El Grande: Spain in the 15th century

For nearly 700 years there has been conflict between Christian and Muslim rulers over the rule of the country. Spain is divided into several kingdoms, counties, provinces and an emirate.

This is an updated edition of this area control classic including 2 new mini expansions. You are one of the Grandes, the high nobility in 15th century Spain, trying to increase your power. Therefore, you send out your brave knights, the Caballeros, to conquer regions to increase your power. By using different action cards as cleverly as possible, you try to thwart your opponents' strategy. Try to win over the king and stay one step ahead of your opponents with intrigue. Will you win the battle for Spain and become El Grande?

Earlier, in 1996...

In 1996, El Grande became "Spiel des Jahres" and has been played by fans around the world ever since. 999 Games has redesigned El Grande in terms of content and also visually. The game itself has remained the same and has not lost any of its tactical fun. Furthermore, this edition includes 2 new mini expansions and additional action cards!

Who is playing El Grande?

Do you like strategy and want to conquer your fellow players' lands, but don't like having to roll dice to do so? Then El Grande is exactly the game you are looking for. Here you have no more excuses when you lose and can be proud of it when you win. After all, luck plays only a small role in this reworked version of the 1996 classic. Now challenge your friends to a high-level tactical and strategic battle that is also decided within an hour and a half!

Why do you want to play this?

• - Renewed version of the 1996 classic
• - Strategic game without a big luck factor
• - With 2 mini extensions and additional action cards

How do you play El Grande?

In El Grande, you try to get the highest score within 9 rounds and after 3 point counts. Each player starts with his Grande and a few caballeros in a region of Spain. The King is also located in a region.

Each round, each player plays 1 power card from his hand, which determines 2 things: first, the order in which players may choose action cards from the supply, second, how many new caballeros they may take to their supply. If it is your turn next, you choose one of the action cards still available.

Such a card shows an action you may perform and a number of caballeros you may move from your supply to the game board. However, new caballeros must always be placed in areas adjacent to the King. If you do not wish to do so, you may also throw new caballeros into the Castillo.

After every 3 rounds (and sometimes as a result of an action card) there is a scoring process. The players who have the most caballeros in a region receive points for it. The King and Grandes can give bonus points.

The Castillo is its own region and after counting it, the caballeros move to another region of your choice, which can completely change the situation on the game board again. If after 9 rounds you have the most points, you win the game!

Extensions and variants

This edition of El Grande includes 2 mini expansions and additional action cards to make the game even more variable and exciting. The cards from these mini-expansions include more tactical options with the King or allow players to change the value of their power card!