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Barbarian Prince
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Trireme: Tactical Game of Ancient Naval Warfare 494 BC-370 AD
1971
Rules assistance for Trireme: Tactical Game of Ancient Naval Warfare 494 BC-370 AD
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2 players
- 90 min
- 10+
- Complexity 2.5/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Trireme: Tactical Game of Ancient Naval Warfare 494 BC-370 AD
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Trireme: Tactical Game of Ancient Naval Warfare 494 BC-370 AD is a board game released in 1971 for 2 players, 90 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by Arnold Hendrick and Ed Smith and its main mechanics are Dice Rolling, Hexagon Grid, and Simulation.
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About the game
Here is a thoroughly accurate recreation of Greek and Roman naval warfare in the heyday of ramming and boarding. A Tactical Game of Ancient Naval Warfare Trireme is actually 15 games in one; fleet and ship to ship games of varying complexity levels plus 11 scenario game, ranging in time-spans of 494 BC through 370 AD. You control individual ships that maneuver to sink or capture the enemy. The "fleet game" is an easy version which uses a fast move system for high playability and quick action. The more advanced "ship games" use simultaneous movement and much more detail including optional rules for everything from tides and currents to the corvus boardin ramp. Re-create Great Historical Engagements Eleven different scenarios include action in historical battles such as Salamis or Actium, pirate raid, Veneti and Saxon ships, and even a point-system for designing your own battle in either the fleet or ship games. Game is played in chess-like fashion. Each player moves all the ships he so desire according to its historical ability. Each ship has "movement points" which reflect its speed per turn. Ships are moved across a playing board of "the sea" which is superimposed with a pattern of hexagons' each hex acting as square do in chess and checkers. Each ship's "movement points" are reflected in number of hexes it can move in any given turn. Battle occurs when ships are moved adjacent, such combat resolved by a unique die-roll combat results system that rewards the player with the greater tactical skill. Trireme comes complete with a detailed rule folder that gets you into play quickly. You only have to read 4 pages of a 40-page manual to play the "fleet game." Also included are background synopses for all scenarios, plus a detailed "designer's notes" section explaining the historical significance of the game. Be forewarned. you're getting no trumped-up Hollywood extravaganza. You will get an historically accurate, yet quite playable game of ancient naval warfare in Trireme. Over 225 different ship come with the game, in addition to a plethora of playing aids that make Trireme easy to learn, and exciting to play. Components (Avalon Hill edition): one Game Tables Card one 40 page rules booklet one Log Sheet Pad eight 8 1/2" x 10 1/2" mapboards depicting blue water with an hexagonal overlay 4 countersheets TRIREME is ideal for two players and teams, ages 12 and up. (source: back of Avalon Hill edition box and user's description)
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- The Avalon Hill Game Co
- Battleline
- Decalset
Questions and answers
Trireme: Tactical Game of Ancient Naval Warfare 494 BC-370 AD supports 2 players according to the catalogue. This is the publisher’s listed player count, so the game is designed for exactly that number of participants. Variants for other group sizes, if any, are described in the rulebook of your edition, so check it before setting up a different configuration.
The listed playing time for Trireme: Tactical Game of Ancient Naval Warfare 494 BC-370 AD 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 Trireme: Tactical Game of Ancient Naval Warfare 494 BC-370 AD for ages 10 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.
Trireme: Tactical Game of Ancient Naval Warfare 494 BC-370 AD 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.
Trireme: Tactical Game of Ancient Naval Warfare 494 BC-370 AD belongs to these categories: Wargame, Nautical, and Ancient. Its main mechanics are Dice Rolling, Hexagon Grid, 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 Trireme: Tactical Game of Ancient Naval Warfare 494 BC-370 AD are: Arnold Hendrick and Ed Smith. 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 Trireme: Tactical Game of Ancient Naval Warfare 494 BC-370 AD 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.