The Great Zimbabwe Game Rules

Introduction

Hey there! I’m excited to share with you the game rules for The Great Zimbabwe. So, let’s dive in and discover the amazing world of this fantastic game.

Object of the Game

So, what’s the goal of The Great Zimbabwe? Well, it’s quite simple. Your objective is to build the most prosperous and powerful civilization in ancient Zimbabwe. You’ll be constructing amazing monuments, trading goods, and managing your resources wisely. You’ll need to strategize and make key decisions to outwit your opponents and rise to victory.

Game Components

Now, let’s talk about the game components. Here’s what you’ll find in the box:

1. Game Board: The game board is the canvas where your adventure unfolds. It depicts the beautiful lands of ancient Zimbabwe, complete with resources, monuments, and trading routes.

2. Building Tiles: You’ll receive a set of building tiles that represent the different monuments you can construct. Each tile has its own unique abilities and advantages.

3. Civilization Cards: These cards represent the civilizations you can play as. Each civilization has its own special abilities and attributes. Choose wisely!

4. Resource Tokens: Resource tokens are essential for building monuments and conducting trade. You’ll need to collect and manage them carefully to achieve your goals.

5. Animal Tokens: These tokens represent the wildlife that inhabits ancient Zimbabwe. They can be used to boost your civilization’s power and influence.

6. Victory Point Tokens: The ultimate measurement of success in The Great Zimbabwe. Collect these tokens to keep track of your progress and determine the winner.

Setup

Now, let’s get everything ready for an exciting game! Here’s what you need to do:

1. Place the game board in the center of the play area. Make sure everyone can reach it easily.

2. Shuffle the building tiles and place them face down next to the game board.

3. Shuffle the civilization cards and deal one to each player. This will determine their starting abilities and resources.

4. Distribute the resource tokens and victory point tokens to each player. Make sure everyone has an equal amount to begin with.

5. Place the animal tokens in a separate pile within reach of all players.

6. Decide who goes first. You’re all set!

Gameplay

Now, let’s dive into the thrilling gameplay of The Great Zimbabwe.

1. The game is played over a series of turns. On your turn, you’ll perform a set of actions to advance your civilization.

2. You can use your actions to collect resources, build monuments, trade with other players, or take advantage of the special abilities of your civilization card.

3. Resources are collected by placing workers on resource spaces on the game board. Each resource yields a different type of token.

4. Monuments can be built by spending the required resources. Each monument provides benefits and victory points.

5. Trading allows you to exchange resources with other players. Negotiation and strategic thinking are key.

6. Animal tokens can be used to enhance your civilization’s abilities. Use them wisely to gain an advantage.

7. The game continues until one player reaches a predetermined number of victory points, signaling the end of the game.

Winning the Game

Congratulations! You’ve made it to the end. The player with the most victory points is declared the winner of The Great Zimbabwe. So, strategize, make wise decisions, and build the most prosperous civilization to claim victory!

Conclusion

Well done! Now that you know the rules of The Great Zimbabwe, you’re ready to dive into this exciting adventure. Have fun, explore the ancient lands of Zimbabwe, and may your civilization rise to greatness!

Imagine stepping into the world of an ancient African kingdom, where you have the power to shape its cultural legacy. As a player, you’ll compete against others, each representing their own kingdom, all vying for cultural dominance.

So, how do you go about establishing this dominance? Well, it’s by strategically placing craftsmen and constructing magnificent monuments. These actions earn you victory points, which are key to claiming the ultimate triumph.

Now, here’s where things get interesting. The number of victory points you need to secure victory isn’t fixed. It all depends on the special abilities you choose to acquire.

Think about it – if you aspire to become a true force to be reckoned with, you’ll need to amass more victory points. It’s a fascinating balancing act.

As the game unfolds, you’ll progress through multiple rounds. Each round is split into four distinct phases, each with its own unique twists and turns.

But don’t worry, it’s not as complex as it sounds. Phases one and two provide players with the opportunity to take turns, allowing you to carefully plan your moves.

Phases three and four, on the other hand, are a bit of a whirlwind. They happen quickly but offer exciting possibilities.

Get Ready to Dive In

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• Inside the game box, you’ll find:
• A rulebook to guide you
• 5 player aids to help you keep track of everything
• A VP track to measure your progress
• 11 map tiles, including a start tile
• 14 technology cards to unlock new abilities
• 12 god cards for special powers
• 5 specialist cards to enhance your empire
• 16 Resource tiles: diamonds, ivory, clay, and wood
• 8 Water tiles to add variety to the landscape
• 42 Price markers in different denominations
• 6 Plaques: 1 god plaque and 5 empire plaques in player colors
• A variety of craftsmen: ivory carver, throne maker, wood carver, sculptor, potter, vessel maker, and diamond cutter
• 60 cattle: 30 silver and 30 gold
• 25 used markers (wooden crosses)
• 22 wooden discs in each player’s color
• 2 wooden cubes in each player’s color
• 18 wooden shields in each player’s color

Setting Up the Game

When you start playing, make sure you have all the necessary components. Get ready to dive into an exciting adventure with the following items inside the game box:

• A rulebook that’ll guide you through the game
• 5 player aids that’ll help you stay organized and focused
• A special VP track to keep track of your progress
• 11 map tiles, including a start tile that’ll begin your journey
• 14 technology cards that’ll unlock new abilities and possibilities
• 12 god cards for you to tap into incredible powers
• 5 specialist cards to bring specialization to your empire
• 16 Resource tiles that represent valuable diamonds, ivory, clay, and wood
• 8 Water tiles to add a refreshing touch to the game’s landscape
• 42 Price markers in different denominations, allowing you to buy and sell with ease
• 6 Plaques: 1 god plaque and 5 empire plaques in your chosen player colors
• A diverse group of craftsmen, including ivory carvers, throne makers, wood carvers, sculptors, potters, vessel makers, and diamond cutters
• 60 cattle, consisting of 30 silver and 30 gold, providing wealth and prosperity
• 25 used markers represented by wooden crosses, indicating your previous actions
• 22 wooden discs in your chosen player color, signifying your influence on the board
• 2 wooden cubes in each player’s color, which you’ll use for various actions
• 18 wooden shields in each player’s color, representing protection and strength

How to Prepare for the Game

Before you embark on this epic adventure, it’s important to set up the game correctly. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth start:

1. Place the start tile in the center of the play area.
2. Shuffle the technology cards and place them face-down as a draw pile.
3. Shuffle the god cards and specialist cards separately, placing them face-down as draw piles.
4. Arrange the Resource tiles, Price markers, and Water tiles within easy reach of all players.

How to create the map: First, put the main map area at the center of the table. After that, mix up the rest of the map tiles. Pick tiles randomly and place them on the board in different directions, depending on how many people are playing.

Sorting the Cards: First, I’ll need to sort the technology cards. I’ll separate them into stacks based on their types. Once I have the stacks, I’ll arrange each one in ascending order according to their price, with the cheapest card on top.

Next, I’ll place these stacks of technology cards on the table, right next to the map. I’ll also place the specialist cards next to them.

Shuffling the God Cards: Now it’s time to shuffle the god cards. After shuffling, I’ll randomly remove four of the gods and put them back in the box. The remaining god cards will be placed next to the technology cards on the table.

Lastly, I’ll place the turn and VP track on the table, so we can keep track of our progress.

Setting Up the Stock: Let’s start by placing all the cattle in the common stock. This will be an important resource throughout the game.

I’ll also make sure to have the water markers, resource markers, and price markers within easy reach. These markers will come in handy as we play.

Welcome to the game! Let me explain how to set up and play. Each player will receive an overview of the game, an empire plaque, and markers in their color. Any unused plaques and markers go back in the box. Put one cube on the “1” square of the VP track, and another cube on the order of play track. You also get 3 cattle.

Now let’s determine the order of play. Everyone will hand in their VR marker, which is a round wooden marker. Mix these markers up and draw them out one at a time. Place them on the VP track, starting at square 20 and stacking them in the order they were drawn, with the first one at the bottom.

Next, let’s place the first monument. The player whose marker is on top of the VR stack will go first. Then, going down the stack, each player will take turns placing one of their monuments on one of the starting areas.

Now, let the game begin!

The game I’m about to tell you about has four different phases. The first two phases are played at a slower pace, while the last two are much faster. We keep playing these phases until there is a winner, which happens in the fourth phase.

Now, let’s talk about the first phase: “The Generosity of Kings”. In this phase, we decide the order of play. It’s a pretty simple process – each player gives away as much of their cattle as they can. The player who gives away the most cattle will have the highest status and will get to move first in the next phase.

Before we move on, let’s clear the slate. We need to remove the turn order markers from the order of play track.

Next, we have the “Order Of Plaques”. In this step, each player places their empire plaque on the table. The player with the most VR (virtual reality) places their plaque in front, followed by the other players in descending VR order. If two players have the same VR, then the player with the bottom VR marker gets to place their plaque first.

Finally, we have “Bidding”.

Imagine a group of players, standing in a line, each holding a plaque. The first player steps forward and presents a gift or passes it along. But here’s the catch: the first gift must consist of at least one cattle, and each subsequent gift must be larger by at least one cattle than the previous gift. And to make things more interesting, each gift must be paid in full right away.

How to Pay Your Gift

The gift is distributed evenly to all the plaques on the table. The first cattle from the gift goes to the player with the leftmost plaque. The second cattle goes to the player with the second plaque, and so on. Once every plaque has received one cattle, the next cattle goes to the player with the leftmost plaque again, continuing in this manner. This means that the richest plaques, placed on the left side, will always have no more than one cattle than the ones further down the line. The distribution of cows ensures fairness.

Passing Along the Gift

So, here’s the deal. When a player decides to pass their turn, they need to put their turn marker on the turn order track. But it’s not just any spot – it has to be the last available one.

Now, let’s talk about what happens at the end of a phase.

Once all the players, except for one, have decided to pass, they get to take their own plaque and add up all the cattle on it. That’s right, all those cows go straight into their stock. And guess what? The order in which the players passed is now the order of play for this turn.

Okay, let’s see an example to make things even clearer.

The Mutapa, Zulu, and Kilwa empires are in the midst of a game. Right now, the Kilwa empire needs 23 victory points to win, while both the Mutapa and Zulu empires need 21 victory points. Interestingly, the Mutapa empire’s victory point marker is currently on top of the Zulu marker.

I’m standing here, surrounded by the empire plaques that are arranged in a very specific order. First, we have the Kilwa plaque, followed by the Zulu plaque, and finally, the Mutapa plaque. It’s fascinating to see the history and power of these ancient empires represented in these plaques.

Now, it’s time for the bidding to begin, and naturally, the Kilwa empire takes the lead. They decide to start off by bidding 2 cattle. I can almost imagine the anticipation in the air as these two cattle are carefully placed on the Kilwa and Zulu plaques. It’s a symbolic way of expressing their connection and influence over these empires.

My turn has come in this exciting game we’re playing. The Zulu have just made a bold move by offering 3 cattle as the new minimum bid. It’s my turn to make a decision, and I need to think carefully. I know that each empire receives one of these cattle as a plaque, a token of honor. However, I also know that the Mutapa empire, unfortunately, doesn’t have as much wealth as the others. They have no choice but to pass and become the third and final empire in the player order.

Alright, time for Kilwa to step up again. They have to bid a minimum of 4 cattle. They decide to go all in and bid all 5 cattle they have left. These cattle are shared out, with 2 going to Mutapa, 2 going to Kilwa, and only 1 going to Zulu. The Zulu pass, putting them second in line. Kilwa is left standing and takes the coveted first spot.

Now it’s time for each empire to claim their cattle from the plaques. Kilwa collects the 4 cattle on their plaque, while Mutapa and Zulu each grab 3 cattle from their plaques.

Phase II: Religion and Culture

Now we move on to the next phase. Each player takes a turn, following the order set in phase I. During their turn, players have the freedom to do the following things, in any order they choose:

• You have two options in each turn: choose a god or use a specialist. But you can only pick one.
• If you choose to use a specialist, go ahead and do so.
• When it comes to building, you have three choices: construct a monument, place craftsmen, or raise monuments. But remember, you can only pick one.

Picking a God

If you don’t already have a god, you can choose one by selecting the corresponding card and placing it in front of you. Adjust your VR marker according to the modifier on the card. Keep in mind, though, that you can’t choose a god that would make your VR go over 40 points.

Each god comes with its own advantages, and you can use these right away after making your choice. Just remember, in this game, you can only choose one god, just like most African cultures were monotheistic.

Once you make your decision, there’s no going back. Choose wisely, because this choice is permanent, and you cannot select additional gods later on. To learn about the advantages of each god, refer to the list provided at the end of the rules.

Picking a Specialist

When it’s your turn, you have the option to choose a specialist. To do so, simply select one of the available cards and place it in front of you. Be aware that your VR marker will need to be adjusted based on the modifier printed on the card.

However, keep in mind that you cannot choose a specialist that would push your VR above 40 points. Additionally, once you choose a specialist, you must pay for and use that specialist during your turn. While you can have multiple specialists, you can only choose one per turn. Remember, you cannot choose a god and a specialist in the same turn.

Utilizing a Specialist

When you want to use a specialist in the game, you need to put a certain number of cattle on that specialist. Then, the specialist will do their thing. You can only use a specialist that you have. And you can only use each specialist once each round.

When I play the game, I start by placing one resource tile, like ivory, wood, clay, or diamond, on an empty spot on the board. I can put the resources on any empty area of land, but not on water, a monument, another resource, a starting area, a craftsman, or a used cube. If I decide to pay the shaman, I have to place a resource. But once all the resource tiles are gone, I can’t use the shaman anymore.

Let’s Make It Rain

The Wanderers

Go ahead and forget about those pesky rules that say where you can put your new monuments this turn. This round, you have the freedom to plop them down wherever you fancy, even right next to another monument. You also have the option to pay the nomads and skip placing a monument if that’s what you’re into. This could come in handy if you want to choose the nomads on a turn when you don’t feel like placing a monument.

The Herd

The Builder

When you hire a craftsman in this round, I’ll put down two cattle from the cost of building on the builder card. Don’t worry, you’ll get those cattle back later. Just remember that before you can use the builder’s abilities, you have to pay them 2 cattle. So, the total number of cattle you need this turn will be more than usual. But, don’t fret, because you’ll get some of them back at the end of the turn. Keep in mind that you can choose to pay a builder without actually building anything. This could be useful if you want to select a builder on a turn when you don’t plan on building anything.

Creating a Monument

Hey there! Let’s talk about building a monument. It’s a pretty exciting task, and I’m here to guide you through it. First things first, you have the power to place one brand new level one monument on any empty spot on the board. Now, an empty spot means it can’t have water, resources, craftsmen, a starting area, or another monument already there. We want the place all to ourselves, right?

But hold on a second, there’s a zoning rule we need to follow. You can’t place your new monument right next to another one, whether it’s horizontally, vertically, or even diagonally. We want to spread things out a bit, after all. Oh, and guess what? You score a victory point for every new monument you build. So go ahead and put your mark on that board!

Additions from the Craftsman

Ready for the next move? Great! Now let’s talk about placing craftsmen. You can actually add as many craftsmen as you want in a single turn, as long as you meet all the requirements. First off, make sure you’ve got the right technology, location, and enough resources. Oh, and remember, there’s a limit on how many craftsmen you can add, so keep that in mind too.

Now, here’s a little something cool about secondary craftsmen. They come with their own set of special rules. After you’ve placed your craftsmen on the board, you have the option to set or even raise the prices of goods. So go ahead and get those craftsmen working for you. It’s a great way to boost your chances of success!

Technology

If you want to hire a craftsman, you need to have the right technology card. But don’t worry, if you don’t have the right one, you can still grab any available technology card and keep it for yourself. Just make sure to adjust your VR marker based on what’s written on the card.

In a single turn, you have the option to take more than one technology card. However, remember that you can’t take a technology card if you haven’t built at least one corresponding craftsman.

Keep in mind that you can’t go over 40 points on your VR marker by taking a technology card. Each technology card is available twice, but the second one will cost you more VR points. Also, you can’t take the second card of a technology that you already have.

Location

When it comes to placing craftsmen in the game, you’ll need to consider the number of empty spaces available. Depending on the type of craftsman tile, you’ll need either 2 or 4 empty spaces. Once you’ve chosen where to place your craftsman, you’ll need to mark it with one of your ownership markers.

Resources and Range

Each craftsman requires a specific type of resource, as indicated on the technology card. To place a craftsman, you’ll need to make sure they have access to at least one resource of the required type. This resource must not be within range of another craftsman of the same type. The craftsman has a range of 3 to reach resources, and you cannot use hubs to extend this range.

Limit of 3 Craftsmen

Keep in mind that there are only 3 craftsmen of each type available. Once all 3 have been placed, you won’t be able to place any more of that type.

Cost and Victory Points

Each craftsman has a cost listed on the technology card. You’ll need to pay this cost, measured in heads of cattle, for each craftsman you place. However, placing craftsmen can earn you victory points, so it’s worth considering the benefits they can bring to your strategy.

When you place a craftsman on the board, you can earn points by advancing along the victory track. The number of points you earn depends on the number of laurel wreaths on the technology card.

Making Additional Craftsmen

If you want to increase your chances of earning more points, you can build additional craftsmen. This will give you more opportunities to advance on the victory track and potentially score higher.

Strategically Placing Craftsmen

Choosing the right spot to place your craftsmen is crucial. It’s not just about earning points, but also about positioning yourself for future moves. By carefully considering your options, you can maximize your opportunities and gain an advantage over other players.

Timing Is Everything

Knowing when to place your craftsmen and when to hold back is a key factor in the game. Sometimes it’s better to wait for the perfect moment to make your move and earn maximum points. Patience and strategic thinking will pay off in the long run.

Adapting to the Game State

The game is dynamic and constantly changing. It’s important to adapt your strategy accordingly. Pay attention to what other players are doing and adjust your moves accordingly. By staying flexible and adjusting your strategy, you’ll be able to stay competitive and make the most out of every turn.

Hey there! Let me break it down for you. In this game, you can only build secondary craftsmen if you have at least one primary craftsman of the same type. For example, if you want to build a vessel maker, you need to have a potter first.

You can reach a primary craftsman in two ways. First, if it’s within a range of 3 from where you are. Second, if it’s within the range of a hub that is within range. The good news is, you don’t have to pay for using hubs when building a craftsman. But remember, you still have to follow all the other rules for placing craftsmen.

Here comes another rule: you can’t build both the first primary craftsman and the corresponding secondary craftsman in the same turn. For example, you can’t build the first ivory carver and the first throne maker in one go. However, another player can build the throne maker in the same phase, if they want to.

When it comes to building a secondary craftsman, it’s important to note that they can use the same resource as the primary craftsman they depend on. This means that in certain situations, you may not be able to use either craftsman to upgrade a monument.

Setting Prices

If you have acquired a new technology card this turn, you must set the price for the new type of ritual good. You can choose to set the price at 1, 2, or 3 heads of cattle. To indicate the price, simply place the corresponding price marker on the card.

Raising Prices

After taking a place craftsmen action, you have the option to raise the prices of your previously owned technologies. You can increase the prices to 2 or 3 heads of cattle by placing the corresponding price marker on the card. However, keep in mind that prices can only be raised, not lowered.

Did you know that you can increase prices in the game even if you haven’t placed any craftsmen during your turn? It’s true! You can take a place craftsman action specifically to raise prices. However, it’s important to note that you can only raise prices during this action and not at any other time.

It’s now Kilwa’s turn, and I get to make some moves. I already have an ivory carver on the map, so things are looking good.

I decide to build an extra ivory carver next to the big water. Lucky for me, I already have the technology card I need. All it costs me is 2 cattle from the common stock, and in return, I score 1 victory point.

It’s a smart move because the existing ivory carver can’t reach the rightmost ivory resource, so this new one will help us out. Plus, I’m keeping the price of ivory carvings at 1 cattle.

But that’s not all. The Kilwa are going big, so I also want to build a sculptor. To make this happen, I’ll need the required technology card, which adds 3 VR to my victory requirement. It’s a small price to pay. I hand over 4 cattle from the common stock and gain 2 victory points.

Now, I’ve got some sculptures to sell, and I’ll start by setting the price at 2 cattle. All in all, the Kilwa are looking strong, and we’re ready to raise some magnificent monuments.

If you’re a player, you can make your monuments even better by raising them up. This will get you victory points, just like it says on the point overview chart. But here’s the catch: you can only raise each monument by one level each turn. So if you have a monument that’s already at level 5, you can’t raise it any higher, unfortunately.

Now, to raise a monument, you’ll need to gather the right combination of ritual goods. Lucky for you, you can buy these goods from craftsmen who are nearby the monument you’re working on. Once you’ve got the goods, you can adjust your victory points on the track depending on the current level of your monuments. It’s all about knowing the right craftsmen and getting those goods!

The Essentials for Rituals

When it comes to performing rituals, the number of necessary goods depends on the level of the monument. To advance a level one monument to level two, you only need one ritual good. However, to upgrade a level three monument to level four, you must gather three ritual goods.

It’s important to keep in mind that each of these goods must be unique. You cannot use the same type of ritual good twice in a ritual.

Primary vs. Secondary Ritual Goods

Once a secondary craftsman of a specific type is present, you can no longer use the corresponding primary ritual good for rituals. For instance, if there is already a throne maker on the board, you cannot utilize carved ivory in your ritual.

Acquiring Ritual Goods

I need to get the stuff I need for the ritual by buying them from craftsmen who are nearby. And the currency, or payment, for these goods is cattle. When I’m building monuments, I have to take from my own supply and pay it to the technology card that matches the craftsman I’m using (and belongs to the player who built that craftsman).

The cost for each good (1-3) is shown by the price marker on the technology card. Even if I’m using my own craftsman, I still have to pay (but to my own technology card).

Now let’s talk about using resources. Each craftsman uses up a resource for every ritual good they make. So, I have to put a marker on a resource nearby to show that it’s been used. Once there are no more resources available, the craftsman can’t make any more ritual goods. And just so you know, I can’t use hubs to make the craftsman reach farther and connect to more resources.

Finally, I want to mention something about using secondary craftsmen.

If you want to work with a backup specialist, you have to pay them and give them a primary tool. To do this, you need to find and pay a main specialist of the same type.

The main specialist has to be close enough to the backup specialist. You can use hubs to transport the main tool. Both specialists use a resource (within 3 tiles of the specialist, no hubs allowed) and mark it as used.

For instance:

I want to build more monuments for the Zulu. Right now, we have two monuments on the map: one is at level 1, and the other is at level 2. The cost of ivory carvings is still low at 1 cattle, and sculptures cost 2 cattle each.

I decided to upgrade our level 2 monument using two ritual goods. For the first good, I used an ivory carving. Luckily, the craftsman was within range of the monument, so I only had to pay 1 cattle for the Kilwa ivory carver technology card.

However, the second ritual good had to be a sculpture. Unfortunately, the sculptor craftsman wasn’t within direct range. I had to use the top left monument as a hub to reach the sculptor, as shown by the orange arrows. To make things even more challenging, the sculptor couldn’t reach the wood carver directly either. Again, I had to use the top left monument as a hub, as shown by the purple arrows.

The total cost for the sculpture was 5 cattle: 2 cattle for the double use of the hub, which I paid to the common stock, 2 cattle to Kilwa’s sculptor technology card, and 1 cattle to our own Zulu wood carver technology card. This required two wood resources and an ivory resource.

To upgrade the level 1 monument, I only needed one ritual good. Thankfully, the ivory carver was within range again, so I only had to pay 1 cattle to the Kilwa technology card and mark one of the ivory resources on the map as used.

Finally, I added the 6 victory points we gained from raising the monuments to our total VP. We received 2 VP for upgrading the level 1 monument, and 4 VP for upgrading the level 2 monument.

Phase III: Revenues

Now it’s time for everyone to take their turn at once!

Get Paid

You gather up all the cows you have from your technology cards, specialists, and god cards, and add them to your herd.

Receive Income

You get some cows as income. The number of cows you get is based on the highest monument you have on the board. For each level of the monument, you get one cow. It doesn’t matter how many monuments you have built, only the highest one counts for income.

Phase IV: Let’s Compare Myths

This phase is when we check if someone has won the game.

Victory Condition

If at least one player has earned enough victory points to reach or exceed their VR, the game ends right away. If there’s only one player who has accomplished this, they are the winner!

Tie Breaker

If more than one player reaches their VR level, the player who surpasses their VR requirement by the largest margin is the winner.

If there is a tie, the player with the highest total number of points wins. If there is still a tie, the player who goes first in the game is declared the winner.

Remove Used Markers

If there is no clear winner, remove all the markers that have been used on the board and start another round of play.