«Spartacus: Blood and Betrayal» — a strategic board game about power, intrigue, and gladiatorial battles in Ancient Rome. Players become heads of influential houses in Capua and strive to increase their influence using political deals, betrayals, cunning, and strength. The economy of slaves and gladiators, trade, auctions, and intrigues intertwine with brutal battles in the arena, where the outcome is determined by tactics, preparation, and dice rolls.
The game immerses you in the atmosphere of the struggle of the Roman elite: you manage resources, form temporary alliances, bribe opponents, and send gladiators into deadly duels for fame and influence points. Each round — a balance between politics and combat, where any word can become a weapon, and any alliance — temporary. «Spartacus» creates a tense strategy in which cunning, calculation, and the brutality of the arena determine the fate of the houses of Capua.
Features:
— atmospheric strategy set in Ancient Rome
— deep system of intrigues, deals, and betrayals
— tactical gladiatorial fights with dice
— economy of slaves, gladiators, and resources
— auctions and political influence among players
— possibility of temporary alliances and hidden agreements
History:
The setting of the game is based on the period of the late Roman Republic and early Empire when cities in Italy, including Capua, became centers of political influence. After Spartacus's uprising, gladiatorial schools gained particular importance, and battles turned into a tool of pressure and public control. In this atmosphere, aristocratic houses fought for power, using slaves, gladiators, and complex intrigues — this world formed the basis of the game.
Questions and Answers:
— difficulty of the game: medium and above average due to the combination of politics, economy, and combat
— can you play without knowledge of the series: yes, the game is completely standalone
— what is more important — battles or politics: both parts are equally significant
— is there betrayal: yes, the mechanics of deals allow breaking alliances at any moment
Completeness:
— intrigue cards
— reaction cards
— gladiator cards
— slave cards
— weapon cards
— guard cards
— influence tokens
— betting tokens
— wound tokens
— defense tokens
— combat dice
— arena game board
— house tablets
— game rules
Specifications:
— age: 18+
— type of game: strategic, adventure
— language: Russian
Playing time: from 120 to 180 minutes
Number of players: from 3 to 4