Strasbourg Game Guidelines

Greetings! Let’s dive into the thrilling world of the Strasbourg game. Get ready for an incredible adventure filled with excitement and surprises. But before we embark on this journey, it’s crucial for us to understand the rules so that we can fully immerse ourselves in the game.

Rule 1: Stick to the Course

First things first, it’s essential to follow the designated path throughout the game. Remember, the route has been carefully designed to ensure an optimal experience for you. By adhering to the intended course, you’ll encounter captivating landscapes and encounter various challenges that will test your skills.

Rule 2: Collect Tokens

As you progress through the game, keep an eye out for tokens along your journey. These tokens are incredible treasures that will enhance your gameplay and equip you with useful abilities. The more tokens you collect, the better equipped you’ll be to overcome obstacles and pursue victory.

Rule 3: Unleash your Imagination

This game is a canvas for your imagination. Let your creativity soar as you explore the world of Strasbourg. Imagine yourself as a brave hero, standing against formidable foes and conquering unimaginable feats. Embrace the power of storytelling as you weave your own narrative within the game.

Rule 4: Embrace Collaboration

Strasbourg is not merely a solitary adventure. It’s a game that thrives on collaboration and teamwork. Engage with fellow players, share strategies, and embark on quests together. Remember, the bonds you form within the game can strengthen your chances of success and create memorable experiences.

Rule 5: Enjoy the Journey

Above all, remember to savor the experience. Strasbourg is not just about winning or losing—it’s about the joy found in the journey itself. Cherish the moments of discovery, the friendships forged, and the lessons learned. Allow yourself to be fully present and revel in the magic of this remarkable game.

In Conclusion

Now that you’re well-versed in the game rules, it’s time to embark on your Strasbourg adventure. May the wind guide you, the tokens empower you, and the spirit of the game ignite your imagination. Get ready for an extraordinary escapade like no other. Best of luck, adventurer!

In the 15th century, Strasbourg was a city with a rich history. The craft guilds played a significant role in shaping the city’s destiny, sometimes even having a majority presence in the city council.

As you step into the shoes of the ambitious families of Strasbourg, your objective is to secure a place in the prestigious guilds for your own family members. To achieve this, you must strategically utilize your Influence Points. With enough points, your family members can become Apprentices, Journeymen, or even Masters, as long as you can afford the entrance fees. However, do not underestimate the power held by the Nobility and the Church, for they too can have a profound impact on your path to success.

The game “Strasbourg” comes with various components to enhance your gaming experience. These include:

– 1 Board

– 5 Round Cards

– 1 Summary Sheet

– 5 Screens

– 5 Summary Cards

– 120 Influence Cards

– 25 Task Cards

– 30 Goods Tiles, consisting of 6 tiles for each of the 5 guild colors

– 5 Edifices

With these components at your disposal, you have everything you need to embark on your journey to fame and fortune in the medieval city of Strasbourg. Will you rise above the challenges and secure your place among the guilds? The choice is yours.

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Board Games!

Hey there! I’m here to introduce you to the exciting and diverse world of board games. You might be thinking, “Wait, aren’t board games just for kids?” Well, let me tell you something – board games are for everyone! They offer a fun and interactive way to spend time with friends and family, while also stimulating your mind and tapping into your strategic thinking skills.

Now, let’s dive in and explore the fascinating aspects of board games. One of the best things about them is the wide range of options available to suit different interests and preferences. Whether you’re into medieval fantasy, thrilling mysteries, or building civilizations, there’s a board game out there that’s perfect for you.

When you open the box of a board game, you’ll find a whole world waiting for you. The game board itself is a work of art, with intricate designs and detailed illustrations that transport you to another realm. You’ll also discover an array of playing pieces, cards, and dice that add an element of surprise and unpredictability to the game. It’s like unlocking a treasure chest full of possibilities!

But wait, there’s more! Board games are not only entertaining; they also offer numerous benefits for players of all ages. They promote critical thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving skills. You’ll learn to strategize and anticipate your opponents’ moves, which can be thrilling and intellectually stimulating.

Moreover, playing board games is a fantastic way to bond with your loved ones. Gather around a table, share some laughs, and engage in friendly competition. It’s a chance to connect on a deeper level, away from screens and distractions. Plus, board games teach valuable life lessons such as patience, sportsmanship, and teamwork.

Now, you might be wondering how to choose the right board game for you. Well, don’t worry! To find the perfect match, consider your interests and the preferences of your fellow players. Are you a fan of cooperative games where everyone teams up against a common enemy, or do you prefer head-to-head battles where you can show off your strategic prowess? By asking yourself these questions, you’ll be on your way to discovering your board game soul mate!

So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to step into the world of board games and let your imagination run wild. Whether you’re embarking on a quest for treasure, solving a mysterious crime, or building an empire, board games offer endless fun and excitement. Grab a game, gather your friends and family, and let the adventures begin!

• 10 Privileges
• 40 Coins
• 75 Family Members (15 of each of the 5 player colors)
• 5 prestige markers

The Council

At the top of the Board, you’ll find the Council of the city. The Council has 8 seats that my family members can occupy.

The Nobility and the Church each have one seat on the council (top row).

There are 5 seats for the Guilds: the Smiths, the Vintners, the Shoemakers, the Butchers, and the Bakers. Each Guild is represented by its own Coat of Arms. The eighth seat is for the Merchants, represented by a Money Bag.

Whenever I place one of my Family Members on a Council Seat, I have to return the Family Member that was previously in that Seat back to me.

Let’s talk about the setup now.

First, I’ll start by putting the board in the middle of us. Then, I’ll shuffle the 5 Round Cards and put them face up on the left side of the board in a random order. I’ll place the Round Marker on the leftmost Round Card. Next, I’ll shuffle the 5 Edifices and put them face up on the bottom of the Round Cards in a random order.

Now, it’s time to choose our Player Color. Each of us will pick a color and take the 15 Family Members and 24 Influence Cards of that color. We’ll shuffle our Influence Cards and put them face down in front of us as a deck.

Additionally, we each get 1 Summary Card, 1 Screen, and 5 Coins. We’ll put the Coins behind our Screens. Any extra Coins, as well as all the Goods, Privileges, and Chapels, will go into a common pool.

When the game begins, you should place your Prestige Marker on the starting space of the Prestige Path. As you earn Prestige Points throughout the game, you will move your Prestige Marker forward by the number of points you receive.

If I was the most recent person in Strasbourg or just got lucky, I would be the Starting Player. I would proudly pick up the Starting Player Marker and put one of my Family Members in the noble seat in the Council. Then, the player sitting on my left would have the chance to place one of their Family Members in the seat reserved for the Church. It’s interesting to see the Council slowly filling up with our Family Members, knowing that there are still empty seats waiting to be occupied.

Alright, here’s the deal: we’re gonna shuffle up all these Task Cards and give each player 5 of ’em, face down. Take a peek at your cards and decide which ones you wanna keep and which ones you wanna toss. Remember, you gotta keep at least 1 card, but you can hold onto up to 5 if you want.

Any cards you decide to keep, stash ’em behind your Screen. And hey, you can keep your number of cards a secret too, if you’re feelin’ sneaky. Any cards you wanna get rid of, just toss ’em back in the box. Oh, and here’s a tip: the more tasks you fulfill, the more Prestige Points you’ll earn at the end of the game. But watch out! If you leave any tasks undone, they’ll cost you points. So choose wisely!

Oh, and one more thing: There’s no limit on Family Members, Coins, Goods, or Privileges. If, by some miracle, we run out of game stuff, feel free to use coins, dice, gummi bears, or whatever else you got lyin’ around as substitutes. Time to get this game on!

Ready for some gameplay?

Hey there! Let me break down the game for you. It’s split into 5 Rounds, each consisting of 3 Phases. Here’s how they go:

1. Planning Phase
2. Action Phase
3. Council Phase

I. Planning Phase

Let’s start with the Planning Phase. To keep things lively, you and the other players can do this step all at once. But if you prefer a specific order, the Starting Player goes first, and the rest follow clockwise.

This phase has 2 Steps. In the first Step, you decide how many Influence Cards to use in this Round. Just draw the top card from your deck and take a look at it.

Alright, let’s make some decisions. I’ll go through each card and you can tell me if you want to draw another card or if you want to stop. Remember, once you draw a card, you can’t put it back in the deck. You can draw as many cards as you want, but keep in mind we’re playing for 5 rounds, so the deck has to last!

In the next step of this phase, you have to take the cards you’ve drawn and divide them into different Influence Stacks. You can decide how many Stacks you want and how many cards are in each Stack. You can even have just one card in a Stack. Place all your Influence Stacks face down in front of you, slightly fanned out so that everyone can see how many cards are in each Stack.

As soon as we all finish playing, the Planning Phase comes to an end. Starting now, you can check your Stacks at any time, but you can’t modify the compositions of the Stacks anymore.

Let me give you an example: Nicole draws a 5, followed by two 2s. She decides to keep going and pulls a 3. Wanting even more, she takes a shot at a 6. Now, after some careful thought, Nicole decides to call it quits. She ends up with a total of 5 Influence Cards in her hand.

Next, Nicole arranges her cards into four Stacks: she combines the 3 with one of the 2s and creates a single Stack, then leaves the other three cards as separate Stacks in front of her. Alternatively, she could have formed a Stack with three cards and another with two cards, or she could have made a five-card Stack, or even five Stacks with just one card each. The possibilities are endless!

Moving on to the next phase: the Action Phase. This is where we have nine steps to follow, and you can find all the instructions on the Round Cards, specifically on the spaces labeled A through I.

When it comes to influencing the nobility and church, a guild, or merchants, there are several steps you need to take. Each step has its own unique effect, but they all follow the same process. Understanding this process is crucial for success.

The Round Marker is a visual indicator that shows which step is currently active. In the beginning, Step A is active. After completing a step, move the Round Marker down one space and proceed to the next step.

Once you reach Step I and complete it, the Round Marker should be moved to Step A of the next round, signaling the end of the action phase. It’s important to follow this sequence carefully.

Important Things to Know About Steps A, B, C, D, E, F, and G

The first seven steps (A-G) are very similar to each other. They follow the same process but have different effects. This means that your choices in each step will have a unique impact.

Alright, let’s get started. I’m the Starting Player, and it’s my turn to make a move. I have two options: I can either turn over one of my Influence Stacks or I can choose to pass. I get to decide which Stack I want to flip over. Now it’s the other players’ turn to take their actions, going in clockwise order. Each player will have one turn.

Once everyone has had their turn, it’s time to figure out the order of precedence. We do this by adding up the Influence Points from the stacks we’ve turned over. The player with the highest total gets 1st Place, the one with the second-highest total gets 2nd Place, and so on. If there’s a tie, the player who is sitting closer to the Starting Player in the player order gets priority. And guess what? The Starting Player wins all ties that he’s involved in.

Now, here’s an important rule: if you decided to pass during your turn, you don’t get any Influence Points and you can’t take any action during this round. It’s just a way of saying, “I’m out for now.”

When I’m in 1st Place, I get to be the new Starting Player and grab the Starting Player Marker. (If everyone passes, I stay as the Starting Player). Now, depending on what step we’re in, either 1, 2, or 3 players can take some Actions.

After we’re done with our Actions, we put the Influence Cards that we turned over back in the box.

But wait! If someone turned over an Influence Stack but can’t take an Action, they still get to take 1 Card from that stack and put it at the bottom of their own Deck. The rest of the cards go back in the box.

Any Influence Stack that wasn’t used during the round gets put back in the box, too.

Example: So, let me break down what happens during Step B of a four-player game. We’re playing a game called Vintners’ Guild, and in this step, we can all try to influence the outcome. I’m Nicole, the orange player, and I’m the Starting Player. I flip over a Stack of cards, and the total value is 5. That means I’m using 5 Influence Points in this step.

Now it’s Peter’s turn. He’s the black player sitting to my left. He flips over a Stack of 2 cards, and the total value is 3. Sandra, the yellow player, goes next. At first, she thinks about passing, but then she decides to flip over a Stack worth 5 Points. Finally, it’s Thomas’s turn. He’s the green player, and he flips over a 6.

Now, let’s see who’s in the lead. Thomas takes 1st Place with his 6 points. Nicole and Sandra both have 5 Points, but Nicole has the advantage because she’s the Starting Player. That puts her in 2nd Place. Sandra ends up in 3rd Place, and Peter is in 4th Place. Thomas gets the Starting Player Marker, and we move on to Step C where he has to decide how many Influence Points he wants to use.

After that, Thomas, Nicole, and Sandra do what they need to do. Let me give you some examples. Peter decides to skip his turn and puts his 2 card at the bottom of his deck, while placing the 1 card in the box.

Having an Impact on the Nobility & Church

When I’m in 1st Place, I get to put one of my Family Members on the Nobility’s Seat of the Council.

If I’m in 2nd Place, I can put one of my Family Members on the Church’s Seat of the Council. But if I’m in 3rd Place or lower, I have to sit out and watch.

Influencing a Guild B D F

If I’m in 1st Place, I have the power to place a Master in the right Guild. If I’m in 2nd Place, I can place a Journeyman. And if I’m in 3rd Place, I can only place an Apprentice. Everyone else has to sit out and do nothing.

But wait! In a game with only three players, we skip the Journeyman. So the person in 2nd Place can place an Apprentice instead. And the person in 3rd Place has to just sit out.

Being a Master

As a Master, I have the ability to do three different actions:

In the game, I have a few options when it comes to interacting with the guilds in the city. These options include:

• Placing one of my family members on the council seat of a guild
• Taking a goods tile from a guild and keeping it behind my screen
• Placing one of my family members on an empty space of a guild in the city, paying the indicated price in coins

Let me give you an example to help you understand. Let’s say my name is Thomas and I have decided to focus on the Vintners’ Guild. I have the following options:

• I can place one of my family members on the council seat of the Vintners’ Guild
• I can take a goods tile with a cask from the Vintners’ Guild and keep it behind my screen
• I can place one of my family members on an empty space of the Vintners’ Guild in the city, but I have to pay the indicated price in coins to do so. In this case, the price is 4 coins.

These are just some of the ways I can interact with the guilds in the city. It’s important to choose the right actions based on my strategy and available resources.

Hey there! As a Journeyman, you’ve got a couple of options when it comes to taking action:

• You can grab 1 Goods Tile from the Guild pool and stash it behind your screen. Nice!
• Alternatively, you can place 1 Family Member on an empty space in the City’s Guild. Just keep in mind, you’ve gotta pay the Price in Coins as indicated on the space. If you don’t have enough Coins, sorry buddy, you can’t perform this action. And remember, it’s totally up to you whether you want to take this action or not.

For example, let’s say Nicole is in 2nd Place and ready to rock as a Journeyman. She decides to snag a Goods Tile with a cask from the pool, then she goes ahead and places 1 Family Member on a different field than Thomas. The catch is, she’s gotta cough up either 3 or 4 Coins, depending on which space she chooses. It’s all about the strategy, baby!

Now, as an Apprentice, you’ve got one action at your disposal. Take your pick from these two options:

• You have two options to choose from when it’s your turn to take an action:
• You can take 1 Goods Tile from the pool and put it behind your screen.
• Alternatively, you can place 1 Family Member on an empty space in the City that corresponds to a Guild. But keep in mind that you must pay the Price indicated on the space using Coins. If you don’t have enough Coins, you won’t be able to take this action.

Let me give you an example: Sandra is in 3rd Place and has the option to install an Apprentice. Instead of placing 1 Family Member in the City, she decides to take a Goods Tile.

Influence Merchants C E G

The player in 1st Place has the opportunity to sell any Goods they have to the Merchants. They can sell as many Goods as they want and receive Coins in return for the value printed on them. All the other players have to sit out during this time.

Note: When you reach Step G, remember that only the player in 1st Place gets to place 1 Family Member on the Merchants’ Council Seat.

When it comes to choosing the right action for your business, it’s important to understand the significance of each option. The Merchants’ Council Seat, for example, is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it can elevate your business and generate a strong response. On the other hand, it can also have negative consequences if not carefully managed. So, if you’re looking for the best way to maximize your business’s potential, you need to take the Merchants’ Council Seat into account. In today’s competitive market, it’s crucial to make the right choices. Are you ready to explore the meaning behind this important decision? If so, then you’ll love the insights I’m about to share. With these factors in mind, let’s dive into the world of the Merchants’ Council Seat.

Example: Okay, here’s what happened. Later in the game, Nicole had collected some items: 1 Weapon, 1 Cask, and 1 Shoe. She was determined to use them wisely. So, she strategized and played her moves with precision. As a result, she ended up impressing the Merchants the most. They were so pleased with her that they gave her 12 precious Coins in return for her Goods. It was a great success!

Build Chapel H

Now, let’s talk about building the Chapel. You see, the player who currently has their Family Member occupying the Church’s Seat on the Council gets a special privilege. They can choose to take 1 Chapel from the pool and place it on any open white, round space in the City. It’s like having the power to make a little addition to the City’s landscape.

Here’s a scenario: One of your family members is sitting in a church seat, so you have the opportunity to build a chapel nearby. You decide to place the chapel next to two of your family members.

Build a Building Level I

If your family member is currently occupying the nobility’s seat on the council, you get to take the building for this round. You can place it in any empty space in the city. There are seven empty spaces available to choose from.

Example: Let’s say one of my family members is sitting at the noble’s table, which means that I can construct a building this round, like an inn. I’ll place the inn strategically so that two of my family members are standing right next to it.

III. Council Phase

During this phase, I earn Prestige Points based on how many family members I have on the council. If I have the most family members on the council, I also receive a special privilege, which I keep hidden behind my screen. However, if there’s a tie, all the tied players get the privilege.

Example: Let’s say I’m playing a game with some friends, and I have the privilege of being the starting player in a certain round. This means I get to go first and have a special advantage. But being the starting player also comes with a cost – I have to give up one of my privileges.

Now it’s my friend Nicole’s turn, and she wants to go after me. But she’s out of privileges too, so she has to make a decision. How many influence points should she play before it’s my turn again?

Privilege

When we play the game, we have the option to use privileges in later rounds. You can choose to give up one privilege instead of deciding whether to turn over an influence stack or pass during one of the steps in the action phase, from A to G. If you choose to use a privilege, you sit out your turn without passing and, after everyone else has decided, you get an additional turn. You can use as many privileges as you want in a given phase.

Here’s an example: At the end of the first round, Thomas and Nicole each receive 2 prestige points, while Peter and Sandra each receive 1. There are still two seats unoccupied because those guilds only accept masters in later rounds. In addition to the prestige points, Thomas and Nicole each receive 1 privilege.

The End of the Game

The game ends after the 5th round. At this point, you will receive prestige points for different things:

• Each of your family members in the city gives you 1 prestige point.

Each Chapel grants you 1 Prestige point for every Family Member you have in the spaces directly next to it. Every Edifice awards Prestige Points based on the number shown, for every Family Member next to it vertically or horizontally. You earn 1 Prestige Point for each unplayed Privilege. At the end of the game, every fulfilled Task Card gives you Prestige Points equal to the number shown on it. You can only receive these points once per card, even if you fulfill the Task multiple times. If you have any unfulfilled Task Cards, you lose 3 Prestige Points for each one. Remember, you can only fulfill Task Cards at the end of the game, not during. All the details about the Task Cards can be found on the Summary Sheet provided.

So, here’s the deal: whoever has the most Prestige Points at the end of the game is the big winner. Seems pretty straightforward, right? But what happens if two or more players end up having the same amount of Prestige Points? Well, in that case, we have to look at who has the most Family Members in the City. You see, having more Family Members in the City means you have more influence and power. So, if you’re tied with someone in Prestige Points, but you have more Family Members in the City, congratulations! You’re the winner. But, hold on a second, what if you and another player also have the same number of Family Members? Well, in that case, my friend, we have a bit of a conundrum. There’s not just one winner. Nope, there can be more than one winner. It’s a crazy game, isn’t it? So, let’s recap: Prestige Points determine the winner, but if there’s a tie, we look at Family Members in the City, and if there’s still a tie, we have multiple winners. Good luck, and may the best player win!

Hey there! Let’s dive into an example to illustrate how scoring works in this game. Here’s how it goes:

Peter, who is represented by the black color, has 2 Family Members. As a result, he receives 2 Prestige Points. But it doesn’t end there! The Chapel awards him an additional 1 Point. And if that’s not enough, Peter gets a whopping 4 Points thanks to the Inn.

Next up is Sandra, who goes by the yellow color. She also has 2 Family Members by her side, so she gains 2 Points as a result. But it gets better because the Chapel elevates her score by 2 more Points. You see, both of Sandra’s Family Members are conveniently located right next to the Chapel.

Now let’s take a look at Thomas, the green player. Thomas has an impressive 3 Family Members, which means he gets 3 Points just for that. But wait, there’s more! The Inn brings him a whopping 8 Points because he cleverly placed his Family Members on 2 of the directly adjacent spaces. The Fountain further enhances his score by 3 Points.

Lastly, we have Nicole, who can be recognized by the orange color. Sadly, she only has 1 Family Member, so she receives just 1 Point. The Inn, on the other hand, doesn’t contribute to her score at all since her Family Member is positioned diagonally from it.