Objective of the Game
The objective of the game "Vikings" is to score the most points after six game rounds. Points are earned by acquiring and placing tiles, developing settlements, and effectively utilizing Viking figures.
Components
- 78 square landscape tiles divided into five categories: settlements, houses, trees, boats, and water.
- 25 Viking tiles in different colors, each representing a specific role: seafarer, warrior, farmer, fisher, and craftsman.
- One start player marker
- A victory point track
Setup
- Landscape and Viking Tiles: Shuffle the landscape tiles and place them face down in a stack. Sort the Viking tiles by color.
- Game Board: Each player starts with a central water tile.
- Starting Player: The starting player is determined randomly and receives the start player marker.
Gameplay
The game is played over six rounds. Each round consists of three phases:
1. Preparation
- Based on the number of players, a certain number of landscape tiles are revealed for the round.
- Viking tiles are randomly placed around a wheel, which is important for acquiring them.
2. Acquiring Tiles
- Players take turns acquiring landscape and Viking tiles from the wheel.
- The cost of the tiles is determined by their position on the wheel; the farther they are from the favorable zone (start point of the wheel), the higher the cost.
- Players pay the purchase price in coins and place the acquired tiles in their display.
3. Scoring
- At the end of the round, scoring takes place. If certain conditions are met, like a closed settlement, players receive points.
- There are special scorings for certain Viking tiles.
Final Scoring
After six rounds, a final scoring takes place. Additional points are awarded for completed settlements, special combinations of tiles, or remaining coins. The player with the most points wins.
Strategic Tips
- Placement: Skillful combination and placement of tiles are crucial for maximizing points.
- Resource Management: Be careful not to overspend coins while securing the most profitable tiles.
- Warrior Protection: Use your warriors wisely to repel boats from your settlements, which is point-bearing.
Conclusion: "Vikings" is a tactically influenced tile-laying game that requires strategic thinking. The different roles of the Viking tiles offer many possibilities for optimizing your score. Through building your layout and selecting tiles judiciously, you can pave your way to victory.
