Maria | Image | BoardGameGeek

Martin Tyman

(krakonos)

United States
Chattanooga
Tennessee

Very nice and effective...

I like how the text gives the historical background but you can also quickly see the effect of the card based on the icons. That makes it a lot easier then having the effect buried in the text and having to keep re-reading the paragraph!

Are these icons on the cards refereeing to movement on the political display, and do the amount of arrows specify the number of spaces?

Posted Wed Aug 26, 2009 1:25 pm
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richard sivel

(rsivel)

Germany
berlin
Unspecified

The number of arrows is identical to the number of spaces you can move a marker. In cases where arrows are depicted to the left AND the right, you may choose in which direction to move the marker.

I am not sure whether I understand what you meant with "icons".

The cards give the following information:

1.) Title (just for historicity)

2.) Coat of arms: Important for the game. It tells which power is allowed to select the card.

3.) Historical background in tiny font: just for historicity

4.) Special events with icons like "+1" or "-1" and a short text for explanation. The icons here are almost self explanatory. Typical special events are the immediate gain of troops, or the loss/gain of Tactical cards.

5.) Markers with arrows for movement of the marker on the political display.

========================
For instance the card on the upper left:

It may be selected by the Pragmatic Army (gray), France (red) or Austria. If selected, the selecting power may choose to give France or the Pragmatic army 2 troops and 1 Tactical Card (both for free). --- Certainly, if France selects the card, it will give these to itself. Same is true for the Pragmatic Army. Why should Austria -- if selecting the card -- give troops to France or the Pragmatic Army? -- Well, this is where negotiations set in: The Pragmatic Army could convince Austria in doing so by offering a subsidy for instance, or by offering certain actions on the game board...

2nd example on the lower left:
Only Prussia or Austria may select the Card. If Prussia selects the card, it will discard it for sure (since the card results in Saxony's defection). If Austria selects the card, it will certainly opt for execution, thus shifting the Saxony marker 4 spaces to the right (which makes Saxony an Austrian ally) and reinforcing Saxony with 2 troops (at no cost).
(Note that this card is an extreme card. It shows up in the year 1743 (that is turn 7 to turn 9).

Edited Wed Aug 26, 2009 2:16 pm
Posted Wed Aug 26, 2009 2:06 pm
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Martin Tyman

(krakonos)

United States
Chattanooga
Tennessee

Thanks for the reply and explanation. By icons I was referring to the stuff bellow the text. Now it would be only natural to show us a preview of the political display... ninja

Posted Wed Aug 26, 2009 2:19 pm
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Eric Grutz

(Partizan242)

United States
Hoffman Estates
Illinois

I have a couple of questions:

1. On the back side of these cards, are they labeled 1741, 1742, etc?

2. Is there a reference in the rules that allow the selecting power to just kill the political card. It's mentioned in an example in the rules that Prussia chooses a card and kills it (since it was negative for them) but I can't find the rule. So in your first example able, if Austria fails to have a negotiate, it can just kill off the card?

So far everything about MARIA looks great. I think the politics part will become clearer for me once I see an image of the political display board.

Posted Thu Aug 27, 2009 10:13 am
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richard sivel

(rsivel)

Germany
berlin
Unspecified

Quote:

I have a couple of questions:

1. On the back side of these cards, are they labeled 1741, 1742, etc?

Yes.

Quote:

2. Is there a reference in the rules that allow the selecting power to just kill the political card. It's mentioned in an example in the rules that Prussia chooses a card and kills it (since it was negative for them) but I can't find the rule. So in your first example able, if Austria fails to have a negotiate, it can just kill off the card?

Yes, there is a reference

See 17.5, third hearts:

(...) if it decides to select a Political Card, all its TCs on the display go to the discard pile; the power may then execute the selected Political Card or discard it without effect (see below).

Regarding your question whether Austria can "kill" the card if negotiations fail: Ruleswise, it can kill the card. Whether it is wise, is another question. Instead it could be better for Austria to "conserve" its TC (so that it has greater influence in the next turn).

Note 2 things:
a) Selecting a card cost the TCs laying on the display. So selecting a political card in order to discard it, is only necessary if you really want to deny another power the use of this card. -- The card "Quadruple Alliance" (bottom left) is a very good example for a card to be discarded if Prussia can select it: In the hand of Austria, this card has severe negative effects.
b) Once all powers had their chance of selecting a card, all still unselected cards are AUTOMATICALLY discarded.

(The rules for the political system are basically simple, but there is a lot to consider, and a lot space for clever play.)

Quote:

So far everything about MARIA looks great. I think the politics part will become clearer for me once I see an image of the political display board.

This will come soon

Edited Thu Aug 27, 2009 11:55 am
Posted Thu Aug 27, 2009 11:53 am
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Eric Grutz

(Partizan242)

United States
Hoffman Estates
Illinois

rsivel wrote:

Yes, there is a reference

See 17.5, third hearts:

Yep, there it is. I see that I can't read. And when I play Friedrich, I can't count to three.

Posted Thu Aug 27, 2009 3:34 pm
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