Empires in Arms (1983)

(from the Avalon Hill back of the box :)

EMPIRES IN ARMS is a game covering the major elements of diplomacy and warfare during the Napoleonic Wars of 1805-1815.
YOU, as a player, are the absolute monarch of a major European power (Austria, France. Great Britain. Prussia. Russia, Spain or Turkey) and guide that nation through the maze of conflicting interests and ambitions that characterized Napoleonic Europe.
Each major power has its own individual economic; military and geographic advantages and disadvantages.
Players negotiate alliances. dictate peace treaties. administer conquests and conduct warfare on land and sea by maneuvering corps and fleets in the constant struggle for survival and prestige.

• Numerous Scenarios : These vary in size and length from the four-Turn. two-player 1805 Scenario to the 132 Turn, seven-player Grand Campaign Game (1805-1815).

• Great Military Leaders : Napoleon of France. Nelson of Great Britain. Blucher of Prussia. Prince Charles of Austria and many, many more

• Uncontrolled Major Powers : Rules that allow the realistic use of extra major powers in campaign games when less than seven players are available

• Unique Combat Systems : Land combat takes into account the effects of leadership, grand-tactics and the nurnbers, morale and types of troops present. Sieges include stormings and sorties. Sea commanders try to hold the "wind-gauge". Massed shore batteries protect harbors from blockadtng enemy fleets.

• Economic System : Money and manpower availability from home provinces and conquests determine recruiting and national strength.

CONTENTS:
1008 Die-Cut Counters
Two 25" by 35" mapboard
1 Rulebook

(BGG description :)

A game covering the major elements of diplomacy and warfare during the Napoleonic Wars of 1805-1815. Each player is absolute monarch of one of the major powers(England, France, Austria, Russia, Prussia, Spain and Turkey). The full game lasts 132 turns 1 for each month approx playing time is 100-150 hours. Each month is split into 4 phases:

• The Diplomatic phase where players negotiate deals, forge alliances etc.
• The Reinforcement phase where each player in sequence adds reinforcements due.
• The Naval phase each player conducts naval moves in sequence.
• The Land phase where each player moves and fights with his armies in sequence.

And then every third month an additional phase is added:

• The Economic phase, which is where players collect resources and purchase future reinforcements.

To win the game each nation needs to amass victory points these are scored in the economic phase and are based on your nations political status. As status always gravitates to a central position players must continually "politik" to reach their goal.

Magazine References:

The GENERAL Index Article List:

• The GENERAL Vol.23,No.4
  • Empires in Arms – “"Grand - and Grandiose - Strategy - Playing Empires in Arms"” (Introduction) by Bruce C. Mulligan.
  • Empires in Arms – “"This is the padded room where we keep all the Napoleons - Campaigning with Empires in Arms"” (Strategy) by S Craig Taylor, Jr.
  • Empires in Arms – “"The Emperor's Word: Clarifications, Changes and Errata"” (Errata) by S Craig Taylor, Jr.
• The GENERAL Vol.24,No.3
  • Empires in Arms – “"The View From Down Under - Player's Notes for Empires in Arms"” (Strategy) by Harry Rowland and Greg Pinder.
• The GENERAL Vol.25,No.2
  • Empires in Arms – Special Subscription Insert: 15 die-cut variant counters for the "Vive La Revolution" expansion published in The GENERAL Vol.25,No.4
• The GENERAL Vol.25,No.4
  • Empires in Arms – “An Official Addition to Empires in Arms - Viva La Revolution” (Expansion) by S. Craig Taylor, Jr.
• The GENERAL Vol.26,No.6
  • Empires in Arms – “Napoleon's last chance - A Waterloo scenario for Empires in Arms” (Scenarios) by John Sakelaris.
  • Empires in Arms – “The Influence of Sea power - Advanced Naval Combat for Empires in Arms” (Variant) by Bob McDonald, Mike McGinnis & Ed Whittaker.
• The GENERAL Vol.27,No.2
  • Empires in Arms – “Campaigning in Arms: Guidelines for Emperors” (Strategy) Phillip Hanson
• The GENERAL Vol.27,No.4
  • Empires in Arms – “Campaigning in Arms - More Guidelines for Emperors” (Strategy) by Phillip Hanson
• The GENERAL Vol.29,No.5
  • Empires in Arms – “Walk a mile for a camel- Turkish options for Empires in Arms” (Strategy) William J. Sariego
• The GENERAL Vol.30,No.6
  • Empires in Arms – “Sweden makes Eight -A campaign game variant and scenarios for Empires in Arms ” (Variant Discussion) Jim Lawler
  • Empires in Arms – Special Subscription Insert: 28 die-cut Empires in Arms variant counters for "Sweden Makes Eight" variant published in The GENERAL Vol.30,No.6 (Insert)
• The GENERAL Vol.31,No.1
  • Empires in Arms – “"The Sick Man of Europe - A Scenario for Empires in Arms"” (Scenario) by Jim Lawler.

BattlePlan Index Article List:

• Battleplan,No.3 July-August 1987
  • Empires in Arms - "Black Capes and Whispered Secrets - Empires in Arms spy network variant" by Herbert Gratz
• Battleplan,No.8 January-February 1989
  • Empires in Arms - "Empires in Arms - Strategies in Spain", Keith Martens

Other:
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