Thebes

2007

Immerse yourself in Thebes, a board game where players become archaeologists, traveling and excavating ancient civilizations to claim priceless artifacts.

60
minutes

2 - 4
player(s)

Medium

About the game

Welcome to the fascinating world of Thebes, a board game that transports you back in time to the early 20th century, a golden era of archeology. In this game, you’ll play as an archeologist traveling around Europe, collecting knowledge and equipment, before setting off to dig in various historical sites around the world.

The game’s central theme revolves around exploration and the effort of unearthing treasures hidden beneath the ground. The setting is rich and evocative, with various European cities and famous archeological sites offering a backdrop for your adventures. From the ancient ruins of Greece to the mysterious tombs of Egypt, every destination is an opportunity for discovery.

Game components Unboxing the fun!

The game Thebes is filled with numerous components which play vital roles in the course of the game. Here is a detailed list of each component, and an explanation of its function:

1 Game Board: This is the main platform where the game takes place. It contains different locations representing archaeology sites, universities, and other key locations.
4 Player Boards: These are individual boards for each player. Players use these boards to keep track of their knowledge points, weeks, and obtained tiles.
4 Player Figures: Each player has a specific figure that represents them on the game board. The figure is moved around the board to indicate the player’s current location.
96 Knowledge Cards: These cards represent the archaeological knowledge the players can acquire. They come in four different categories – General Knowledge, Special Knowledge, Immediate Actions, and Shovels. Players use these cards to perform actions or gain points.
180 Dig Tiles: These tiles represent the artifacts and dirt players can find during their excavations. Each tile is placed in a corresponding site bag. The quality of the artifacts is determined by the number of symbols on the tile.
5 Site Bags: Each bag represents an archaeological site. Players draw Dig Tiles from these bags during excavation rounds.
15 Tomb Tokens: These tokens are awarded to players after successful excavations. They represent the discovered tombs and give players additional points at the end of the game.
1 Score Track: This is used to keep track of each player’s score throughout the game. Players move their markers along the track as they earn points.
1 Year Marker: This is used to keep track of the in-game year. The game ends after a predetermined number of in-game years.
4 Time Markers: Players use these markers on their individual boards to keep track of the time they spend on each action.
12 Congress Cards: These cards give players additional benefits when they attend congresses. Benefits can include additional knowledge points or extra draw chances in the site bags.

All these components interact together to create an immersive archaeological journey for the players. The aim is to accumulate the most points through careful management of knowledge, time, and successful excavations.

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

‘Thebes’ is an exciting archaeological adventure board game where players take on the roles of archaeologists exploring ancient cities. The steps to set up the game are as follows:

Step 1: Set up the game board

Place the game board in the center of the playing area. Ensure that all players can reach the board comfortably. The board represents various European cities and the ancient sites associated with them.

Step 2: Sort out the game components

Sort out the following components and place them near the game board:

Knowledge cards
Exhibition cards
General Artifact tiles

Step 3: Prepare the dig bags

Each ancient site has a corresponding dig bag filled with tokens. The tokens represent both valuable artifacts and worthless dirt. Shuffle the tokens and place them in their matching dig bags.

Step 4: Prepare the draw pile

Create a draw pile by shuffling the Exhibit cards and the Knowledge cards together. Place this pile near the game board.

Step 5: Assign player roles and distribute initial resources

Each player chooses a color and takes the matching player pieces: a time marker, an archaeologist, and a home base marker. Place the home base markers on their corresponding cities and the time markers on the ‘0’ space of the time track. The archaeologists start off the board. Each player also receives one ‘shovel’ card, representing their initial digging equipment.

Step 6: Prepare the starting cards

Draw six cards from the draw pile and place them face up next to the board. These are the available cards for the first round.

Step 7: Determine the starting player

The youngest player goes first. The game now begins with the start player and proceeds clockwise.

Note: The game incorporates a fair amount of randomness with the draw pile and dig bags, adding an element of unpredictability to each game.

Game flow Round and round we go

Thebes is an exciting board game that takes players on archaeological expeditions. The game is divided into several rounds, each consisting of a series of player turns. Below is a detailed breakdown of the game structure, rounds, and player actions.

The game begins with a Setup Phase, where players are assigned starting resources, and the game board is prepared as follows:

Each player is given a home base, represented by a colored marker, and places it on the starting city on the board.
Knowledge cards are shuffled and placed face-down in a pile. Each player is then dealt a certain number of cards, depending on the number of players.
Year markers are placed on the time track, starting from the current year.

After the setup, players proceed to the Main Game Rounds, following these steps each turn:

Move your Marker: Players can move their marker to any city on the board. The time it takes to move depends on the distance between cities.
Perform an Action: After moving, players can perform one of the following actions:
- Draw a card: Players can draw a card from any city they are in. The number of cards that can be drawn is determined by the city.
- Perform an Excavation: Players can excavate at a dig site if they have enough knowledge about the site. The more knowledge they have, the more tiles they can draw from the excavation bag.
- Gain Knowledge: Players can gain knowledge by spending time in a city with a university or a library.
End the Turn: After performing an action, the player’s turn ends, and the next player’s turn begins.

The game continues in this manner until all the year markers on the time track have been used, signaling the end of the final round. The game then moves into the End Game Phase, where:

Players tally up their points from their collected artifacts.
Additional points are awarded for sets of different types of artifacts.
The player with the most points is declared the winner.

In the event of a tie, the player who reached the end of the time track first is the winner. The game of Thebes is a thrilling blend of strategy and chance, promising a unique experience each time you play.

Players'turn One turn to rule them all

Thebes is an adventurous and exciting board game revolving around archaeological excavations. Each player’s turn involves making strategic decisions that can significantly impact the game’s outcome. Here’s a detailed breakdown of a player’s turn in Thebes:

During a player’s turn, the following actions can be taken:

Moving: The first action a player can take is moving to a new city. The amount of time spent depends on the distance between the current city and the destination city. This action is essential as it allows players to participate in various activities in different cities.
Learning: Players can spend their time learning about archaeology. This involves drawing a ‘knowledge’ card, which represents the gained knowledge and increases the player’s chances of success during excavations.
Gathering: Players can gather necessary equipment and assistants that can help in excavations. These items, represented by ‘equipment’ cards, can provide bonuses and advantages during excavations.
Excavating: The central action in Thebes is excavating at the dig sites. Players must spend a certain amount of time (represented in weeks), and then they can draw from the excavation bag. The more time spent and knowledge acquired, the higher the chances of finding valuable artifacts.

Strategic choices greatly influence the gameplay in Thebes. Here are some of the ways these choices can affect the game:

Moving strategically: Players must consider the benefits and downsides of moving to different cities. Some cities may offer more knowledge or better equipment, while others may be closer to the desired dig sites.
Learning wisely: Acquiring knowledge can greatly increase a player’s chances of success during excavations. However, players must balance the time spent learning with the time needed for excavations and other activities.
Gathering effectively: Gathering the right equipment and assistants can significantly boost a player’s excavation efforts. Players need to decide which items are worth their time and which can be ignored.
Timing excavations: The timing of excavations is crucial. Early excavations may result in finding valuable artifacts before others. However, rushing into an excavation without sufficient knowledge or equipment might lead to wasted time and missed opportunities.

Understanding and making the most out of these actions and strategic choices is key to winning in Thebes. Each decision can tip the scales in a player’s favor, making each turn a thrilling experience.

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

The game of Thebes is designed to be played over a specified number of years (game time), with the exact duration depending on the number of players. For a game with 2-3 players, the game ends after 3 years, while a game with 4 players lasts 2 years.

Each action that a player takes in the game consumes a certain amount of time. When a player’s marker reaches or passes the ‘end of year’ space on the time track, their year is considered to be over. However, the game does not end until all players have finished their year, meaning that players who are behind on the time track are allowed to catch up.

The game of Thebes ends when all players have finished the last year. At this point, the final scoring will occur. It’s important to note that there is no final round where players can take extra actions. The game ends immediately when the last player finishes their year.

Victory in Thebes is determined by the total number of victory points (VPs) that players have accumulated during the game. There are several ways to earn VPs:

Exhibitions: Players can earn VPs by successfully holding exhibitions. The number of VPs earned depends on the number and quality of artifacts exhibited.
Excavations: Excavating at dig sites can also yield artifacts, which are worth VPs. The value of an artifact is indicated on its token.
Special Cards: Some special cards provide players with VPs. The value is specified on the card.

Before the final scoring, each player must count the VPs on their collected artifact tokens and special cards. They also need to count the VPs gained from exhibitions. The player with the highest total is the winner. In case of a tie, the player who is furthest ahead on the time track wins. If there is still a tie, the player with the most total artifact tokens wins.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

Thebes is a popular board game where players take on the roles of archaeologists in the early 20th century. Scoring in Thebes is based on the successful completion of excavations, the acquisition of knowledge, and the collection of treasure. Here is how the scoring system works:

1. Excavation Points:

Players earn points by successfully completing excavations. The points earned depend on the value of the treasures discovered during the excavation. Each treasure tile has a specified point value, ranging from 1 to 5.
At the end of the game, the total points from all treasure tiles a player has collected are added up.

2. Knowledge Points:

Players can also earn points by gaining knowledge about the places they excavate. This is represented by ‘knowledge cards’ that players can collect throughout the game.
Each knowledge card has a specific point value, from 1 to 4. At the end of the game, the total points from all knowledge cards a player has gathered are added to their score.

3. Exhibit Points:

Another way to earn points is by organizing exhibits of the treasures discovered. Each successful exhibit earns the player exhibit points.
The number of points earned from an exhibit depends on the number and variety of treasures displayed. The points can range from 1 to 7.

4. Special Cards:

Some special cards also provide points. The ‘General Knowledge’ card grants 2 points, and the ‘Assistant’ card provides 3 points.

At the end of the game, the player with the highest total points (from treasure tiles, knowledge cards, exhibit points, and special cards) is declared the winner.

Tie-Breaking Rules: In the event of a tie, the following tie-breaker rules are applied:

The player with the most ‘Assistant’ cards wins.
If there is still a tie, the player with the most ‘General Knowledge’ cards wins.
If there is still a tie, the player who completed the most successful excavations wins.
If there is still a tie, the player with the most knowledge points wins.
If there is still a tie, the player with the most exhibit points wins.
If there is still a tie, the player who went first in the game wins.

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

The board game ‘Thebes’ is a fun and engaging game of archeology and treasure hunting. However, like any board game, it has a few special rules and exceptions that can be confusing to new players. Here are some of the most important:

Time Track:

The Time Track is an important aspect of Thebes. The player who is farthest behind on the Time Track always takes the next turn. If multiple players are tied for being farthest behind, the player among them who hasn’t just taken a turn goes next.

Research:

When a player chooses to Research, they may not select a card that would result in their pawn moving ahead of the lead player on the Time Track. This is one of the key strategic elements of the game – balancing the pursuit of knowledge with the need to stay competitive in terms of time.

Excavating:

When Excavating, a player can only draw as many tokens from the bag as the number of weeks they’ve decided to spend, up to a maximum of 12. Tokens drawn must include all ‘dirt’ tokens (which are worth nothing) – they cannot be put back into the bag during the same excavation.

Exhibition Cards:

Exhibition Cards can only be claimed if the player has the exact knowledge points shown on the card. Overpaying is not allowed. Also, a player cannot claim an Exhibition Card the same turn they visit a city to gain knowledge.

End of the Game:

The game ends when all players have reached or passed the last space on the Time Track. The player who is farthest ahead on the Time Track at the end does not necessarily win; instead, the player with the most total points from treasure tokens and Exhibition Cards wins the game.

These are some of the most important special rules and exceptions in ‘Thebes’. Understanding these can greatly enhance your gameplay and strategic decision-making.

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

Thebes is a thrilling board game that combines strategy, luck, and knowledge about archeology. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced player, here are some tips, strategies, and common mistakes to avoid:

Advanced Strategies:

In the early game, focus on gaining knowledge points. These will allow you to excavate more efficiently in the later stages of the game.
Don’t ignore the small digs. They can be incredibly lucrative and require less time commitment than the larger digs.
Keep an eye on your opponents. If they are specializing in a particular area, consider diversifying your own focus to avoid direct competition.
Make use of congress cards. They can provide significant advantages and can be a game-changer if used properly.

Beginner Tips:

Start by learning the basics of the game, such as how to dig and gain knowledge points.
Don’t try to do everything at once. Specialize in a particular area or type of dig.
Remember that time is a resource. Use it wisely and avoid wasting it on low-reward digs.
Pay attention to the exhibition cards. They can provide bonus points and help you win the game.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

Don’t spend all your time on high-risk, high-reward digs. They can be exciting, but they can also leave you with nothing.
Avoid wasting time on digs in areas where you have low knowledge. It’s better to focus on areas where you have a higher chance of success.
Don’t ignore your opponents. Keep track of what they’re doing and adjust your strategy accordingly.

Ways to Optimize Gameplay:

Plan your moves in advance. Think about where you want to dig next and what you need to do to get there.
Take calculated risks. Don’t be afraid to go for a big dig if you have the knowledge and time to support it.
Use your special cards wisely. They can provide a significant advantage when used at the right time.