Imperial Settlers - How To Play

In this video, we're going to learn how to play Imperial Settlers! If you have any comments or questions, please do not hesitate to post them in the KZbin comments below.
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00:00 - Introduction
00:41 - Setup
02:04 - Game Play Overview
02:21 - The Lookout Phase
03:05 - The Production Phase
04:01 - Multiplier Tokens
04:22 - The Action Phase
04:46 - Action: Building A Location
05:06 - The House Icon
05:30 - Location Layout
06:06 - Locations: Production
06:28 - Locations: Feature
06:44 - Gaining Victory Points
06:51 - Location Effects
07:09 - Effects That Target Themselves
07:29 - Locations: Actions
07:42 - Action: Location Effects
08:28 - Location Colors
08:58 - Action: Making A Deal
09:22 - Action: Razing
10:27 - Defense Tokens
10:57 - Action: Using Workers
11:24 - The Clean Up Phase
12:05 - Some General Rules
12:38 - Ending The Game
12:48 - Final Scoring
13:08 - Determining The Winner
13:29 - Japanese Faction Rules
14:10 - Conclusion
#WatchItPlayed #BoardGames #Tutorial

[@WatchItPlayed]

You can pick up your own Watch It Played Imperial Settlers promo here: www.podpledge.com/project/382/The-Watch-It-Played-Promo-Store/shop

[@travisperry6915]

Best tabletop instruction channel there is! It's like you knew I just bought this game. :)

[@WatchItPlayed]

+Travis Perry I promise, I'm not spying on you :)

[@AnnieKwon]

I got excited when I saw this in my subscription feed. I just joined a gaming group last week (via MeetUp) and I saw a couple playing this Imperial Settlers game. I sat next to them thinking they were part of a gaming group but they were on their date and they just happened to walk in the same location at the same time as a gaming group! They were so nice to let me ask them about the game and I told them that I'd be interested to play with them if they come next week and join a gaming group. They said yes! Because of this tutorial video, I'll be ready to play this game when I see them! I'm so excited. Thanks, Rodney! Perfect timing!

[@WatchItPlayed]

+Annie Kwon What a crazy coincidence (and what a couple of nice sounding people!). Hope you enjoy playing!

[@AnnieKwon]

+Watch It Played Thank you! Keep making awesome videos!

[@ouwezeeman1]

We like to double check if we understand the game well from the rulebook and it's always a pleasure to find out you covered that particular game. Just like now where I misunderstood some rules and found out thanks to your great instructional video. Thanks!

[@WatchItPlayed]

So glad you found the video helpful Pieter!

[@iliaskokkotos-andreou5083]

Thank you for your wonderfully insightful instructions; you make learning how to play games a fun experience! Hats off to you, sir!

[@WatchItPlayed]

+Ilias Kokkotos - Andreou Thanks so much Ilias - so glad you enjoyed the video!

[@angelgarcia4848]

This guy is awesome. I got to him for most of the board games I get.

[@dasnack]

Great implementation of things discussed in the previous video like hand size/privacy and limit of components (or lack thereof). As always, very good job.

[@WatchItPlayed]

+Alexander Díaz Thank you, sir!

[@NostraDunwhich]

Great "How To Play" as always! I am going to have to queue this up for new players next time this one hits the table.

[@WatchItPlayed]

+NostraDunwhich Thanks for the kind words!

[@edwardwendt2120]

Excellent, I just bought this, can't wait to play.

[@WatchItPlayed]

Hope you have a great time Edward!

[@brainedema]

yay- recently bought it so perfect timing! Thank you, Love your videos. so so good.

[@WatchItPlayed]

+rn Very kind of you to say, and I hope the video helps you get the game to the table a little easier!

[@batgirllovemuse]

Thanks for this video, I had some doubts after reading the game instructions, but this explained everything

[@WatchItPlayed]

+batgirllovemuse Very pleased to hear it was helpful!

[@misdirections]

Perfect timing; I just bought this! Thanks!

[@WatchItPlayed]

+agltbialik Hope you have a great time playing!

[@WilliamTaylorII]

I've been thinking of picking this up. Thanks so much for doing this!

[@WatchItPlayed]

+William Taylor II You're very welcome!

[@kauhanen44]

When I go to city next weekend, I gotta visit the board- and role playing- game store. Maybe this game can be found there!

[@WatchItPlayed]

+PerunaVallankumous All the best in your hunt!

[@francescospuntarelli1593]

Rodney you hit the point!!! Good game and wonderful presentation

[@WatchItPlayed]

Thank you kindly :)

[@brian8972]

I finally started to just bring up your videos to show players while I set up a game rather than me being the only who watches and * tries * to teach after set up. lol. Obviously, just watching the full videos you put out goes MUCH better

[@WatchItPlayed]

So glad it's been helpful Brian - have fun playing!!

[@dalek6779]

I’m late to the party. This game arrives today and I’m looking forward to playing with my wife. Your tutorial is going to save us a lot of time. Thanks so much!

[@WatchItPlayed]

You're very welcome!

[@fernandogaragnani]

Amazing, as always. I'm looking for this game right now.

[@WatchItPlayed]

Did you end up finding it?

[@davidbartal7494]

Amazing video! In just 15 minutes I understood everything, so we can try this game (and then if it's so good then buy it). Are you going to make a video about the Deus board game?

[@WatchItPlayed]

Glad you found it helpful Dávid! No plans to cover Deus currently.

[@crimson49er]

great vid Rodney! Imperial Settlers is a ton of fun to play :)

[@WatchItPlayed]

+Maui Chris Thanks Maui!

[@Utinnibikini]

Wooooo I was seriously hoping you'd tackle this! Thanks :D

[@WatchItPlayed]

+The Tellius You're very welcome!

[@jimicapone]

Another great video, thank you !

[@WatchItPlayed]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@gnomechompsky4996]

Another great walkthrough!

[@WatchItPlayed]

+Gnome Chompsky Thanks Gnome!

[@NeebyPls]

Love your videos, also your accent makes me laugh. Thanks for the content

[@WatchItPlayed]

Glad to put a smile on your face :)

[@hanak69]

Nice video, very clear explenation of the game. Thx!

[@WatchItPlayed]

So glad you found it helpful!

[@bradleyburck1349]

Thank you!

[@WatchItPlayed]

You're very welcome Bradley!

[@Marccp]

Good choice of game to explain. I really like this one solo, but have not tried it multiplayer.

[@WatchItPlayed]

+Icarus19911991 If you get a chance, here's hoping the video helps :)

[@ag806]

Brilliant as always Rodney. Just bought a copy of the game with the first expansion online. And yes, I still think you and Pep look the same. (yes it's the guy that started that rumour. :) )

[@WatchItPlayed]

Ha! Hope you enjoy the game :)

[@chrissischmid]

Awesome job, Thank you!

[@WatchItPlayed]

Appreciated Calian!

[@CascadeHush]

Excellent 'how to play', thanks. I wish I'd watched this one first :)

[@WatchItPlayed]

Thank you kindly!

[@benediktcz]

this is currently one of my favorite games

[@WatchItPlayed]

Glad you enjoyed this one!

[@LassePeterson]

Thanks, you are soooo good!

[@WatchItPlayed]

You're very kind!

[@benanderson46]

Great video, thank you! I noticed you mentioned that faction locations can never be raised (except by the Japanese faction), but you also often added defense to faction locations. I'm guessing that was just an oversight... or can the Japanese attack other faction's locations as well?

[@WatchItPlayed]

Did I do that? Silly oversight on my part. Poor examples, if so.

[@francescospuntarelli7369]

thx for your review... seems a funny game

[@WatchItPlayed]

Glad you enjoyed checking it out!

[@CloudBuilderMetba]

I guess you wanted less complicated game after the last Ignacy game you explained (Stronghold). ;) both great explanation videos and excellent games.

[@WatchItPlayed]

+Joshua Davis Thanks Joshua!

[@wetwillyccma]

Hope you would do this video Rodney. I found a mistake that we were playing. You are the king of Instructional videos buddy. Will you ever do one explaining the Atlanteans? With all the new stuff in it, it might help players. Thanks for the great video's.

[@WatchItPlayed]

+wetwillyccma So glad you liked this Willy. With so many different games I want to get to, I tend to avoid covering expansions as well.

[@wetwillyccma]

Darn, that's cool. If you get time please give it some consideration.

[@drewfla]

Holy crap. My brother got me this game for Christmas but we haven't played it yet. Now I'm watching this and I'm so confused... I'm gonna come back when I'm not half asleep, maybe I'll understand the rules better haha

[@WatchItPlayed]

Do come back when you get a chance. Sometimes it can help to get the pieces out in front of you and follow along was we go. You can do it!

[@drewfla]

Watch It Played That's a good suggestion, I'll do that next time :)

[@kashtastic6198]

Amazing video Rodney. Quick question - what was the need for the Egyptian tokens being granted to the Egyptian faction upon set up?

[@WatchItPlayed]

Hey Kash, it's been awhile since I shot this, but I believe it has to do with some of their specific cards - for individual factions, you'd want to see their specific rules, if any.

[@ScytheNoire]

I can see how Empires of the North fixed some issues Imperial Settlers had and makes for a better game.

[@angrodii]

Could you also make a video for Single Player Game?

[@WatchItPlayed]

+Elluin Hey Elluin, no plans to cover that, at this time.

[@AlexNguyen]

Great video! (You wear glasses now? I just got reading glasses myself...)

[@WatchItPlayed]

Glad you liked the video Alex! I've been wearing glasses since I was in grade 3 :) Sometimes I've worn contacts on the show, but have been wearing glasses for quite awhile on here now too.

[@brandonsims1223]

If one of my buildings is razed, do I always collect one wood or one of whatever resource that is shown in the razed area?

[@WatchItPlayed]

Always 1 wood, no matter what the raze symbols are showing.

[@e.desrochers9942]

When you raze a building, de you lose the point associated to the building as well?

[@WatchItPlayed]

Yes.

[@PriusGuy2004]

Another great video! Question...if you had an Action card placed on the Action row that said you could pay one wood for a Victory Point, could you instead substitute a coin for the wood for that Action? I assume you probably could because you could substitute a coin for a wood when paying the cost of laying down a location card.

[@WatchItPlayed]

Yep!

[@ThePainkiller347]

And also pay coin to make a deal?

[@shumandaniele]

Somehow I missed from the rules that you can do certain actions multiple times in one action (like turning in 4 workers for two things, using an action location twice if it allows). Thanks.

[@WatchItPlayed]

A pleasure to assist Dan!

[@zimmermanj42]

In the video, you show that the Egyptian faction receives a few extra special tokens. However, I don't think the video addresses what these are for or how they are used. Are they just a special token that is used on certain building effects?

[@WatchItPlayed]

+Justin Zimmerman Yep, they are used with certain specific buildings the Egyptians have.

[@HITFORDCYCLE1]

In order to discard a location/building that you have built, do you have to raze it first? I thought you needed to raze a building in order to build another that had the building icon as a resource required? Or can you just remove/discard in order to do that ?

[@WatchItPlayed]

+HITFORDCYCLE1 You actually can't raze buildings you've already built (only those in your hand). Satisfying a House icon when trying to build something is a separate process. You simply discard a building you previously built in order to pay that part of the cost. You do not raze anything during that build action. Hope that helps!

[@HITFORDCYCLE1]

+Watch It Played thanks. That makes perfect sense.

[@elizamaquine4000]

Quero saber se a carta de facçao engenheiros dos romanos pode remover outra carta de facção do inimigo

[@WatchItPlayed]

Eu não tenho o cartão na minha frente, mas acredito que ele diz que pode remover os cartões de facção. Então sim.

[@kellycounsell8241]

Rodney, can you play the same card more than once? For example, I have 2 primeval forests, can I build both of them?

[@WatchItPlayed]

Sure can!

[@kellycounsell8241]

Watch It Played thank you sir :)

[@Otherspersons]

Are you planning to do a gameplay video? Thanks!

[@WatchItPlayed]

+Otherspersons No plans currently, but that could change!

[@Haveuseensean]

+Watch It Played Please do a play through! :)

[@_varden]

10:52 So if a location that had a defense token on it is razed, the location does not become a foundation?

[@WatchItPlayed]

Sorry, my wording there is a tad confusing. When I say "it" is returned to the supply, I'm referring to the Defense token, not the card itself. The card that was razed still functions as normal (it is turned into a foundation).

[@_varden]

Thank you!

[@johnbenedictsy530]

Great Video, but quick question, what does the extra Egyptian token do? how are they used?

[@WatchItPlayed]

I don't recall off the top of my head, but how the tokens are used is usually indicated on the cards that use them, or in the rule book index on the various cards with special rules.

[@johnbenedictsy530]

oh ok, I was having a hard time finding the appropriate cards that used them. thanks anyway. Great Video as always :)

[@Kopyrda]

IIRC, there is a card in Egyptian deck (Ra's Temple?) that allows you to claim your enemy's action cards as your own, for the end of your turn. You place Egyptian token on it to mark it as your own and gain any benefits it provides (when using action).

[@TheProphet21]

WIll there be a play-through of this one too?

[@WatchItPlayed]

+TheProphet21 No plans currently, but we'll see!

[@crackawhat1]

Better late than never :)

[@chadjacobson2679]

Rules question: I have played this a few times, but I read recently on the internet someone saying that the step where you can take two meeples to gather one resource can be done multiple times, but it has to be done all in one turn. In other words, you can have two meeples gather a stone, then in the next turn build something that gives you a meeple as a the production bonus and finally in the next turn use that meeple with another to gather another resource. I've looked at the rules and it doesn't seem to stipulate this. Thoughts? Thank you.

[@WatchItPlayed]

+Chad Jacobson You can use that action multiple times over the course of the round. I wonder where that other person came up with that idea?

[@chadjacobson2679]

+Watch It Played Makes much more sense. Thanks!

[@WatchItPlayed]

+Chad Jacobson No trouble at all!

[@TCGArsenal]

will the samurais placed on japanese faction location return to the resource pile after the turn is over?

[@WatchItPlayed]

Samurai are not discarded at the end of the round in the Cleanup phase.

[@TCGArsenal]

so samurais will keep being in their location until the end of the game, and it will always take 3 raze tokens to destroy japanese faction that has any samurai on it?

[@WatchItPlayed]

Right, but unlike other factions, you can actually raze their faction locations.

[@frankdetank9126]

🥓🥓🥓

[@rafaelmaia8223]

Question: if someone razes my location that has a defense token, you say that "it is returned to the supply". Do you mean the defense token, or the location is also discarded? [10:53] I'm guessing the location stays at the table, so I can use to pay future costs...

[@WatchItPlayed]

+Rafael Maia I mean the token. The location is flipped over and stays put for you to use for future costs.

[@rafaelmaia8223]

+Watch It Played Awesome. Thx!!!!!

[@Gliptor]

Thank you for asking this as I came up with the same question after watching the video :) Big thank you to Rodney for answering back :) I'd be lost without your videos!

[@WatchItPlayed]

A pleasure to help Jeff!

[@boardgamequeens]

So to clarify, when you raise someone else’s building, you get whatever the card says you get and they always get just one wood for a consolation prize?

[@WatchItPlayed]

You get their raze reward, they get 1 wood (and they flip the card over).

[@shlumped69420]

Hey my last name is Smith too

[@rjtopper68]

What has the game time run? Looks fairly quick. Looks fun though.

[@WatchItPlayed]

+Robert Topper The game moves more quickly at the start, when you don't have a lot of buildings out, but as you discover more combos and your empire grows, it gives you more options for each round. The answer is going to be pretty dependent on the number of players and their knowledge of the game, to be sure.

[@monkeyj]

+Robert Topper Just another key to game time...the more people you have the longer the game will be since it does have some analysis paralysis, but not too bad. My favorite way to play this is 2 player since that keeps the game time down to about 1 hour

[@frankdetank9126]

Wow! Your set looked way different 8 years ago.

[@WatchItPlayed]

Ah, you found the time travel machine I see!

[@frankdetank9126]

We picked this game up at a consignment sale. We had not played it before which means we turn to Rodney to teach us how to play.

[@WatchItPlayed]

@@frankdetank9126 It's a good one - enjoy!

[@TheCart54321]

For a second I thought this was Star Wars

[@vojtasjedyny]

+carter grantham It was a reference to computer strategy series called The Settlers, well known in Europe (especially in Germany and Poland), but not so much in US. See: PC vs. consoles.

[@KhanGarth]

+carter grantham those darn Imperials, always settling where they don't belong

[@TurfaTasnim]

I scrolled as far as I could and looked like no one asked this question and I couldn't find the answer in the rule book. The rule book says that in the "clean up" phase, you discard all the resources, tokens and coins except what your faction feature states. The faction feature doesn't allow that many things to be left behind. For example the Roman faction feature says "can keep as many raze tokens". If I discard everything except my raze tokens, how will I acquire resources in the second round to build locations? The production locations that you showed in your video under production phase, you didn't mention that you had to use resources to build those locations in the first place. Please clarify the production phase and what happens after clean ups.

[@WatchItPlayed]

Hey Turfa, very little carries over between rounds, as you note, but don't forget, at the start of every round is a Production phase, it's detailed at this point in the video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWeZc3aPgtqkrbMm5s Watch until the 4 minute mark and that should cover the basic details. You'll regain all the items listed in the production area of your board, plus from deals you've made and buildings that produce. It's generally a good idea to build a couple of Production buildings in the first round, to help boost your production in future rounds. Any time you add a building to your play area, for example, a Production building, you have to pay the cost to build it. Once built, it stays there, and each production phase will Produce the goods mentioned in it's description. You'll find the process to build a structure here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWeZc3aPgtqkrbMm46s Between those 2 clips, let me know if there's anything else that you might be unsure about, and I'll be happy to assist! Hope you have fun playing. Oh, and if it might help, we have a full play through series, so you can see the game in action, with full examples of a game from start to finish, starting here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aoikZZR3nrqeack

[@TurfaTasnim]

Perfect. Thank you so much for sharing the game play video. Now I got it. Gonna go play it right now.

[@WatchItPlayed]

Wonderful! I hope you have a great time :)

[@StevieInMTL]

Any comments concerning the expansion packs?

[@WatchItPlayed]

Was there something specific you were wondering that I could help with?

[@StevieInMTL]

Oh, I was just wondering if you've played IS with the expansions and which one you preferred. I'm looking forward to the Aztec expansion coming in September.

[@WatchItPlayed]

I avoid breaking down preferences, but I'm looking forward to the new expansion too!

[@markotaushan2535]

You gain 1 VP whern raze card to another player?

[@WatchItPlayed]

Not necessarily. You gain the Goods depicted in the Raze field of the card (which could be a victory point, but it isn't always). You'll find all the rules for razing here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWeZc3aPgtqkrbMm22s

[@FalconScarlet]

Is it the number of the buildings that you built is unlimited?

[@WatchItPlayed]

Yes.

[@FalconScarlet]

Watch It Played If I have 2 SAME NAME buildings , may I build this two buildings in two actions？

[@WatchItPlayed]

Yes.

[@FalconScarlet]

Watch It Played If I play it with expansions , should I need to choose 30 cards (including base game’s cards and expansion’s cards) to be my deck of this game?

[@WatchItPlayed]

Hey Falcon, the expansion rules aren't something I covered in these videos, and I'm not sure off the op of my head.

[@patrykzukowski7471]

I don't get it - you said that a player can only raze another player's common cards, but then you talk about adding samurais as Japan to your faction cards for protection. What's the point of it?

[@WatchItPlayed]

Happy to help clarify. The Japanese faction has slightly different rules, you CAN raze their buildings. So they have the option of protecting themselves. This is mentioned here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWeZc3aPgtqkrbMm29s

[@patrykzukowski7471]

***** Oooh, dunno why I missed that part. Thanks. And btw your channel is THE best of all, and I MEAN of all and in all aspects. It's enjoyable to watch, it's the only channel that shows ALL the rules, making it easy to jugde whether or not this game's for you, the response time in comments is super-fast, the high quality production I don't need to mention. I'm sure there's more. Great work, I hope this channel is profitable to you guys, great work deserves great reward.

[@WatchItPlayed]

Thanks very kindly Patryk!

[@danielsullivan4763]

how good is this solo?

[@WatchItPlayed]

Hey Daniel, sorry I can't with that one. I don't review on my channel.

[@danielsullivan4763]

Oh ok. Thanks Anyways :)

[@daninanestean]

What happens if I have 2 feature cards built with the same feature "Each time you build gray building gain 1gold or 1point". If I build a gray building do I get 2gold or 2 points?

[@WatchItPlayed]

Yes - the effects stack!

[@decarbonatedsprite8382]

Watch It Played but can you get 1 point AND 1 gold?

[@daninanestean]

I would assume so. 1 point from on card and 1 gold from the other.

[@WatchItPlayed]

Yes, you can choose as you like, as you resolve each, one after the other.

[@deanlowdon8381]

I have an issue with these Watch it Played videos..... I think you’re going to put the people who make instruction manuals out of a job! 🙂

[@WatchItPlayed]

I hope not! Some learn better through different mediums, so I really want there to be as many options as possible.