Reformation: Fire and Faith

Reformation: Fire and Faith is a game about the wars and religious struggles that raged in Europe from 1517 to 1555. This time saw the Protestant Reformation sparked by the renegade monk Martin Luther and the subsequent wars of religion in Germany and elsewhere, as Christianity was shaken to its core on. It saw numerous wars between the great powers of Europe regardless of religious affiliation. The Ottoman Empire was at its height and threatened the Christian world from the south-east, while at the same time new lands were discovered in the Americas that started a race for colonial expansion. In this game, 2 to 6 players will use their Armies, Fleets, Followers and Churches in an attempt to achieve their victory conditions and attain the most Victory Points (VP). It plays in about 60-90 minutes. The rules are very simple and easy to teach as the game was originally designed for use in a high school setting by the highly experienced game designer and teacher, Clint Warren-Davey. The game includes 6 unique Factions that are all competing for dominance in their own way:

The Protestants are a religious faction that will spread quickly across Germany, France, and England. Their power lies not in wealth or armies but in the growing number of followers, inspired by translated Bibles and fiery preaching. They challenge the Papacy in debate, rally believers in towns and cities, and use knowledge to build momentum, striving to reform Christendom from within.

The Papacy is the spiritual heart of Catholicism, seeking to defend the old faith and counter the Protestant tide. Building churches and leading theological debates, it uses both persuasion and authority to strengthen Catholicism. The Papacy can recruit armies or fleets, when necessary, but its greatest power lies in guiding the faithful, removing heresy, and ensuring that the Church remains supreme across Europe.

The Habsburgs are the mightiest dynasty of 16th-century Europe, commanding vast armies and rich fleets. Their empire stretches across the continent and beyond the seas, granting them unmatched opportunities for trade and exploration. They are staunch defenders of Catholicism, persecuting Protestant dissent wherever their soldiers march, while seeking both glory and wealth through conquest and discovery.

England is a kingdom on the rise, seeking to expand its influence at home and abroad. With fleets exploring distant oceans, it can gain wealth from discovery and piracy, especially against rivals like Habsburg Spain. England balances Catholic traditions with Protestant stirrings, wielding both persecution and reform as tools of statecraft. Its armies, fleets, and wealth all aim to secure dominance in Europe and across the seas.

France is a powerful Catholic kingdom that balances rivalry with the Habsburgs and its role as a defender of the faith. Its fleets sail outward in search of wealth and glory, while its armies suppress Protestant dissent at home. France can raid and pirate against Habsburg fleets, undermining their strength in the Atlantic. With both political and religious stakes at hand, France is torn between tradition and the winds of change.

The Ottoman Empire is a formidable Muslim power on Europe’s eastern flank, threatening Christendom with vast armies and mighty fleets. Its naval strength dominates the Mediterranean, allowing it to raid Catholic shipping and undermine the Habsburgs at sea. The Ottomans care little for Europe’s religious squabbles, focusing instead on conquest, power, and wealth to expand their empire into both Europe and beyond.

—description from the publisher