When this game was announced a few years ago in the May 2020 GMT Games Monthly Update, I was initially excited about the topic but had my concerns and a bit of hesitancy. Ed Beach usually designs games that use the CDG mechanic and that allow a lot of gamers to get in on the action. Games like Here I Stand and Virgin Queen allow up to 6 players and Border Reivers follows this pattern by allowing 4-6 players although solo, 2 and 3-player versions are also supported (where each player leads both an English and a Scottish family). But, this game is not similar to the others I mentioned. Not even close! It seems to incorporate some elements of a Euro and uses Meeples of sheep and cows which is a bit different for a wargame.

In Border Reivers, each player rules over one of the Marches along the Scottish-English border as leader of one of the six major riding families of the time: Grey, Fenwick, Dacre, Maxwell, Kerr, or Hume. The goal is to increase the wealth and fame of your clan throughout the reigns of Henry and Elizabeth to end the century as the most famous Border Reiver of all time. Players gain VP’s from successful combats, amassing large herds of livestock, and by elevating their Notoriety above the other players in the regions of the map.

We posted an interview with the designer on the blog and you can read that at the following link: https://theplayersaid.com/2022/10/10/interview-with-ed-beach-designer-of-border-reivers-anglo-scottish-border-raids-1513-1603-from-gmt-games/

-Grant