Instructions Settlers of Zarahemla

Objective of the Game

The objective in Settlers of Zarahemla is to collect points by building roads, settlements, and cities, as well as trading resources. The player who first reaches a certain number of points (typically 12) wins the game.

Game Setup

1. Board Setup: The board is composed of hex tiles, which are randomly placed at the beginning of the game. Each tile represents a terrain type, such as forest, grain, pasture, hills, and desert, and produces different resources.

2. Number Tokens: Each terrain tile is assigned a number token with numbers 2 to 12, except the desert tile.

3. Initial Placement: Each player takes turns placing two settlements and two roads on the board. Settlements are placed on intersections between three tiles, and roads are placed along tile edges.

4. Initial Resource Allocation: Players receive resources for their second placed settlement based on the adjacent tiles.

Game Play

The game is played in rounds, with each player taking their turn in sequence:

1. Roll Dice: At the beginning of their turn, the active player rolls two dice.
2. Tiles with numbers matching the die roll produce their respective resources. Players with settlements or cities on adjacent intersections receive these resources.

3. On a roll of "7," the Robber is activated (details below).

4. Trade: Players may trade resources with other players or through the board's bank, often at a 4:1 ratio unless they have a harbor which allows for a better trade ratio (3:1 or 2:1 for specific resources).

5. Build: Players can use resources to build new roads, settlements, cities, or buy development cards:

6. Road: 1 wood, 1 brick.
7. Settlement: 1 wood, 1 brick, 1 grain, 1 sheep.
8. City: 2 grain, 3 ore (upgrades an existing settlement).
9. Development Card: 1 sheep, 1 grain, 1 ore.

Special Rules

• Robber: On a dice roll of 7, the active player must move the robber. It blocks resource production on the tile he is moved to until repositioned, and the active player steals a card from one player with settlements or cities on that tile.
• Development Cards: These provide various benefits like knight cards, road building, or immediate victory points.
• Longest Road: The player with the longest unbroken road of at least five segments earns points.
• Largest Army: The player with the most played knight cards earns points.

Strategic Considerations

• Positioning: Choose strategic intersections to ensure access to a variety of resources and to control key positions.
• Trading: Use trading to balance resource shortages, but be mindful of not giving opponents crucial advantages.
• Flexibility: Develop an adaptable strategy based on changing resource conditions and trade opportunities.

With this foundation, you are ready to play Settlers of Zarahemla and devise your winning strategy!