Coalitions is a game of negotiation and conflict set during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. Players vie for the domination of Europe through skilful diplomatic manoeuvre, forming coalitions, plotting and the occasional betrayal, all the while expanding their empire to victory through winning battles and taking control of disputed territories.

Coalitions is a game of negotiation and conflict set during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. Players vie for the domination of Europe through skilful diplomatic manoeuvre, forming coalitions, plotting and the occasional betrayal, all the while expanding their empire to victory through winning battles and taking control of disputed territories.

There are six major powers in the game: France, Britain, Austria, Russia, Prussia and the Ottoman Empire. Each has home territories, famous generals, armies and battle cards.

There are no individual player turns in the game. Instead, at the start of each turn the Wheel of War rotates, and each nation has an Action to perform. One player collects income to fund future campaigns. Another mobilizes troops. Another may make a diplomatic realignment. Another scores. Another moves units and conducts battles.

The result is minimal downtime between turns, something we believe almost unique for a multiplayer war and negotiation game.

Another innovative and core feature of Coalitions is the Activator system, a mechanism for enhancing interactions and negotiations in the game.  When the Wheel of War indicates it’s a nation’s Movement phase, that nation needs to select another, non-allied nation as its Activator. After an initial first Movement, the nation may only make subsequent movements this Action if the Activator grants permission. And such permission will naturally only be granted for a favour or alliance in return. Such is the diplomacy and deal-making that drives every game of Coalitions.

Movement can lead to battle. The winner will be the nation that commits the greatest battle strength. That comes from the generals and armies participating in the battle, and through the play of battle cards. Armies in adjacent territories may provide support, adding their strength to the battle. After a victorious battle, the conquered territory can be garrisoned by the winner. Defeated armies are eliminated and removed, and the losing general retired. Taking control of non-home or disputed territory will bring the controlling nation additional income or Victory Points.

Solo and cooperative modes

Coalitions can be played solo or cooperatively, with 12 AI cards determining the actions of Napoleon. 1 to 5 players take control of nations opposing France. To win they must capture Paris before Napoleon gains 40 Victory Points. The AI cards represent different historical campaigns and dictate where two or three French generals and their armies will attack on the board.