Exploring the Wonders of Wakhan

A Journey of a Lifetime

Have you ever dreamed of embarking on a grand adventure, where time seems to stand still and the world is your playground? Look no further than the breathtaking region of Wakhan, a hidden gem nestled in the majestic mountains of Tajikistan and Afghanistan.

Wakhan is a place that beckons explorers, with its untamed beauty and rich cultural heritage. It is a land where ancient traditions coexist with untouched landscapes, and where the spirit of adventure is infused in every step you take.

From the moment you set foot in Wakhan, you become part of a living story, where the past unfolds before your eyes. As you traverse its rugged terrain, you’ll encounter ancient fortresses that stand as silent sentinels, bearing witness to the passing of time.

The Wakhan Corridor, a narrow strip of land flanked by the mighty Pamir and Hindu Kush mountains, offers a gateway to a world untouched by the modern trappings of our fast-paced society. Here, you can disconnect from the chaos of everyday life and reconnect with nature in its purest form.

An Engaging Cultural Tapestry

But Wakhan is not just a playground for nature enthusiasts; it is also a tapestry woven with the threads of diverse cultures. The Wakhi people, with their warm hospitality and rich heritage, will welcome you into their world with open arms.

You can immerse yourself in their way of life, learning about their traditions and customs as you spend time with them. From sharing a meal with a local family to participating in traditional dances, every moment will be a treasure trove of cultural exchange.

Don’t forget to explore the colorful bazaars, where a mosaic of colors and flavors entices your senses. Here, you can find unique handicrafts and traditional textiles that make for the perfect souvenirs to remember your time in Wakhan.

An Adventure Like No Other

For the adventurous souls, Wakhan offers a playground of endless possibilities. You can embark on challenging treks that take you through breathtaking valleys, where you’ll be surrounded by snow-capped peaks and crystal-clear rivers.

As you hike along ancient trails, you’ll stumble upon hidden hot springs, rewarding you with a soothing dip amidst nature’s embrace. You can also test your skills with thrilling mountaineering expeditions, conquering peaks that rise above the clouds.

If you prefer a slower pace, you can ride on horseback, traversing the rugged landscapes like a nomad of old. Let the rhythmic sounds of hoofbeats guide you along trails that wind through ancient villages, where time seems to flow at its own leisurely pace.

The Call of Wakhan

Wakhan is a place that captivates the heart and soul of every traveler who ventures into its embrace. It is a haven for those seeking a deeper connection with nature, a yearning for cultural immersion, and a craving for adventure.

So, pack your bags, leave behind the noise of the world, and embark on a journey that will awaken your senses and ignite your spirit of exploration. The wonders of Wakhan await you, ready to reveal their mysteries to those with the courage to heed their call.

Hey there! Let me tell you about a cool new opponent in the game called Wakhan. Wakhan is like a computer-controlled player that represents a really different way of thinking. It’s like this radical idea that has spread all over the place, going beyond the usual loyalties.

You can play against Wakhan by yourself or with one other person. But here’s the thing – it’s not a team game. Only one player can win, either you or Wakhan.

Getting Ready

When you’re setting up a game with Wakhan, there are a few adjustments you need to make:

When you’re figuring out how many cards to use in the deck, remember to include Wakhan.
Take the 24 AI cards and shuffle them. Then, place them in a stack face down.
Wakhan will also join the game using player cylinders. Unlike other players, Wakhan won’t have a loyalty dial. Instead, Wakhan will put her gifts on her aid card. To keep things organized, place Wakhan’s pieces to the right of the player who chooses their loyalty last. Wakhan will have the first turn.

Important Rules to Consider

Hey there! Let’s talk about the important rules you need to keep in mind when playing Wakhan. It’s gonna be fun!

First off, when it comes to the costs, including bribes, Wakhan has to pay them just like any other player. So be ready to spend some resources.

If Wakhan’s court cards have a Special Ability that says she “may” do something, trust me, she will definitely do it. No ifs, ands, or buts!

Now, here’s a cool thing about Wakhan. She’s not loyal to just one coalition, but to all of them! Wakhan can have loyalty prizes and patriots from different coalitions. But here’s the catch: she will always have one main loyalty, which is the leftmost one on her AI card. This loyalty determines where she rules, who can attack her tribes, and the actions she takes on the board.

When it’s my turn to play, I often find myself faced with a difficult decision: which court card should I choose? Well, the answer is simple! I always go for the card with the highest priority. Let me explain how this works.

Let’s say I need to betray a card. The first thing I consider is whether I have any spies on that card. If I do, then I move on to the next step.

Once I have identified the cards with my spies, I prioritize them based on certain factors. Firstly, I look at whether the card matches the favored suit. If it does, that card gets bumped up on my list. Then, I consider if there are any patriots of the dominant coalition on the card. If there are, it further elevates the card’s priority.

Now you see how I make my decision. By following this strategy, I make sure to choose the card that gives me the best advantage in the game. Simple, right?

It’s Your Turn

When it’s Wakhan’s turn, I’ll draw an AI card and put it face up right next to the AI card draw deck in a discard pile. This face-up card and the card on top of the draw deck will help me make decisions for Wakhan. If the draw deck is empty, I’ll shuffle the entire discard pile, including the card I just drew, to create a new draw deck and draw again.

Then Wakhan gets to take two actions. I’ll determine which actions Wakhan takes by looking at the central Actions section of the AI card I drew. I’ll start with the top action and work my way down, performing each valid action until Wakhan has taken two actions. If Wakhan still has an action left after doing the bottom action, I’ll start again at the top and go down until Wakhan has taken a total of two actions, excluding any bonus actions.

Quick reminder: Remember that when you have cards in your favored suit, you can use them as bonus actions without it counting against your two-action limit. Also, keep in mind that each card can only be used for one action per turn.

Wakhan’s Ambition

If you manage to purchase the Dominance Check and score the most victory points, go ahead and perform that action, even if it’s not listed on your AI card.

Once you’ve used both of your actions or if there are no valid choices available, you can take any available free actions from the court cards in your tableau that you haven’t used yet.

When it comes to bonus actions, always start with the leftmost unused card in your court and take the leftmost action on that card. Skip any actions that you can’t take.

Just a friendly reminder, each of Wakhan’s court cards can only be used for one action per turn.

Wakhan’s Special Action

Wakhan has her own unique way of using the core actions. Unlike human players, she has only one special action:

Radicalize

When I, Wakhan, choose to radicalize, I will buy one card from the market and try to play it right away. This action counts as one turn for me.

When I radicalize cards, I consider:

If there’s a Dominance Check in the Market, I only buy it if it will give me the most points. Otherwise, I’ll go for the cheapest card that’s loyal to the most powerful group. But if no group is dominant, I’ll choose the cheapest card with the most spy and/or tribe impact symbols. And if there’s a tie, I’ll pick the card with the highest number.
If there are specific instructions, I’ll follow them. If there are still ties, I’ll go for the cheapest card with the highest number.

If you’re unsure about what to do, don’t worry! I’ll walk you through it. Just follow these simple steps and you’ll be on your way:

First, take a look at the red and black arrows. The red arrow will point either to “Top” or “Bottom” on the back of the top card of the draw deck. This tells you which market row to choose from. The black arrow will point to a number between 0 and 5, indicating which column to pick. If the card in that position is not a valid choice, simply go to the next valid card to its left. If all the cards in that row are exhausted, switch to the original position in the other market row. Just remember, Wakhan, like a human player, cannot purchase a card that she has paid a rupee for this turn!
Once you have chosen a card from the market, Wakhan will check if she can afford to bribe the player ruling the region associated with that card. If she can, she will play the card. If she can’t pay the bribe, she will have to discard the card.

Okay, here’s what you need to know: if the red arrow points to the top, Wakhan plays the card to the left side of her court. If the red arrow points to the bottom, she plays it to the right side.

Now, when Wakhan plays a card, things get a little interesting. She still resolves the impact icons like normal, but with a couple of changes:

Wakhan’s Spies

First, she puts her spies on the highest priority cards that are related to the region of the card she played. But here’s the catch: she doesn’t put spies on the cards where she already has the most spies.

Wakhan’s Roads

Next up are the roads. She puts them on the borders that come one after another, following the region priority on her AI card. And if there are still roads to be placed after going through all those regions, she goes through the priority list a second time.

Now, here’s the interesting part: Wakhan has card-based actions she can take.

Hey there! Let me break it down for you. Most of the things Wakhan can do are based on the cards she has. Just like you, she can’t do certain actions if she doesn’t meet certain requirements. For example, she can only tax you if she rules a territory where you have a court card and you have some rupees outside of your tax shelter.

Now, when Wakhan has to choose which card to use for an action, she always picks the one with the highest priority that can actually do the action. Makes sense, right?

Some actions on Wakhan’s AI card have specific instructions and conditions that need to be true for her to take that action. If those conditions aren’t met, she simply skips the action. If there are no instructions or conditions mentioned, Wakhan has a default way of handling the action.

Gift

When it’s time to choose a Gift in the game, I like to find the most affordable one I can, and then I buy it using my aid card. It’s important to remember that this Gift will have an impact on all three coalitions, so it’s a decision you should really think about.

Build

Another important aspect of the game is Building. When you’re selecting what to build, consider the options carefully. Each choice has its advantages and disadvantages, so you need to think about what will benefit you the most. Remember that the buildings you construct will have an impact on your overall strategy and gameplay.

Hey there! Let me explain how Wakhan builds her armies in the leftmost region. When it’s her turn, Wakhan will use all her money to create as many armies as she can. Pretty cool, right?

Betray

In the game, Wakhan is known for her cunning tactics. If she has a spy and the highest priority card is up for grabs, she will betray her allies and take the loyalty prize for herself.

Now, let’s talk about battles. When it comes to fighting, Wakhan always brings her A-game. She strategizes, plans, and executes with precision. She is a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield.

When I’m playing as Wakhan, I get to choose which region to battle in. I’ll pick a region where another player has tribes, roads, or armies, and I must have at least one army myself. If there are multiple regions that meet these conditions, I’ll go with the leftmost region listed on my AI card.

Once I’ve chosen a region, my main goal is to cause some serious damage. I’ll start by trying to destroy any tribes in that region. After that, I’ll target any armies or roads. It’s all about wiping out the competition!

If I can’t choose a region, I’ll look for the highest priority court card where both me and another player have spies. That way, I can still engage in battle and stir up some trouble.

Now, if there’s a situation where I can target multiple players in a battle, I’ll follow the red arrow to determine which player I’ll focus on. Gotta make sure I hit the right target!

Tax

When I play as Wakhan, I always like to tax players instead of taking cards from the market, but only if I can. I start by targeting players who have the most rupees. If two players are tied, I use the red arrow to figure out who to go after.

But what happens if nobody can be taxed? Well, I turn my attention to the market. I start by taking rupees from the leftmost market cards. And just like before, if there’s a tie, I use the red arrow to decide.

What to do next

When I play as Wakhan, I have a unique ability: I can move my armies without needing any roads. It’s quite an advantage!

When I decide to move my armies, I always try to move them to regions that are adjacent to where other players have placed their tribes. That way, I can increase my chances of interacting and potentially gaining an advantage over my opponents. But don’t worry, I follow some rules when making these moves.

First, I prioritize regions according to the directions on the AI card. This helps me choose between equally good options for both the origin and destination of my armies. It’s like having a little strategy guide!

Second, I make sure I never have more armies in a region than there are tribes. I don’t want to overstay my welcome, after all!

Clean Up Time

During the cleanup phase of the game, I have to discard cards from my court. But I have a specific order in which I do this.

First, I get rid of any non-political cards. Those are just clutter for me.

Then, I discard non-patriots. They’re not really my style.

Next, I let go of any non-leveraged cards. They just don’t have the same impact.

After that, I prioritize cards with the most player spies over my own spies. It’s always good to know what the competition is up to!

If there’s still a tie, I discard the card with the fewest spies. It’s better to keep some secrets, you know?

If the tie persists, I compare the rank of the cards and get rid of the lowest one. Gotta prioritize the big shots!

Then, I check if the card matches the favored climate. If it doesn’t, I bid it farewell.

Lastly, if all else fails, I discard the card with the lowest number. It’s just a matter of logistics!