- BGG rank
- BGG #1,026
- BGG rating
- 7.8
Empires: Age of Discovery
- 2–6 players
- 50–150 min
- Complexity 3.3/5
- 2015
- BGG rating
- 7.6
Rules assistance for Empires: Builder Expansion
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 3–6 players
- 90 min
- 13+
- Complexity 2.9/5
Rules assistant for Empires: Builder Expansion
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Empires: Builder Expansion is an expansion for Age of Empires III: The Age of Discovery released in 2011 for 3–6 players, 90 minutes per game, and ages 13 and up. It was designed by Glenn Drover and its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Set Collection, and Area Majority / Influence.
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About the game
An official expansion to Age of Empires III: The Age of Discovery, the Empires: Builder Expansion contains: 1) A NEW SPECIALIST: THE BUILDER Abilities: a) When placed on the colonist dock and sent to the New World it will increase the VP's scored for the region: +4 VP/Builder (of any color) for 1st place; +2 VP/Builder for second place. (The idea is that the colony is much more developed with cities and infrastructure). b) When placed in the Capital Building track, the player pays $5 less. The Builder may be acquired via new Capital Buildings or when a player places a colonist on the 5th spot (Builder is Free, other specialists cost 5) 2) 20 NEW CAPITAL BUILDINGS These include some "buildings" that cost zero, but offer a one-time instant effect such as $7, 2 free specialists, and 2 free trade goods. So even if a player is short on cash, a building action is available. 3) A RULES SHEET with the new Builder Rules, Capital Buildings, and even special rules for a historical start (Each Nation has a special ability and one or two Capital Buildings to start the game). The idea is that the Spanish will feel like the Spanish (Conquistadors, etc.), The English will feel like the English, the Dutch like the Dutch, etc. 4) The MINT and OVERPOPULATION will, indeed be a part of the new expansion. 5) Expands the game to 6 players with a Complete set of purple colonists
Designers
Publishers
- Eagle-Gryphon Games
Questions and answers
Empires: Builder Expansion supports 3–6 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 Empires: Builder Expansion is 90 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 Empires: Builder Expansion 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.
Empires: Builder Expansion has a complexity rating of 2.9 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Empires: Builder Expansion belongs to these categories: Economic, Video Game Theme, and Exploration. Its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Set Collection, and Area Majority / Influence. 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 Empires: Builder Expansion are: Glenn Drover. 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 Empires: Builder Expansion as an expansion for Age of Empires III: The Age of Discovery. Expansions add new content, rules or scenarios to the base game and usually cannot be played on their own, so you need Age of Empires III: The Age of Discovery to use it. Check that your edition of Age of Empires III: The Age of Discovery is compatible, as some expansions were revised between editions.