Get to know the rules of Borneo

Are you ready to dive into the exciting world of Borneo? If you are, then you’re in for a treat! Borneo is a game that will challenge you and keep you on your toes.

So, what is Borneo all about?

In Borneo, the main goal is to explore the island, discover its hidden treasures, and build your own paradise. You’ll encounter various challenges along the way, but don’t worry, I’ve got you covered with the rules that will guide you through this adventure.

Rule #1: Exploring the Island

First things first, you need to explore the island of Borneo. Just imagine the lush jungles, breathtaking beaches, and mysterious caves waiting for you.

To explore the island, you’ll need to roll the dice. The number you roll will determine how far you can move on the game board. Keep an eye out for special spots on the board that can give you extra rewards or challenges.

Rule #2: Discovering Hidden Treasures

As you explore the island, you’ll come across hidden treasures. These treasures can be anything from rare artifacts to valuable gemstones. The more treasures you collect, the more points you’ll earn.

But be careful! Some treasures might be guarded by ferocious animals or hidden in tricky puzzles. Use your wit and strategy to overcome these obstacles and claim the treasures for yourself.

Rule #3: Building Your Paradise

Finally, the ultimate goal of Borneo is to build your own paradise on the island. Use the treasures you’ve collected to construct magnificent buildings, decorate your paradise with beautiful landscapes, and create a haven that reflects your unique style.

Be creative and let your imagination run wild. The more effort you put into building your paradise, the higher your score will be at the end of the game.

Now that you know the rules, it’s time to embark on your Borneo adventure. Are you ready to explore, discover, and build? Then let’s get started!

• 1 Game Board
• 60 Shipment cards
• 14 Harbors
• 20 Merchants
• 16 Missions
• 5 Company rank markers
• 5 Summary cards
• The pirate’s cove
• pirate’s ship
• Rule book

The object of the game is to be a successful merchant in the seventeenth century. If I can make the most profit from trading shipments from the East Indies, then I’ll win!

Before we start, I’ll carefully take the tiles out of their frames and stick the stickers on the wooden discs according to their colors.

Now, I’ll place the board in the middle of the table and organize the cards by sorting them based on the symbol on the back: shipment cards and harbors.

In this game, each player gets three merchants who have the same portrait and a matching summary card. We only use the fourth merchant if we’re playing with three players, and there’s a special variant for that at the end of the rules.

We start by shuffling the Shipment cards and putting them on the designated space on the board. Each player gets three cards to create their starting hand, and remember, your hand is a secret from the other players.

Now, let’s prepare the Harbor deck:

• If we’re playing with 3 or 4 players, we take out the two harbors labeled with a 5 in the lower left corner and put them back in the box because we won’t be using them.
• If we’re playing with 5 players, we remove the four harbors with a 3/4 in the lower left corner and put them back in the box as well.

After shuffling the harbor cards, we place them face down on their designated space on the board. Then, we flip over three harbor cards and place them face up on the relevant spaces on the board.

#image.jpg A starting set-up for four players.

First, we need to choose who goes first. Once that’s settled, the first player gets to put one of their merchants in any of the empty slots under a company. After that, we take turns in reverse order for two more rounds.

Every company has five spaces in its column. The first merchant placed in a company is considered the first merchant of that company, and so on.

Let’s get the missions ready:

• If there are 3 or 4 players, we don’t need the four missions with a 5 in the corner. They can just go back in the box;
• If there are 5 players, we’re using all 16 missions.

Alright, here’s what you need to do:

First, arrange the missions based on their value and put them upside down at the top of the board. Keep the company rank markers nearby. Make sure you have enough room in front of you to gather spices and mission cards. We call this area your warehouse.

The Board

The Mysterious Shipment Cards

Have you ever received a package or a letter with a strange card inside? Something that you couldn’t quite understand? Well, I have. It’s as if these cards have a secret message, a hidden meaning that only a few can decipher. And today, I want to explore the enigma of these shipment cards with you.

So, what exactly are these shipment cards? They are small cards, often found inside packages or envelopes, with a variety of shapes and colors. Some have intricate designs, while others are plain and simple. These cards often leave us wondering what their purpose is and why they are included with our deliveries.

As we dive into this mystery, it’s important to note that these cards serve different functions. They can act as thank-you notes, expressing gratitude for your purchase or for being a valued customer. They can also be used to provide important information about the contents of the package, such as fragile items or special care instructions.

But there’s more to these cards than meets the eye. They can also be a way for businesses to connect with their customers on a deeper level. These cards may contain promotional offers, exclusive discounts, or even personalized messages. They serve as a reminder that behind every package is a real person, and that your satisfaction is their priority.

Additionally, these cards can be a source of inspiration and surprise. They can include motivational quotes, uplifting messages, or even small gifts. They aim to bring a smile to your face and brighten your day. It’s like receiving a little dose of happiness along with your package.

So, the next time you receive a shipment card, take a moment to appreciate the thought that went into it. It’s not just a piece of paper; it’s a small gesture that someone took the time to create and include with your delivery. It’s a way to turn a simple transaction into a meaningful connection.

In conclusion, shipment cards are more than just cards. They hold a world of mystery, gratitude, and inspiration. They add a touch of humanity to the otherwise impersonal world of online shopping. So, next time you receive a package with a card, remember that someone out there cares about your satisfaction and happiness. And maybe, just maybe, that card holds a secret waiting to be discovered.

Upper Section:

Flags: There are four flags of different colors, arranged on two lines.

Symbols: Some symbols summarize the content of the card: an icon representing spices, a larger flag for flags that appear three times, and a smaller flag for flags that only appear once.

This top part of the card is used when you’re playing in a harbor or trying to secure a better position within a company.

Lower Section:

Spice: You can choose from black pepper, cinnamon, cloves, or nutmeg. Some spices have a “2” beside them – in that case, the spice counts double. This lower section is used when spices are distributed after a shipment arrives at a harbor, or when you complete a mission.

Missions and Examples of How to Complete Them

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When you play this game, you need to keep in mind that you should get rid of one spice for every type you have. As the game progresses and comes to an end, completing this mission will earn you 6 victory points. And let me tell you, victory points are what you want!

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You know that feeling when you’ve got too many spices in your pantry and you just don’t know what to do with them? Well, I’ve got a solution for you. It’s called the Spice Discard Mission. Here’s how it works.

First, take a look at your spice collection and find four spices that are the same. It could be four containers of paprika or four jars of oregano – it doesn’t matter as long as they’re the same type.

Once you’ve identified your four spices, it’s time to say goodbye to them. That’s right, you’re going to discard them. It might feel a little strange to throw away perfectly good spices, but trust me, it’s worth it.

At the end of the game, the Spice Discard Mission is going to earn you eight victory points. That’s not too shabby, right? So go ahead, clear out some space in your pantry and reap the rewards.

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You can get rid of 2 spices for each type. When the game is over, this mission will be worth 15 victory points.

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Hey there! Have you ever played a game where you had to collect a bunch of spices? Well, lemme tell you about a mission that’s all about discarding spices.

Picture this: you’re playing a game and you find yourself with 8 spices of the same kind. Now, here’s the deal – if you decide to discard all of those spices at the end of the game, you’ll earn yourself a sweet 20 victory points. Not too shabby, huh?

So, why would you wanna get rid of all those spices? Well, that’s a tricky question. It really depends on your strategy and what you’re trying to achieve in the game. Sometimes, letting go of something precious can bring you even greater rewards. It’s like a little game within the game, you know?

Now, keep in mind, this mission is just one of many things you can do in the game. There’s a whole world to explore and different strategies to try. The beauty of it all is that you get to decide how you wanna play.

So, the next time you’re playing a game and you find yourself staring at 8 spices, think about what you could gain by letting them go. Who knows, it might just be the key to victory! Good luck!

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When playing this game, it’s important to keep in mind that for each type of spice, you need to discard three. At the end of the game, this mission will be worth 25 victory points.

How to Play

The game is played in turns, and each player takes a turn in a clockwise order. On your turn, you’ll need to follow these steps:

1. You have the option to complete a mission.
2. You can choose to change companies or try to advance within a company.
3. You must play a shipment card on one harbor and distribute the spices accordingly.
4. You need to draw two cards from the shipment deck and discard any extra cards if you have more than six.

Once you have completed all four actions, it will be the next player’s turn, starting from the player on your left.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of your turn:

1. Complete a Mission

When it’s my turn, I can do something really important: complete a mission! I pick one mission and place it face down in front of me. It stays there for the whole game. At the end of the game, I’ll earn points based on the number shown on the mission card.

Here’s how to complete a mission:

• I choose any mission that’s still on the board.
• I look at the spices needed for that mission and discard the right combination from my warehouse. I can use shipment cards or harbor cards as spices. I can even use wild cards, as many as I want!

One thing to remember: I can’t use the cards in my hand to complete a mission. And those cards with the “2” are extra special. They count as two spices of the same type.

2. The Companies

In the second phase of my turn, I have another action I can take. I get to choose and do just one of these:

I’m going to give you two options for what you can do with your merchants. You can either move one of them from one company to another, filling the first available spot in that new company and shifting up any other merchants if needed. Or, you can choose to advance one of your merchants in a company. To advance, select one of your merchants and another player’s merchant in the same company who is higher up. Then, play some shipment cards from your hand that have flags of the company where the fight is happening. The other player can also play cards from their hand, but only up to the same number that you played.

Hey there! Just a heads up, when it comes to playing cards in a company, you can’t go all out and play every card you have. You have to keep at least one shipment card.

A quick note: The defender doesn’t have to defend their merchant!

Once both players have made their moves, it’s time to count the number of flags (not cards!) you played that match the company. Then, compare your total to the defender’s number.

The defender also gets a little bonus. It’s equal to the number of merchants between the two merchants involved. If they’re stacked right on top of each other, the bonus is zero.

If you have the same number of flags or more as the defender, you successfully attack. You move your merchant to the defender’s position, and the defender’s merchant either gets demoted or removed from the company. Now, you can either place your merchant in the empty space left by the successful attack or in any other company’s empty slot.

If the defender has more flags than you, your attack is defeated. Both merchants stay where they are. Additionally, the defender can add one of the shipment cards they played for defense to their warehouse.

Now, all the shipment cards used in the fight (excluding any spice reward chosen by the defender) are discarded.

Hey there! I’ve got an important tip for you. If you’ve only got one card left in your hand, remember that you can’t start a fight because you won’t be able to play all the cards that match the company where the fight is happening.

3. Shipment

In the third part of my turn, I need to choose one shipment card from my hand and play it on one of the harbors. I should place the card face up beneath a face-up harbor or on top of another shipment card that’s already been played on that harbor. If I place it on top of another card, I need to make sure that only the top row of flags is still showing, covering up the second row.

Playing a shipment card can also affect the distribution of spices. Each harbor card has two numbers on it. The number on the left tells me how many flags I need to have a monopoly at that harbor. The number on the right tells me the maximum number of shipment cards that can be played on that harbor.

If my shipment card causes either of these maximum numbers to be reached on a harbor, then the spices at that harbor are distributed among all the players. This is called a monopoly.

If a company has at least as many flags as the monopoly number, it has a monopoly on the spices at that harbor. We’ll place the Monopoly marker M on that Company to show it. Now, let’s distribute the spices to the merchants:

• The player who played the last Shipment card (which triggered the monopoly) gets the harbor card and adds it to their warehouse.
• The top-ranked merchant at the monopoly company gets to choose and take one spice.
• Then, the second-ranked merchant gets to choose, followed by the third, and so on, until all cards are distributed. If there are more cards than merchants, we go back to the top-ranked merchant. Once we’re done, we remove the Monopoly marker and put it beside the board.

Imagine this: there’s a card game between competing companies, and things are about to get intense. The stakes are high, and it’s possible that two or more companies will reach the monopoly limit at the same time. That’s when things get interesting.

In this situation, a tiebreaker is needed to determine who comes out on top. And you know what the tiebreaker is? It’s the company whose flag appears first in order on the very last card played. Picture it: the cards laid out in rows, from left to right and top to bottom. The company with the flag that shows up first in this lineup gets the upper hand.

So if you’re one of these companies vying for monopoly status, you want to make sure your flag is in a good spot. Because in this game, being in the lead when it comes to the card order could give you that extra edge you need to win the whole thing.

Here’s an example of how Monopoly works: In this game, the red company has gained control of the Achim harbor by owning six flags.

The player who played the last Shipment card will now take ownership of the harbor, specifically the cloves spice.

After that, each merchant from the red company will choose a spice of their choice, one by one.

Sharing the Goods

• The player who triggered the distribution by playing the last Shipment card gets to keep the harbor card and store it in their warehouse.
• We count the number of flags each company has. Whoever has the most flags becomes the First Company and gets the “1” rank token. The company with the second most flags becomes the Second Company and gets the “2”, and so on.
• The top-ranked merchant from the First Company then selects one spice and adds it to their warehouse.

When it comes to trading spices, things can get quite interesting. Did you know that the process of selecting spices has its own set of rules? Let me break it down for you.

First, the top-ranked merchant from the second company gets to choose one spice. Then it’s the turn of the third most ranked merchant, and so on. Each merchant selects a spice in order of their company rank.

But what happens if there are spices left over after the first-ranked merchants have made their choices? Well, then it’s the turn of the second-ranked merchants. They get to choose spices in the order of their company rankings, and so on.

But wait, what if there’s a tie in the number of flags? In that case, the company whose flags appear first on the shipment cards gets to go first. Simple, right?

Once all the merchants have made their selections, we remove the rank tokens and place them next to the board. Now, the trading can begin!

Let me show you an example of what shared distribution means: Imagine we have four cards and the limit for monopolies is 6 flags. In this case, we have a shared distribution of resources.

Now, let’s take a look at the different companies involved. The yellow company has 5 flags, the red company has 4 flags, and both the green and blue companies have 2 flags each. However, it’s worth noting that the green flag comes before the blue flag.

During shared distribution, the first merchant from the yellow company gets to choose first. Then, it’s the turn of the first merchant from the red company, followed by the green company, and finally, the first merchant from the blue company.

Remember: If a company doesn’t have any flags at a harbor, the merchants from that company won’t receive any spices!

Once the spices at the completed harbor have been distributed, we turn over the top card from the harbor deck and add it to the other harbors.

Step 4: Draw Two Cards

After I finish my turn, I get to draw two cards from the shipment card deck. But, if I end up with more than six cards in my hand, I have to discard some until I only have six left.

If all the cards in the draw deck have been used up, we shuffle the discarded cards to create a new draw deck.

When the Game Ends

The game will end if one of these two conditions is met:

• I need to draw a new harbor card, but the deck is empty.
• I need to draw two cards, but there aren’t any left in the deck or the discard pile.

All the harbor cards and shipment cards that are still on the table will be discarded, as well as any cards that I still have in my hand.

After that, each player will have one final chance to complete a mission. Starting with the player to the left of the last one to play, each player can choose one mission from the board and complete it using the spices they have in their warehouse.

To figure out your score, just add up the points:

• Each shipping card in your warehouse is worth 1 point (including the ones with a “2”).
• Each harbor card in your warehouse is worth 1 point.
• Each completed mission is worth the number of points shown on it.

The winner is the player with the highest score. If there’s a tie, the player with the most completed missions wins.

3 Player Variation

If you want an even tougher competition, try this variation. Each player starts with 4 merchants instead of 3.

During the setup, each player puts all 4 merchants into the companies following the same rules you learned about in “Setup”.

Game Variation: the Secrets of Blackbeard

You can complete missions with a little help from the pirates…but at your own risk!

In the beginning of the game, I need to put the pirate’s cove near the board and the pirate’s ship in the cove.

When we are doing the missions, I have the option to trade one of the spices for another spice. For example, I can use one cinnamon instead of one pepper. The trade is with the Pirates!

If I choose to make this trade, I take the pirate’s ship either from the cove or from another player who has it and I place it in front of me.

Once I have the pirate’s ship in front of me, I am not allowed to trade spices with the pirates anymore!

I can’t make this trade during the final chance to complete a mission, which is at the end of the game.

When the game comes to an end, if I have the pirate’s ship in front of me, I will lose 2 victory points.