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The publisher's description reads: "WELLINGTON is a puzzle-game of concentration and strategy inspired by the 18th century Pentomino concept. The Pentomino design--up to five connecting blocks in different shapes--is the basis for the game pieces in WELLINGTON, named after the capital of New Zealand in honor of Arthur Wellington, the 'Iron Duke.'"
The playing surface consists of a 10x10 grid, called the "town grid." A burgundy-colored T-shaped piece that covers four squares represents Parliament. Each player has a Duke, represented by a one-square obelisk. With Parliament and the Dukes placed on the board, players alternate turns in placing wooden blocks representing buildings in the city on the board. The objects are to capture the opposing Duke, capture territory, and capture buildings. Parliament, when captured, can be relocated to any available area on the board. Capturing the opposing Duke wins the game immediately. If neither Duke is captured, when no more buildings may be legally played the player capturing the most territory wins.
The publisher also included rules for a solitaire version.
According to the designer, fewer than 100 copies were produced.
- Highly engaging for all four players.
- Distilled down to operational maneuver and action.
- Hits the spot for operational level, classic style CDG.
- The 'peace die roll' can end the game prematurely and is considered a 'fun sucker'.
- The victory roll in 1812 to take Madrid can also end the game, though this is kept.
- Climactic aspect of the Peninsula War when allies are advancing
- Iberian Peninsula War, late Napoleonic Wars (1812-1814)
- We the People
- Hannibal: Rome vs. Carthage
- Wellington
- Napoleonic Wars
- Wilderness War
- Hero Stand
- Virgin Queen
- Tanto Manta
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- 2 vs 2 gameplay — Plays best with four players, two French against two allied (one British, one Spanish).
- Card-driven game (CDG) — A classic CDG where cards activate units for maneuver, with operations and event presence on the card.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- And game that gives you that that soup of possibility or or that that tableau of possibilities is fairly rare in in my mind, you know.
- So, I find it also the most evocative way to to tour history is through a game.
- The inescapable element that, you know, binds board wargaming and distinguishes it, I think, is its ability to transport us to some place.