Punicus recreates one of the most dramatic and pivotal conflicts of the ancient world: the epic struggle between Carthage and Rome during the Second Punic War. From Hannibal’s legendary crossing of the Alps to Scipio’s decisive victory at Zama, this strategic block wargame immerses you in the fierce battles and diplomatic intrigue that shaped the destiny of the Mediterranean. Players take on the roles of Carthage and Rome, commanding armies, managing resources, and competing for control of key cities and territories. Victory hinges on accumulating Prestige through tactical brilliance, diplomacy, piracy, siege-craft, and military conquest.
Punicus is a two-player historical strategy game based on the mechanics and concepts of Craig Besinque's Hellenes, adapted specifically to the theater of the Second Punic War. Cards can be played for their Events or to generate Action Points used to recruit new unit blocks and maneuver armies across the map to engage in battle and besiege enemy cities. In addition to these core systems, players will engage in new actions such as piracy and diplomacy, and manage special projects on their player boards that shape the strategic development of their side.
Each game year in Punicus is divided into five seasonal turns—Spring, Summer, High Summer, Fall, and Winter. At the start of the year, players draw a new hand of cards and resolve the New Year segment, each secretly playing a card as an Event, a Sacrifice, or for Research. During each seasonal turn, players alternate taking actions after determining initiative. Cards can be played either for their Event effect—triggering historical or tactical shifts—or for their Action Points, which are spent on Movement, Building, Diplomacy, or Production. As the year progresses, players must carefully manage limited resources across a wide range of operations, culminating in Winter, when all units must return to safe locations or be disbanded if not maintained.
Components:
One 22” x 34” Mounted Game Board
One year board
Two player boards
One deck of 55 cards
167 wooden pieces
Two player aid foldouts
One sticker sheet
One counter sheet
Two draw bags
Seven regular six-sided dice
Three customer six-sided dice
One rulebook
One playbook
A 3" box
-description from publisher's website
Ancient, Wargame · Action Points, Area Movement, Dice Rolling, Random Production
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