.