Objective of the Game
Through the Desert is a strategic board game where players lead camel caravans through a desert to reach important oases, secure valuable water sites, and control the largest desert areas. The goal of the game is to have the highest score at the end of the rounds.
Components
- A game board featuring desert and water areas.
- Five different camel teams per player in various colors.
- Several small plastic camels in different colors.
- Oasis and water hole markers.
Setup
- Each player chooses a color. They receive the corresponding number of camels and a leader for each camel caravan.
- Players take turns placing their leaders on the board. Each camel troop must start in a different space, and leaders cannot be placed on or adjacent to water holes or oases.
- Randomly place the oasis and water hole markers on their designated spaces.
Game Play
The game is played in turns following a simple routine:
- Placing Camels: On your turn, you can place two camels of your color on the board. These camels must be connected to an existing caravan of the same color.
- Scoring Points: By placing camels, players can score points for:
- Oases: Placing a camel directly next to an oasis earns points as indicated by the oasis marker.
- Water Holes: Placing a camel next to a water hole space earns a water hole marker, which is worth points at the end of the game.
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Areas: Enclosing areas with your caravans can secure them, scoring points based on the number of enclosed spaces.
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Controlling Areas: Try to enclose larger, more rewarding areas with your caravans, as this grants you additional points.
End of the Game
The game ends when either one player has placed the last camels of a color or no more camels can be placed on the board.
Scoring
- Oases: Points as per the oasis markers.
- Water Holes: Each water hole marker is worth one point.
- Longest Caravan: The player with the longest caravan of each color receives bonus points.
- Controlled Areas: Points for the number of enclosed spaces.
The player with the highest total score wins the game.
Strategies and Nuances: - Focus on securing large, rewarding areas early to amass additional points. - Block opponents' expansion while ensuring your plans are not hindered. - Strategically place your leaders to control key water holes and oases.
