Overview

De Ontembare Stad (The Indomitable Citadel) is a medieval-themed strategy board game for 2-5 players. Players take on the roles of five Grandmasters, each leading an order of knighthood, working to build up a medieval town into a grand citadel. Through strategic use of Influence Cards, players take territories, steal territories from opponents, and can even burn down important buildings. The goal is to achieve the strongest influence and become king.

Components

• 1 game board depicting the growing citadel
• Building tiles (houses and important buildings)
• Player pieces (Grandmaster tokens, one per player)
• Influence Cards (counter, attack, and defense cards)
• Territory markers
• Rules booklet

Setup

1. Place the game board in the center.
2. Each player selects a Grandmaster and takes their starting pieces and Influence Cards.
3. Place initial buildings on the board as indicated.
4. Distribute starting territories.
5. Determine the first player.

Turn Structure

On your turn:

1. Build Phase: Place or upgrade buildings in territories you control, growing the citadel.
2. Action Phase: Play Influence Cards to take new territories, challenge opponents, or defend your holdings.
3. Conflict Resolution: Resolve any contested territories.
4. Draw Phase: Replenish your hand of Influence Cards.

Actions

Building

• Construct new buildings in territories you control.
• More valuable buildings generate more influence and scoring potential.

Taking Territories

• Play Influence Cards to claim uncontrolled territories or challenge opponents for theirs.
• Successfully claiming territory expands your power base.

Taking Over Opponent Territories

• Play attack Influence Cards to attempt to seize territories controlled by other Grandmasters.
• The defender can play counter-cards to resist.

Burning Buildings

• Play special Influence Cards to burn down important buildings on the board, creating disorder in the citadel.
• This can weaken an opponent’s position or deny them key buildings.

Defending

• Play defensive Influence Cards to protect your territories from attacks and arson.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

The player with the most influence at the end of the game becomes king and wins. Influence is determined by the number and value of territories controlled, buildings erected, and successful challenges completed.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• Influence Cards: These are the game’s central mechanic, allowing both offensive and defensive actions. Managing your hand is critical.
• Arson: Burning buildings is a destructive but powerful tactic – it can set back a leading player but damages the shared citadel.
• Expansion Available: “De Ontembare Stad: Het Verraad” (The Betrayal) is an expansion that adds treachery mechanics.
• Ages 10+: The game is designed for older children and adults, with moderate complexity.
• Dutch Origin: The game was published by The Game Master, a Dutch publisher, and the primary rules are in Dutch.

Player Reference

Turn: Build → Play Influence Cards (attack/defend/burn) → Resolve conflicts → Draw cards

Win: Most influence at game end (territories + buildings + challenges)

Influence Cards: Take territory

Steal territory

Burn buildings

Defend

Players: 2-5 Grandmasters competing to become king