This came up in our first game. I am wondering if it is valid to retreat into an opponent's home area. The area is considered 'controlled' by the enemy, but it is also empty. From the strict reading of the rules it seems possible to retreat into it, but that seems a bit off for a forced retreat from losing a battle to allow you to take over an enemy's territory.

My gut is to say yes.

Home Realm areas are NEVER "empty". By definition on page 15, an empty area is "Any non-home realm area that contains zero units and zero strongholds."

Even if a home realm area has no units, it's not considered "empty" and thus enemy forces cannot retreat there. The only time an enemy force could retreat to a home realm area is if they already have units or a stronghold in the area (thus making that area FRIENDLY to them).

Ah yes, home areas never being empty would prevent the retreat. Thank you for the post!

Any official response on whether moving into an EMPTY enemy homeland requires a battle (as applies to: cant use strategize, cant do two battles with mobilize, battle cards are drawn when entering... etc?)

mateooo said:

You definitely can't do it during a Strategize, regardless of whether it is a battle or not. Strategize only lets you move into EMPTY or FRIENDLY areas, and by definition, a home realm is NEVER empty. (Page 15, emtpy says "non-home realm area").

As for whether moving there consists of an attack for drawing cards, fighting two battles, etc, has been asked but I'm still waiting for Corey's response.