Section 3: Setup
Choose the Game Format
Agree on classic world conquest or one of the shorter formats in Section 6. Decide how card sets will be valued, whether negotiation is allowed, and whether fortification may follow a chain of friendly territories or only a single border. Settling these details before setup prevents midgame disputes.
Choose Colors and Starting Armies
Each player selects a color and takes the corresponding army pieces. For the classic three-to-six-player game, use these customary starting totals:
- Three players: 35 armies each.
- Four players: 30 armies each.
- Five players: 25 armies each.
- Six players: 20 armies each.
One player rolls a die. Highest result goes first; reroll ties among the tied players. Play then proceeds clockwise.
Assign Territories
Remove any wild cards, shuffle the 42 territory cards, and deal them face down as evenly as possible. A player controls every territory named on the cards dealt to that player. If the cards cannot be divided evenly, some players will begin with one additional territory; this is normal.
Each player places one army on every assigned territory. After all 42 territories are occupied, players take turns placing one additional army on any territory they already control. Continue one army at a time until every player has placed the full starting total.
For a more social opening, the group may assign territories by drafting instead. Beginning with the first player, each player claims one unoccupied territory and places one army there. Continue clockwise until all territories are occupied, then place the remaining armies one at a time as usual.
Prepare the Card Pile
Collect all territory cards, add the wild cards included in the chosen edition, shuffle thoroughly, and place them face down beside the board. Leave room for a face-up discard pile. No player begins the classic game with a territory card in hand.
Open Information
Territory ownership and the number of armies on every territory are public information. Players may stack or exchange pieces to make totals readable. Cards are normally kept secret, but the number of cards held by each player should remain visible or be truthfully announced when asked.