
- BGG rank
- BGG #7,822
- BGG rating
- 6.8
Europa Universalis
- 1–6 players
- 3600 min
- Complexity 4.7/5
- 1993

Rules assistance for Before the Invasions
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Before the Invasions is an expansion for Invasions: Volume 1 – 350-650 AD released in 2020 for 2–4 players, 120–300 minutes per game, and ages 13 and up. It was designed by Philippe Thibaut and its main mechanics are Area Movement, Dice Rolling, and Simulation.
Extra units, cards, and scenarios covering the very first invasions that failed to be decisive such as those at the time of Marcus-Aurelius, Diocletian, or Constantine.
Before the Invasions supports 2–4 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Before the Invasions is 120–300 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Before the Invasions for ages 13 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Before the Invasions belongs to these categories: Wargame, Medieval, and Ancient. Its main mechanics are Area Movement, Dice Rolling, and Simulation. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Before the Invasions are: Philippe Thibaut. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Before the Invasions as an expansion for Invasions: Volume 1 – 350-650 AD. Expansions add new content, rules or scenarios to the base game and usually cannot be played on their own, so you need Invasions: Volume 1 – 350-650 AD to use it. Check that your edition of Invasions: Volume 1 – 350-650 AD is compatible, as some expansions were revised between editions.