Akropolis

2022

Unleash your inner architect, strategically plan and build in ancient Greece. Secure resources, enhance districts, and elevate your city to ultimate victory!

30
minutes

1 - 4
player(s)

Medium Light

About the game

Welcome to the immersive world of Akropolis, a board game that transports you back to the age of ancient Greece. The game takes place in the iconic city of Athens, where players get an opportunity to contribute to the creation of the grand Acropolis.

This game is steeped in history and mythology, providing an unforgettable experience that combines strategy, negotiation, and resource management. The vibrant artwork and intricate pieces work together to create an aesthetic that truly embodies the ancient Greek theme.

Game components Unboxing the fun!

Akropolis is a dynamic board game that involves players building their civilization in ancient Greece. Below are the key components included in the game:

1. Game Board: This is the main component that provides the playing surface for the game. It represents the island of Akropolis with various territories marked on it. Players place their buildings and units on these territories to establish their civilizations.

2. Player Tokens: Each player has a set of tokens in a unique color. These tokens represent the player’s civilization and are used for marking the territories controlled by the player on the game board.

3. Building Tokens: These are special tokens that represent the various types of buildings that can be constructed by the players. These include houses, temples, and palaces. Each type of building provides different benefits to the player.

4. Resource Cards: These cards represent the different resources that players can collect and use to construct buildings. These include wood, stone, and gold.

5. Action Cards: These cards allow players to take special actions during their turn. These actions include moving units, constructing buildings, and collecting resources.

6. God Cards: These cards represent the favors of the gods. Players can use these cards to gain special abilities or to influence the course of the game in their favor.

7. Dice: The dice are used to determine the outcome of various actions such as battles and resource collection.

Each component of Akropolis has a specific function and interacts with the game in different ways. The game board and tokens shape the physical layout of the game, while the cards and dice introduce elements of luck and strategy. By combining these elements, Akropolis offers a unique and engaging gaming experience.

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

Akropolis is an intriguing board game that takes you to the heart of ancient Greece. To help you get started, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to set up the game.

Step 1: Prepare the Game Board

Unfold the game board and place it in the center of the playing area. The game board depicts the city-state of Akropolis, with various districts and special locations marked.

Step 2: Assign Player Roles

Each player represents a leading family in Akropolis. Depending on the number of players, each player should choose a family crest and take the corresponding player board. The player board contains areas to track resources and family members.

Step 3: Distribute Initial Resources

Each player starts the game with a set amount of resources – 5 gold, 3 stone, and 1 grain. Place these resources in the corresponding spaces on your player board. The resources will be used to build structures and support your family members throughout the game.

Step 4: Place Family Members

Each player begins the game with four family members. Place these members in your home district on the game board. As the game progresses, these family members will venture out into the city to gather resources and construct buildings.

Step 5: Prepare the Building Stack

There are various building cards that represent the structures you can build in Akropolis. Shuffle these building cards and place them in a face-down stack. Draw the top five cards and place them face up next to the stack. These are the buildings available for construction at the start of the game.

Step 6: Set Up the Event Deck

Akropolis also features a deck of event cards that introduce random elements to the game. Shuffle these event cards and place them in a face-down deck. Draw the top card and place it face up. This is the first event that will occur in the game.

Now that everything is set up, you’re ready to start playing Akropolis! Remember, the aim of the game is to gain the most prestige points by building structures and controlling districts. May the best family win!

Game flow Round and round we go

Akropolis is an exciting board game that requires strategic planning and careful execution. The game is divided into distinct phases or rounds, each having specific actions that players need to perform. Here’s a detailed description of the game’s structure:

Game Setup

Each player begins the game with a set of workers and a building area.
The game board is laid out with stacks of construction tokens and cards.

Turn Structure

During each turn, a player can perform one of the following actions:

Recruit Workers: A player can recruit more workers by spending construction tokens.
Construct Building: A player can construct a building using their workers and construction tokens.
Collect Resources: A player can send their workers to collect construction tokens from the game board.
Draw a Card: A player can draw a card that can have various effects on the game.

Scoring

After each round, players score points based on the buildings they have constructed. The game continues for a predetermined number of rounds, or until a player reaches a certain score.

End of Game

The game ends when either the construction tokens or cards run out, or when a player has built a certain number of buildings. The player with the highest score wins the game.

While the basic structure of Akropolis is simple, the strategic depth comes from deciding when and how to use your workers, when to build, and when to collect resources. The game requires careful planning, as each decision can significantly affect the outcome of the game.

Players'turn One turn to rule them all

In the board game ‘Akropolis’, each player’s turn is structured and involves strategic decision-making. During a player’s turn, they can perform a variety of actions, each with its own impact on the gameplay. Below is a detailed breakdown of these actions and their influence on the game.

Main Actions:

Draw a Building Card:

The player can choose to draw a building card from the deck. This action adds a new building to their hand, which they can use to construct on their future turns. The building card can significantly impact the player’s strategy as each building has different requirements and benefits.
Construct a Building:

If a player has a building card in their hand and the necessary resources, they can choose to construct a building on their land. The type of building constructed can provide different benefits, for example, some buildings may generate resources each turn, while others may provide strategic advantages.
Trade Resources:

Players are allowed to trade resources with each other during their turn. This strategic choice allows players to obtain the necessary resources they might lack for construction or other purposes. Trading involves negotiating with other players, which adds a social and strategic layer to the gameplay.

Optional Actions:

Swap Building Cards:

If a player is not satisfied with the buildings in their hand, they can choose to swap one of their building cards with a card from the deck. This action can help a player to adapt to the evolving game situation and adjust their strategy accordingly.
Discard and Redraw:

A player may choose to discard their entire hand and redraw the same number of cards from the deck. This action is a drastic strategic decision as it allows the player to completely change their future plans, but it also means discarding potentially beneficial cards.

In conclusion, understanding and utilizing these actions strategically is crucial for success in ‘Akropolis’. Each decision a player makes on their turn can significantly influence the course of the game, making every turn exciting and impactful.

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

The game of ‘Akropolis’ comes to its conclusion when certain conditions are met. These conditions are detailed below:

Game End Conditions

The game ends immediately when a player completes the construction of their fifth monument. It is important to note that the game does not continue until the end of the round.
Alternatively, the game ends when the quarry cannot be refilled at the beginning of a round due to a lack of building blocks.

Before the final scoring takes place, there are a few actions that players must take:

Actions Before Final Scoring

Completion of Monuments:
Any player who has incomplete monuments must determine if they have enough resources left to finish them. If they do, they must complete the monuments and adjust their score accordingly on the scoring track.
Penalty for Unfinished Monuments:
Players who do not have enough resources to complete their monuments will receive a penalty. They lose points equal to the monument’s full value, as indicated on the monument card.

Once these actions are completed, the players can proceed to the final scoring.

Victory Conditions and Final Scoring

Players add the points from their completed monuments to their score.
Next, players add points gained from any bonus cards they may have acquired during the game. The bonus cards can provide a variety of points based on varying conditions.
Players also add any points they have earned from their collected worker tokens to their score.
Finally, any penalties for unfinished monuments are deducted from the players’ scores.
The player with the highest total score after all these calculations is the winner. In the case of a tie, the player with the most completed monuments wins. If there is still a tie, the player with the most bonus cards wins.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

In ‘Akropolis’, the objective is to amass the most victory points by the end of the game. Points are primarily earned by constructing buildings and achieving specific objectives. Here are the details of the scoring system:

1. Constructing Buildings

Residential Buildings: Players earn 1 point for each residential building completed.
Commercial Buildings: Commercial buildings yield 2 points each.
Public Buildings: Public buildings are more complex and provide the player with 3 points each.

2. Achieving Specific Objectives

Players can also earn extra points by fulfilling certain objectives:

Unique Buildings: If a player manages to construct a building unique to their district, they receive an additional 5 points.
Complete District: Completing an entire district provides a hefty bonus of 10 points.

3. End of Game Scoring

At the end of the game, points are also distributed based on:

Remaining Resources: For every set of three resources a player has left, they get 1 point.
Unused Action Cards: Each unused action card is worth 1 point.

Tie-breaking Rules

In the event of a tie at the end of the game, the following rules apply:

The player with the most completed districts wins.
If there is still a tie, the player with the most unique buildings in their districts wins.
If a tie persists, the player with the most remaining resources breaks the tie.
If all else fails and a tie still exists, the player who played last in the turn order wins.

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

Akropolis is an engaging board game with a unique set of rules and exceptions. It is crucial to get familiar with these rules to ensure a fun and fair play. Here are some of the game’s special rules and clarifications:

1. The Zeus Rule:

In Akropolis, Zeus holds a special power. Whenever a player lands on a Zeus space, they may choose to either draw two Zeus cards or play one from their hand, instead of their regular turn. However, it’s important to note that a player cannot do both. They must choose either to draw or to play a card.

2. The Heroic Feat:

When a player decides to perform a heroic feat, they must sacrifice a number of citizens equal to the level of the feat. However, the sacrificed citizens do not include any citizens from the player’s home city. This is a common misunderstanding among new players.

3. The Building Rule:

A player can only build on their own city’s building spaces. However, a player can use the resources of their home city to build in another player’s city if they have a trade agreement. This exception is often overlooked.

4. Trade Agreement Clarification:

Trade agreements allow players to use one another’s resources. However, a trade agreement does not allow a player to use another player’s citizens or buildings. This rule is sometimes misinterpreted.

5. Endgame Scoring:

The game ends when all the building spaces in one of the cities are filled. The player with the highest total of victory points from buildings, citizens, and Zeus cards wins. It’s essential to remember that any remaining resources do not count towards the final score.

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

Akropolis is a challenging board game that requires strategic planning and tactical maneuvering. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced player, there are several strategies and tips you can use to optimize your gameplay. Here are some of them:

Advanced Strategies:

Focus on Building Placement: Don’t just build structures randomly. Pay attention to where you’re placing them. Buildings that are adjacent to each other can help you create a stronghold, making it harder for your opponents to break through.
Manage Your Resources Wisely: Always keep track of your resources. It’s easy to run out if you’re not careful. Make sure to replenish your resources regularly and only use them when necessary.
Take Advantage of Your Opponent’s Weaknesses: If you notice that your opponent is lacking in a particular area, try to exploit that weakness. For example, if they’re low on resources, try to take control of the resource-producing areas.

Beginner Tips:

Learn the Rules: Before you start playing, make sure you understand the rules of the game. This will help you make better decisions during the game.
Start Small: As a beginner, it’s better to start with small buildings. They are easier to manage and less expensive to build.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help: If you’re not sure about something, don’t hesitate to ask for help. It’s better to ask a question than to make a mistake that could cost you the game.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

Not Planning Ahead: Akropolis is a game of strategy. If you don’t plan your moves ahead of time, you’re likely to find yourself in a difficult situation.
Ignoring Your Opponents: While it’s important to focus on your own game, you should also pay attention to what your opponents are doing. If you ignore them, you might miss out on opportunities to block their moves or take advantage of their mistakes.
Spending All Your Resources at Once: It can be tempting to spend all your resources at once, but this is usually a bad idea. It’s important to save some resources for emergencies.

Ways to Optimize Gameplay:

Practice Regularly: The more you play, the better you’ll get. Practice regularly to improve your skills and develop your strategies.
Study Your Opponents: Try to learn from your opponents. Watch their moves and strategies, and try to figure out what works and what doesn’t.
Stay Calm and Focused: It’s easy to get frustrated when things aren’t going your way. However, it’s important to stay calm and focused. Remember, it’s just a game.