War did not change in a single moment—it evolved.
Across more than a century, the nature of conflict shifted from armored knights and feudal levies to gunpowder, organized states, and global ambitions.
Gold & Steel was designed to let you experience that transformation.
This is not an experimental system. It is a proven and expanding framework, already used to recreate conflicts across Europe, the Americas, and beyond. Built on a stable core of strategic and tactical gameplay, it allows players to move seamlessly from one historical setting to another—without learning new rules each time. The system stays the same. History changes.
Now, Gold & Steel reaches a new frontier.
Boardgame features
With Imjin War 1592-1593, the system expands into East Asia and introduces a decisive new dimension: war at sea. This game tells the story of one of the most dramatic conflicts of the late 16th century: the Japanese invasion of Korea.
As the Japanese player, you command powerful and numerous land forces, launching a rapid invasion from your foothold at Busan. Your objective is clear: conquer the Korean peninsula and open the road to China.
As the Korean player, you face overwhelming odds. You must delay, resist, and survive—waiting for Chinese reinforcements, encouraging local uprisings, and relying on one decisive advantage: control of the sea.
For the first time in Gold & Steel, naval warfare becomes central:
- Fleet movement and naval battles
- Strategic control of sea routes
- Direct interaction between land and sea campaigns
Victory will not come from strength alone, but from:
- Timing your offensives
- Managing alliances
- Winning both land and naval engagements
- Controlling key regions of the peninsula
A System Built for History
Gold & Steel is designed around one core idea:
Complexity comes from history—not from complicated rules.
You will face:
- Asymmetrical forces,
- Uncertain alliances,
- Different styles of warfare,
- Constant strategic pressure.
Each game offers high replayability through events, tactical choices, and evolving diplomatic situations—ensuring that no two campaigns unfold the same way.
Join the Evolution
By supporting Gold & Steel: Imjin War, you are not just backing a single game.
You are joining a system that:
- Has already proven its strength across multiple historical settings,
- Continues to expand across continents,
- Now integrates both land and naval warfare into one cohesive experience.
This is the moment in history when war becomes global. And now, you can play it.
Components
The Game Board
It represents both land and sea areas. Land areas are grouped into eight provinces, each identified by their historical names and a different color code.
The map features different types of terrain, including plains and mountains, as well as roads and rivers that influence movement and operations. Fortresses play a crucial role, as they are key to controlling provinces and securing their resource points.
A dedicated track allows players to monitor which provinces are controlled by each side, as well as the status of Ming Chinese and Jurchen alliances, which may shift during the game.
The board also includes a turn track (14 turns), a victory point track, and reserve areas for reinforcements and eliminated units that may return to play.
Units & Counters
Gold & Steel: Imjin War features a rich and visually striking set of 605 counters, spread across 5 beautifully illustrated and color-coded sheets.
Two distinct shapes immediately guide gameplay:
- Rounded-square counters represent land units
- Circular counters represent naval forces
Each counter is designed for clarity and immersion, displaying key information such as movement, combat strength, firepower, and resource cost.
Players command a wide variety of historical troop types—infantry, cavalry, arquebusiers, siege engines, and more—alongside diverse fleet squadrons ranging from small vessels to powerful warships, including iconic ships such as Korean Turtle ships and Japanese Atakebune.
The game also features the major historical leaders of the conflict, both generals and admirals, each with their own tactical abilities and command capacities, bringing personality and strategic depth to every battle.
Together, these components create a system that is both highly readable and deeply thematic—where every counter on the map tells part of the story of the Imjin War.
The Aids
Army and fleet movements take place on the main map. When opposing forces meet in the same area, a land battle, naval battle, or siege is triggered.
Units are then deployed onto a tactical map, each side organizing its forces within its own camp and distributing them across different tactical zones, following historically inspired deployment formations.
The clash can then begin, as players make the best use of their troop types, combine tactical options, and exploit the abilities of their leaders.
Sequence of Play
Naval Phase
Japanese Side Phase
- Reserve, Recruitment, Replacements, and Withdrawal
- Naval Phase:
- Strategic Movement
- Attrition and Desertion
- Naval Battle Resolution
- Landing / Blockade
Korean/Chinese Side Phase
- Reserve, Recruitment, Replacements, and Withdrawal
- Naval Phase:
- Strategic Movement
- Attrition and Desertion
- Naval Battle Resolution
- Landing / Blockade
Land Phase
Japanese Side Phase
- Strategic Movement
- Attrition and Desertion
- Battle Resolution
- Siege Resolution
Korean/Chinese Side Phase
- Strategic Movement
- Attrition and Desertion
- Battle Resolution
- Siege Resolution
Common Administrative Phase
- Alliances
- End of Turn: Advance the time marker
- Victory determination at the end of the final game turn
