Ulm Game Rules

Objective

Hi there! I’m here to explain the game rules for Ulm. My name is UlmBot, and I’m excited to guide you through this fun medieval strategy game. In Ulm, the goal is to become the most influential merchant in the city. You do this by collecting goods, building houses, and gaining prestige. The player with the highest prestige at the end of the game wins. Let’s dive in and learn how to play!

Components

First, let’s go over what you’ll need to play Ulm. The game includes a game board, 60 merchant tiles, 12 action cards, 6 cathedral tiles, 30 house tiles, 42 prestige tokens, and 12 dwelling markers. Each player will also need their own player board and 50 gold coins. With all these components ready, you’ll be all set to play Ulm!

Setup

Now that we have everything ready, let’s set up the game. Place the game board in the center of the table and give each player a player board, 50 gold coins, and a dwelling marker. Shuffle the merchant tiles and place them face down near the board. Draw 3 tiles, face up, and place them next to the merchant tile deck. Take the action cards and shuffle them, dealing 4 to each player. Finally, shuffle the house tiles and lay them face down next to the board. Each player should also receive a number of prestige tokens based on the number of players. Once this is done, we’re ready to start!

Gameplay

Okay, now let’s talk about how the game is played. Ulm is played over a series of rounds, with each round consisting of several phases. On your turn, you can perform one main action and any number of bonus actions. The main action allows you to either place a merchant tile or take back a merchant tile from the board. Bonus actions include collecting gold coins, drawing an action card, or buying a house tile.

When placing a merchant tile, choose a space on the game board and place your tile there. Each space has a certain benefit, such as gaining gold coins, drawing an action card, or building a house. You’ll want to strategically place your tiles to maximize their benefits and work towards gaining prestige.

As you play, you’ll also be collecting house tiles to build houses on the game board. Houses are an important part of gaining prestige as they provide various bonuses. You’ll earn points based on the buildings you’ve collected and the position of your dwelling marker on the prestige track. Keep an eye on your opponents’ progress and try to outwit them to become the most influential merchant in Ulm!

End of the Game

The game ends when the house tile deck is empty. At this point, players tally up their prestige points. Points are awarded for collected house tiles, the player’s position on the prestige track, and any remaining gold coins. The player with the highest total prestige is declared the winner of Ulm!

Well, that’s all there is to know about playing Ulm! I hope you’re as excited as I am to dive into this medieval trading adventure. Remember to strategize, make the most of your actions, and aim for the highest prestige. Have fun playing Ulm!

In this game, you will receive:

• 1 gameboard
• 1 Cathedral (you have to assemble it)
• 12 Tower tiles (these markers show the rounds)
• 1 Oath Charter (this marks the starting player)
• 50 Action tiles
• 4 barges in player colors
• 52 seals in player colors
• 12 family crests in player colors
• 33 cards (in English)
• 12 city coats of arms
• 8 Descendant tiles
• 26 coins
• 30 Ulm Sparrows
• 1 cloth bag
• 1 set of instructions in 2 parts: the basic rulebook, and the Ulm Chronicle with additional information on the game components and the theme

What’s the Goal?

Hey there! Let’s dive into the exciting world of Ulm, a game where you can accumulate victory points by engaging in various activities around the city. In each round, you’ll have three actions to make your mark.

Don’t worry, the game will wrap up after 10 rounds.

A Quick Note About the Instructions:

We’ve split the instructions into two booklets for your convenience, so you can get started with the game swiftly.

This booklet will introduce you to the game’s core concept and the most important rules.

The second booklet, the Ulm Chronicle, contains all the juicy details about the game elements like cards and city coats of arms. Feel free to refer to it when you need more information during gameplay. You’ll also find some interesting historical facts and terms about the city’s history in there.

Getting Started

To begin, place the gameboard in the center of the table.

First, let’s start by shuffling the 33 cards face down. This will create a draw pile that you can place on the card space.

Next, randomly choose 4 out of the 8 Descendant tiles. Make sure to place them face up on the Descendant spaces in the Oath House quarter.

Now it’s time to assemble the Cathedral. You can place it on the Cathedral space of the gameboard. #image.jpg

Finally, shuffle the city coats of arms face down. Create a stack with these cards and place it on the coats-of-arms space.

Randomly distribute 1 brown, 2 turquoise, 2 orange, 2 white, and 2 gray Actions tiles in the inner 3-X-3 grid of the Cathedral area.

Put one Action tile of each color in the loading docks.

Then throw the remaining Action tiles into the bag.

Place the coins and the Ulm Sparrows next to the game-board as a face-up supply.

Each of us gets 1 barge, 13 seals, 3 family crests in our own color, 2 coins, and 2 Ulm Sparrows, as well as an Action tile drawn from the bag.

I can put my barge on the first Danube space. Then, I’ll place one seal on space 5 of the scoring track. Finally, I’ll lay down all of my other items in front of me as my personal supply.

#image.jpg

When it comes to playing the game, the first thing I do is become the starting player. I put the Oath Charter in front of me, then I grab 10 out of the 12 Tower tiles and stack them on the Oath Charter with the symbols facing down. The remaining 2 Tower tiles go back in the box. It’s important to note that for the basic game, we don’t use the special function on the front of the Tower tiles. The symbols on each tile are explained in the Ulm Chronicle.

Now, let’s talk about the game play. It’s actually pretty simple! All I have to do is push 1 Action tile into the Cathedral area and I get to carry out 3 actions. It’s as easy as that!

We play the game over 10 rounds, and each round follows the same process. So let me explain how a round goes:

When the round begins, I am the starting player. I grab a Tower tile from the Oath Charter and place it facedown on the Cathedral. This tile serves as a counter for the round, and as each round progresses, the Cathedral tower grows taller and taller.

Now it’s my turn to take action. Here’s what I do:

1. I reach into the bag and pull out 1 Action tile.
2. I position the tile anywhere within the 3-X-3 grid of the Cathedral area. I can push it in any direction I choose, creating different possibilities for placement. (Check out the images below for examples)

#image.jpg#image.jpg

Hey there! Let’s dive into the exciting world of Cathedral and its action-packed gameplay. Are you ready for some fun? Great, let’s get started!

First things first, it’s time to unleash your strategic skills by carrying out three actions of your choice from the row you’ve chosen. You can complete these actions in any order you like. Take a look at the Action tiles in the inner 3×3 grid of the Cathedral. These tiles hold the key to your next moves. Just keep in mind that the fourth Action tile, the one that got pushed out, won’t give you any action. So, set your sights on the other three!

Once you’ve finished your turn, it’s time to pass the bag with the Action tiles to the next player. They can’t wait to take their shot!

Welcome to the Cathedral area!

Now, let’s explore the Cathedral area and its exciting actions. Here’s the deal: there are five different Action tiles, each offering a unique action. The best part? You can combine these actions in any way you want, depending on how the tiles are positioned in the Cathedral area. Flexibility is the name of the game!

It’s raining money!

Hey there! Let’s dive into the world of coins, shall we?

First things first, I want you to grab one coin from the big stash of coins we have. Exciting, right?

A Neat Little Trick

Alright, let’s get started! Now, here’s what you need to do: take up to three of the Action tiles that have been pushed out from any side of the Cathedral area and place them in front of you.

But here’s the interesting part: if you happen to have two white Action tiles among the three that you’ve collected, you can remove all of the tiles from the two outer rows of the Cathedral area. Cool, right?

Let’s say I’m playing a game. I just activated a white Action tile. Now, I have two choices. I can either take the turquoise tile A or I can take the orange and white tiles B.

What the Card Does:

1. To get a card, you give back 2 Action tiles and get the top card from the draw pile. If the 2 tiles are the same color, you can look at the top 2 cards, pick one, and put the other on the discard pile.
2. Instead of getting a card, you can play another hand card (you can do this once per round without using an Action tile).

Using the River Action

Hey there, I’m here to explain how you can move your barge in the game of Danube! Just so you know, in this game, the Danube river is split into spaces. And you get to move your barge forward by one space at a time. Pretty cool, huh?

Let’s Talk About the Seal Action

Now, I want to tell you about something called the Seal Action. It’s a special move you can make in the game. When you use the Seal Action, you get to move your barge forward one space on the Danube. But wait, here’s the twist: if there are other players’ barges in the space you want to move to, you have to skip that space and not count it as a move. Basically, you can only move to unoccupied spaces. So keep that in mind!

Alright, now you’re all set to navigate the Danube river and move your barge like a pro. Have fun!

When I play the game, I start by paying 2 coins into the general supply. I then place one of my seals on an empty space in either the north or south city quarter, depending on where my barge is located on the Danube.

Once I’ve done that, I receive the special privilege associated with the quarter where I placed my seal. This privilege is indicated on the gameboard and serves as a bonus for me.

So here’s the deal, my friend. I’m gonna break it down for you and give you the lowdown on this whole privilege thing. You ready?

Here’s how it goes: Stephen, that’s me, puts a seal up north in the Danube quarter. And you know what? That means I get a pretty sweet privilege. And by privilege, I mean I get to pick one of two city coats of arms. It’s like a special reward. Cool, right?

If you wanna know the nitty-gritty details of each privilege, you can check out the Ulm Chronicle. It’s all in there, trust me.

Now, listen up, ’cause this part is important. When you’re making your move, you gotta make sure you set yourself up for success. ‘Cause here’s the thing: sometimes, especially with the Card action or the Seal action, you might not have enough resources like tiles or money, so you won’t be able to do the action. And that, my friend, is a bummer. Total waste.

Oh, and one more thing. Once a row has been pushed and has four tiles, it can’t be pushed anymore. Yeah, it’s stuck like that. So keep that in mind when you’re making your moves.

If you want to reactive these rows, you’ll have to clear the Action tiles outside the inner 3-X-3 grid. That means using a Clear-away action to take the tiles from one outer row of the Cathedral area.

The more tiles that get pushed out and not taken, the fewer options we have for shoving them around with each turn.

If we reach a point where we can’t push in any more tiles, we have to throw all the pushed-out tiles back into the bag.

The Cards

There are two ways you can get cards:

2 Tiles = 1 Card

If you want to get a card while playing, you can use the Card action. Just activate the action and give up 2 of your Action tiles to take the top card from the draw pile.

Imagine this: you’re playing a game and you don’t like the tiles you have. What do you do? Easy! Just put those tiles back in the bag. But wait, there’s a twist. If you have two tiles of the same color that you want to get rid of, something exciting happens. You get to draw the two top-most cards from the pile. And guess what? You get to choose one of them! The other card? Well, it’s revealed to everyone and placed face up on the discard pile. How cool is that?

Example: I give up 2 different tiles and take 1 card from the draw pile.

Getting a Card as a Privilege

In addition to this, you have the privilege of getting a card if you perform a Seal action in the Town Hall quarter or the Goose Tower quarter.

So, let me explain how the cards work. It’s pretty simple! Basically, each card gives you a special bonus, and there are two ways to get those bonuses.

1. If you put a card on the discard pile, you get to use the top bonus right away.
2. If you place a card in front of you, you get to use the lower bonus at the end of the game.

Oh, and one more thing – all the cards are played face up. Any cards you still have in your hand when the game ends don’t get used, so you just put them on the discard pile.

Now, typically you can only play one card from your hand each round. But if you want to play more cards on the same turn, you’ll need to activate the Card actions in the Cathedral area. Each Card action lets you either play another card from your hand or buy a new card from the draw pile.

In the Ulm Chronicle, you can find a more detailed explanation of the different types of cards.

Let’s talk about the Danube

Did you know that the Danube River can only be navigated in one direction? Going backward is simply not an option. Oh, and on top of that, you can’t have more than one barge on a single river space. If there are other players’ barges in your way, you’ll just have to jump right over them!

Imagine this: You get to control the red barge, and it has the power to move forward one space. But watch out, because there’s a green barge in your way. And in front of the green barge, there’s a blue one. The challenge is to carefully plan your moves, so that the red barge ends up in front of the blue barge at the end.

The gameboard is divided by a river into a northern and a southern section. When you decide to use the Seal action, you have to choose between a southern or a northern city quarter. It all depends on where your barge is located at the moment, specifically between which two quarters.

Now, what’s your strategy? How will you navigate the river and maneuver your barge to the desired destination? It’s an exciting puzzle that will test your skill and cunning. So go ahead, take control, and make every move count. The challenge awaits!

Example: I have a blue barge and I can do a Seal action in either the Oath House quarter or the Garden quarter.

When your barge reaches one of the last 4 river spaces, you get a special privilege. This happens if you use an Action tile or a card to move your barge onto one of these spaces. If you use an Action tile, each move is done separately. But if you use a card, you move your barge all at once.

If you reach the end of the river, remember that only one boat can be on each river space. This rule still applies even at the end. So, once you’re at the end, you can’t use the River action anymore.

The Danube bridge divides the river into two parts. If your barge hasn’t crossed under the bridge by the end of the game, you lose points for each space that your barge is in before the bridge. But if your barge has already passed the bridge, you get victory points for each space.

When I heard that there were only a few chances to take Seal action in each quarter, I realized how crucial it was to strategize my progress along the Danube River. It got me thinking: what do I need to consider in order to make the most of my opportunities and come out on top?

What happens at the end?

When you play, you have the opportunity to earn victory points both as you go and when the game is finished.

While you play

The cards:

Did you know that you can score victory points in this game by playing cards onto the discard pile? It’s true! The cards themselves and the Ulm Chronicle show you exactly how many points each card is worth.

Seals:

City Coats Of Arms:

Coats of arms, also known as heraldic symbols, are important visual representations that are used to identify and distinguish different cities. They are like a city’s signature or logo, showing pride and a sense of identity. When I look at a city’s coat of arms, I see a story waiting to be told.

The design of a coat of arms takes into account the history, culture, and values of the city. Each element chosen has a specific meaning and purpose, carefully crafted to represent the essence of the city. It’s like a puzzle, with symbols coming together to create a bigger picture.

If you’re curious about what these symbols mean, you’ll find a world of fascinating stories. Let’s take a look at a few examples.

In the coat of arms of London, for instance, there are various elements that tell the story of this vibrant city. The red cross on a white background represents St. George, the patron saint of England. The lions on either side symbolize royalty and strength. And the supporters, a dragon and a griffin, represent the city’s resilience and power.

Similarly, when I see the coat of arms of Paris, I am transported to a city of elegance and beauty. The fleur-de-lis, which is a stylized lily, represents the city’s connection to the French monarchy. The ship and the anchor draw attention to the city’s rich maritime history, and the motto “Fluctuat nec mergitur” meaning “Tossed but not sunk” reflects the city’s indomitable spirit.

City coats of arms are not just decorative symbols, but they hold a deeper meaning. They serve as a reminder of a city’s roots, its achievements, and aspirations. They elevate the city’s status and give it a sense of pride.

As someone who appreciates art and history, I find myself drawn to these city coats of arms. They are like hidden treasures waiting to be discovered. When I see one, I can’t help but wonder about the stories behind the symbols, the people who designed them, and the city they represent.

So the next time you come across a city’s coat of arms, take a moment to appreciate its beauty and significance. You might just uncover a whole world of history and culture hidden within those ancient symbols.

Descendants:

Let’s talk about the fascinating topic of evolution. Have you ever wondered how different species are related to each other? I find it truly fascinating to learn about our ancestors and how we are all connected in some way.

When scientists study evolution, they look at the traits and characteristics that are passed down from one generation to the next. These traits can include physical features, behaviors, and even genetic information. By examining these traits, scientists can create a family tree of sorts, showing how different species are related to each other.

The study of evolution has come a long way over the years. Thanks to advances in technology and our understanding of genetics, we are able to uncover more and more about our ancestors. We can trace our lineage back through millions of years, connecting us to ancient creatures that roamed the Earth long before humans appeared.

You might be wondering why this is important. Understanding our evolutionary history helps us appreciate and preserve the biodiversity we see in the world today. By studying the similarities and differences between species, we can better understand how ecosystems function and how different organisms are adapted to their environments.

It’s truly incredible to think about the interconnectedness of all life on Earth. We are part of a vast web of species, each with their own unique qualities and contributions to the world. By studying our evolutionary history, we gain a greater appreciation for this diversity and the importance of protecting it for future generations.

So next time you look at a bird soaring through the sky or a beetle crawling on the ground, take a moment to think about their place in the grand story of evolution. We are all connected, and our past holds the key to understanding the present and shaping the future.

Hey there! Let’s talk about the end of the game. It’s pretty simple, really. We play for 10 rounds, and after that, it’s time for the final scoring. Now, what do we consider when tallying up the points? Well, here’s the lowdown:

When it comes to scoring in the game, there are a few factors you need to take into account. First, you’ll need to consider the number of Ulm Sparrows you have in front of you. Each one of these Sparrows is worth 1 Victory Point.

Next, you’ll want to think about the position of your barge on the river. Depending on how far you have advanced on the Danube, you can earn plus points or minus points. The bridge across the river acts as the dividing line.

Finally, you’ll need to keep an eye on the cards in front of you. Any cards that are still in your hand should be put in the discard pile without scoring. Only the cards that are face up count towards your score.

So, as you can see, scoring in this game is a bit tricky. You have to keep track of your Ulm Sparrows, your barge’s position, and which cards count towards your score. But don’t worry, with a little practice, you’ll get the hang of it!

If your barge is still before the bridge when the game ends, you lose 1 point for each space it is behind. On the other hand, if your barge has crossed the bridge by the end of the game, you gain 1 victory point for each space it has reached beyond the bridge.

Example: I spy with my little eye a red barge, resting two spaces away from the bridge. And because of this prime location, the fortunate owner is awarded a deduction of two points. On the other hand, let’s marvel at the green barge, basking in its glory a magnificent five spaces after the bridge. This remarkable achievement earns its owner a grand total of five victory points.

Now, let’s delve into the captivating world of card scoring. Prepare to be amazed!

Card Scoring

Cathedral Cards

When you play a Cathedral card, you earn 3 points. And if you manage to complete a Cathedral, you’ll get a bonus of 9 points, bringing your total to 18 points. It’s important to take these factors into account when choosing which cards to play.

Trade Cards

Hey there! I want to talk to you about something really important – the meaning of originality and its impact on our lives. We often hear the phrase “originality is key,” but what does that really mean? Well, let’s dive in and explore!

First off, let’s break it down. Originality means being unique and one-of-a-kind. It’s about expressing yourself in a way that is true to who you are. When we talk about originality, we’re talking about standing out from the crowd and not being afraid to be different. It’s about embracing your individuality and celebrating what makes you special. Originality is like a spark that ignites our creativity and sets us apart.

Now, you might be wondering why originality is so important. Well, I’ll tell you why. Originality is what makes the world a more interesting place. Imagine if everything and everyone were the same – it would get pretty boring, right? Our differences and unique perspectives are what make life exciting and full of surprises. When we express ourselves in an original way, we inspire others to do the same. We create a ripple effect of creativity and innovation that can change the world.

But here’s the thing – being truly original can be challenging. In a world where we’re bombarded with information and influenced by others, it can be hard to find our own voice. That’s why it’s important to take the time to discover who we are and what makes us tick. It’s about digging deep and finding those hidden gems within ourselves. When we embrace our authenticity, we unlock a whole new level of originality.

So, how can we cultivate originality in our lives? Well, it starts with being open-minded and willing to take risks. It means stepping out of our comfort zones and embracing the unknown. Originality is about trying new things and experimenting with different ideas. It’s about being curious and constantly seeking inspiration. When we approach life with a sense of wonder and adventure, we open ourselves up to a world of possibilities.

Remember, originality is not about being perfect or conforming to someone else’s idea of what is “cool” or “popular.” It’s about being true to ourselves and expressing our own unique perspectives. It’s about embracing our quirks and imperfections and letting them shine. In a world that often rewards conformity, choosing originality is a brave and powerful statement.

So, my friend, I encourage you to embrace your originality. Be yourself, unapologetically. Dare to be different and celebrate what makes you unique. When you unlock your own originality, you not only elevate yourself, but you also inspire others to do the same. So go out there and let your originality shine!

Hey there! I want to tell you about this awesome combination of items that can earn you 12 points in a game. It includes 1 x Fustian, 1 x Works of Art, and 1 x Commercial Goods. Pretty cool, right?

Chronicle Cards

Check out the card texts and explanations in the Ulm Chronicle.

The person with the highest number of points wins the game.

If there is a tie, the person whose seals appear in more city quarters than anyone else’s wins. If there is still a tie, the tied players share victory.