Vikings

2007

Vikings is a captivating economic board game with a unique pricing wheel feature. Engage in strategic resource management and indirect competition, without any direct conflicts or pillaging. Perfect for strategy enthusiasts!

60
minutes

2 - 4
player(s)

10+

Medium

About the game

Vikings is a captivating board game that plunges you into the era of the fearless warriors of the North. The game, designed by Michael Kiesling, is set during the Viking Age, a period of exploration, trade, and conquest from the late 8th to early 11th century. In this game, you get the chance to lead your clan, navigate treacherous seas, conquer new territories, and accumulate vast wealth.

The unique charm of Vikings comes from its perfect blend of various gaming elements. It combines tile placement, set collection, and a unique auction/bidding mechanic. This mix creates a versatile and dynamic gaming experience, making each playthrough feel different and exciting.

Game components Unboxing the fun!

Vikings is an engaging and strategic board game. The game includes several components, each of which plays a unique role in the gameplay. Below is a detailed description of each component:

1. Game Board: The game board consists of four islands, each containing a different number of spaces for building tiles and Vikings. The board also has a scoring track around the edge to keep track of each player’s points.

2. Vikings: There are six different types of Vikings, each represented by a different color. Each Viking type has a different role (e.g., scouts, warriors, shipbuilders, etc.) and interacts with the game in different ways, contributing to the player’s strategy and potential to earn points.

3. Building Tiles: These tiles represent different buildings that players can place on their islands. Each building provides different benefits and/or points, and some also require specific Vikings to operate.

4. Ships: Ships are used to explore new areas and can also be used to attack other players. Each ship requires a specific type of Viking to operate.

5. Gold Coins: Gold coins are the currency of the game. They can be used to purchase Vikings and building tiles, and are also worth points at the end of the game.

6. Start Player Marker: This marker indicates who is the starting player for each round. The start player has the first option to purchase Vikings and building tiles in each round.

7. Price Wheel: This wheel is used to determine the cost of the Vikings and building tiles each round. The wheel is rotated at the start of each round, changing the prices of the available components.

8. Scoring Markers: These markers are used to track each player’s points on the scoring track. The player with the most points at the end of the game is the winner.

These components interact in various ways throughout the game. Players use their gold coins to purchase Vikings and building tiles, which they then place on their islands. The placement and combination of Vikings and buildings can impact a player’s strategy and scoring potential. The game requires careful planning and strategic decision-making, with each component playing a critical role in the overall gameplay.

Game setup Lay it out, line it up, let’s go

Vikings is an exciting board game filled with strategy and adventure. Follow this step-by-step guide to set up the game correctly:

Step 1: Player Roles

Each player represents a Viking chieftain who sets out to discover new lands, trade with neighbors, and protect their settlements from invaders. Players compete to accumulate the most victory points, which are gained by exploring new areas, building settlements, and successfully defending against invaders.

Step 2: Board Placement

The game board should be placed in the center of the playing area. The board shows a wheel with 12 spaces, each representing a type of action or resource. There should be a space for the start player token, and a track for the scoring markers. The wheel has a rotating mechanism, so make sure it’s correctly assembled and can turn freely.

Step 3: Initial Resources

Each player starts the game with a set of Viking figures in their color, a player board, and 3 gold coins. The player board shows a player’s own Viking village, where they can place their Viking figures. The gold coins are used to buy resources and actions during the game.

Step 4: Random Elements

The game includes several random elements to increase replayability. Firstly, the Viking figures are placed face down and mixed up before being placed on the wheel. This means the available actions and resources will be different each round. Secondly, the invaders that players must defend against are drawn randomly from a bag.

Step 5: Setting Up the Wheel

Place the tiles and Viking figures on the wheel. The tiles are placed face up, while the figures are placed face down. The tiles and figures are arranged in pairs, with the lowest-priced tile paired with the figure in the first space, the second-lowest-priced tile with the figure in the second space, and so on.

Step 6: Draw Initial Invaders

At the beginning of the game, each player draws a number of invaders from the bag equal to the number of players. These invaders are placed face up in front of the players, and must be defeated during the game to avoid losing points.

Step 7: Determine the Starting Player

The starting player is the last person who saw a boat (or chosen by any other arbitrary method). The starting player takes the start player token and will be the first to choose an action in the first round.

Game flow Round and round we go

The game of ‘Vikings’ is a strategic board game that revolves around the acquisition of resources, developing provinces, and defending against invasions. The game is typically played over six rounds, each structured into four distinct phases.

Phase One: Preparation

During the preparation phase, the viking and tile combinations are set up on the rotating wheel.

Viking Placement: The start player randomly draws 12 Vikings from the bag and places them, one at a time, on the next available space of the wheel, starting with the 0 space and moving clockwise.
Tile Placement: After all the Vikings have been placed, the start player draws 12 tiles from the bag and matches them with the Vikings on the wheel, starting with the 0 space and moving clockwise.

Phase Two: Actions

During the actions phase, players take turns to purchase Viking/tile pairs and perform actions.

Purchase Viking/Tile Pair: Beginning with the start player and continuing clockwise, each player must buy one Viking/tile pair from the wheel.
Perform Actions: After purchasing, the player can place their Viking and tile on their island. The tile must be placed in a row matching the Viking’s color. Tiles allow for actions such as increasing income, building ships, or adding defenses.

Phase Three: Scoring

At the end of each round, players score points based on the completed rows of tiles in their territory and the number of enemy ships they’ve successfully defended against.

Phase Four: Cleanup

In the cleanup phase, all the remaining Viking/tile pairs on the wheel are removed from the game. The start player marker is passed to the next player in clockwise order. The game then proceeds to the next round’s preparation phase, and the process repeats until all six rounds are completed. The player with the most points at the end of the game is declared the winner.

Players'turn One turn to rule them all

In ‘Vikings’, each player’s turn consists of a series of actions that can profoundly impact the overall gameplay. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

1. Drawing Tiles:

Players start their turn by drawing tiles from the bag. The number of tiles drawn depends on the number of players in the game. In a two-player game, eight tiles are drawn; in a three-player game, 11 tiles; and in a four-player game, 12 tiles.

2. Placing Tiles on the Wheel:

Next, the drawn tiles are placed on the numbered spaces of the price wheel in a clockwise direction. The numbers on the wheel represent the cost of each tile. Players can strategically choose which tile to buy based on its cost and potential benefits.

3. Purchasing Tiles:

Players can purchase one tile (along with the Viking on it) during their turn. They pay the cost indicated on the wheel and then place the tile on their player board. The placement of tiles is crucial for building settlements and earning points.

4. Using Special Abilities:

Some Viking tiles have special abilities. These abilities can be used when the tile is purchased and placed on the player board. For instance, the Scout lets you draw and place additional tiles, and the Noble increases the value of your settlements.

5. Scoring Points:

Players score points for their settlements at the end of their turn. The scoring depends on the size and type of the settlement. Bigger settlements and those with Nobles are worth more points.

6. Refilling the Wheel:

At the end of the turn, the price wheel is refilled with tiles for the next player’s turn.

Strategic Choices:

Players have to make several strategic decisions during their turn. They have to decide which tile to buy, where to place it on their board, and when to use the special abilities of their Vikings. These decisions can greatly affect their scoring and the outcome of the game.

End of the game All good games must come to an end

The game of ‘Vikings’ ends after all six rounds are completed. Each round represents a year, and thus, the game spans over six years. At the end of the sixth year (round), the players must calculate their final scores to determine the winner.

Victory Conditions:

The player with the highest total points at the end of the game wins. The total points are calculated by adding together the points from several categories:

Island Points: Players earn points based on the size of their islands. The larger the island, the more points it’s worth.
Gold Points: Each piece of gold a player has at the end of the game is worth one point.
Boat Points: Each boat in a player’s possession is worth points as indicated on the boat tile.
Viking Points: Players earn points for every Viking they have. The points vary depending on the type of Viking.

Actions Before Final Scoring:

Before final scoring can occur, players must complete the following actions:

Final Purchases: Players may make final purchases using any remaining gold. They can buy boats, hire additional Vikings, or expand their islands.
Resolve Battles: If there are any unresolved battles, they must be resolved before final scoring. Players may lose Vikings or boats during these battles, which could affect their final score.
Check for Completed Islands: Players must check if they have any completed islands. A completed island is one that is fully surrounded by water tiles. Completed islands earn bonus points during final scoring.

After all these actions are completed, final scoring can take place. Remember, the player with the highest total points is declared the winner of the ‘Vikings’ game.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

‘Vikings’ is an exciting board game featuring strategic gameplay and a unique scoring system. The game rewards players for their tactical decisions and efficient use of resources.

Scoring Points

Players can earn points in the following ways:

Island Scoring: At the end of each round, players score points for their islands. Each island is worth a number of points equal to the number of tiles it contains.
Boat Scoring: Players earn points for each Viking boat they own. The point value of each boat is determined by the number of tiles in the longest continuous line of tiles of the same color.
Gold Scoring: Players earn 1 point for every gold piece they possess at the end of the game.
Viking Scoring: At the end of the game, players score points for their Vikings. Each Viking is worth a number of points determined by their position on the scoring track.

Tie-Breaking Rules

If the game ends in a tie, use the following methods to determine the winner:

Most Vikings: The player with the most Vikings on their player board wins.
Most Gold: If there is still a tie, the player with the most gold wins.
Least Expensive Vikings: If there is still a tie, the player who spent the least amount of gold on Vikings wins.

By understanding the scoring system and tie-breaking rules, players can maximize their points and increase their chances of winning the game.

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

The board game ‘Vikings’ has several special rules and exceptions that players should be aware of. These can significantly influence the strategy and outcome of the game, so it’s important to have them clarified.

1. Special Abilities of Viking Leaders:

Each Viking leader has a unique ability that can be used during the game. These abilities are not optional and must be used when applicable.

Berserker: This Viking leader can attack twice during a battle round.
Navigator: This leader can move the Viking ship an extra space during the movement phase.
Scout: This leader allows the player to look at two tiles instead of one during the exploration phase.

2. The Island Settlement Rule:

When a player places a tile on their player board to create an island, it must be placed adjacent to another tile. If a player cannot place a tile, they must discard it.

3. The Gold Exception:

Gold is a special resource in ‘Vikings’. Unlike other resources, gold can be used to substitute any other resource when buying a tile or a Viking.

4. The Monastery Rule:

In the case of a tie at the end of the game, the player with the most monasteries wins. If there’s still a tie, the player with the most gold wins.

5. The Final Scoring Rule:

At the end of the game, players do not receive points for resources or Vikings that are not placed on their player board. Only islands, monasteries, and Viking leaders on the board contribute to the final score.

6. The “No Combat” Exception:

If a player has no Viking leaders on their player board during the combat phase, they do not participate in combat.

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

Vikings is a strategic board game that requires careful planning and resource management. Here are some useful tips and strategies to help you improve your gameplay.

Advanced Strategies:

Focus on acquiring gold and silver Vikings: Gold and silver Vikings are crucial for their special abilities. Gold Vikings can increase your income, and silver Vikings allow you to place tiles in your home area, giving you more flexibility.
Use boats wisely: Boats are a significant part of the game strategy. They act as a barrier to protect your land and also increase your score. Make sure to place them strategically to maximize their effectiveness.
Plan your scoring: Vikings is a game where you score points throughout the game. Keep track of your potential score and make moves that will maximize it.

Beginner Tips:

Understand the wheel: The wheel is the heart of the game. It determines the cost of your Vikings and their actions. Spend time understanding how it works to make optimal decisions.
Manage your resources: It’s essential to balance your resources in Vikings. Don’t overspend on Vikings early in the game, as you’ll need resources for later rounds.
Plan ahead: Always have a plan for your next turn. Anticipate your opponents’ moves and adjust your strategy accordingly.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

Ignoring the wheel: The wheel is a crucial part of the game, and ignoring it can lead to a loss. Paying attention to the wheel and how it changes is crucial to strategy and planning.
Overlooking defense: Boats serve as a protective barrier to your lands. Neglecting to invest in boats can leave your lands vulnerable to attacks.
Resource mismanagement: It’s easy to overspend in the early game, leaving you with insufficient resources for later rounds. Always keep an eye on your resources and plan your spending carefully.

Ways to Optimize Gameplay:

Adjust your strategy based on your opponents: Pay attention to what your opponents are doing and adjust your strategy accordingly. If they are focusing on a particular type of Viking, consider focusing on another type to avoid competition.
Master the wheel: The wheel is the heart of the game and mastering it can give you a significant advantage. Learn how to predict its movements and use it to your advantage.
Balance your resources: Manage your resources wisely. Strive to maintain a balance between acquiring Vikings, buying boats, and managing your lands.