Overview

Conquistador! is a 1-3 player grand strategy game covering the exploration and conquest of the New World from 1495-1600. Players take the roles of European nations (Spain, England, France, and optionally Portugal) competing to accumulate wealth, land, and prestige through Discovery Points, Political Control of areas, and Gold/Resources. Players send expeditions with colonists, soldiers, explorers, and missionaries to settle, explore, and exploit the riches of the Western Hemisphere.

Components

• 1 game map (22” x 32”) of the Western Hemisphere with hexagonal grid
• 1 sheet of die-cut counters (200 pieces) including units for Spain (green), England (red), France (yellow), and optionally Portugal (blue)
• Unit types: Colonists, Soldiers, Explorers, Privateers, Conquistadors, Missionaries, Ships
• Charts and tables printed on the map
• 2 six-sided dice
• Rules booklet

Setup

1. Place the game map on a large flat surface.
2. Each player selects a nationality (Spain, England, or France). In the optional 4-player variant, a fourth player controls Portugal.
3. Place starting units in designated home port hexes according to the scenario being played.
4. Set the National Treasury for each country at starting levels.
5. Place the game turn marker on turn 1.

Turn Structure

Each game turn represents approximately 7 years and follows this sequence:

1. Royal Council Phase – Monarchs, National Treasury, Random Events, Political Events, Initiative determination, Outfitting Expeditions, Documentation/Treaties, Maintenance.
2. First Naval Phase – Trans-Oceanic Movement, Hemispheric Movement, Naval Combat, Naval Attrition.
3. Land Phase – Land Movement, Land Combat, Land Attrition, Discovery, Gold Mining, Resource Collection.
4. Second Naval Phase – Same as First Naval Phase (return voyages, reinforcements).
5. Victory Point Phase – Calculate current standings (ongoing tracking throughout the game).

Actions

Royal Council Phase:

• Monarchs: Each nation’s monarch affects the country’s capabilities (some monarchs are more supportive of exploration than others).
• National Treasury: Collect income from colonies, mines, and trade. Fund expeditions.
• Random Events: Roll for events that may affect any nation (storms, epidemics, political upheaval).
• Outfitting Expeditions: Purchase new units (Ships, Colonists, Soldiers, Explorers, etc.) using treasury funds.
• Initiative: Determines player order for the turn.

Naval Phases:

• Trans-Oceanic Movement: Ships move across the Atlantic following prescribed sea routes.
• Hemispheric Movement: Ships move within the Western Hemisphere along coastal hexes and rivers.
• Naval Combat: When opposing ships occupy the same sea hex, naval combat is resolved using the Naval Combat Results Table.
• Naval Attrition: Ships at sea may suffer losses due to storms, disease, and provisioning failures. Checked against the Naval Attrition Table.

Land Phase:

• Land Movement: Units move through hexes; movement costs vary by terrain type. Zones of Control restrict movement near enemy units.
• Land Combat: Resolved using the Land Combat Results Table. Combat strength modified by terrain and fortifications.
• Discovery: When units enter unexplored hexes, check the Discovery Table for what is found (native populations, geography, resources).
• Gold Mining and Resource Collection: Established mines produce gold; colonists collect resources from controlled areas.

Special Units:

• Colonists: Settle areas and collect resources. Essential for maintaining political control.
• Soldiers: Provide military strength for combat against natives and rival nations.
• Explorers: Enhanced movement and discovery capabilities. Required for initial exploration.
• Privateers (English “Sea Dogs”): Raid enemy shipping and coastal settlements.
• Conquistadors: Named historical leaders with enhanced combat abilities against natives.
• Missionaries: Convert native populations, reducing uprising risk and enabling political control.

Settlements and Ports:

• Built by colonists with resource expenditure.
• Ports enable naval access and trade.
• Settlements provide stacking benefits and defensive bonuses.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

Players accumulate Victory Points from three sources:

1. Discovery Points: Earned for exploring and mapping new areas.
2. Political Points: Earned for controlling areas on the map (must have colonists and/or missionaries present).
3. Wealth (Gold and Resources): Gold mined and resources collected from controlled territories.

At game end, total all three categories. The nation with the greatest combined total wins.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• Native Populations: Areas have different Native Levels affecting combat difficulty and uprising risk. Higher native levels mean stronger resistance.
• Native Uprisings: Controlled areas may rebel; check periodically. Missionaries reduce uprising probability.
• Treaty of Tordesillas (Optional): Historical treaty dividing the New World between Spain and Portugal. Affects which areas each nation may claim.
• Portuguese Fourth Player (Optional): Adds Portugal as a playable nation with unique starting position and capabilities.
• German Bankers (Optional): Adds a non-national player controlling German banking interests who can finance expeditions and claim territories.
• Solitaire Scenario: Spain-only scenario for solo play focusing on New World conquest.
• Attrition: Both naval and land units face attrition from disease, starvation, and harsh conditions. Proper provisioning (purchasing bounds) reduces attrition risk.
• Gold Transportation: Gold must be physically transported by ship back to the home port to count toward victory.
• Treasure and Looting: Conquering native settlements may yield treasure.
• Diplomacy: Players may negotiate treaties and agreements, but enforcement is voluntary.
• Secrecy: Players may keep certain discoveries and plans secret from opponents using Documentation rules.

Player Reference

Unit Type	Movement	Special
Colonist	Low	Settles, collects resources
Soldier	Medium	Combat strength
Explorer	High	Enhanced discovery
Privateer	Naval	Raids enemy shipping
Conquistador	Medium	Named leader, combat bonus vs natives
Missionary	Low	Converts natives, reduces uprisings
Ship	Naval	Transports units, naval combat

Victory Points	Source
Discovery	Exploring new hexes
Political	Controlling areas with presence
Wealth	Gold mined + Resources collected

• 1-3 players (4 with Portugal option)
• Campaign game covers 1495-1600 (~15 turns)
• Gold must be shipped home to count