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The battle of Sekigahara, fought in 1600 at a crossroads in Japan, unified the nation under the Tokugawa family for more than 250 years. Sekigahara allows you to re-contest that war as Ishida Mitsunari, defender of a child heir, or Tokugawa Ieyasu, Japan's most powerful daimyo.
The campaign lasted only 7 weeks, during which each side improvised an army and a strategy with what forces their allies could provide. Each leader harbored deep doubts as to the loyalty of his units - several daimyo refused to fight, and some even turned sides in the midst of battle.
To conquer Japan you must do more than field an army - you must be sure it will follow you into combat. Cultivate the loyalty of your allies and deploy them only when you are confident of their allegiance. Win a battle by gaining a defection from the ranks of your opponent.
Sekigahara is replete with unusual mechanics: no dice are used; cards represent loyalty and motivation; allegiance is represented by hand size; and battles unfold through hidden deployments and possible defection events.
This is a 3-hour block game based on the Japanese campaign waged in 1600. The 7-week war, fought along Japan's major highways and in scattered sieges and skirmishes, elevated Tokugawa Ieyasu to Shogun and unified Japan for 265 years. Sekigahara is designed to offer an historically authentic experience with intuitive mechanics that can be played in one sitting. Chance takes the form of uncertainty, not luck.
No dice are used; combat is decided with cards. Blocks = armies and cards = motivation. Armies without matching cards don't fight. Battles resolve quickly, with suspense, tactical participation, and a wide range of outcomes.
Legitimacy is represented by hand size, fluctuating each week according to castles held. Events like force marches and lost battles deplete legitimacy, while recruitment depends on a daimyo's control of key production areas. Objectives exist all over the map.
The initial setup is variable, keeping the situation fresh. Concealed information adds uncertainty and creates a feel true to the real campaign. Blocks are large and stackable, making the strategic situation clear at a glance. Components use authentic clan designations, colors, and a Japanese feel.
True to history, objectives and forces are dispersed, pulling players between competing priorities. Bluff and uncertainty dominate. Each player must rally the daimyo of his coalition, managing morale and motivation across skirmishes that occur all over the island.
