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PAX
Overview, Rules Summary & Review
A Journey Through Ancient Rome!
"In war, there is no prize for the runner-up."
-General Omar N. Bradley
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Overview
Looking for a game that offers depth, excitement, and a touch of ancient history? PAX is a strategic card game that will keep you engaged from start to finish!
PAX is a strategy card game featuring mechanics like Area Majority, Hand Management, Open Drafting, and Set Collection. Designed by Bernd Eisenstein, illustrated by Klemens Franz, and published by Irongames, it accommodates 1-4 players, takes about 30-45 minutes to play, and is suitable for ages 10 and up. The first edition was released in 2011, followed by a second edition in 2019, which is the version I'm covering today.
Set during the Third Servile War in Ancient Rome, also known as the Gladiator War, this game portrays the final slave uprising against the Roman Republic, which threatened Italy and revealed the military's struggles.
In PAX, escaped rebels have gained power while Rome seeks to weaken them to restore peace for its own benefit.
Will the Empire collapse, or can they persuade the rebels to join their cause?
Players assume the roles of escaped slaves, aiming to expand their influence and challenge Roman authority. By using cards, they build strength across seven areas. In the end, each player strives to surpass Rome and their rivals, or they might choose to ally with Rome for a shared victory over the rebellion.
Rules Summary
This is NOT a substitute for the rulebook.
Objective
Players aim to be stronger than Rome and each other, or align with Rome to share victory over the slave revolt.
Components
- 1 Rulebook
- 35 Aurei Cards (currency: values of 1 and 2)
- 74 Influence Cards (7 types):
- 10 Wealth
- 10 Fleet
- 10 Army
- 10 Religion
- 10 Senators
- 12 Land
- 12 Intrigue
- 5 Legion Cards (1st-5th Legion)
- 1 Starting Player Card (Primus)
- 1 Primus Conspiratus Card
- 4 Overview Cards
Setup
1. Sort Aurei Cards by value for the bank.
2. Shuffle and prepare Influence Cards:
- For 2 players: Randomly discard 20.
- For 3 players: Randomly discard 10.
- For 4 players: use all cards.
3. Use Legion Cards equal to the number of players plus one.
4. Draw 3 Influence Cards face-down to represent Rome's strength. Place above Legion Cards.
5. Draw an Influence Card and place face-up underneath each Legion Card.
6. Distribute 5 Aurei to each player and give them an Overview Card.
7. The most prepared player takes the Starting Player Card (Primus) and draws 2 Influence Cards. Subsequent players in clockwise order draw one more card than the previous player.
8. Players choose one Influence Card to keep and place the rest under the Influence Card deck face-down.
How to Play
Players take turns and perform these actions:
1. Draw Cards: (Mandatory)
Draw 3 Influence Cards one by one, placing them as follows:
- 1 to your hand
- 1 below a Legion Card
- 1 back under the deck
2. Buy Cards: (Optional)
Purchase all Influence Cards under a chosen Legion Card by paying their total value.
3. Play Cards & Collect Income: (Optional)
Pay money to play cards from your hand, following a cost structure (1st card is free, 2nd cost 1, 3rd cost 2, 4th cost 3 and so on). Collect income based on the strongest category you have (most cards + you must have played that card type now).
Notes:
A player may opt to skip and pass on all of these actions listed above in order to do and gain the following:
-Secretly look at Rome’s 3 face-down Influence Cards, returning them afterwards to their place face-down once again.
-You receive 2 Aurei.
Influence Cards Functions
- Land: Allows as many Fleets and Armies as the total Land symbols you have.
- Intrigue: Allows as many Fleets and Armies as the total Intrigue symbols you have. No income if at least one Intrigue Card is played that turn. The player with the most Intrigue symbols adds the Primus Conspiratus Card to their display.
- Religion: Influences the Draw Cards action.
- Senator: Increases income when played, but no income if combined with Intrigue.
- Wealth: Reduces costs for buying cards.
- Fleet: Provides units, and maybe bonus units in final scoring based on the number of Fleet symbols.
- Army: Provides units, and maybe bonus units in final scoring based on the number of Army symbols.
Notes:
Land and Intrigue symbols are not combined. The category with the greater number of symbols determines how many Armies and Fleets you can have.
End of Round
After each player’s turn, the round ends. The most valuable group of Influence Cards is added to Rome's strength. If tied for most valuable choose the one with the lower Legion number.
New Round
Draw and place one Influence Card face-up under each Legion without an Influence Card.
The round begins with the player holding the Primus Conspiratus Card.
End of Game
The game ends when there aren't enough Influence Cards to place under Legions. If this occurs during gameplay and not in the start of the new round, the game continues until all players have taken a turn, then the game ends.
Winning Conditions
- Rome wins if it has equal or greater symbols in 4 categories compared to players. The player with the Primus Conspiratus Card wins in this case.
- Players win if at least one player has more symbols in 4 categories than Rome. Players calculate their scores based on various criteria, including the number of symbols and remaining Aurei. The player with the most points wins.
Game Modes
- 5-8 Player Mode: Requires two copies of the game with adjusted rules.
- Solo Mode: Compete against Rome with specific rules.
Review
If you open up the B7 dictionary and look under "Hidden Gem", you'll find PAX listed as one of the definitions! I can't believe I missed this game and let it slip under my radar. The gameplay is sweet, elegant, and full of life! This game is so much fun! The gameplay is absolutely brilliant, and I've enjoyed all of my playthroughs. I've had a really great time playing at all player counts (2-4 players).
There are many aspects of the gameplay that I have really enjoyed, such as managing my display of cards and paying attention to what all other players are going for. You have to be constantly on the lookout for that one person trying to side with Rome and go for the Intrigue Cards, especially in a two-player game. I've also really enjoyed building my display of cards and aiming for high-income plays. This game requires a good amount of focus, procurement, and thinking a few moves ahead, which I’ve really appreciated.
While this is a card game and luck plays a role, having the option to buy Influence Cards right before your turn opens up strategic possibilities, especially if you're aiming for a high-income build. Another aspect I’ve enjoyed is the open information on the table; the only hidden elements are the initial Influence Cards which represents Rome's strength, which you can check at some point during the game if you choose that action. The cards in each player's hand are also hidden, but the different backs for Influence and currency cards provide some useful information.
The game is fast-paced, easy to learn and teach, and takes about 45 minutes or less to play.
The artwork by Klemens Franz is very well done, and I've enjoyed the various illustrations across all components, including the game cards and the game box. The iconography is clear and easy to read.
The components, including the cards, are standard. The game box includes a basic insert, and all components fit back into the box without any issues. However, if you plan on sleeving your cards, depending on the sleeves you choose, it might either be a tight fit or you may need to remove the insert.
The changes between the first and second editions of the game include no changes in gameplay. Just a refreshed cover, an updated rulebook, and rules for up to 8 players are included.
Overall, PAX is such a brilliant game, and I can't recommend it enough! This game is truly a hidden gem! What an amazing design by Bernd Eisenstein! If you enjoy fun and elegant card games with a competitive edge, definitely try out PAX. Highly recommended!
A review copy was generously provided for the purposes of this review, although all opinions are my own.
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