878 Vikings: Invasions of England

To set up 878 Vikings: Invasions of England, place the main board centrally on the table. There are four colored factions—the English Housecarl and Thegn, and the Viking Norseman and Berserker—each with their matching cards, dice, and units known as miniatures. Set up starting units in each shire according to standard or advanced scenario rules. Place reinforcement stock piles, the Fyrd deck, and dice near the English side. Position leader cards and standees for both factions, set up the round track with the round pawn and turn markers, and place extra unit miniatures into the included cloth bag.

The primary objective depends on which side you choose to play. The English players work defensively to prevent the invading Viking forces from capturing and controlling a specific number of key shires across England. Conversely, the Viking players act as the attacking force, striving to conquer territory, dominate regions, and establish firm control over England through overwhelming force and strategic positioning.

The game is played over the course of up to seven rounds, each divided into four individual turns—one for each faction. During a faction's turn, players execute five distinct phases: the reinforcement phase where new units and leaders are added based on cards drawn, the leader phase to reposition commanders, the movement phase to travel across shires, the battle phase to resolve combat with dice rolls, and the draw phase to replenish hand cards.

Scoring and success are measured dynamically on the board rather than through traditional victory points. Control of shires and territories shifts as battles are won and lost, altering the placement of control markers on the map and round track at the end of every round.

The game can end in a few ways. If the Vikings successfully place nine or more Viking control markers on shires at the end of a round, they win by conquest. Conversely, if no Viking control markers remain on the map, the English win. Alternatively, the game ends after seven rounds or when specific treaty conditions are met.