Samarkand

Description

In Samarkand: Routes to Riches, you'll embark on a thrilling adventure as a member of a merchant family, navigating the intricate world of trade and relationships in 45 minutes. With 2 to 5 players, you'll marry into other wealthy merchant families, expand their trading routes, and establish valuable trade relationships. The goal is simple: gain the most victory points by collecting goods, building relationships, and accumulating wealth. As you delve into the game, you'll discover that the rules are straightforward, making it easy for board game enthusiasts to learn and dive right in. As you play, you'll have the option to either marry into a new family or expand the trading route of a family you're already connected to. Marrying into a family comes with a cost, but it's a valuable investment, as only two players can join each family. Once you're part of a family, you can expand their trading route, but you'll need to pay for it using the family's money. The real challenge lies in meeting new families and reaching goods spaces before your opponents do. As you navigate the game, you'll collect trade relationship markers and goods tokens, which will ultimately determine your victory points. With a mix of hand management, network and route building, card drafting, and stock holding, this game offers a captivating blend of strategic elements. The game comes to an end when all families have established at least one trade relationship or one family has formed five trade relationships. At this point, you'll score your goods cards, trade relationship markers, and money to determine the winner. With its unique blend of economic and transportation mechanics, Samarkand: Routes to Riches offers a fresh take on the traditional board game experience. Designed by John Bohrer and Wolfgang Panning, this 2012 game is a hidden gem that's sure to delight both new and experienced players. As you send your sons and daughters out to travel the trading routes, equipped with goods and gems, you'll need to find the perfect marriage to secure your family's prosperity. Will you emerge as the most successful merchant family, or will your opponents outmaneuver you? There's only one way to find out.

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