- BGG rank
- BGG #7,689
- BGG rating
- 7.6
Fief: France
- 3–6 players
- 120–180 min
- Complexity 3.9/5
- 2023
- BGG rank
- BGG #21,743
- BGG rating
- 6.5
Reich: The Iron Dream of German Unification
1979
Rules assistance for Reich: The Iron Dream of German Unification
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 1–4 players
- 120–180 min
- 12+
- Complexity 2.5/5
Rules assistant for Reich: The Iron Dream of German Unification
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Reich: The Iron Dream of German Unification is a board game released in 1979 for 1–4 players, 120–180 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Jonathan Michael and its main mechanics are Player Elimination, Income, and Area Movement.
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About the game
REICH portrays events in Germany between the Reformation and the unification engineered by Bismarck. Players are not bound to a pre-determined sequence of events; rather, major social forces are used to compose game elements. These include Marxist agitation, religious riots, peasant uprisings, revolts, Papal recognition, key ministers (like the Iron Chancellor himself), foreign intervention and aid, mobilizations and wars, etc., making up a game system both exciting and flavorful. Each player becomes a Prince attempting to unify a fragmented Germany by means of adroit diplomacy, cunning bargains, and sudden mobilizations and armed strikes. Each turn allows for card play and interaction, then demands that the phasing player choose one of four exclusive policies in the ensuing Action Phase. Player intelligence, elan, and flexibility determine a game's outcome, with little reference to luck. Opportunities for conclusive action are many, but must be seized decisively and courageously. Winning or losing, REICH is a memorable and enjoyable experience for every player.
Categories
Designers
Publishers
- Chaosium
Questions and answers
Reich: The Iron Dream of German Unification supports 1–4 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 Reich: The Iron Dream of German Unification is 120–180 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 Reich: The Iron Dream of German Unification 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.
Reich: The Iron Dream of German Unification has a complexity rating of 2.5 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.
Reich: The Iron Dream of German Unification belongs to these categories: Economic, Wargame, and Post-Napoleonic. Its main mechanics are Player Elimination, Income, and Area 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 Reich: The Iron Dream of German Unification are: Jonathan Michael. 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 Reich: The Iron Dream of German Unification 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.