Overview

Dark Emperor is a two-player fantasy wargame published by Avalon Hill. One player takes the role of a Dark Lord invading the world from another dimension, while the other player must rally the kingdoms of the world to fight the invaders. The game combines hex-and-counter wargame mechanics with fantasy elements including quests, heroes, and dimensional warfare.

Components

• 1 hex map depicting a fantasy world
• Die-cut unit counters (Dark Lord forces and Alliance kingdoms)
• Quest and event cards
• Combat results table
• Dice
• Rules booklet

Setup

1. Lay out the hex map.
2. One player chooses the Dark Lord faction; the other plays the Alliance.
3. Place starting units in their designated hexes as indicated by the scenario.
4. Prepare quest cards and event decks.
5. Set dimensional portals and invasion entry points for the Dark Lord.
6. Determine the first player.

Turn Structure

Each game turn:

1. Event Phase: Draw and resolve event cards.
2. Dark Lord Phase: The Dark Lord player moves units, opens dimensional portals, and conducts combat.
3. Alliance Phase: The Alliance player rallies kingdoms, moves units, conducts quests, and fights back.
4. Administrative Phase: Check control, reinforcements, and victory conditions.

Actions

Movement

• Units move across the hex map; movement rates vary by unit type and terrain.
• The Dark Lord’s forces may enter through dimensional portals placed during the game.

Combat

• Adjacent opposing units engage in combat using odds-ratio CRT resolution.
• Heroes and special units may have combat bonuses.

Dimensional Invasion

• The Dark Lord opens portals to bring reinforcements from another dimension.
• Portal placement and timing is a key strategic decision.

Rallying Kingdoms (Alliance)

• The Alliance player must convince neutral kingdoms to join the fight.
• Diplomatic actions and quest completion can bring new allies.

Quests

• Special missions that can provide strategic advantages, powerful artifacts, or new allies.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

The Dark Lord wins by conquering enough territory or key strongholds. The Alliance wins by closing all dimensional portals and destroying enough of the Dark Lord’s forces, or by completing a specific set of quests that banish the Dark Lord.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• Asymmetric Gameplay: The Dark Lord has powerful but alien forces with portal-based reinforcement; the Alliance has diverse but initially scattered kingdoms that must be united.
• Dimensional Portals: These serve as both reinforcement points and objectives. The Alliance may try to close them while the Dark Lord protects them.
• Neutral Kingdoms: Must be diplomatically recruited; they do not automatically join the Alliance.
• Combined Rules: A combined rules document consolidating all rule variants is available on BGG.

Player Reference

Dark Lord: Open portals → Bring in forces → Conquer territory

Alliance: Rally kingdoms → Unite forces → Close portals → Defeat the Dark Lord

Turn: Events → Dark Lord actions → Alliance actions → Admin

Combat: Odds ratio + dice on CRT