Pendragon: The Fall of Roman Britain^*

Pendragon: The Fall of Roman Britain is the eighth volume in GMT's COIN series. This demanding strategy game for 1 to 4 players drops you into 4th and 5th century Britain, as the Roman Empire crumbles and new kingdoms rise. It's built for fans of complex, asymmetrical wargames.

What's it about?

The game spans a full century, from the first large-scale raids by Irish, Pictish, and Saxon invaders to the founding of Celtic and Germanic successor kingdoms. Unlike earlier COIN volumes, it isn't about counterinsurgency. The focus is the struggle between Romano-British authorities and the barbarian powers picking over the corpse of Rome.

The four factions

• Dux: the Roman army, with the strongest units and fortified strongholds, trying to hold order and prosperity.
• Civitates: the Romanized aristocracy, torn between Roman luxury and a return to Celtic ways.
• Saxons: Germanic groups who raid, settle, and ultimately seek to found England.
• Scots: marauding Celts and Picts grasping for plunder and glory.

What's in the box

• 83 cards with commissioned original art
• Short, medium, and full-length scenarios
• Rules for solo through 4 players
• A detailed combat system with troop traits and tactics

Who is it for?

Experienced gamers ready for an asymmetrical, history-rich session. If you want something light, look elsewhere.

Conclusion

A gorgeous, deep COIN volume for patient strategists with a taste for late antiquity. Casual players will likely find the rules density off-putting.