Clans of Caledonia

2017

Clans of Caledonia: Immersive mid-to-heavy economic game set in 19th-century Scotland. Players represent historic clans, battling to produce, trade, and export goods, including the much sought-after whisky!

120
minutes

1 - 4
player(s)

12+

Medium Heavy

About the game

Clans of Caledonia is a highly strategic and deeply immersive board game that transports you back to 19th century Scotland, during the time of the Scottish Enlightenment – a period of significant economic and social growth. As players, you represent historic clans with unique abilities and compete to produce, trade and export agricultural goods.

The game is set in the beautiful highlands of Scotland, which is brought to life with a richly detailed and vibrant game board. The setting is not merely aesthetic but plays a crucial part in the gameplay, as you navigate the diverse Scottish landscape – from its lush pastures to its rugged mountains.

Game components Unboxing the fun!

1. Game Board: The game board is a map of Scotland divided into 16 regions. Each region is separated by river crossings, locks, or sea routes. The board is used to place player pieces, track goods, and determine the game’s progression. The board also contains a market where players can buy and sell goods.

2. Player Boards: Each player receives a player board that represents their clan. The player boards are used to track the player’s resources, score victory points, and manage their clan members. Each board has unique abilities and characteristics that match the clan they represent.

3. Clan Members: These pieces represent the player’s workforce. They are used to claim territories on the game board. There are four types of clan members: Farmers, Craftsmen, Traders, and Shepherds. Each has a unique role and provides different benefits.

4. Wooden Resources: The game includes wooden pieces that represent the resources in the game: wheat, milk, wool, and whiskey. Players collect these resources during the game and can use them to trade, build, or complete objectives.

5. Money: Money is used in the game to purchase goods, hire workers, and build structures. It’s also a way to score points at the end of the game.

6. Export Contracts: These cards represent orders that players can fulfill to earn points and bonuses. To complete a contract, a player must have the required resources indicated on the card.

7. Port Bonus Tokens: These tokens provide special benefits to the player who controls the port region. The benefits vary and can include extra resources, money, or discounts on certain actions.

8. Scoring Tiles: These tiles determine the scoring criteria for each round of the game. They add variability to the game and require players to adapt their strategies each round.

9. Settler Tokens: These tokens are used to mark the territories that a player has settled. They are placed on the game board when a player establishes a new settlement.

10. Shipping Tokens: These tokens represent a player’s shipping capabilities. Players use them to move their clan members across water routes on the game board.

Interactions: Each of the components in Clans of Caledonia interacts with the others to create a rich, strategic gameplay experience. Players use their clan members to claim territories and collect resources, which they can then use to fulfill export contracts or build settlements. The player boards, scoring tiles, and port bonus tokens provide unique abilities and bonuses that can change the game’s dynamics. The game board serves as the central hub where all of these interactions take place, providing a visual representation of each player’s progress and the state of the game.

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

In the engaging strategy game of ‘Clans of Caledonia’, players assume the roles of historic Scottish clans of the 19th century who compete to produce, trade, and export agricultural goods. Here, we will cover the steps to set up the game properly.

Step 1: Prepare the Game Board

First, place the game board in the center of the table. The board is double-sided, so ensure you use the correct side based on the number of players. The side with a tighter playing field should be used for 1-3 players, while the larger side accommodates 4 players.

Step 2: Arrange the Market

Next, arrange the market tiles on the respective spaces on the game board. In the market, you will find goods like milk, grain, wool, whisky, cheese, bread, and meat. Place the price markers on the middle space of the price tracks.

Step 3: Randomize the Export Contracts

Shuffle the export contracts and randomly draw 16. Place these on the contract spaces on the board. The remaining contracts can be returned to the box as they will not be used in the game.

Step 4: Set Up Player Boards and Clans

Each player chooses a clan and takes the corresponding player board. The clans have different abilities which can impact the strategies used during the game. Players should place the player board in front of them and take the matching clan tile, placing it on the dedicated space on the board.

Step 5: Distribute Initial Resources

Each player receives initial resources according to their chosen clan. The clan tile will show the start resources for each player. These typically include a certain number of pounds (the game’s currency), and a set of workers and goods.

Step 6: Position Initial Workers

The youngest player starts by placing one of their workers on a field of their choice, then the next player in clockwise order does the same. This continues until all players have placed two workers on the board.

Step 7: Organize Player Order

Finally, organize the turn order for the start of the game. The player who placed their worker last in the previous step will go first, and the turn order continues anti-clockwise from there.

With these steps, you’re now ready to start your journey into the world of ‘Clans of Caledonia’. Enjoy the game!

Game flow Round and round we go

Clans of Caledonia is an economic strategy board game set in 19th-century Scotland. The gameplay revolves around trading, producing goods, and expanding territories. The game is played over five rounds, each with four phases. The phases are: Preparation Phase, Action Phase, Production Phase, and Scoring Phase.

1. Preparation Phase
In the Preparation Phase, players prepare for the upcoming round. The steps involved are:

Reveal the next round tile if it’s not the first round.
Replenish the export board.
Restock the merchant track if necessary.

2. Action Phase
In the Action Phase, players take turns performing one action each until all players have passed. The possible actions include:

Trading: A player may buy or sell goods at the current market prices.
Expanding: A player may place a new unit on the game board, paying the cost in coins and goods.
Upgrading: A player may upgrade their technology level, increasing their production and scoring potential.
Fulfilling an Export Contract: A player may fulfill an export contract if they have the required goods, gaining points and other bonuses.
Passing: A player may pass, ending their actions for this phase.

3. Production Phase
During the Production Phase, players generate resources based on their presence on the game board. The steps are:

Generate goods from each of your active workers.
Collect money from each of your active shipping routes.
Gain any bonuses from fulfilled export contracts.

4. Scoring Phase
In the Scoring Phase, players receive points based on their performance during the round. The steps involved are:

Score points for the current round’s scoring tile.
Score points for your clan’s specific scoring condition.
Prepare for the next round or end the game if it was the fifth round.

At the end of the game, the player with the most points is the winner. In the event of a tie, the player with the most remaining resources wins.

Players'turn One turn to rule them all

‘Clans of Caledonia’ is a complex and engaging strategy board game. During each player’s turn, they can take one of eight possible actions. These actions can be taken in any order, and each action can only be taken once per turn. The actions and their implications for gameplay are as follows:

Pass: If a player cannot or chooses not to perform any other action, they pass. Their turn ends and they can’t take any more actions until the next round. The order of play for the next round is determined by the order in which players pass, with the first player to pass going first.
Trade: Players can buy or sell goods from the market. The price of goods varies depending on supply and demand, which is affected by player actions. Strategic trading can earn a player a significant profit.
Expand: A player can expand their territory on the board by placing a new unit. The cost of placing a unit depends on the type of unit and the territory. Expanding can increase a player’s production and influence.
Upgrade: A player can upgrade their clan by moving up on the technology track. This can provide various benefits, such as reducing the cost of other actions or increasing the value of goods.
Fulfil an Export Contract: If a player has the necessary goods, they can fulfil an export contract. This can earn them money, victory points, and other benefits, but also requires them to give up goods.
Hire a Merchant: A player can hire a merchant to increase their trading capacity. This allows them to perform more trade actions in future turns.
Produce: A player can activate one of their production units to produce goods. This costs resources but can lead to a profit if the goods are sold at a high price.
Take a Port Bonus: A player can take a bonus associated with a port they control. This can provide a variety of benefits, such as additional resources or victory points.

Each of these actions can have a significant impact on a player’s strategy and the overall game. Players must carefully consider their options and make strategic decisions to maximize their score and achieve victory.

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

The game of ‘Clans of Caledonia’ is played over five rounds, and it officially ends at the conclusion of the fifth round. During the course of the game, players strive to accumulate the highest score by strategically managing their resources, expanding their territory on the board, and trading goods.

After the fifth round is completed, a final scoring phase takes place. The following steps should be carried out to calculate each player’s final score:

Export Track: Each player moves their export marker back to the start of the export track. For each step the export marker is moved back, the player scores one point. If the marker cannot be moved back any further, the player loses 4 points.
Contract Cards: Players score points for their completed contract cards. The points are indicated on each card. Incomplete contracts are not scored and do not carry any penalties.
Money: Each player converts their remaining money into points at a rate of 10:1. For every 10 pounds, they score one point. Any remaining money less than 10 pounds is not scored.
Goods: Players convert their remaining goods into money at the current market prices, then convert this money into points as described above.
Settlements: Players score points for the largest group of adjacent settlements on the game board. A single settlement scores 1 point, two adjacent settlements score 3 points, three score 6 points, and so on, following the triangular number sequence.
Clan Abilities: Some clans have abilities that provide additional points at the end of the game. These points are added to the player’s score.

The player with the highest total score after all these steps are completed is declared the winner of the game. In the event of a tie, the player with the most money (after converting goods to money but before converting money to points) wins. If there is still a tie, the player who is later in the turn order wins.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

Clans of Caledonia is a strategy game of economic expansion in 19th century Scotland. The game’s scoring system is multi-faceted, with players earning points throughout the game and during the final scoring phase. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

During the Game:

Trading and Contracts: Players can earn points by fulfilling contracts, which often require certain goods to complete. Each completed contract provides a set number of victory points as indicated on the contract card. Additionally, players can also earn points by trading goods on the market.
Expanding and Building: Players earn points by expanding their clan’s territory and building structures. The number of points varies depending on the type of structure built and the terrain.

End of Game:

Settlements: At the end of the game, players receive additional points for each of their settlements. A settlement is a group of connected structures. Points are awarded based on the size of the settlement.
Export Track: Players also receive points based on their position on the export track. The higher a player’s marker is on the track, the more points they receive.
Money: Finally, players convert any remaining money into points at a rate of £10 to 1 point.

Tie-Breaking:

In the event of a tie, the winner is decided using the following rules:

The player who has the most leftover money wins.
If there is still a tie, the player who is furthest along the export track wins.
If a tie still persists, the player who completed the most contracts wins.
If there is still a tie, the player with the most total goods (including basic and luxury goods) wins.
If a tie still remains, players share the victory.

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

Clans of Caledonia is a highly strategic board game with a wealth of intricate rules and exceptions. Understanding these nuances can significantly enhance your gaming experience. Here are some special rules, exceptions, and clarifications:

1. Clan Abilities: Each clan has a unique ability that can be used to bend the standard rules. Make sure to familiarize yourself with the specific abilities of your chosen clan, as they can greatly influence your strategy throughout the game.

Clan Buchanan: This clan’s ability allows for the trading of goods at any time, even outside of the player’s own turn. This is an exception to the general rule that trading can only be done on your turn.
Clan MacKenzie: This clan can convert whiskey into export goods, which is a unique conversion not available to other clans.

2. Port Bonuses: Ports do not provide immediate bonuses when built. Instead, the bonuses are realized during the production phase. This is an exception to the usual rule where building bonuses are received immediately.

3. Market Limitations: When buying or selling goods, keep in mind that the market price will change after each transaction. However, players cannot perform multiple transactions of the same good in a single turn. This rule can sometimes be overlooked, leading to confusion.

4. Scoring Bonus: At the end of the game, there is a scoring bonus for each set of exported goods. Each set must contain exactly one cheese, one bread, and one whiskey. Any extra goods that do not complete a set do not contribute to the scoring bonus.

5. Contract Completion: Completing contracts is a big part of the game. However, players should remember that contracts can only be fulfilled during their turn and that they cannot carry out other actions until they finish resolving their contract(s).

6. Land Restrictions: Players cannot expand their settlements on mountainous regions unless they have a miner. Similarly, forest regions can only accommodate lumberjacks. These are exceptions to the general rule that any worker can settle on any land type.

These are just a few of the special rules and exceptions in Clans of Caledonia. Always remember to read the rulebook thoroughly and clarify any uncertainties before starting the game.

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

Advanced Strategies for Clans of Caledonia

Plan Ahead: Always have a long-term strategy. Aim to control a particular type of resource or area on the board. This will allow you to maximize your gains in the later rounds.
Control the Market: Buy low and sell high. Manipulate the market in your favor to earn profits and undercut your opponent’s strategies.
Expand Strategically: Expanding your territory is crucial, but it’s also important to do so strategically. Aim to control areas with varied resources and those close to ports for trading benefits.

Beginner Tips for Clans of Caledonia

Start by focusing on understanding the basic mechanics of the game. This includes learning how to gather resources, expand your territory, and make use of the market.
Try to keep a balanced approach. It is tempting to focus on one area, but a balanced growth across resources and territory is usually more beneficial.
Learn from others. If you’re playing with experienced players, observe their strategies and use them as a learning experience.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Clans of Caledonia

Overexpansion: Expanding too quickly can leave you short on resources and vulnerable to other players. It also increases the cost of future expansions.
Ignoring the Market: The market is a dynamic and important aspect of the game. Ignoring it can result in missed opportunities for profit.
Avoiding Trade: Trading can be a powerful tool, whether with the market or with other players. Avoiding trade can limit your options and growth.

Ways to Optimize Gameplay in Clans of Caledonia

Master the Market: The market in Clans of Caledonia is a powerful tool. Master its mechanics to buy low, sell high, and manipulate it in your favor.
Adapt to Opponents: Pay attention to your opponents’ strategies and adapt your game plan accordingly. This can help you anticipate their moves and counter them effectively.
Utilize Special Abilities: Each clan has unique abilities. Make sure to utilize these to your advantage.