/pic5893130.jpg)
300: Earth & Water
Bonsai Games · 2018
240 min12+ yrs2.4/5 complexity7.4 BGG#2.445 BGG2,7 KCouplesStrategy
⚡ short answer
How do you play 300: Earth & Water?
The objective is to either achieve an immediate victory by controlling both of your opponent's main cities (Sparta and Athens for the Greek player, Abydos and Ephesus for the Persian player) at the end of a scoring phase, or by having the highest cumulative score after 5 expeditions (rounds) of play.
To find the best price for 300: Earth & Water, howtoplay.ro compares deals from Romanian shops every day.
/pic5893130.jpg)
the rules in 60 seconds▶ auto · 1/6
🧩
01
Setup
Place the game board, shuffle the Greek and Persian decks, and place units on starting cities; each player receives 3 cards and 6 or 12 talents depending on their faction.
The rules, step by step
Setup
To set up the game, place the game board representing ancient Greece and part of Asia Minor. Shuffle the Greek and Persian decks separately and place them face down. Each player draws 3 cards from their respective deck. The Persian player receives 12 talents, and the Greek player receives 6 talents. Place the starting units on their designated cities on the map.
Objective
The objective is to either achieve an immediate victory by controlling both of your opponent's main cities (Sparta and Athens for the Greek player, Abydos and Ephesus for the Persian player) at the end of a scoring phase, or by having the highest cumulative score after 5 expeditions (rounds) of play.
On your turn
Each expedition, or round, is divided into 4 phases: Production, Operations, Attrition, and Scoring. In the Production phase, players gain talents (the game's currency) and can use them to buy cards, recruit armies (cubes), or build fleets (discs). The Persian player produces first and has 12 talents, while the Greek player has 6 talents. In the Operations phase, players alternate turns, starting with the Persian player, using cards for special events or to move armies and fleets and attack opponents. The Attrition phase involves removing units that are not supplied. Finally, the Scoring phase awards victory points based on controlled cities.
Scoring
During the Scoring phase, each controlled city grants 1 victory point to the controlling player, while important cities (Sparta, Athens, Abydos, Ephesus) grant 2 victory points. The difference in points between the two players is then added to the cumulative score of the player who won the scoring for that expedition. This scoring mechanism ensures that the game remains competitive until the very end, preventing insurmountable leads.
Game end
The game can end in two ways: an immediate victory or a victory after 5 expeditions. An immediate victory occurs if a player controls both of their opponent's main cities at the end of a scoring phase. If this condition is not met, the game proceeds for 5 expeditions. After the scoring phase of the fifth expedition, the player with the highest cumulative score is declared the winner.
Tips
Success in '300: Earth and Water' hinges on balancing military expansion with strategic card play. Players must carefully decide how to spend their talents, whether on recruiting units, expanding fleets, or acquiring powerful event cards. Understanding the historical context of each card can provide strategic advantages. Effective management of supply lines is crucial to avoid attrition, especially for the Persian player with their larger army. The game's asymmetry means that Greek and Persian players will employ different strategies, with the Greeks relying on superior naval power and elite troops, and the Persians on overwhelming numbers and the ability to build a bridge of boats between Sestos and Therma.
🔬 game anatomy
Complexity2.4 / 5
BGG rating7.4 / 10
Vibe
CouplesStrategy
Language dependence
Extensive text — heavy translation needed
Play time
40 min
Players
2
Recommended age
12+ yrs
BGG rank
#2.445
✨ from Trișache · verified
Frequently asked questions
Q1What is the goal of the game?
The objective is to either achieve an immediate victory by controlling both of your opponent's main cities (Sparta and Athens for the Greek player, Abydos and Ephesus for the Persian player) at the end of a scoring phase, or by having the highest cumulative score after 5 expeditions (rounds) of play.
Q2How do you set up the game?
To set up the game, place the game board representing ancient Greece and part of Asia Minor. Shuffle the Greek and Persian decks separately and place them face down. Each player draws 3 cards from their respective deck. The Persian player receives 12 talents, and the Greek player receives 6 talents. Place the starting units on their designated cities on the map.
Q3How does a turn work?
Each expedition, or round, is divided into 4 phases: Production, Operations, Attrition, and Scoring. In the Production phase, players gain talents (the game's currency) and can use them to buy cards, recruit armies (cubes), or build fleets (discs). The Persian player produces first and has 12 talents, while the Greek player has 6 talents. In the Operations phase, players alternate turns, starting with the Persian player, using cards for special events or to move armies and fleets and attack opponents. The Attrition phase involves removing units that are not supplied. Finally, the Scoring phase awards victory points based on controlled cities.
Q4How is scoring calculated?
During the Scoring phase, each controlled city grants 1 victory point to the controlling player, while important cities (Sparta, Athens, Abydos, Ephesus) grant 2 victory points. The difference in points between the two players is then added to the cumulative score of the player who won the scoring for that expedition. This scoring mechanism ensures that the game remains competitive until the very end, preventing insurmountable leads.
Q5When and how does the game end?
The game can end in two ways: an immediate victory or a victory after 5 expeditions. An immediate victory occurs if a player controls both of their opponent's main cities at the end of a scoring phase. If this condition is not met, the game proceeds for 5 expeditions. After the scoring phase of the fifth expedition, the player with the highest cumulative score is declared the winner.
Q6What tips are there for beginners?
Success in '300: Earth and Water' hinges on balancing military expansion with strategic card play. Players must carefully decide how to spend their talents, whether on recruiting units, expanding fleets, or acquiring powerful event cards. Understanding the historical context of each card can provide strategic advantages. Effective management of supply lines is crucial to avoid attrition, especially for the Persian player with their larger army. The game's asymmetry means that Greek and Persian players will employ different strategies, with the Greeks relying on superior naval power and elite troops, and the Persians on overwhelming numbers and the ability to build a bridge of boats between Sestos and Therma.
Q7How much does 300: Earth & Water cost?
No store is currently tracking 300: Earth & Water. Check the Prices tab — you can set a price alert to be notified when it appears.
Q8Where can I buy 300: Earth & Water cheapest?
Check the Prices tab — howtoplay.ro aggregates offers from 7+ Romanian board-game stores and tracks price history.
Q9How do you play 300: Earth & Water?
300: Earth & Water is a ancient game, for 2 players, taking ~40 minutes, featuring campaign / battle card driven. Check the Rules tab for setup, gameplay, and scoring, or ask Trișache anything about 300: Earth & Water — our AI assistant built by howtoplay.ro and trained specifically on board game rulebooks.
Q10How many players does 300: Earth & Water support?
300: Earth & Water is played by 2 players.
💰 2 shops
All prices
2 shops · sorted by price
affiliate links · prices include VAT · independent platform, no hidden sponsorships
Currently unavailable in all shops
Sign in to receive restock notifications.
Mechanics & categories