Objective
The objective of Golden Horn: From Venice to Constantinople is to transport goods between these famous trading cities and become the most successful merchant. Players earn points through savvy trading, strategic navigation, and fulfilling trade contracts.
Game Materials
- Board: A map of Venice and Constantinople connected by trade routes.
- Ships: Each color represents a player.
- Goods Cards: Various goods with different point values.
- Trade Cards: Contracts that need to be fulfilled.
Setup
- Each player receives ships in one color, two goods cards, and a trade card.
- The board is placed in the center, and the starting positions for ships are established.
- The remaining cards are shuffled and placed nearby.
Game Flow
The game proceeds in rounds, with players taking turns in sequence.
Player Turn
- Movement: The active player moves one of their ships along the designated trade routes. The number of spaces is determined by the cards in the player's possession and current trade agreements. Movement is crucial, as it affects how quickly goods are transported.
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Players can try to block or slow down opponents by strategically placing ships on certain routes.
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Trading: When the ship arrives at a city, the player can load or unload goods.
- Loading Goods: The player draws corresponding cards from the deck.
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Unloading Goods: Goods cards are placed back into the city, earning the player points.
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Fulfilling Trade Contracts: After unloading goods, trade cards can be fulfilled for additional points.
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Drawing: At the end of the round, the player draws goods cards to reach their hand limit.
Winning Conditions
The game ends once a player reaches a predetermined number of points, set before the game begins. Alternatively, the game may end after a fixed number of rounds. The player with the most points wins.
Strategic Tips
- Planning: Since routes are fixed, long-term planning is essential. Consider carefully where to unload goods for maximum benefit.
- Blocking: Use your ships to hinder the movement of opponents. Strategically blocking routes can be very effective.
- Maintaining Balance: Keep a balanced hand of cards to remain flexible in responding to trading demands.
Special Rules
- Pirates: Certain routes are prone to pirate attacks, restricting movements. Be aware of these special cases to avoid unnecessary risks.
Through strategic thinking and skilled trading, players aim to become the most successful merchant in "Golden Horn: From Venice to Constantinople."