Board Game Geek Rating: 5.59. Avg Player Rating: 7.66. For 1 - 6 players, published in 2021. This is the Retail Edition of Oath: Chronicles of Empire and Exile by Leder Games. It includes a core retail game, 200 unique cards, a neoprene game mat, over 100 screen - printed wood pieces, and about 300 unique illustrations.
In Oath, 1 to 6 players shape the history of an ancient land. You can be an agent supporting the old order or plot to destroy the kingdom. Each game's outcome affects future ones, changing available resources, actions, and even victory conditions.
If a player takes control through chaos, later players will face a land full of thieves and warlords. A warlord might start a dynasty, which could last or be destroyed by an arcane cult.
Oath has no fancy tricks or app - assisted gimmicks. It can be reset anytime and doesn't need the same players each time. You can play solo during the week and with friends on Saturdays. There are no scripted stories or fixed endings, and each game's history is as unique as its players.
All systems in Oath are responsive and adaptable. One decision can impact dozens of games. The core rules are simple: players adventure around the Chancellor's realm, gather support, recruit warbands, and find secrets. They populate the world with unique characters and institutions, creating a shared world to control.
Most players start as Exiles, winning by challenging the Chancellor or fulfilling a new Vision. The Chancellor wins by holding onto power and may offer citizenship to Exiles, but new Citizens can threaten succession. Only one player can win.
Every Oath game affects the next. If an empire falls, the next game starts in the ruins. It's not a legacy game but about creating a legacy through player choices.
At the end of each game, during the Chronicle Phase, players assess the game. The board centers on the victor's territory, victory conditions may change, and new cards are added. After this, they advance the world's history and set up for the next crisis.
Players can choose to play another game or pack it up to preserve the state. It takes about 6 minutes to pack and 3 minutes to set up. Oath games take 45 minutes to a couple of hours. It's easy to play a single round, stop, and resume later. Your playgroup doesn't need to be the same. After a Saturday night game with friends, you can continue alone or with a partner during the week.
We're happy to back campaigns to bring you Oath. A large part of your spending will support new Kickstarter games. If you have questions, contact The Game Steward.
Using Oath is a breeze. First, set up the game. It only takes about 3 minutes. Lay out the neoprene game mat, add the screen - printed wood pieces, and shuffle the 200 unique cards. Decide who will be the Chancellor and who will be the Exiles.
During the game, players take turns adventuring around the Chancellor's realm. Gather support, recruit warbands, and discover secrets. Remember, every decision you make can affect future games.
When the game ends, enter the Chronicle Phase. Re - center the board around the victor's territory, adjust the victory condition if needed, and add new cards to the deck according to how the game was won.
After the Chronicle Phase, you can choose to play another game right away or pack up the game. It takes about 6 minutes to pack it neatly so you can easily set it up for the next game.
Some things to keep in mind: The game doesn't require the same players every time, so you can play with different groups or even solo. There are no scripted stories, so every game will be unique. And because it has no fancy production tricks or app - assisted mechanisms, it's a pure board - game experience.
For maintenance, keep the cards in a card protector to prevent damage. Store the wood pieces and game mat in the box carefully to avoid scratches. If the game mat gets dirty, you can gently wipe it with a damp cloth.
