Contents
- 1 Cities of Splendor Game Rules
- 1.1 Objective
- 1.2 Gameplay
- 1.3 Components
- 1.4 Scoring
- 1.5 Conclusion
- 1.6 I. Cities
- 1.7 What’s Included?
- 1.8 Setting Up the Game
- 1.9 Extra Rules to Keep in Mind
- 1.10 End of the Game
- 1.11 II. Trading Posts
- 1.12 What You Need for a Fascinating Game of “Route to the Orient”
- 1.13 Getting Set Up
- 1.14 Rules You Should Know
- 1.15 Powers Unleashed: A Glimpse into Their Potential
- 1.16 Chapter 3: Welcome to the Exotic Orient
- 1.17 What’s Inside the Expansion?
- 1.18 Getting Started
- 1.19 Extra Guidelines
- 1.20 Understanding The Orient Cards
- 1.21 Getting Ready
- 1.22 Extra Rules
- 1.23 The Power of Strongholds
Cities of Splendor Game Rules
Welcome to Cities of Splendor! Let’s dive into the exciting world of this captivating game.
Objective
The objective of Cities of Splendor is to build the most magnificent cities and gain the highest score. As you play, you’ll acquire development cards, collect resources, and strategically place them to create thriving metropolises.
Gameplay
I’ll guide you through the basic gameplay. Each turn, you have two options: take gems or spend gems. Gems are the game’s currency, and you can use them to buy development cards or reserve cards for future use.
There are four types of gems: emerald, sapphire, ruby, and diamond. These gems come in different colors, which represent different resources. You can use these resources to purchase development cards.
Development cards provide different benefits, such as earning you prestige points, unlocking special abilities, or granting you discounts on future purchases. Be strategic and choose cards that align with your city-building goals.
Each city has a specific goal card, which you can complete by acquiring the required development cards in your hand or in play. Completing a goal card earns you prestigious nobles, who will shower you with additional prestige points.
Components
The game includes:
- Development cards
- Noble tiles
- Gem tokens
- Noble cards
- Gold joker tokens
These components are crucial in your journey to construct marvelous cities.
Scoring
At the end of the game, you’ll calculate your score based on different factors:
- Prestige Points: Earned from development cards, noble tiles, and goal cards.
- Noble Tiles: Earned by completing goal cards.
- Development Cards: Each card has a point value.
- Gold Joker Tokens: Worth 5 points each.
- Remaining Gem Tokens: Deducted from your score.
Use these scoring elements strategically to ensure you come out on top!
Conclusion
Now that you understand the fundamentals of Cities of Splendor, you’re ready to embark on this thrilling city-building adventure. Remember to strategize, gather resources, and construct magnificent cities to achieve victory!
I want to talk to you about the incredible Cities of Splendor. They are like shining gems all around the world. And guess what? Wealth from the Orient has brought new and exciting opportunities for everyone. It’s really something special!
So here’s the deal – you can play these four expansions on their own. That’s right, they are designed to be enjoyed individually. Each one is like a whole new adventure, waiting to be explored.
First Player Tile
Hey there! So, here’s what you gotta do: grab this tile and plop it down in front of the first player. Why? Well, it’s a little reminder that the player sitting on their right will be the very last to take their turn when the game comes to an end. Pretty cool, huh?
I. Cities
Alright, buckle up! We’ve got an epic journey ahead. We’ve got Bruges, Lyon, Lisbon, Seville, Venice, Florence, and Pisa. Each city has some crazy fancy ideas for making a jaw-dropping piece of jewelry. And boy, they ain’t cheap! The goal here is to fulfill these extravagant demands and show these cities what we’re made of. You ready?
Listen up, this is an expansion you definitely wanna try first. It spices things up by changing the rules for winning and gets everyone in a competitive mood. So, bring out your A-game and let the jewelry-making extravaganza begin!
What’s Included?
Inside the box, you’ll find a set of 7 city tiles with double-sided designs.
Setting Up the Game
Before we start, let’s remove the noble tiles from play. We won’t be needing them this time.
Next, shuffle the city tiles and randomly select 3 of them. Place these 3 tiles, with either side facing up, on the playing area. It doesn’t matter how many players are in the game, this rule always applies.
The rest of the tiles won’t be used, so just remove them from the game. They won’t get in our way.
Extra Rules to Keep in Mind
Remember, at the end of your turn, you have the chance to automatically take a city tile if you meet certain conditions:
- You must have a number of prestige points that is at least equal to the value shown on the tile.
- You must also have the necessary quantity and type of bonuses shown on the tile. It works just like when you collect noble tiles.
Examples:
Make sure you have at least 13 prestige points, 4 red bonuses, and 3 black bonuses.
The most fundamental aspect to consider when it comes to achieving success in this game is to accumulate enough points and bonuses. If you want to excel in the game, here are the criteria you need to meet: you must have at least 13 prestige points, 4 red bonuses, and 3 black bonuses. By fulfilling these requirements, you will significantly increase your chances of success.
Hey there! So, here’s the deal: to make the most of your experience, you need to keep a few things in mind.
First off, you gotta have at least 15 prestige points. These points are like your currency here, and they’re super important for unlocking cool stuff.
But wait, there’s more! Not only do you need the points, but you also need 5 bonuses of the same type. Let’s say you have 5 blue bonuses – that’s exactly what you need!
So remember, to really make the most out of your time here, you need 15 prestige points and 5 bonuses of the same type. Got it? Great! Now go out there and show everyone what you’re made of!
To succeed in the game, I need to meet a certain set of requirements. First, I must have at least 14 prestige points, along with 4 green bonuses and 4 bonuses in another color, like black.
Important: If I meet the requirements for multiple city tiles, I can choose only one of them. I’ll keep that tile until the end of the game.
End of the Game
When I take a city tile, I need to finish the current round. Once that round is over, there are two possible outcomes. If I’m the only player who took a city tile, then I win the game. But if multiple players took a city tile, the winner is the player with the highest number of prestige points.
II. Trading Posts
As the sea routes to India are discovered, every guild sets up new trading posts. The question is, which player will adapt the best and fastest to the new rules of global trade?
When you choose this expansion, something amazing happens – the game becomes a little bit shorter! Why? Because you gain the power to twist the rules in your favor. It’s a pretty cool ability that you should definitely use to keep your opponents on their toes!
What You Need for a Fascinating Game of “Route to the Orient”
- A “Route to the Orient” game board
- 20 coats of arms (5 per color)
Getting Set Up
First, make sure the game board is accessible to everyone playing.
Next, each player will need 5 coats of arms that are exactly the same.
Rules You Should Know
When you finish your turn (just after a noble might visit you), if you fulfill the condition c of power d, you can place one of your coat of arms directly above it in the designated spot.
You will have access to this power until the game ends.
Powers Unleashed: A Glimpse into Their Potential
Exploring the depths of human abilities, powers have always fascinated me. They hold an elusive allure that captivates our imagination and sparks curiosity. Powers unlock a world of possibilities, igniting the sparks of greatness that lie within each individual.
Imagine a universe where we possess extraordinary abilities, where we can move objects with our minds or heal the wounded with a single touch. This extraordinary realm of powers unlocks the potential to reshape reality itself. From the mystical power of telekinesis to the enigmatic skill of telepathy, the capabilities that powers grant are both awe-inspiring and humbling.
So what makes powers so intriguing? For one, they grant us the ability to break free from the constraints of the ordinary. They are the key to unlocking the hidden potential that lies dormant within each of us. With powers, we can rise above the limitations of our mortal bodies and explore a world where anything is possible.
But powers are not just a one-sided coin. While they gift us incredible abilities, they also come with a great responsibility. The pursuit of power should never fall victim to the allure of dominion or control. We must always remember to use these gifts for the greater good, harnessing their potential to bring about positive change in the world.
In this grand tapestry of powers, each person possesses a unique set of abilities. These powers are not to be compared, for they are an expression of our individuality. They are the colors that paint the canvas of our lives, highlighting our strengths and revealing our innermost desires.
It is essential to cherish and nurture our powers, for they are not just tools but an integral part of who we are. As we delve into the realm of powers, let us remember to embrace their challenges and limitations, for it is through adversity that true growth occurs.
So, my fellow beings, let us embark on this journey of self-discovery and unwavering determination. Let us take hold of our powers and unlock the mysteries they hold. Together, we can rewrite the narrative of what it means to be extraordinary. The future is in our hands, waiting to be shaped by the powers we possess.
Requirement: To qualify for this ability, you need to have 3 red bonuses and 1 white bonus.
Power: When you buy a development card, you get to take 1 gem token. However, you can’t take a token on the same turn that you put your coat of arms on the board. Before you replace the card, make sure you grab a token. You even have the option to take one of the tokens you just used.
Requirement: To qualify for this special offer, you must have earned 2 white bonuses.
Power: When you collect 2 gem tokens of the same color, you will also receive 1 additional gem token of a different color. This means that if there are at least 4 tokens available in the color you want, you can take 2 of them and get a bonus token in a different color.
Requirement: To use this ability, you need to have 3 blue bonuses and 1 black bonus.
Power: When you have a gold token, it’s like having 2 gem tokens of the same color. This means you get more value when you use your gold tokens to buy a card. But don’t forget, even though a gold token is worth 2, it still counts as 1 token towards the limit of 10 tokens you can have at the end of your turn.
Requirements: You need to have 5 green bonuses and 1 noble tile. Power: You will receive 5 prestige points. This power can end the game (similar to getting a noble or buying a card). You can use this power only once, even if you have multiple nobles.
Example:
The red player has 15 prestige points:
- 3 for their noble,
- 5 for their cards,
- 5 for their second-to-last power,
- 2 for their last power (2 coats of arms placed on the last two spaces).
Chapter 3: Welcome to the Exotic Orient
Hi there! Let me walk you through the exciting world of the Orient. It’s a place full of riches and adventure. As you embark on this journey, get ready to become a master of commerce and make your empire flourish.
The Orient expansion introduces incredible new strategies that center around the nobles. These nobles hold the key to unlocking success. You’ll need to find clever ways to acquire them quickly, or perhaps reserve them for later use. You can also maximize the value of your cards even after they’ve been used.
What’s Inside the Expansion?
- There are 30 development cards in total, with 10 cards for each level.
Getting Started
First, let’s prepare the game! Take the 10 new level 1 cards (O), shuffle them, and then reveal 2. Place these 2 cards to the right of the base game cards. After that, take the remaining 8 Orient cards and create a deck by stacking them to the right.
We will do the same thing with level 2 (OO) and level 3 (OOO) Orient cards. Shuffle each level’s cards separately and reveal 2 cards for each level. Place them on their respective rows.
Extra Guidelines
Swap out any purchased or reserved card with one from its respective deck. So, throughout the game, there should always be four base game cards and two Orient cards of each level facing up (unless the deck in question is empty, in which case the vacancies stay as they are).
Understanding The Orient Cards
Level 1 
In the game, there’s a special card that’s worth 2 gold tokens. You don’t draw these tokens, and they don’t count towards your limit of 10 tokens. You can spend these gold tokens during a single purchase. Each token can replace any color. But here’s the catch: if you only use one token, the second one goes to waste. Once you spend it, the card is discarded and no longer has any effect.
There’s another card that you need to pair with a card you already have. You have to do this immediately and permanently. This card is worth a bonus that matches the bonus of the card it’s paired with. However, you can’t purchase this card if you don’t already have at least one card with a gem bonus.
Just remember: you have to pair this card before replacing it.
Level 2 
Right away, I’m going to stick this card with one I already got. That means I’m picking a card I already have and connecting it to this new one. Then, I get to snag a level 1 card, either a base or Orient, and put it in front of me without paying anything. Cool, huh?
This cool card is extra special – it counts as two bonuses in the color it shows. These bonuses help you do all sorts of things like getting new cards, attracting noble visitors, and even getting rid of cards from level 3.
Now, let’s talk about level 3. It’s really important, so pay attention. Look at this picture! That’s what you’ll find in level 3, and it’s pretty neat, right?
Okay, let’s move on. Strongholds! These are like big castles that each guild builds to protect their money and expand their empire. It’s a big deal and can make the game last longer. You have to find the right balance between slowing down your opponents and getting more stuff for yourself.
Lastly, let’s talk about what’s in the box – the components. They’re the things that come with the game and make it fun to play.
- There are 12 strongholds in total, with 3 for each color.
Getting Ready
First, I’ll need to collect 3 strongholds of the same color and place them in front of me.
Extra Rules
Now, whenever I buy a card – whether from my hand or from the table – I’ve got two options to choose from (and I need to decide before I replace the purchased card):
- I can place one of MY strongholds on a face-up card on the table, as long as it doesn’t already have another player’s stronghold on it. But, if there’s already one or two of my strongholds on that card, I can still add another.
- Or, I can take control of another player’s stronghold on a card and return it to them. It’s kind of like a friendly game of tag!
The Power of Strongholds
Power of Occupation: When I have a building in a certain location, only I can buy or reserve a card associated with that location. I can also retrieve my buildings from that card if I choose to.
Power of Conquest: If I have three buildings in the same location, I have the ability to purchase a card after taking my turn. This applies whether I have acquired gem tokens or if I have reserved or purchased a development card.
After paying for the card, I retrieve my buildings, then I can place or remove one of my buildings before I put the new card in its place.
Description: This purchase must be made before a noble pays me a visit and before I check the number of tokens in my possession.
Let me show you how it’s done:
I’m the red player, and I want to buy a new card. I already have two strongholds on the board, so I place my third one on the card.
When you buy a card, it’s replaced.
First, I want to understand the game mechanics before making any decisions. It seems that there are different powers available to the players, and one of them is the conquest power. So, if I choose to benefit from the conquest power, I would need to purchase a card. Once I have the card, I can recover my 3 strongholds. Finally, I need to decide where to place one of my strongholds on the card that was revealed earlier.
So, here’s the deal. You know when you buy a second card and something happens? Well, that’s what we’re going to talk about now. And let me tell you, it’s a pretty interesting thing to consider.
So, picture this: you go ahead and get yourself a second card. Nothing wrong with that, right? But here’s the thing, my friend – when you buy that second card, something gets swapped out. Yep, that’s right. You lose whatever was there before and replace it with the new card.
Now, why is this important? Well, let me break it down for you. When you buy that second card, you’re basically saying goodbye to the old one. It’s a trade-off, see? You get something new, but you lose something old.
And that’s where things can get a bit tricky. You see, sometimes the old card was pretty handy. It had its uses, you know? But now, it’s gone. Poof! And all you’re left with is the new card.
But hey, don’t fret just yet. Because that new card could be a game-changer. It could be even better than the old one. It might have all these awesome features and abilities that you never even dreamed of.
So, what’s the takeaway here? Well, it’s all about weighing your options. When you’re looking to buy that second card, think about what you’re giving up and what you’re gaining. Is the new card worth it? Will it truly enhance your experience?
It’s a tough call, my friend. But in the end, it all comes down to what you value most. Is it the familiarity of the old card or the excitement of something new? Only you can decide.