Game Objective

Medici is a strategic auction and trading game where players assume the roles of merchants aiming to accumulate wealth. The objective of the game is to collect the most points by purchasing and trading goods.

Setup

The game consists of: - 1 game board, depicting markets for different goods. - 36 goods cards, used according to the number of players. - Player markers for tracking scores. - Ship tiles for each player.

Preparation: 1. Each player chooses a color and receives the corresponding ship tile. 2. Place the players' markers at the start of the score track. 3. All goods cards are shuffled and placed as a face-down deck.

Game Play

The game consists of three rounds, each divided into auction rounds. Each auction round proceeds as follows:

1. Drawing Goods Cards

• The starting player draws 1 to 3 cards, laying them face up on the table.
• This begins the auction phase:
• Players take turns, starting with the starting player.
• Players can either pass or place a bid.
• The highest bidder wins the cards and places them in their ship tile.

2. Completing Ship Loading

• A ship can hold a maximum of 5 goods cards. If a player reaches this limit, they can no longer participate in auctions.
• Once all players have loaded their ships, the current round ends.

3. Round Scoring

Each round is followed by a scoring phase: - Goods Scoring: - Points are awarded based on the number of collected goods of the same type. - Each goods type has a separate market that shows the player's position based on their collection. - Ship Bonus: - The player with the most valuable goods (according to card points) receives additional points.

4. Next Round

• All collected cards are discarded, and a new round begins.
• The starting player rotates clockwise.

Game End

The game ends after the third round. The player with the most points wins the game.

Strategy Tips

• Careful in Auctions: Sometimes aggressively bidding can be beneficial if a specific good is needed for multiple points.
• Maintain Balance: With three rounds, it's important to consider both short-term and long-term strategies.
• Combine Goods: Try to collect a variety of different goods to be well-placed in several markets.

Medici offers a great mix of strategy and luck, requiring players to decide whether a good is worth its price and what the long-term effects of a choice might be. Enjoy playing!