Perikles

Win elections in six Greek city-states, then lend their armies to the battles that matter most.

Designer: Martin Wallace
Published by: Warfrog Games
Editions by: Fantasy Flight Games

Perikles (2006) is a Martin Wallace game about noble families in ancient Greece, each trying to become the leader of one or more of six city-states. It runs in two phases. First, you fight for area control in each state until the elections, and whoever wins an election gets to control that state's army. Then you use cards to send those armies to attack or defend one of seven battles up for grabs, each tied to a state, but you cannot attack your own. The mechanics are straightforward, drawing on Euro-style wargames, in particular on Martin Wallace's Struggle of Empires. Three to five players, around two hours.

Six ancient Greek city-statesElections decide who commands armiesSeven battles per round

Who it's for

You enjoy Martin Wallace games and want a politics-and-war mix with a clear ruleset for three to five.

Not for you if…

You want a light game or have fewer than three players. It needs a table of schemers.

Vibe's take

Scheming and political. You buy influence, take the armies others would love to hold and then argue with your cards about whose battle really counts.