
- BGG rank
- BGG #14,788
- BGG rating
- 6.4
Olympica
- 2 players
- 45 min
- Complexity 2.0/5
- 1978

1978
Rules assistance for Lords Of The Middle Sea
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.
Lords Of The Middle Sea is a board game released in 1978 for 2–4 players, 180 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Lynn Willis and its main mechanics are Dice Rolling, Variable Set-up, and Grid Movement.
". . . that above the drowned lands, the Middle Sea as is known to men, or else as the Shroud. It buoys we of the Salvar, its issue strengthens our bellies, it alike washes storm womb and the ashy roots of the Forges, it salutes the steaming Godwall and the last island Wardom before the Greater Sea, it guards us well from the lost lands where iron walked . . ." "In the year 2401, players will guide the fortunes of nations as the Emperor of the Nahuas, the President of Mexico, the First Rider of TransWyoming, or as the Fisher of Wardoms -- The Lords of the Middle Sea." A post-apocalyptic wargame played on a map of an inundated North America. Only the tops of mountain ranges are usable land. A sci-fi mix of galleons, dirigibles, and medieval troops. Ships and airships have area movement while land movement is through hexes. Several scenarios are offered for 2 to 4 players.
Lords Of The Middle Sea 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 Lords Of The Middle Sea is 180 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 Lords Of The Middle Sea for ages 12 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.
Lords Of The Middle Sea has a complexity rating of 2.2 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.
Lords Of The Middle Sea belongs to these categories: Wargame and Science Fiction. Its main mechanics are Dice Rolling, Variable Set-up, and Grid Movement. 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 Lords Of The Middle Sea are: Lynn Willis. 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 Lords Of The Middle Sea as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.