Home>Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North

2019 · Exploration

Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North

Lead one of six asymmetric factions—three cultures with two distinct decks each—and expand influence across northern islands. Players take the role of a faction leader, managing resources and building an engine by playing and upgrading cards from a preconstructed deck. Each deck offers a different playstyle and tableau-building options. Interact with opponents through military actions and defensive responses while pursuing economic development and score-generating buildings. Rounds cycle through card play, resource management, and resolving conflicts until the game ends and the most developed empire scores highest.

Players: 1–4 best 2
Playing time: 45–90 min
Age: 10+
Complexity: 2.8 / 5

6.6 on Ludoya from $36.60Card GameNauticalWorker PlacementHand ManagementVariable Player Powers

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About the game

Design: Joanna Kijanka
Ignacy Trzewiczek
Art: Grzegorz Bobrowski
Roman Kucharski
Publisher: Portal Games

Expansions

See them in Ludoya

Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North – Japanese Islands2019

Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North – Roman Banners2020

Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North – Barbarian Hordes2020

Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North – Egyptian Kings2021

Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North – Wrath of the Lighthouse2022

Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North – Treasure Islands2019

Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North – Islands Set I2019

Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North – Solo Scenarios2019

Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North – Japanese Islands: Feudal Age Solo Scenario2019

Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North – Common Field Promos2020

Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North – Man vs Meeple Island Set2020

Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North – Secret Cabal 2020 Promo Pack2021

Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North – Treasure Island Promo Cards2020

Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North – Workers In Training2022

Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North – Lawn Promo Card2019

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Where to buy it

Shop prices and second-hand copies, checked every day.

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Gamers Guild AZIn stock 36.6 $
Atomic EmpireOut of stock 47.99 $
Miniature MarketIn stock 47.99 $
401 GamesOut of stock 61.95 $
Board Game BlissIn stock 61.95 $
GameplayCheck stock 49.99 €
SpelexpertenIn stock 399 kr
LudifolieIn stock 42.9 €

On Ludoya's tables

Full stats in Ludoya

157
Plays logged: 143
Players: 1h 3m
Average play: 65
In collections: 13
On wishlists

6.6/10

from 28 Ludoya reviews

beqs the 1st7.5
A more streamlined and way shorter version of Imperial Settlers. A very fun engine builder with diffrent factions. I love the artwork and feeling of the game.
Jordi Zango Novell7.5
Fundes Zacatrus Ocean Premium 63.5 x 88 mm
Carlos Segovia6.0
It felt too long, kind of boring. Demasiado largo, se me hizo aburrido.

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Rules questions

Answered from the rulebook by Ludoya's rules assistant.

When can I play a Boost card or build a Field — before, during, or after an action?

Whenever you declare an action (or a card grants you an action in ALL CAPS) you may play a single Boost or build a Field that names that action immediately before resolving the action; resolve the Boost/Field first, then the action (pages 10, 9).

Can I use a Clan action pawn twice in the same round, and how do I move it?

Yes — place a pawn unexhausted to take its action, and later you may Spend 1 resource to move that pawn to an adjacent action tile and activate it, then flip the pawn to its exhausted side; this allows each pawn to be used twice (pages 10, 12).

Do I need Fish or a Raze token to sail to Distant Islands or to conquer an Island?

To take a Distant Island the Ship must have had a Fish assigned when it sailed; assigning a Raze token lets a Ship Conquer an Island instead of Pillaging it, while Pillage requires no extra cost (page 7).

In the Lookout phase, do I have to pay Workers to keep drawn cards and when do STORAGE effects trigger?

Yes — you draw 4 cards and must Spend 1 Worker (placed on your Clan tile) for each card you keep, discarding the rest, and STORAGE effects pay out at the end of the Lookout phase before the Action phase (page 6; STORAGE definition page 12).

Can I Raid an opponent who has already passed in the Action phase?

No — once a player has passed they cannot perform any more actions and cannot be targeted by other players' actions, so you may not Raid a player who has passed (pages 7, 11).