Colosseum Game Rules

Welcome to the thrilling world of Colosseum games! Here, in ancient Rome, you’ll witness epic battles and compete against the greatest warriors in history. But before you step into the arena, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the rules. Let’s dive in!

1. Preparation

First things first, you need to assemble your gear. Grab your weapon, shield, and armor – they’ll be your trusty allies in battle. Make sure everything is in excellent condition, because you’ll be relying on them to survive the challenges ahead.

2. Combat Basics

Now, let’s talk about the combat itself. Once the fight begins, you must maneuver swiftly, dodging your opponent’s attacks while finding the perfect opportunity to strike. Remember to stay focused and keep a watchful eye on your adversary’s movements. This will enable you to launch a well-timed counter-attack that could turn the tide of the battle.

3. Strategies and Tactics

Developing effective strategies and tactics is crucial for victory in the Colosseum. Study your opponents’ strengths and weaknesses, and adjust your approach accordingly. A careful balance of offense and defense, combined with a dash of unpredictability, can catch your foes off guard and give you the upper hand in combat.

4. Crowd Favor

Remember, the boisterous crowd plays a significant role in these games. Their cheers and jeers can either be your greatest asset or your worst enemy. To win their favor, you must display skill, bravery, and an unwavering spirit. Perform impressive maneuvers and deliver awe-inspiring blows to earn their applause and come out on top.

5. Victory and Rewards

Achieving victory in the Colosseum is a remarkable feat. Not only will you bask in the glory of triumph, but you will also be rewarded with riches and recognition. The spoils of your triumph will elevate your status and secure your place in history as a legendary warrior.

So, are you ready to step into the arena and prove your mettle? Remember, victory favors the prepared. Arm yourself, strategize, and impress the crowd with your skills. The Colosseum awaits you, brave warrior. Embrace the challenge!

When you play Colosseum, you become a Roman impresario. Your job is to create amazing shows in your arena to attract as many spectators as possible. For each successful event, you’ll earn money and prestige that you can use to produce even bigger and more impressive spectacles.

The ultimate goal is to attract the largest audience to one of your events and be crowned the Grand Impresario. This title will bring fame and glory to your name, with stories of your incredible shows spreading throughout the entire empire.

What’s Included

What You Get in the Box

• 1 Rules Booklet
• 1 Game Board
• 10 Arena pieces & Expansions
• 5 Emperor’s Loges
• 10 Season Tickets
• 1 Emperor, 2 Consul and 3 Senator miniatures
• 80 Roman Coins
• 4 Podiums
• 152 Event Asset Tokens and Storage Bag
• 7 Star Performer Awards
• 30 Event Programs
• 18 Emperor Medals
• 6 Help Sheets

Setting It Up

Okay, here’s what you need to do to get started with the game:

First, place the game board right in the middle of the table. Right before you start playing for the very first time, go ahead and punch out all the Roman coins and place them next to the board. These coins will be used by everyone throughout the game and we call it the public bank.

Next, punch out the Podiums, the Emperor Medals, and the Star Performer Awards. Keep them close to the board, along with the 2 dice, the 10 Arena Expansion Pieces, the 5 Emperor’s Loges, and the 10 Season Tickets.

Now, each player gets a Summary Sheet, a Scoring Marker, 2 Arena pieces that match their color, and coins worth a total of 30. Make sure to give these out to everyone. Also, place the Scoring Markers at the starting position of the spectator scoring track along the outer edge of the board.

First, grab all the Event Asset Tokens and separate the ones with a green back from the ones with an orange back. Mix up the green tokens and put three face-up tokens in each of the five markets on the board.

Next, distribute the green tokens to each player based on the number of players:

– For three players, give each player eight Asset Tokens.

– For four players, give each player six Asset Tokens.

– For five players, give each player five Asset Tokens.

Put your Event Asset Tokens face-up in front of you, along with your Roman coins.

If you’re playing a 3 or 4 player game, put the remaining green back token face-down next to the board. Then, put the orange back Event Asset Tokens in the bag next to the board.

Let’s talk about how each player’s Arena is positioned at the start of the game. The position of the Arenas changes depending on the number of players. The illustrations on the right show where to place the Arenas on the board for different player counts.

The Emperor, the 2 Consuls, and the 3 Senators have their own starting positions on the path, shown by the colored squares. These starting positions also serve as resting areas to make their journey more manageable. The Nobles will step on each square as they make their way to the different arenas.

Now, let’s distribute the Event Programs. We have programs numbered from 1 to 5 and programs numbered from 6 to 10. Mix them up and give each player one program from each set. So, every player will have two programs – one numbered from 1 to 5 and another numbered from 6 to 10.

Hey there! Let me explain how to set up the game and what the goal is.

You start by placing the two Event Programs face up next to your coins and Event Asset Tokens. Make sure everyone can see them.

If there are any Event Programs numbered 1-10 left, take them out of the game.

Now, grab the remaining Event Programs and put them in numerical order from 11 to 30. Divide them into two stacks and put them next to the game board.

Next, place the game turn counter on the first position on the board.

So, what’s the aim of the game?

Well, the goal is to create amazing events that will attract a ton of spectators to your arena. The more people that come to your events, the more fame and fortune you’ll gain.

The money you make from these events will help you buy awesome assets like fearless gladiators, powerful lions, and magnificent horses. With these assets, you can produce even more incredible events in the future.

But wait, there’s more! To pull off bigger and better events, you’ll need to spruce up your arena. That means expanding it, getting Season Tickets, or even building an Emperor’s Loge to make it irresistible to all the fancy folks.

Here’s the game plan: You’ll get 5 chances to put on a show. The player who attracts the most spectators to any of their 5 events wins the game.

This is How We Play

Get ready for 5 turns, each with 5 steps:

• Step 1: Invest
• Step 2: Get Event Assets
• Step 3: Trade Event Assets
• Step 4: Put on a Show
• Step 5: Wrap it Up

You don’t have to do all the steps if you don’t want to. Each one is optional, so you can pass if you feel like it.

When it’s time to start the game, the player sitting on the left of the Emperor gets the First Player token and begins their turn by doing their Phase 1 actions.

Then, going in a clockwise direction, each player gets a chance to do their Phase 1 actions. Once everyone has completed Phase 1, the starting player moves on to Phase 2. This pattern repeats for each phase.

At the beginning of each new turn, the game turn counter goes up by one. The player sitting immediately to the left of the previous starting player now becomes the new starting player.

The game finishes after Phase 4 of the 5th game turn.

Phase 1: Investing

During this phase, each player can make one and only one investment from the following options:

In this game, you have several options for expanding your opportunities and improving your chances of success. Let’s dive into some of these options!

First up, you can buy a new Event Program. This will allow you to create more ambitious programs and increase your chances of achieving great things. Keep in mind that when you purchase a new program, it must have a higher number than the one you’ve previously produced. It’s all about progressing and reaching for new heights!

Another option is to expand the Arena. By doing so, you can attract a larger audience and potentially earn more rewards. This is a strategic move that can pay off in big ways. The choice is yours!

If you’re really committed to the game, you have the opportunity to purchase a Season Ticket. This gives you access to special perks and benefits that regular players don’t receive. It’s like having a backstage pass to all the action. Pretty cool, right?

For those who want to go all out, you can construct an Emperor’s Loge. This is a prestigious seating area that will not only elevate your status but also generate a greater response from the audience. It’s a symbol of power and influence, and it comes with its own set of advantages.

Now, here’s an additional twist. If you want to make an extra investment during your turn, you have the option to turn in 2 Emperor Medals. This allows you to make another move and potentially gain even more advantages. It’s a strategic choice that can give you an edge over your opponents.

Just remember, in this game, the choices you make matter. Each decision you take can impact your overall success. So think strategically, plan your moves wisely, and aim for greatness. Good luck!

Note: Please be aware of the rules and requirements. For more information on Emperor Medals and their benefits, refer to the Emperor Medals section on page X.

Hey there! Let’s talk about Event Programs and how they can help you plan a successful event.

Event Programs are your go-to source for all the important details you need to make your event a hit. They give you the lowdown on things like the cost, the size of the arena, and the assets required to pull it off. Plus, they even tell you how many extra people you can expect to attract based on how awesome your performance is!

Curious to know where you can find all this valuable info? Check out the handy illustration below!

Expanding My Arena

To make my events even more amazing, I need to grow my arena. I can do this by buying an Arena Expansion. It costs 10 coins, and in return, I get a special piece to expand my arena. The best part is that I can choose which direction to expand in!

When the game begins, each arena takes up 2 squares on the route. But then, the first expansion happens and the arena grows to cover 3 squares. And guess what? You can even expand the arena one more time, making it as big as 4 squares!

There’s just one thing to keep in mind – you can only expand the arena once per turn, unless you want to spend 2 Emperor Medals to make a second investment. You can learn more about Emperor Medals for extra info.

Getting Season Tickets

If you want to bring more excitement to your arena and attract extra spectators to your upcoming events, there’s a great option available. It’s called a Season Ticket, and it’s an investment that comes with some awesome benefits.

With a Season Ticket, you’ll have the privilege of bringing in 5 additional spectators for every event you host. That means more cheers, more energy, and more fun!

To get your hands on a Season Ticket, simply pay the bank 10 coins. Once you’ve made the purchase, place your Season Ticket in your arena. Now you’re all set to enjoy the perks and make your events even more memorable.

Hey there! Let me tell you a little secret about arena Season Tickets. Did you know that even though you can only buy one Season Ticket at a time, you can actually add multiple tickets to an arena? Yep, it’s true!

So, here’s the deal: as long as there are still Season Tickets up for grabs, you can keep adding them to an arena. Pretty cool, right?

How to Create The Emperor’s Loge

It’s always an honor to have the Emperor, or a Consul or Senator, in my arena. When I construct an Emperor’s Loge, it increases my chances of attracting these important figures to my events.

To build an Emperor’s Loge, I just need to pay 5 coins to the bank and add it to my arena. Once I have an Emperor’s Loge, I can roll 2 dice instead of just 1 when producing an event (check out Producing an Event on page VI for more information). Remember, I can only have 1 Emperor’s Loge in my arena at a time.

Investment TypePriceBenefit

In the game, there are 5 markets. Each market has 3 Event Asset Tokens that are placed face up in the center of the board.

To acquire these tokens, players participate in an auction by placing bids on a specific market. The player who starts the turn chooses which market to bid on and makes the first bid.

The opening bid for a market must be at least 8 coins. After the opening bid, the bidding moves clockwise, and each player has the opportunity to make a higher bid. The bidding continues until all but one player decides to pass. Once a player has passed, they are no longer able to bid on that market.

The winner of the auction is the player who made the highest bid. They pay the bank the amount of their winning bid and collect the 3 Event Asset Tokens from the market, placing them face up in front of themselves. Winning an auction prevents the player from participating in any subsequent bidding rounds during the turn.

Every player gets a chance to start a bidding round during the new auctions. This process continues until every player has had their turn.

Refill

If the player who started the bidding is the winner, new Asset Tokens are placed on the empty market(s) before the next player starts their bid.

Start by drawing any remaining green-backed tokens, then replace them with face-up orange-backed tokens from the bag. After replacing the tokens, a new round of bidding begins with the player on the left of the starting player initiating the bid.

If the winner of the bid is not the active player, the tokens are not replaced until the active player wins another bidding round during the same turn or chooses not to start a bid.

Remember: You don’t have to participate in an auction if you don’t want to. It’s always your choice. If you decide not to bid, you can still join in on bidding rounds that other players start. But keep in mind that if you pass on your opportunity to initiate a bid, you won’t be able to start a bid for the rest of this turn.

Phase 3: Trading Event Asset Tokens

Let’s talk about what happens during this trading phase. You know, sometimes when playing the game, we end up with these Event Asset Tokens that we don’t really need. Well, now is the time to do something about it!

So, here’s how it works. The person who starts the game, they get the ball rolling by making some offers to the other players. You know, kinda like saying, “Hey, I have this Event Asset Token, anyone want it?”

Now, keep in mind that you can buy, sell, or exchange stuff with other players, but there are some rules. First, you can only use money or event assets for these trades. And second, you gotta deliver right away, no waiting around or making promises for the future.

Once the starting player is all done with their trading, then the next player takes a turn. Everyone goes around the table, clockwise, and has a chance to make their own trades. We keep going like this until every player has finished trading. And that’s when this trading phase comes to an end.

In the game, non-active players can only trade with the active player, not with each other. Depending on how willing or unwilling players are to trade, it’s possible that no trades will happen during this phase.

Phase 4: Making an Event Happen

Now it’s time for each player to make an event happen. We’ll start with the player who goes first this turn. Making an event happen involves three steps.

Step 1: Moving Senators, Consuls, and the Emperor

Before making an event happen, each player will try to move the Nobles into their own Arena. Each Noble that is moved will bring additional spectators. The Emperor will bring 7 more spectators, while the Consuls will bring 5 each, and the Senators will bring 3 each.

When it comes to moving Noble characters in the game, it all depends on the roll of some special dice. If you don’t have an Emperor’s Loge in your arena, you only roll one die. But if you do have an Emperor’s Loge, you get to roll two dice.

Now, here’s how it works: for each die you roll, you can move one of your Nobles clockwise a certain number of squares. The number of squares you move is determined by the number on the face of the die. So, if you roll a 1, 2, or 3, you can move any one of your Nobles forward by that many squares. But if you’re rolling two dice, things get a bit more interesting. You have a couple of options. You can choose to move two different Nobles – one for each die rolled. Or, you can move one Noble and use the sum of both dice to determine how far they move.

And here’s a little bonus: if one of your Nobles ends their movement on a resting area, you earn 1 Emperor Medal. So, keep an eye out for those resting areas – they can really give you a boost!

When you combine two dice to move a Noble, you’ll only collect the Emperor Medal if the Noble finishes their journey on the resting area. Just pausing on a square midway through their movement won’t count.

And here’s something interesting: it’s actually possible to have multiple Nobles on the same square!

Step 2: Hosting Your Event

Hey there! So, I’ve got this awesome game for you. Let’s get started by choosing an event from your collection of Event Programs. Once you’ve decided on an event, go ahead and share the name with everyone. Make sure to place the Event Program in front of you so that everyone can see it.

Important thing to keep in mind: some events need a specific-sized arena. Before you move forward, check if your arena is big enough for the event you want to run.

Now, show off the Event Asset Tokens you have that are required to produce the event. Just so you know, you don’t need all the assets listed on the program. But, your score will take a hit for each missing asset. Oh, and you must have at least the minimum number of assets listed on the program to produce the event and earn a score.

Note: When you create a new event, any events you previously made are turned face down and bring in 5 additional spectators to the new event.

Now it’s time to figure out how many spectators came to your event.

Step 3: Counting Spectators at Your Event

Determining the success of your event involves counting the number of people who showed up. Here’s what you need to include:

Count the number of spectators attracted by the Event Program

Add 5 spectators for each previous event you created

If this isn’t your first event, each Event Program I’ve created before is flipped over and gets 5 more spectators.

Get an extra 5 spectators for every Season Ticket in your arena

Just Add 4 More Spectators to Each of Your Star Performer Awards!

Hey there! I wanted to talk to you about something pretty cool. You know those Star Performer Awards you have? Well, I discovered this awesome trick that can make them even better. All you have to do is add 4 more spectators to each of your awards. How cool is that?

I know you might be thinking, “Why would I want to do that?” Well, let me explain. Adding more spectators to your awards can really take your experience to the next level. It’s like adding a burst of energy and excitement. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to impress your friends and make them say, “Wow, you’re amazing!”.

You might be wondering how to add these extra spectators. Don’t worry, it’s super easy. All you have to do is find 4 people who are willing to watch you perform and enjoy the show. It could be your friends, family members, or even your neighbors. Just invite them to be part of the fun!

Now, you might be thinking, “But why do I need more people watching?”. Well, having more spectators adds a whole new dynamic to your performance. It creates an incredible atmosphere and pumps up your energy levels. It’s like having your own cheering squad, supporting you every step of the way.

So, imagine this – you’re up on stage, doing your thing. Your heart is pounding, and the adrenaline is rushing through your veins. But this time, you have not just one or two, but four extra people cheering you on. Can you feel their excitement? Can you feel yourself getting even more pumped up?

Adding more spectators is a simple yet effective way to elevate your performance to new heights. It gives you that extra boost of confidence and motivation. Trust me, once you try it, you won’t want to perform without them again.

So go ahead, give it a shot! Add 4 more spectators to each of your Star Performer Awards. Experience the thrill of having a larger audience, and watch as your show becomes even more incredible. You’ve got this!

If you have a Star Performer and you want to add more spectators to the event, you can do so by using an Asset Token that matches the type of your performer.

When the event is happening and there are Nobles in your arena, you can add the following:

Get ready to add some excitement by bringing in three extra spectators for each podium you’ve earned in previous turns!

Wow, can you believe it? You’re about to take your game to a whole new level. By adding more spectators, you’ll create a buzz and make your event even more thrilling. Let’s dive in and explore the importance of this incredible feature.

You may be wondering, why is it so important to have extra spectators? Well, let me tell you. It’s all about creating an unforgettable experience for your audience. The more spectators you have, the more electric the atmosphere becomes. Imagine the cheers and applause echoing through the air as the spectators watch the thrilling action unfold.

Adding these extra spectators is like adding fuel to the fire of excitement. It elevates the energy of the event and brings out the best in your competitors. When you have a larger crowd, it’s a double-edged sword. On one hand, the pressure is on to deliver an outstanding performance. But on the other hand, the adrenaline rush from performing in front of a big audience can spur your competitors to do their absolute best.

But wait, there’s more. The presence of more spectators also has a regenerating response. It creates a ripple effect that generates even more interest in your event. People who witness the excitement are more likely to spread the word and bring even more spectators to future events. It’s a winning cycle that keeps your event growing and thriving.

So, are you ready to take your event to the next level? Adding extra spectators is the key to creating a truly captivating experience. The more people in the crowd, the more electrifying the atmosphere becomes. Get ready to witness the adrenaline-pumping action and be blown away by the energy that fills the air.

Remember, by adding three extra spectators for each podium you’ve earned in previous turns, you’re creating a truly unforgettable event. So, let’s get started and make this the most exhilarating competition yet!

If you play an Emperor Medal, you can add 3 spectators

Playing an Emperor Medal has a special perk – you can add three spectators to the game. Isn’t that exciting? It’s like having your own cheering squad! With this bonus, you’ll have more people to enjoy the game with you and root for your team.

Imagine the thrill of having three extra friends or family members cheering you on during an intense game. They’ll be there to share in the excitement and celebrate every victory. It’s like having your own personal cheerleaders!

Adding spectators not only adds to the fun, but it also brings a new level of energy to the game. The more spectators you have, the more lively and engaging the atmosphere becomes. Everyone will be caught up in the thrill of the competition, creating an electric buzz that elevates the whole experience.

So, remember, when you have an Emperor Medal in your hand, you have the power to bring along three extra spectators. Take advantage of this amazing opportunity and make your game day even more memorable. Your friends and family will thank you for it!

If you have any Emperor Medals, you can trade them in for more Spectators. For each medal you turn in, you’ll attract 3 extra Spectators. Once you’ve turned in the medals, they’re gone.

After the event is over and we’ve counted the Spectators, we’ll check your score. If your score for this turn is higher than your previous scores, we’ll move your marker on the scoring track to the new position that matches the number of Spectators you attracted.

If the event didn’t attract more Spectators than your previous highest score, your marker will stay in its current position. It always represents your highest score for any event you’ve done.

After the event you organized, the bank will give you coins based on how many people attended.

Step 5: End of the Event

Podium

After every turn, except the final one, I will give a Podium to the player with the highest overall score. This player will place the Podium in their arena.

The winner of the game is not necessarily the player who attracts the most spectators in the current turn. Instead, it is the player who has earned the highest score since the game began.

If there is a tie for the highest score, then the player with the most money wins the podium. If there is a tie for the most money as well, the tied players will each roll two dice. The player with the highest total number on the dice will win the Podium for that turn.

Cleaning Up After the Event

Events can really take a toll on the people, animals, and resources involved in organizing them. It’s no surprise that some of them might need a break. That’s why, at the end of every round, each player has to get rid of one of their Event Asset Tokens that they used in the previous event and remove it from the game.

Sharing Assets

When the round ends, the player who is in last place on the scoring track can ask the player who just got the top spot on the podium to share one of their Asset Tokens. They have to specifically ask for a certain type of token, like a Skill, Equipment, or Character token. It’s important to note that they can’t ask for any Special tokens, like the ones that give extra actions, an Emperor token, or a Joker token.

If there’s a tie for last place, the player with the least amount of resources will receive the donation. If there’s still a tie, the players who are tied will roll the dice to determine the ultimate winner.

Remember: There won’t be a Closing Ceremony after the final round.

Game Over

When we’ve all taken our turns and had a go at creating an event in the fifth and final round, that’s when the game reaches its end.

The player who has managed to attract the greatest number of spectators to any of their events throughout the game will be declared the champion.

If two players happen to be tied for first place, then the player with the most wealth will be crowned the winner. And if they’re still tied after that, the one who has earned the most Star Performer Awards takes home the prize. Keep in mind that each Podium will draw in an extra 3 spectators for any future events performed by the player who has won it.