If there is war, each player is allowed unlimited attacks. Following some random events and a possible foreign incursion, players may expand into up to two unoccupied adjacent cities. Then, if they desire, they may attack an adjacent city which is occupied by an opponent. If there is a state of war, they may continue to attack adjacent provinces until they desire to stop or they deplete their cards. Here is where the game breaks down, in my opinion.
Players receive either four or six cards each turn, depending upon whether there is peace or war.
The problem I see with the card play is that there is too much left to chance. When a player attacks, he may play 2 cards while the defender can play only 1. Cards range in value from 3 - 6. If the defender wins, he retains the card he used and can continue to use it in that round for further defenses or attacks. The loser of the battle loses his cards regardless.