Maharaja: Variant Rules for Building Palaces in India

Hey there! Are you a fan of the captivating game Maharaja? Well then, you’re in for a treat! I’m here to introduce you to some exciting variant rules that add a whole new level of depth and strategy to the game. Keep reading to discover an exhilarating twist to the art of palace building in India.

So, let’s dive right in and explore these awesome new rules!

1. Fast-Paced Palace Construction

Picture this: you’re in a fierce competition with your fellow players to build the most magnificent palace in all of India. In this variant, you’ll be racing against the clock to construct your masterpiece within a limited number of rounds.

Time is of the essence, my friend. You’ll need to carefully allocate your resources and make swift decisions to outshine your opponents. Will you prioritize quantity or quality? The choice is yours, but remember, the clock is ticking!

2. Majestic Monument Bonuses

Ah, monuments. The epitome of grandeur and opulence! In this variant, you’ll have the opportunity to erect majestic monuments alongside your palaces. These monuments will grant you special bonuses that can turn the tide of the game in your favor.

Each monument possesses a unique power that can elevate your strategic prowess. Perhaps one grants you extra actions or boosts your resource production. The possibilities are endless, and it’s up to you to discover the hidden potential within these awe-inspiring structures.

3. Diplomatic Dynasties

Imagine this: you’re the ruler of a powerful dynasty, commanding the loyalty of numerous provinces in India. In this variant, you’ll have the chance to form alliances and forge diplomatic ties with other dynasties.

By cooperating with your fellow players, you can pool your resources, exchange valuable knowledge, and mutually benefit from your shared endeavors. But beware, my friend, for trust is a delicate thing. Your alliances could crumble, and your dearest friends could become your fiercest rivals.

4. Marvelous Mercenaries

Are you ready to recruit a formidable force of mercenaries to bolster your influence in India? Well, in this variant, you’ll have the opportunity to hire these skilled warriors to do your bidding.

These mercenaries will grant you special abilities that can give you the edge you need to outmaneuver your opponents. whether it’s sabotaging their palaces, stealing their resources, or launching surprise attacks, these hired guns will take your game to a whole new level of excitement and intrigue.

So, what are you waiting for?

Now that you know about these thrilling variant rules, it’s time to gather your friends, set up the board, and unleash the full potential of Maharaja. Discover the wonders of fast-paced palace construction, majestic monument bonuses, diplomatic dynasties, and marvelous mercenaries.

Are you up for the challenge? I know you are! Let the games begin, and may the most skilled architect reign supreme!

• There are two new elements in the game called Yogi and Action chits.
• Yogi allows you to receive 1 Action chit during your turn. You can use it immediately or save it for later.
• Action chits give you an extra action during your turn. You can choose any action from the action disc, except for the action Character card. You can only use 1 Action chit per turn, and after using it, you must return it to the bank.
• If you’re playing with less than 5 players, you need to place 1 Outer Palace of each unused color in each City before the game starts.
• Before the game begins, the Character cards are auctioned off.

A Game of Characters

Let’s dive into the intriguing world of character card bidding. It’s a thrilling game with a simple set of rules. Here’s how it works:

• Bidding for Character Cards: The youngest player starts by bidding a certain amount of money for the right to choose a character card first. You can bid 0, 1, or any amount you desire. The other players then take turns, either overbidding or passing. If you pass, you’re out of the running.
• Choosing Characters: The player with the highest bid in the end pays the bank and selects a character. This process continues with the remaining players until only one player remains. That lucky last player automatically receives a character card for free. And if someone bids 0 and everyone else passes, they also get a character for free.

But there’s more to this game! Each character has a home city, and having the corresponding character card can score you additional points. Even if you don’t score any other points, just having the right character can give you a little boost.

Advanced Version 2

• Multiple Character Cards: In this advanced version, players have the opportunity to collect more than one character card! The more characters you have, the more strategies you can employ to outsmart your opponents.

When you play the game, there are important rules to keep in mind. First, if you have multiple character cards, you can use the special powers of all those characters. It gives you an advantage in the game. Second, when you select a character card with your action disc, you get to keep that character and don’t have to return one. It’s a good way to add more characters to your roster. However, if there are no characters left in the bank, you can still get a new character. The player with the action character card can either exchange a character with another player or convince them to give up their card. Here’s how it works: you name a character card that someone else has, and they have to give it to you. In return, they can choose any other card they want from the bank. If you have multiple character cards, you can choose which one to give away. It’s a clever way to get new cards and strengthen your team. So, remember these rules and use them to your advantage in the game!

Let me explain how enticing cards works in this game. When it’s your turn, you can try to take a card from another player, but only if you have fewer cards than them. If you meet this condition, you can select a character card from the other player’s hand, without them getting anything in return. It’s entirely up to the other player to decide which character card they want to give you. You don’t have any control over which character card you receive from them. It’s a simple and straightforward process that adds an interesting twist to the game.