Objective
In Kashgar: Merchants of the Spice Road, players take on the roles of spice traders along the Silk Road. The goal is to gather the most victory points by trading valuable goods and completing orders.
Game Components
- 165 cards divided into different categories: Caravan cards, Order cards, and Resource cards.
- Wooden tokens for the 5 different resources: spices, tea, silk, gold, and salt.
- Victory point markers to keep track of scores throughout the game.
Setup
At the beginning of the game, each player receives 3 caravan cards which they place as three separate caravans in front of them. Players also receive a certain amount of resources as their starting inventory:
- 3x salt
- 1x tea
- 1x spice
The order cards are shuffled and placed face down in the center.
Game Play
- Action Selection: In each turn, a player chooses a card from the front of one of their three caravans, executes the action on that card, and then places it at the back of the caravan.
- Resource Management: Players gather resources by using actions on their cards to fulfill orders throughout the game, which are worth victory points.
- Completing Orders: To complete an order, a player must pay the required resources. The completed order grants the player victory points and possibly additional benefits.
Special Features
- Caravan Strategy: The order of cards in the caravans is crucial since the first card determines the available action. Players must carefully choose their card actions to modify this order.
- Player Interaction: There are limited direct interactions with other players, so the focus is more on optimizing personal caravans and efficient resource management.
End of the Game
The game ends when a player completes a certain number of orders (depending on the number of players). The player with the most victory points wins.
Tips
- Strive for a balanced resource collection. Excess resources might limit your actions, but should not be hoarded unnecessarily.
- Plan your actions strategically and think ahead to fulfill upcoming orders efficiently with available resources.
- Watch your opponents: Try to anticipate which orders they might be targeting to gain your own advantage.
Kashgar is a strategic card game requiring both planning and flexibility. Spiced with a hint of luck, it offers enjoyment to casual and avid gamers alike.
