Age of Napoleon

Overview

A two-player strategic board game covering the Napoleonic Wars in Europe from 1805 to 1815. One player controls the First French Empire and its allies, while the other controls the Coalition countries led by Great Britain. The game includes three scenarios starting in 1805, 1809, and 1813, each with different strategic situations and victory conditions. Players manage armies, diplomacy, and economics across a map of Europe.

Components

• Game board (map of Europe)
• Military unit counters for French and Coalition forces
• Diplomacy markers
• Economic/treasury markers
• Turn track and scenario cards
• Dice
• Rules booklet

Setup

Choose a scenario (1805, 1809, or 1813). Place units according to the scenario’s historical starting positions. Set up diplomacy markers for neutral nations. Initialize treasury levels for both sides.

Turn Structure

Each turn represents a period of the Napoleonic Wars. Players alternate taking actions:

1. Diplomacy Phase: Attempt to sway neutral nations.
2. Economic Phase: Collect income and manage treasury.
3. Reinforcement Phase: Purchase and place new units.
4. Movement Phase: Move armies across the map.
5. Combat Phase: Resolve battles between opposing forces.
6. Political Phase: Check victory conditions and political events.

Actions

Diplomacy

Both players attempt to bring neutral nations into their alliance through diplomatic actions. Historical events can shift allegiances.

Economics

Income depends on controlled territories and trade routes. Players spend money on armies, navies, and diplomatic efforts.

Military Operations

• Armies move along roads and across terrain
• Battles resolved using unit strengths, terrain, and leadership bonuses
• Napoleon and other historical generals provide combat bonuses
• Naval operations affect supply lines and overseas territories

Scoring / Victory Conditions

Victory conditions vary by scenario:

• 1805 Scenario: French victory through territorial conquest; Coalition victory through containing France
• 1809 Scenario: Modified objectives reflecting the changed political situation
• 1813 Scenario: French must survive the Coalition assault; Coalition must liberate Europe

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• Napoleon provides significant combat and movement bonuses to French forces
• Diplomatic shifts can dramatically change the balance of power
• Supply lines are critical for maintaining armies in the field
• Sea power affects both trade income and the ability to project force
• Historical events trigger at specific points in the game

Player Reference

Scenarios

| Scenario | Start Year | Situation | |———-|———–|———–| | 1 | 1805 | French Empire at its height | | 2 | 1809 | Austrian resurgence | | 3 | 1813 | War of Liberation |

Turn Phases

1. Diplomacy
2. Economics
3. Reinforcements
4. Movement
5. Combat
6. Political