Last Game Played of 2005

Sword of Rome was the last boardgame I played in 2005. I played the Greek player in a 3-player game. I managed to get out to an early lead that I was able to hold onto even though I ran out of steam in the 2nd half of the game.

The Gaul player is not played in the three player. Instead a roll is made each turn on the "Gaulish Ding Table" (as we named it) and one the three remaining players loses a CU or PC level. The table is based on 2D6 and the bulk of the rolls (that 5 - 9 range) will effect the Roman or Etruscan/Samnite player. In this game, the rolls tended to cluster around a particular player for a number of turns in a row. So the Greek player got hit early (with end of the bell curve rolls) and then the rolls started falling in the middle of the curve but always seeming to hit the same player for a few turns in row. Weird.

I would not recommend the 3-player version of Sword of Rome. Better to play 2-player than 3-player. 4-player, of course, is the best option.

The Roman player starts off the game in a tough position, but has the potential to grow strong as the game progresses. Charlie (playing Rome) didn't seem to see the potential of the Roman situation and got depressed early, going as far as to say that he won't be playing the game again... I think that's an over-reaction for a single play of the game and in fact his position was growing strong. I think he would have been able to challenge for the win, had we not called the game early due to time constraints.

This was my first play of Sword of Rome and I was favorably impressed. I may have been lucky in that the Greek position might be the best position to play when everyone is new to the game. The Gallic position might be another good position to play with inexperienced players.

I hope I can talk Charlie (and two other players) to give this game another chance.