Objective
Himalaya is a strategic board game in which players assume the roles of Tibetan traders traveling across the Himalayan mountains. The aim is to collect various goods and deliver them to villages to gain wealth and influence. The player boasting the most influence at the game's conclusion wins.
Setup
- Prepare the board: The board shows the Himalayan region with several villages and pathways.
- Resources: Place the resource tokens (tea packets, barley bundles, yak milk bottles) in the designated areas.
- Goods tokens and pawns: Each player selects a color and takes the corresponding pawn, goods tokens, and trophy sets.
- Temple markers: Position them along the board's edge.
Game Flow
The game consists of multiple rounds, each with four phases:
- Planning Phase
- Players program their movements and actions in advance by laying down cards face-down.
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Each card represents a movement or action, such as collecting or delivering goods.
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Action Phase
- Players reveal their cards in a set sequence and execute the actions.
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Move along paths, collect resources in villages, make deliveries.
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Sales Phase
- Players sell collected resources to the villages for influence points.
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Strategize about which goods to sell to maximize points and advantages.
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Influence Phase
- Players increase their influence in the villages by fulfilling mission cards and selling goods.
- Influence is placed directly on the board as tokens to control villages.
Ending the Game
The game ends after a predetermined number of rounds, which varies depending on the number of players.
Winning Conditions
- The player with the most communal, political, and religious influence wins.
- If there is a tie, the player with the most money breaks the tie.
Strategic Tips
- Planning: Since movements are pre-programmed, think ahead about when and where to collect and deliver goods.
- Flexibility: Adjust your strategy based on the actions of other players. If a village is contested, consider moving to another.
- Influence: Don't only focus on collecting resources; building influence and aligning with mission goals is crucial.
Strategic thinking, planning, and resource management are key to succeeding in Himalaya and winning the game.
