Each player takes his turn, starting with the lead player and proceeding to the left. During his turn, a player may activate any number of optional effects from his avatar or a power and may play any number of cards, one at a time, until he either plays a troop card or runs out of cards.

• If he plays a power card, any power he already has in play is discarded then the new one is placed in play. Its effects occur (and typically continue to occur). The power will remain in play until it is likewise displaced.
• If he plays an influence card, it is placed in play and its effects occur (and may continue to occur). The influence will remain in play only until the end of this sortie, when it will be discarded.
• If he plays a troop card, the player’s turn ends. The troop will remain in play until the end of this sortie, when it will be placed in his battle line. The lead player may play troops of any suit. Subsequent players must follow suit if they can, playing a troop of the same suit that the lead player did.

After the last player’s turn, conflict begins.