Colosseum

2007

Step into the role of a Roman impresario in Colosseum! Produce grand spectacles, attract spectators, and earn glory to become the Grand Impresario.

90
minutes

3 - 5
player(s)

10+

Medium

About the game

In Colosseum each player is a Roman impresario – producing great spectacles in his or her arena in the hopes of attracting the most spectators. Players earn wealth and glory for each event run, using it to create ever more ambitious events. They will need to improve their arena, find the best performers, lure the Emperor and his nobles, and manage assets for long-term success to be granted the title of Grand Impresario, with tales of your extraordinary spectacles acclaimed throughout the empire. As commanded by the Emperor, the greatest celebration in Roman history has continued unabated for 99 days. All of Rome has borne witness to the grandest spectacles the empire has ever seen— all to commemorate the opening of the Amphitheatrum Flavium, the Colosseum. Tens of thousands have flocked to the city to experience the sight of a hundred gladiators in battle…rare and exotic animals prowling the arena floor…and to hear and see the greatest musicians and entertainers from throughout the empire. But these events have only been a prelude to today — the closing finale! As a master impresario you have prepared for this moment your entire life. Titus himself has taken his seat in the Emperor’s Loge. At the drop of his hand, the final spectacle will begin. Your moment in the sun has come…

Setup and rules summary

Game components Unboxing the fun!

Colosseum is a game set in the Roman Empire, where players aim to attract the most spectators to their events. Here are the main components of the game:

1. Game Board

The game board provides the arena for the players. It is divided into areas for auctions, performances, and a track for keeping score.

2. Emperor’s Medals

Emperor’s Medals give players a bonus to their performance score. They can be acquired by bidding during auctions or by attracting the Emperor to your show.

3. Coins

Coins are the currency in the game. Players use them to bid on assets during auctions, expand their arenas, and trade with other players.

4. Tickets

Tickets are used to attract spectators to your shows. After each performance, the player with the most tickets gains extra spectators.

5. Player Markers

Player Markers are used to track the players’ progress on the score track. The player with the most points at the end of the game is the winner.

6. Arena Pieces

Arena Pieces are used to build and expand your arena. The larger your arena, the more spectators you can attract.

7. Performances

Performances are the events that attract spectators. Each performance requires a specific set of assets to put on.

8. Asset Tokens

Asset Tokens represent the assets needed to put on performances. They can be obtained through auctions, trades with other players, or by expanding your arena.

9. Nobles

Nobles are special spectators that can be attracted to your shows. They provide bonus points if they attend your performance.

10. Dice

Dice are used to determine the movement of the nobles around the game board. They also determine the number of spectators attracted to each performance.

All of these components interact to create a dynamic and strategic game. Players must carefully manage their resources and plan their performances to attract the most spectators and win the game.

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

Colosseum is an exciting board game where players take on the role of Roman impresarios to produce grand spectacles in their arenas. The setup process is quite straightforward and involves the following steps:

1. Setup the Game Board:

Place the game board in the center of the playing area.
Place the Emperor’s Loge tile on the indicated space on the board.
Shuffle the Event Program cards and place them in a face-down deck next to the game board.
Arrange the Emperor, Consul, and Senator tokens on their indicated starting spaces on the board.

2. Setup Player Pieces:

Each player chooses a color and takes the corresponding player pieces – 1 Arena, 5 Senators, 3 Season Tickets and 30 Coins.
Each player places their Arena on one of the available Arena spaces on the board.
Each player places their Senators in the stands of their Arena.
Each player places their 3 Season Tickets in front of them.
Each player counts out 30 Coins from their supply and places it in front of them.

3. Setup Initial Resources:

Divide the Asset tokens into 5 separate piles by type and place them next to the board.
Each player receives a starting set of Asset tokens – 2 Wheat, 2 Beast, 1 Ship, 1 Musician, and 1 Decor.
Each player will also receive 1 Event Program card from the top of the deck.

4. Setup Random Elements:

Shuffle the Emperor’s Medals and place them in a face-down pile.
Draw 5 Emperor’s Medals and place them face-up in a row next to the pile.
Draw the top 5 Podium tokens from the bag and place them on the 5 podium spaces on the board.

5. Determine First Player:

The player who most recently visited an arena or a theater in real life becomes the first player and takes the First Player token.

Now, you’re ready to start playing Colosseum!

Game flow Round and round we go

Colosseum is a board game which revolves around the events of the Roman Colosseum. The game consists of 5 rounds with each round having 5 phases. Each player assumes the role of a Roman impresario, producing great spectacles in the hopes of attracting the most spectators. The player who has attracted the most spectators after the 5 rounds is declared the winner.

The 5 Phases of the game are as follows:

Invest Phase: In this phase, players have the opportunity to improve their arenas, purchase season tickets, or invest in new events. They may also trade assets with other players.
Acquire Phase: Here, players can acquire new assets by bidding on asset lots in an auction. The assets could include gladiators, lions, horses, and props that the players need to host their events.
Trade Phase: In this phase, players can trade their assets with other players. This is crucial to acquire the necessary assets to host bigger and more spectacular events.
Produce Event Phase: This is where players host their events. The success of the event depends on how well the player has managed to gather the necessary assets during the previous phases. Successful events attract more spectators.
Closing Ceremonies Phase: This is the final phase of the round. Emperor’s Medals are awarded to the players who hosted the most spectacular event, and the player who attracted the most spectators moves their marker on the spectator track. The game then proceeds to the next round.

Each player performs actions in each phase before moving onto the next phase, and the order of play changes with each round, ensuring that all players have an equal chance of success. The game requires strategic planning, negotiation skills, and a bit of luck to attract the most spectators and win the game.

Players'turn One turn to rule them all

‘Colosseum’ is a strategic board game where players work as Roman event managers, trying to organize grand spectacles in the Colosseum. Gameplay is divided into turns, and during a player’s turn, they can perform a range of actions. Understanding these actions and strategic choices is crucial to mastering the game.

1. Investing:

Expanding the Arena: Players can choose to expand their arena to increase its capacity. This allows more spectators, which can lead to higher scores.
Buying new Programs: These are essentially the events that players host. Purchasing a new program can unlock new possibilities and benefits.
Purchasing Assets: Assets include performers, props, and decorations. They can enhance the appeal of events and attract more spectators.

2. Trading:

Players can negotiate trades with other players. This can involve swapping assets or programs to benefit both parties.

3. Event Hosting:

Hosting an event is the primary way to earn points in ‘Colosseum’. The success of an event depends on the assets and programs that the player has invested in, as well as the capacity of their arena.

4. Scoring:

At the end of their turn, players score points based on the number of spectators their event attracted. Assets, programs, and arena size all contribute to this total.

Strategic Choices:

Every action in ‘Colosseum’ involves strategic decision-making:

Investing: Players must decide how to distribute their resources between expanding their arena, buying new programs, and purchasing assets. A well-balanced approach can lead to more successful events.
Trading: Successful trading requires good negotiation skills and an understanding of what assets and programs are in demand. Trading can be a quick way to acquire valuable resources that would otherwise be costly or time-consuming to obtain.
Event Hosting: Players must choose the best time to host an event, taking into account their current assets and the state of their competitors. Timing can be a crucial factor in attracting the most spectators.
Scoring: Throughout the game, players should aim to maximize their score by attracting as many spectators as possible. This involves careful planning and strategic decision-making across all stages of the game.

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

The game of Colosseum is a competitive game in which players are attempting to build the grandest performances in their Colosseums. The game ends after the fifth round of play, signaling the end of the ‘Emperor’s Days of Games’.

At the end of the fifth round, there is a final scoring phase. However, before this phase begins, there are a few actions players must take:

Firstly, players must perform their events for the fifth round. Players will earn coins and Emperor Medallions for successful events.
Secondly, players are allowed to make final expansions to their Colosseums using any remaining wealth, if they choose.
Finally, players can use their Emperor Medallions to increase their score. Each medallion is worth 3 points.

After these actions have been taken, the final scoring phase can begin. The victory conditions in Colosseum are as follows:

Most Points from Performances: Players add up the total points from all performances they’ve hosted throughout the game. The player with the highest total score from performances wins.
Most Colosseum Expansions: Players compare the size of their Colosseums. The player with the largest Colosseum (most expansions) earns additional points equal to the size of their Colosseum.
Most Emperor Medallions: Lastly, players add up the points from their Emperor Medallions. Each medallion is worth 3 points.

The player with the highest combined score from their performances, Colosseum size, and Emperor Medallions is declared the winner. In the event of a tie, the player with the most wealth (coins) is the winner. If there is still a tie, the player who performed the event with the highest value during the game wins.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

Colosseum scoring system is based on the successful execution of events and the total number of spectators that attend these events. Points are also awarded for the assets owned by the player.

Here’s how points are awarded:

Event Performance: After successfully hosting an event, the player earns points equal to the total number of spectators. The number of spectators equals the total value of the event minus the Emperor, Senators and Consuls’ tokens.
Assets: At the end of the game, players earn additional points for the assets they own. This includes buildings, territories, and event programs.

The detailed breakdown of asset scoring is as follows:

Each building a player owns provides 1 point.
Each territory a player owns provides 2 points.
For event programs, points are awarded based on the highest valued program that a player has successfully executed during the game. The points range from 5 to 30, depending on the value of the program.

In the case of a tie, the following tie-breaking rules are applied:

The player with the most spectators from their highest scoring event wins.
If there is still a tie, the player with the most total spectators from all of their events wins.
If a tie still persists, the player with the most coins wins.
If none of the above rules break the tie, the victory is shared.

Colosseum scoring system encourages players to not only focus on hosting events but also on acquiring assets throughout the game. A well-balanced strategy is key to victory.

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

Colosseum is a board game that’s all about building the grandest performance in the Roman Empire. While the rules of the game are quite straightforward, there are some special rules, exceptions, and clarifications that are important to remember:

Emperor’s Medallion: The Emperor’s Medallion is a special item that players can acquire. This medallion allows a player to perform an event even if they don’t have all the necessary assets. However, it’s important to note that the Medallion can only be used once per game.

Trading: During the Trading Phase, players can trade assets with each other. This can include performers, coins, or event programs. However, the traded assets must be used in the current round’s performance.

Asset tiles cannot be traded back to the bank during the Trading Phase.
Players cannot trade away assets that are required for their next performance.

Building Expansions: Players can expand their Colosseum by purchasing expansions. However, a player can only purchase one expansion per round, and the size of the Colosseum determines the number of spectators that can be attracted.

The maximum size of a Colosseum is five segments.
The initial Colosseum counts as one segment.
Each expansion adds one additional segment.

Season Tickets: Each player starts the game with one season ticket. This ticket guarantees that at least one spectator will come to each of your performances. Additional Season Tickets can be purchased, but only one Season Ticket can be used per performance.

Scoring: At the end of the game, the player with the most points wins. If there’s a tie, the player who performed the highest rank event during the game wins. If there’s still a tie, the player with the most coins wins.

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

Colosseum is a highly strategic board game that requires careful planning and resource management. Here are some advanced strategies, beginner tips, common mistakes to avoid, and ways to optimize gameplay.

Advanced Strategies:

Invest in the best events early: Buying the most expensive events early in the game can give you a significant advantage, as they offer more points and better rewards.
Use your Emperor’s Medals wisely: Emperor’s Medals can be used to purchase extra actions, which can be a game-changing advantage. Use these medals wisely and at the right time to maximize their benefits.
Optimize your auction bids: In the auction phase, try not to overbid for assets you don’t need. Instead, focus on acquiring assets that complement your existing events and strategies.

Beginner Tips:

Focus on completing events: As a beginner, it may be tempting to buy a lot of assets, but remember that your main goal is to complete events. Focus on buying assets that help you complete events instead of building a large collection.
Pay attention to other players’ strategies: By observing other players, you can anticipate their moves and potentially block them from getting resources they need.
Use your special tokens: Don’t forget to use your special tokens, such as the reroll or double roll tokens, which can help you in crucial moments of the game.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

Ignoring the Emperor’s Loge: It’s easy to underestimate the importance of the Emperor’s Loge, but securing this spot can give you valuable extra points.
Spending all your money in the auction phase: Remember, you also need money to invest in your colosseum, events, and assets. Don’t spend all your money in the auction phase.
Not diversifying your assets: It’s important to have a diverse range of assets to give you more flexibility in completing events.

Optimizing Gameplay:

Plan your moves ahead: Colosseum is a game of strategy, and the more you plan your moves ahead, the better your chances of winning.
Balance your resources: Strive to maintain a balance between your money, assets, and events. Having a lot of one and none of the other can hinder your success.
Understand the value of each asset: Not all assets are created equal. Some are more valuable than others, and understanding this can help you make better decisions during the auction phase.