Overview
At a glance
Is this game right for my group?
ABG editorial scores on a 1–5 scale.
Harder to teach
High replayability
Highly interactive
Scales well
Deep strategy
How it plays
How does it play?
Join us on a journey to the Middle Ages - a time when emerging trading cities became important influential factors in the political game for power and wealth.
Core mechanisms
Key systems that shape the decisions players make.
Action Points
Spend a limited allowance of points across several possible actions each turn.
Area Movement
Move pieces between connected regions rather than along individual spaces.
Auction/Bidding
Bid against other players to determine who receives an item, action, or priority.
Income
Receive recurring resources according to your position, assets, or development.
End Game Bonuses
Earn additional points for meeting conditions evaluated when the game ends.
Read the full game description
Join us on a journey to the Middle Ages - a time when emerging trading cities became important influential factors in the political game for power and wealth. Originating in Luebeck, the Hanseatic Trade League is formed, long-distance traders join forces and thereby create unprecedented wealth in northern Europe. There are many opportunities for young merchants to gain power and influence. Nevertheless, only few have the chance to be elected to the most influential position and thus lead the Hanseatic Trade League as Aelderman. Aelderman is a competitive Euro-Game for 2-4 players. You embody an ambitious merchant in the medieval Hanseatic League and fight for your place at the top of the trade alliance! Through lucrative trading with other Hanseatic cities, you increase your wealth and gain more and more influence in the entire region of the North and Baltic Sea. Meanwhile, you contribute to the development of the flourishing city of Luebeck by commissioning useful buildings. Try to secure important privileges during the Hanseatic Convention in the Council Hall before your opponents take them away from you. Use your limited action points wisely to trade goods and gain wealth. But money alone will not be enough to win this strategic Euro-Game. Rather you must secure as many victory points in the form of council votes as possible through influence majorities on the sea map, your reputation in the city of Luebeck and through various privileges and luxury goods to become Aelderman and win the game. —description from the publisher