Each faction always has one of two possible leaders that are always available in a set (historical) sequence. But when a faction switches between leaders is determined by the Events deck, and since not all cards from that deck are present in the same game it’s possible these events aren’t triggered and a faction never switches their leader.

For Rome:

Scapula scores VP by building Settlements, and may score VP once per game based on the difference in Tension in Briton’s home regions – this rewards keeping the tribes divided in their attitudes towards Rome.

Paulinus receives VP when he builds Forts, and may score VP once per game based on the number of Forts Rome has in play – this rewards a more immutable military presence.

For the Brigantes:

Cartimandua gains VP any time any Briton faction makes a Client Kingdom play and she may score VP once power game based on Rome’s VP total – rewarding the Brigantes if Rome is winning – i.e. if the Brigantes and the British tribes are generally keeping the peace.

Venutius immediately increases Tension in the Brigantes upon becoming the leader and gains VP whenever Rome makes a Forced Action. He may also score VP once per game based on the Brigantes’ dominance in the north – rewarding a more aggressive approach to leading the Brigantes than Cartimandua.

Here are the leaders for the Iceni:

Prasutagus gains VP by removing Iceni Tension, and once per game gains VP for Rome building a Settlement with Iceni Tension or Warbands in the same region – encouraging the Iceni to adopt Romanization.

Boudica immediately increases Tension in the Iceni upon becoming leader and gains VP whenever a Roman Settlement is burnt. He may also score VP once per game based on how many Forts and Settlements are burnt – rewarding a style of play reminiscent of Boudica’s Rebellion.

For the Silures:

Caratacus converts any other Briton Tension to Silures Warbands when he initiates battle in a region. Once per game he also allows the Silures to score 1VP for each Legion not at full strength.

The Caradog leader represents the ‘spirit of Caratacus’. He immediately increases Tension in the Silures upon becoming leader, and gains VP whenever a Roman Fort is destroyed. Once per game, he receives VP for each Home Region that has Warbands without any Legions present – rewarding maintaining a state of opposition to Rome.

You can hopefully get a sense for how these different leaders shape different kinds of incentives in play. Further, given that you don’t know exactly how long you have these leaders for, or quite when a new leader might come along these shifts make for a dynamic environment for players.

In the next series of blog posts, we’ll explore further the differences between the factions.

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