The Barracks Emperors
Ancient · Card Game

The Barracks Emperors

The Barracks Emperors is a strategy card game set against the backdrop of the Roman Crisis of the Third Century, during which at least 45 different men made a claim to the throne of the Roman Empire. In this game, 1-4 players represent prominent political factions attempting to gain control over the men who would be Emperors of Rome. Players deploy the influence available to them (represented by the cards in their hands) to claim imperial reigns (represented by the historical Emperor cards arrayed on the board.) But they must be very careful, because politics is a complex game, and sometimes attempting to exert your influence necessitates aiding someone else in their own plots. Play your cards cleverly to capture Emperors and score the most points to win.

1–4 players120 minmedium difficulty
About the game

What is The Barracks Emperors

The Barracks Emperors is a strategy card game set against the backdrop of the Roman Crisis of the Third Century, during which at least 45 different men made a claim to the throne of the Roman Empire. In this game, 1-4 players represent prominent political factions attempting to gain control over the men who would be Emperors of Rome. Players deploy the influence available to them (represented by the cards in their hands) to claim imperial reigns (represented by the historical Emperor cards arrayed on the board.) But they must be very careful, because politics is a complex game, and sometimes attempting to exert your influence necessitates aiding someone else in their own plots. Play your cards cleverly to capture Emperors and score the most points to win.

At its heart, The Barracks Emperors is a trick-taking game, but not one like you’ve ever seen before. In this innovative design, all 13 tricks are available for play simultaneously, in an interlocking grid that forces you to balance the value of every card you play against the value that same card may have for another player on a different trick. Plus, every card grants you an additional special ability that you might be able to use to spring a surprise on your unwitting opponents.

Features:

Historical emperors, co-emperors, pretenders, and even Gallic Emperors who broke away from Rome during the Crisis of the Third Century are all represented as individual cards in the game, each with interesting facts about the rise and demise of the man depicted.

Specs

Game details

Players
1–4
Age
Duration
120 min
Difficulty
Medium
Type
Board game
Year
2023
Mechanics
Hand Management · Open Drafting · Set Collection
Categories
Ancient · Card Game · Political
Designer
Wray Ferrell · Brad Johnson (I)
Publisher
GMT Games
Images

The Barracks Emperors gallery

Community data

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7.3Average rating
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FAQ

Everything about The Barracks Emperors

How many players is The Barracks Emperors for?

The Barracks Emperors plays with 1–4 players.

How long does a game take?

A game takes about 120 minutes.

What age is it suitable for?

Check the box for the recommended age.

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