Objective of the Game
In Iki – The Artisans and Merchants of Edo, you play the role of a resident of Edo (modern-day Tokyo) in the 17th century. Your goal is to improve the lives of the residents and gain wealth. You aim to become the most prestigious citizen by employing artisans, gathering resources, and accumulating the most "Iki," a measure of achieving an ideal life.
Setup
- Set up the board: Place the game board in the center of the table. At the top of the board is the year track.
- Provide resources: Set up resources such as tobacco, fish, wood, and rice.
- Prepare the cards: Shuffle and place the artisan and merchant cards next to the board.
- Starting cards: Each player receives a starting card which determines their income and initial resources.
- Determine the starting player: The starting player is chosen randomly.
Game Flow
The game is played over 12 months, divided into four seasons, each comprising three rounds.
Round Overview
- Income: At the beginning of each round, players gain income as determined by their employed character cards.
- Hire Phase: Players can hire new artisans or merchants and position them on the board.
- Movement Phase: Players move their Koban through the market to buy or sell goods and utilize bonuses from merchant cards. Movement is determined by the evolution of their figure.
- Fire Trigger: Fires may occur, and players must defend against them by increasing their safety through recruiting firefighters.
- Round End: Players advance on the year track and determine if certain events occur.
Key Mechanics
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Fires: Fires break out at certain times. Players must use firefighter cards or rely on their safety level to ward off damage. Poorly protected players suffer board losses.
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Iki Points: Earn points through various activities like employing renowned artisans, special actions, or protecting areas from fire.
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Strategic Considerations: Place merchants strategically so multiple players engage them, increasing regular income. Enhance safety measures for fire-outbreak protection.
Winning the Game
At the end of 12 months, each player tallies their points from resources collected, fire protection, artisan engagement, and income generated. The player with the most Iki Points wins the game.
