How to play Cyclades Hades Official Rules

By: Dennis B. B. Taylor

Welcome to the World of Cyclades: Hades!

The Rules of the Game

Hey there! I’m here to help you dive into the amazing world of Cyclades: Hades. Is this your first time playing? No worries, I’ve got you covered. Let’s walk through the rules together!

Introduction

Imagine a world where gods roam the land, and ancient cities are waiting to be built. In Cyclades: Hades, you have the chance to become a powerful deity and rule over the mythical lands of ancient Greece.

The game is played over several rounds, and your main goal is to be the first player to build two cities. But beware – this is not an easy task! You’ll need to outsmart your opponents, gather resources, and call upon the favor of the gods to succeed.

Setting Up the Game

Before we begin, let’s get everything ready. Each player will choose a color and take the matching player board, coins, and a set of five soldiers. Shuffle the building tiles and place them face-down, then reveal one tile next to each building slot on the board.

Next, set up the god tiles according to the number of players. These tiles represent the gods that you can call upon for help during the game.

Finally, shuffle the Hades living card deck and place it next to the board. This deck adds an extra twist to the game, as Hades himself will interfere with your plans!

Gameplay

Now that everything is set up, it’s time to start playing. The game is played in turns, with each player taking a series of actions. On your turn, you can do the following:

  1. Take Coins: You can take coins from the bank, depending on the buildings you control.
  2. Bid for a God: You can bid on a god tile, which will grant you a special power for the round.
  3. Build Cities: Using your resources, you can build cities on the board. Remember, you need to build two cities to win!
  4. Summon Creatures: You can call upon powerful creatures to aid you in battle. These creatures can be very helpful in conquering new lands.
  5. Recruit Troops: You can recruit soldiers to strengthen your forces. A strong army is crucial for defending your cities and attacking your opponents.
  6. Move Ships: You can move your ships across the Aegean Sea to explore new areas and challenge other players.

The gods are an essential part of the game. Each god has a unique power that can be activated by spending prayer points. These powers can turn the tide of battle in your favor, so choose wisely when bidding for a god.

Hades, the Lord of the Underworld

But wait! There’s a twist in this game. Hades, the lord of the underworld, is always watching. With the Hades living card deck, he can unleash a variety of events that will challenge your plans and add even more depth to the game.

Keep an eye on Hades and be prepared for his surprises. He can be both a blessing and a curse, depending on how you adapt to his interventions.

Conclusion

Now that you know the rules of the game, it’s time to dive into the world of Cyclades: Hades. Gather your resources, outsmart your opponents, and call upon the favor of the gods to become the ruler of ancient Greece. Good luck!

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I remember the turbulent battles that used to echo through the Cyclades, a time when peace seemed elusive. Now, a calm has settled over our islands, but can we trust it to last? Whispers persist that the feared Hades will soon return, his undead soldiers and ghostly ships in tow.

But fear not! Each city-state has the opportunity to showcase its prowess in recruiting mighty heroes and gaining the favor of Olympus’ gods, including the formidable Hades himself. By doing so, we can strive for dominance in the face of our adversaries.

First Things First:

Before we begin, I must make one thing clear. These game components are not meant to be experienced in isolation. To fully immerse yourself in the thrilling world of Cyclades, you must first have the original Cyclades Game.

Hey there! I’m here to tell you about this amazing box I found. It’s filled with different modules that you can add to your game to make it even cooler! Now, you might be wondering what a module is. Well, think of it like a special piece that you can incorporate into your game to make it more fun and exciting.

So, let’s dig into these modules! There’s a whole bunch of them, and you can choose which ones you want to use based on your preferences and how experienced you are as a player. The order we suggest you add them in is pretty neat, but feel free to mix and match as you like. Just remember, if you use all the modules, you’ll be in for some seriously legendary adventures!

What’s Inside

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  • I’ll tell you what you get in the box. It’s pretty cool. You get:
  • 1 “Necropolis” building chip
  • 4 “Theater” building chips
  • 8 Prosperity Markers
  • 1 Hades Tile (with a “Hades” side and a “Threat” side)
  • 8 “Divine Favors” Tiles
  • 5 “undead troops” figurines
  • 5 “undead fleet” figurines
  • 1 Hades column
  • 6 hero figurines
  • 1 “Cerberus” figurine
  • 6 hero cards
  • 10 magic items cards
  • 5 mythological creatures cards
  • 9 priestesses cards
  • 1 rulebook

Module # 1: Free Positioning

The first thing I want to talk about is what you get in the box. Let me break it down for you, okay? So, when you crack open that box, you’re going to find some pretty cool stuff. Get ready. Here’s what’s waiting for you:

– 1 “Necropolis” building chip

– 4 “Theater” building chips

– 8 Prosperity Markers

– 1 Hades Tile (it’s got a “Hades” side and a “Threat” side)

– 8 “Divine Favors” Tiles

– 5 “undead troops” figurines

– 5 “undead fleet” figurines

– 1 Hades column

– 6 hero figurines

– 1 “Cerberus” figurine

– 6 hero cards

– 10 magic items cards

– 5 mythological creatures cards

– 9 priestesses cards

– 1 rulebook

Wow, that’s a lot of stuff, right? But trust me, it’s worth it. So, now that you know what’s inside that box, let’s talk about Module #1: Free Positioning. It’s pretty interesting, I promise.

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When it comes to implementing this module, you don’t need any extra equipment. Everything you need is already included in the original game box.

To get started, follow the setup instructions in the basic rules but with a few changes:

  • Instead of receiving 5 Gold pieces, you now get 7.
  • Make sure the game board doesn’t have any military units on it.

Before the game begins, we’ll have a preliminary round of betting. This will determine which islands each player will start on.

The gods tiles (take one less than the number of players, as mentioned in the original game’s rules) are mixed up and placed on the slots above Apollo.

To determine the positioning of the gods tiles, we’ll use the auction rule from the basic rules. But there’s one important rule for the preliminary round: only one player can be on Apollo. Once the auction is finished, players pay their offerings as usual.

So here’s what happened: we all got together and picked the islands where we’d kick off our game. It started with the person who won the auction for the first God and ended with the one who chickened out and went with Apollo (the little scaredy-cat).

  • Poseidon: got a fleet
  • Ares: got a troop
  • Athena: got a philosopher
  • Zeus: got a priest
  • Apollo: got a Prosperity Marker

Now, here’s the deal. We all had to spread our troops across at least two different islands. The person who bet on Ares had a choice: either start with a third island, or put two troops on one island and one troop on another. Pretty nifty, huh?

Just like that, I spread my fleets across two different spots. I make sure those spots are right next to the islands where my troops are stationed. It’s even possible for me to put my fleets on two different spots near the same island. If I’m all in on Poseidon, I can even start with a third spot, or I can put two fleets on one spot and one fleet on the second spot.

Once I finish placing my fleets, I put my marker on the last empty space. That tells us the order we’ll play in the next round. Then, it’s the turn of the player who bet on the next God, and they deploy their fleets the same way I did.

Alright, let’s get this adventure started! We’re about to encounter our first mythological creature. But be cautious, because the first round is a little different. In this round, we won’t receive any income, but don’t worry, it’s only for the first round. Now, in order to succeed on our journey to glory, we need to manage our bets wisely by strategically placing our troops and maximizing our power!

Special Rule for Two-Player Game

If we’re playing with just two players, each of us will have two Offering markers. On top of that, we’ll place three God tiles in addition to the Apollo tile. Once the auction is over and we’ve paid, we’ll be placed in the order of the Offering markers. When it’s our turn to remove our marker, we must immediately deploy one fleet, one Troop, and also take advantage of the bonus granted by the chosen God.

Introducing Module #2: Hades & His Undead

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Hey there! Let me walk you through the setup of the Hades expansion in a fun and easy way. Sound good? Great!

When we start a round, we’ll place the Hades tile right next to the game board, with the “Threat” side facing up. Don’t forget to also put the Hades column on the “0” slot. It’s important to keep track of where everything goes!

Now, before we move on to the “2 – The Gods” phase of each round, we need to roll two combat dice. Once we have the total number indicated by the dice, we can advance the column accordingly. Can’t wait to see how far we’ll get!

Here’s the exciting part: if the column reaches or goes past the 9th slot, guess who’s joining the game? That’s right, Hades himself! And not just that, he’ll even replace one of the other Gods. Talk about shaking things up!

Alright, we’re almost ready to dive in. After we’ve mixed up the Gods tiles and placed them as usual, it’s time to cover the active God tile that’s sitting right above Apollo. We’ll use the Hades tile to do that, making sure to show its “Hades” side. That way, we’ll keep everyone on their toes!

And finally, when the round comes to an end (after we’ve resolved Apollo), a couple of things happen:

  • All undead units are removed from the board. No need to keep them hanging around!
  • The Hades tile goes back next to the board, with the “Threat” side facing up, and the Hades column gets placed back on the “0” slot. Everything needs to be clean and tidy for the next round, right?

Hades and his minions are sent back to the realm of the dead. However, their next visit can still cause chaos and destruction!

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Example: I’m standing on the 6 space of the Hades column. I roll two dice and get a 1 and a 3.

The Mazerunner is a popular book series written by James Dashner. It tells the story of a teenager named Thomas who wakes up in a maze with no memory of who he is or how he got there.

Introduction:

Have you ever woken up in a place you don’t recognize, with no idea how you got there? That’s exactly what happened to Thomas, the main character in The Mazerunner series. In this thrilling book series written by James Dashner, Thomas wakes up in a maze without any memories. Throughout the series, he must navigate the maze and uncover the truth about his past.

The Story:

Thomas finds himself in a dangerous and mysterious maze, known as the Glade. The Glade is a large open space surrounded by towering stone walls. It is inhabited by a group of boys who call themselves the Gladers. These boys, like Thomas, have no memory of their past and have been trapped in the Glade for as long as they can remember.

The boys have organized themselves into a society with rules and jobs. They live in a makeshift village and survive by growing their own food and taking care of their basic needs. Each day, a few of the boys venture out into the maze to try and find a way out.

The maze is a treacherous place filled with deadly creatures called Grievers. These mechanical beasts come out at night and hunt the boys. The boys can’t enter the maze after dark because it is too dangerous. The Gladers have formed a strict routine and a set of rules to ensure their safety.

The Challenge:

Thomas’s arrival in the maze changes everything. He brings a sense of curiosity and bravery that inspires the other boys. He quickly becomes a key player in the group’s attempts to solve the maze and escape. Thomas and the other Gladers must work together to decipher the maze’s code and unlock its secrets.

As Thomas delves deeper into the maze, he starts to uncover clues and pieces of his past. He starts having fragments of memories, which start to become more vivid as he spends more time in the maze. Thomas’s determination to escape drives him to face terrifying challenges and confront the truth about his own identity.

The Conclusion:

The Mazerunner is a gripping and suspenseful series that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The story follows Thomas and his fellow Gladers as they navigate the deadly maze and search for a way out. As Thomas uncovers the truth about the maze and his identity, he becomes a key player in the group’s quest for freedom. Will they be able to escape the maze and find the answers they are looking for? Join Thomas on this thrilling journey and find out!

Example: Have you ever woken up in a place you don’t recognize, not knowing how you got there? That’s exactly what happened to Thomas, the main character in The Mazerunner series by James Dashner. Thomas finds himself in a mysterious maze called the Glade, surrounded by towering walls. With no memory of his past, Thomas must navigate the dangers of the maze and unravel the secrets of his identity.

The Glade, inhabited by a group of boys known as the Gladers, serves as their refuge. Cut off from the outside world, they have created a society with rules and designated tasks. Survival depends on their ability to sustain themselves within the Glade’s confines. Each day, a few of the boys brave the dangerous maze, hoping to find an escape route.

The maze is a perilous place infested with mechanical creatures called Grievers. These deadly beasts emerge at night, preying on anyone foolish enough to be caught in their path. To protect themselves, the Gladers adhere to a strict routine and a set of safety measures. The boys never venture into the maze after dark, well aware of the grave consequences they may face.

Thomas’s arrival disrupts the fragile equilibrium of the Glade. His inquisitiveness and courage inspire the other boys, making him an integral part of their escape plan. Together, they must decipher the maze’s enigmatic code and uncover its secrets, hoping to find a way back to their former lives.

As Thomas explores the maze’s depths, the fragments of his forgotten memories resurface. His past becomes intertwined with his quest for freedom. Determined to escape, Thomas faces numerous terrifying challenges and confronts the truth about his own identity.

The Mazerunner is an exhilarating series that will keep you eagerly flipping through its pages. Join Thomas and his fellow Gladers as they navigate the haunting maze while searching for answers. Will they manage to escape the maze’s clutches and discover the truth? Embark on this thrilling journey and let the maze reveal its secrets.

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When the total reaches a number greater than 9, that’s when the Hades tile comes into play. It flips over and gets activated.

Just so you know: The Hades tile usually shows up between 2 and 4 times in a single game.

With the Hades tile, you can:

Bring in Undead to Join Your Forces

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Hades has a special offer for you: a free undead servant. And if you want more, you can buy additional undead using these prices:

– The second undead costs 1 GP

– The third undead costs 2 GP

– The fourth undead costs 3 GP

– The fifth undead costs 4 GP

But there’s a limit to how many undead you can buy in one turn. You can’t buy more than 4 extra undead. However, you can mix and match troops and fleets. For example, you could recruit two fleets and two troops, which would cost a total of 6 Gold.

Now, let’s talk about building a Necropolis.

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Hey there! I want to tell you about this awesome building called the Necropolis. It’s a special building that can only exist once on the board. You have to build it on an island that you control, and it takes up the space where a metropolis would usually go. Just so you know, any other buildings on that spot will be destroyed, including a metropolis if there is one.

Now, let me tell you about the cool effect of building the Necropolis. Every time you get rid of a regular military unit, which means a living one and not an undead one, whether it’s from a battle or because of a mythological creature, you get a Gold piece. And here’s the best part – during the next income phase, you get to take all the Gold pieces from the Necropolis if you control the island where it is.

Notes:

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If you take over the island where the Necropolis is, you become its ruler and collect the Gold pieces in the next round. Later in the game, when Hades enters the picture, you have the option to construct a new Necropolis. To do this, you remove the Necropolis chip from its current location (leaving any Gold pieces behind) and place it on an island that you control.

Moving Troops and Fleets

Module #3: Heroes and Creatures

Before the game begins, mix the new heroes and mythological creatures cards with the ones from the original game to create a single deck.

The New Mythological Creatures

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This is an exciting expansion that introduces four new mythological creatures: Cerberus (including a figurine), Charon, the Furies, and Empusa. Additionally, there is a new card that replaces the Chiron found in the base game. The summary sheet provides detailed descriptions of the card effects.

Heroes

Heroes are recruited and brought into play in the same manner as the mythological creatures. Once recruited, place the hero’s figurine on one of your islands and keep the card in front of you. Heroes remain in play as long as they are alive and you pay their maintenance costs.

After the income phase at the start of each round, you must pay 2 Gold pieces for each hero you wish to keep. Failure to pay this amount will result in the hero disappearing. Remove the figurine from the board and discard the corresponding card permanently (it cannot be added back to the discard pile).

When it comes to combat, each Hero is as valuable as a troop figurine. But they bring even more to the table:

  • First, Heroes have their own military power, which comes into play during combat.
  • Second, Heroes possess a special power that can be activated by sacrificing them during your Action phase. There are usually specific conditions for activating this power. Once you use the special power, the Hero’s card is removed from the game. Important: Remember that you cannot sacrifice a Hero right after recruiting them, and you also cannot sacrifice a Hero if you have chosen Apollo as your God. And keep in mind that if a Hero is killed during battle, you cannot sacrifice them before their final breath.

To learn more about the effects of Hero cards, refer to the summary sheet.

Important:

It’s important to note that Heroes are mixed in with mythological creatures and follow the same recruitment process. However, they are not mythological creatures themselves. Therefore:

    Module #3: Heroes and Monsters

    In the third module of the game, I’d like to talk about a key aspect that adds excitement and variability to the gameplay: Heroes and Monsters. Heroes and Monsters are special cards that bring a whole new level of strategy to the game.

    First, let’s discuss Heroes. Heroes are powerful characters that players can recruit to aid them in their quest for victory. These cards have special abilities that can turn the tide of battle in your favor. But remember, Heroes come at a cost – they don’t come cheap. You’ll need to spend some resources to recruit them, so choose wisely.

    But wait, there’s more! Heroes are not the only ones making an appearance in this module. Prepare yourself for the monstrous onslaught of…you guessed it, Monsters! These fearsome creatures lurk within the game, waiting for a chance to strike. Be careful, as they can pose a serious threat to your progress.

    Monsters bring another layer of complexity to the game. They have their own unique set of rules and abilities. Some have devastating attacks, while others have special abilities that can disrupt your carefully laid plans. Defeating Monsters can yield great rewards, but be ready for a challenge.

    It’s worth mentioning that Heroes and Monsters are not invincible. They can be defeated. If a Hero runs out of health or a Monster is slain, they’ll be discarded from the game. So, strategize carefully and consider your options before engaging in battle.

    The Heroes and Monsters module presents players with exciting choices that can turn the tides of war. Will you recruit powerful Heroes to aid you or take on the challenge of vanquishing dangerous Monsters? The choice is yours. Good luck!

    Module #4: Divine Favors

    Gods Of Olympus To The Rescue

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    1. When the game starts, create a stack of Priestess cards next to the board.

    Priestess Effects:

    You can get rid of a Priestess card to avoid paying the upkeep cost of a Hero. Discarding a Priestess also lets you keep a creature figurine and enjoy its effect for another turn.

    Divine Favors

    Now you can benefit from the special abilities granted by new gods like Hera, Hermes, or Aphrodite.

    During the “2 – The Gods” phase at the beginning of each turn:

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    • If Hades shows up (see module #2), mix up all the “Divine Favors” tiles (whether discarded or not) to create a new pile facedown. (Note: “Divine Favors” are not available when Hades is active.)
    • If Hades isn’t active, draw the top tile from the “Divine Favors” pile and place it face-up next to the God currently above Apollo. The player who offers the most to this God will receive the benefits of both the God’s powers and the Divine Favor placed next to them.

    Every tile gives you a bonus item (either a Priestess or a Magic Item) and a power that you can use once during this Action Phase.

    At the end of the Action Phase, the Divine Favor tile is discarded, even if you didn’t use its power.

    Magic Items

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    Did you know that you can acquire Magic Items through Divine Favor tiles? It’s true!

    When you claim a Divine Favor tile, you get to keep the Magic Item that comes with it. You can use the item right away or save it for later.

    Now, here’s an interesting tidbit: the Power of Hephaestus lets you acquire a Magic Item and keep it hidden from others. How cool is that?

    But remember, once you’ve used a Magic Item, it’s time to bid it farewell. They’re one-time use only.

    If you want to know more about Divine Favors and Magic Items, you can find all the details on the summary sheet.

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