Tyrants of Rome, Example of Play

3.9 It is recommended that the various Action Cards referenced below be at hand while reading through these examples turns depicting the middle of a three player Game involving Jeff, Jim and Jay (in that order).

3.9.1 During his Turn, Jeff decides that now is the perfect time to assassinate Jims despicable Gaul Postumus since his current strength value is "4" having been hit with a Legion 3 card earlier. Jeffs only Leader who can attempt an assassination is the Roman Salonina, and she is currently inactive. So, Jeff pushes his Leader Card forward into the active Leader row indicating that Salonina is now an active Leader. In a previous Turn, Jeff placed the Fortuna Card on his faction so he has the advantage of adding "1" to any die roll he makes. Jeff rolls a "4" which is modified to a "5" due to the Fortuna Card. Since the "5" exceeds Postumus current strength value of "4", Postumus is eliminated and his card is added to Jeffs Victory Point pile scoring "7" Victory Points for Jeff. Since Jeff attempted an assassination, he not draw a new Action Card and his Turn is now complete.

3.9.2 It is now Jims Turn. He certainly did not appreciate the loss of Postumus in spite of his lack of character. Jim is not going to attempt a bribe or any assassinations so he draws a new Action Card. He drew a Legion Gaul 2 Card. Since he has the Gaul Domitianus as part of his faction he can play that card because Domitianus can play Gaul Legion cards of strength III, II, I. Jim decides to exact revenge for the loss of his fellow Gaul and to prevent any further assassination attempts from Jeff. Jim plays the Legion Gaul 2 Card against Jeffs Roman Salonina. Since Saloninas current strength is now reduced to "0" (2-2), she is eliminated. Her card is added to Jims Victory Point pile scoring "2" Victory Points for Jim. Jims Turn is now complete.

3.9.3 It is now Jays Turn. He enjoyed the exchanges between Jeff and Jim since he was spared. Jay is not going to attempt a bribe or any assassinations so he draws a new Action Card. He drew an Oracle Card. He already knew what card he was going to play since he already had the Insurrection East Roman Card in his hand. Jay figures now is a perfect time to play that card since Jeff and Jim each have two East Roman Leaders in their factions and Jay does not have any in his faction. Jay plays the Insurrection East Roman Card on the table, much to the dismay of Jeff and Jim. Jeff decides to take his lumps first and rolls a "5" for Balista and a "1" for Zenobia. Since Jeff has the Fortuna Card, the "5" for Balista is modified to a "6". Since "6" is greater than the "1" or "2" listed for elimination on the Insurrection card, Balista survived. The "1" for Zenobia is modified to a "2". Since the "2" equals the "1" or "2" listed for elimination on the Insurrection card, she is eliminated. Even luck did not save her. In this case, because Zenobia was eliminated by an Insurrection, Jay does not get her card. It is placed facedown at the bottom of the Leader Deck. Jim now resolves the status of his two East Roman Leaders. Even though Vabalathus is currently inactive, he is still subject to the Insurrection card. Jim rolls a "3" for Odenathus and a "2" for Vabalathus. Since "3" is greater than the "1" or "2" listed for elimination on the Insurrection card, Odenathus survived. Since the "2" equals the "1" or "2" listed for elimination on the Insurrection card, Vabalathus is eliminated. This was a tough day for both Vabalathus and his mother Zenobia. Because Vabalathus was eliminated by an Insurrection, Jay does not get his card. It is placed facedown at the bottom of the Leader Deck. Jays Turn is now complete, but he decides to play his Oracle Card.

3.9.4 It is Jays Turn again. He discards the Oracle Card and immediately draws a new Action Card to replace it. Jay is not going to attempt a bribe or any assassinations so he draws a new Action Card. He drew the Minerva Card. He decides that would be a good play at this point in the Round. Jay secretly draws the top three cards from the Action Card Deck (three players, three cards). They are the Mars, Legion Africa 2, and an Alliance Card. Jay really wants to keep the Mars Card for himself since he currently has three unplayable Legion Cards in his hand. Having that card in play will enable all of the Legion Cards. Since Jeff is drawing next and he does not have any African Leaders in his faction, Jay plans to position the Legion Africa card second it will be of no use to him. Jim is third to draw. Jay does not like the idea of giving him get an additional Leader, but he does not have choice. So, Jay positions the Mars Card on top, the Legion Africa 2 second, and the Alliance Card third and returns the three cards to the top of the Action Card Deck.

3.9.5 It is Jays Turn again due to the play of the Minerva Card. He has no other plan than to draw a new card because he knows that he will draw the Mars Card since that is how he arranged the cards. He places the Mars Card in front of his faction as Jeff and Jim each take a quick breath. Jays Turn is now complete.