Egizia

2009

Egizia is an intense strategy game set in Ancient Egypt. Outsmart rivals, manage resources, and achieve the highest fame by building iconic monuments.

90
minutes

2 - 4
player(s)

12+

Medium

About the game

Egizia is an engaging and strategically demanding board game that transports you back to the time of the Ancient Egyptians. As players, you become builders under the Pharaoh’s command, tasked with constructing majestic structures along the Nile River.

The game is set against the backdrop of Ancient Egypt, with the Nile River serving as the central game board. Players must navigate the river’s currents, which adds an interesting twist to the strategy. Unlike many other games, in Egizia, you cannot move your ship backwards, only forward. This creates a unique dynamic where you must plan your moves carefully, as each decision could impact future opportunities.

Game components Unboxing the fun!

Egizia is an exciting and strategic board game where players take on the roles of ancient Egyptian architects. The game comes with a variety of components, each with a specific function that contributes to the overall gameplay. Here is a detailed list of the components and their functions:

1. Game Board: The game board represents the Nile River, its canals, and various building sites. Players place their ships on the Nile River during their turn, moving only in one direction, downstream. The board also shows various construction sites for Pyramids, Temples, Burial Chambers, and Obelisks.

2. Player Boards: There are four player boards, each representing a different color. These boards are used to keep track of the player’s resources (stone, grain, and victory points) and the level of their technologies.

3. Cards: The game includes 93 cards, divided into four types:

Sphinx Cards:

These are bonus cards that give players special abilities or additional points at the end of the game.

Building Cards:

These are used to construct buildings and earn points.

Nile Cards:

These cards provide additional resources, workers, or immediate bonuses when collected.

God Cards:

These cards offer one-time special actions that can change the tide of the game.

4. Ships: Each player receives a set of five ships in their color at the start of the game. These ships are used to claim spaces on the Nile River, which can provide resources, building opportunities, or special actions.

5. Workers: Workers are represented by small stone markers in the players’ colors. They are used to build structures and require grain for sustenance.

6. Stone Tokens: These tokens represent the stone resource. Players gather stone to construct buildings and monuments.

7. Grain Tokens: These tokens represent the grain resource. Grain is used to feed workers during the feeding phase of each round.

8. Scoring Markers: These markers, in each player’s color, are moved along the scoring track on the game board to keep track of each player’s victory points.

9. Building Tiles: There are four types of building tiles – Pyramids, Temples, Burial Chambers, and Obelisks. Players use their workers and stone to construct these buildings and earn victory points.

Each component of Egizia interacts with others to create a complex and engaging game. Players must strategically place their ships, wisely use their resources, and build efficiently to win the most victory points and become the best architect in all of Egypt.

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

Egizia is a strategic board game that involves players taking on the roles of ancient Egyptian architects. They aim to build the most impressive monuments with the resources they have at their disposal. Here, we provide a step-by-step guide on how to set up the game.

Step 1: Set Up the Board

Spread the game board in the center of the table. The game board consists of the Nile River, the Construction Sites, and the Score Track. Make sure all players can easily reach it.

Step 2: Sorting the Cards

Sort the cards by their backside into three sets: Round Cards, Flood Cards, and Building Cards. Shuffle each set individually and place them face down in their respective spaces on the board.

Step 3: Placing the Buildings

Draw four Building Cards and place them face up next to the building spaces on the board. This begins the building market.

Step 4: Set Up Initial Resources

Each player chooses a color and receives a set of ships, stones, and grain markers, along with a player board of the same color. The game begins with each player having three stones and three grain markers. Players place their stones and grain on the ‘3’ space of their player boards.

Step 5: Set Up Player Roles

Each player takes on the role of an architect, aiming to construct monuments along the Nile. The goal is to make strategic decisions about resource allocation, timing, and positioning to maximize points.

Step 6: Random Elements

Draw the top card from the Flood Card pile to determine the initial flood level. Place the flood marker on the corresponding space of the Nile. The flood level impacts the amount of grain available to players, adding a level of unpredictability to the game.

Step 7: Determine First Player

Randomly determine the first player who then receives the Pharaoh’s Staff. This player begins the first round of the game.

Step 8: Preparing the Nile

Draw cards from the Round Card deck equal to the number of players plus three. Place these cards face up on the designated spaces along the Nile. The ships will be placed on these cards during the game, determining the order of play and the resources or privileges gained by the players.

Once these steps are completed, the game is ready to be played. Remember, the key to success in Egizia is to make the most of your resources and outsmart your opponents with strategic decision-making.

Game flow Round and round we go

Egizia is an exciting board game that takes players through the ancient land of Egypt. The game revolves around constructing buildings and monuments for Pharaohs while managing food resources. The game is divided into 5 rounds, each representing a year in Egypt, and each round is further divided into three phases: the Nile Phase, the Action Phase, and the Scoring Phase.

The Nile Phase

During the Nile phase, players prepare their journey down the Nile, aiming to gather construction resources and feed their crews. The game actions performed in this phase include:

Card Reveal: At the start of the round, players reveal a new set of cards which represent various resources and benefits.
Player Order: The player with the least points becomes the starting player for this round.
Ship Placement: Players take turns placing their ships on the Nile, from upstream to downstream, to claim cards and building spots.

The Action Phase

After navigating the Nile, players arrive in the Action Phase. Here, they take their actions based on the spots their ships have landed on. These actions include:

Collecting Resources: Players collect stone, brick, and grain cards, which they will use in building structures and feeding their workers.
Building: Players can build structures such as Pyramids, Tombs, or Obelisks, or place workers in the fields to cultivate grain.
Special Actions: Some card spots provide special actions like advancing on the Sphinx track or obtaining a special card.

The Scoring Phase

At the end of each round, players enter the Scoring Phase where they reap the fruits of their labor. Actions in the Scoring Phase include:

Feeding Workers: Each player must feed their workers with the grain they have collected. Failing to do so may result in point deductions.
Scoring Points: Players score points based on the buildings they have constructed, their progress on the Sphinx track, and the fulfillment of certain special cards.
Preparation for Next Round: After scoring, players prepare for the next round by retrieving their ships and resetting the game board.

After five rounds, the game concludes, and the player with the highest score wins the game, reflecting their successful reign in ancient Egypt.

Players'turn One turn to rule them all

Egizia is a popular board game that involves strategic planning and resource management. The game is played in turns, and each turn signifies a year in ancient Egypt. A turn in Egizia has several phases, each with different possible actions and strategic choices.

The first phase of a player’s turn is the Card Phase. In this phase:

Players draw a card from the deck. The cards can have immediate effects, effects that last for the entire round, or scoring effects that apply at the end of the game.
Strategically, it’s important to consider the long-term benefits of the cards. A card that gives a short-term boost might not be as helpful in the long run as a card that offers smaller but continuous benefits.

The second phase is the Placement Phase. Here:

Players place their ships on the Nile, choosing actions or resources that they want to claim.
It’s crucial to remember that the placement of the ships is irreversible, and later ships must be placed further down the river.
Strategically, players need to balance their immediate needs with potential future opportunities. They might need to forgo an immediate benefit to secure a more lucrative spot further down the Nile.

The third phase is the Feeding Phase. In this phase:

Players need to feed their workers. If they don’t have enough grain, they lose points.
Strategically, players need to ensure that they have enough resources to feed their workers. It’s better to have a surplus of grain than to lose points.

The final phase is the Building Phase. During this phase:

Players use their stone and workers to build structures, earning points.
The more elaborate the structure, the more points the player earns.
Strategically, players need to manage their resources carefully. Building a more elaborate structure might earn more points, but it also uses more resources. Players need to balance their desire for points with their need to maintain a sustainable economy.

Overall, a turn in Egizia involves a mix of short-term tactics and long-term strategy. The decisions that players make in each turn can have far-reaching consequences for their success in the game.

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

Egizia is a strategic board game set in the era of Ancient Egypt. The game ends after the fifth round, whereupon the final scoring takes place. Players need to be aware of several victory conditions and steps to undertake before the final scoring.

In Egizia, the objective for the players is to build the most magnificent monuments on the Nile with their construction crews, earn the most victory points, and prove themselves worthy in the eyes of the Pharaoh.

The game ends after the completion of the fifth round, which is indicated by the round marker on the game board. Before final scoring, players need to perform several actions:

Feeding the Workers: At the end of each round, players must feed their workers. For each worker that can’t be fed, players lose 5 victory points.
Final Building Phase: Players perform one final building phase on the Nile, where they can use their remaining stone to build monuments.

After these actions have been performed, the final scoring begins. The victory conditions in Egizia are as follows:

Monument Scoring: Players earn points based on the size and type of the monuments they have built. Pyramids, tombs, and obelisks all score differently.
Sphinx Cards: Each player reveals their Sphinx cards and scores the victory points listed on them, provided they meet the conditions on the cards.
Grain Scoring: Players also score victory points for the amount of grain they have remaining.
Nile Scoring: Players score points based on their position on the Nile scoring track.
Penalty Points: Any penalty points a player has are subtracted from their score.

The player with the highest number of victory points after the final scoring is declared the winner.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

In the board game ‘Egizia’, players collect points during the game and at the final scoring session at the end. The player with the most points at the end of the game is declared the winner.

During the game:

Players can earn points in several ways:

Building monuments: Whenever a player contributes a stone to a monument, they score points based on the monument’s current level. The pyramid, for example, gives points equal to the current level of the pyramid where the stone is placed.
Sphinx cards: These cards give players points for meeting certain conditions. The points are awarded immediately when the condition is fulfilled.
Grave cards: These are special cards that provide points at the end of each round if the player meets the card’s requirements.

Final scoring:

At the end of the game, additional points are awarded as follows:

Monuments: Players receive points based on the total number of stones they have in each monument. The more stones a player has in a monument, the more points they receive.
Sphinx cards: Some Sphinx cards provide points at the end of the game. These points are added to the player’s score.
Nile tiles: Players receive points for each Nile tile they have. The number of points is equal to the number on the tile.
Grain cards: Players receive points for their grain cards. The number of points is equal to the number on the card.

Tie-breaking rules:

In the event of a tie, the following rules are applied in order:

The player with the most stones in the monuments wins.
If there is still a tie, the player with the most Sphinx cards wins.
If there is still a tie, the player with the highest total on their Nile tiles wins.
If there is still a tie, the player with the highest total on their Grain cards wins.
If a tie still exists, the victory is shared.

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

Egizia is an intriguing board game wherein players take on the role of ancient Egyptian architects. Even though the game’s rules are quite straightforward, there are some rare rules, exceptions, and clarifications that players should be aware of:

1. Grain Exceptions:

In Egizia, grain is a critical resource, but there are some exceptions to its general rules. Normally, grain is used to feed your workers, but any excess grain at the end of a round does not carry over to the next round. Instead, it is converted into victory points.

2. Sphinx Cards:

There’s a special rule for Sphinx cards, which are a type of bonus card. You can only play one Sphinx card per round, and you must meet its requirement to use it. However, if a Sphinx card remains unplayed at the end of the game, it will still give you half of its potential victory points.

3. Building Rules:

When building structures, certain rules apply. You cannot build more than one structure of the same type in a round, and you cannot build on a space that another player has already built on. In addition, when building on the Nile, you must build from the north to the south.

4. Stone Market Exception:

There is an exception in the stone market. While you generally gather stones from the stone market, if a player has a quarry, they can take stones from there instead. However, they must have enough workers in the quarry to produce the stones.

5. Scoring Clarifications:

Scoring in Egizia can be complex, so some clarifications may be helpful. Points are earned for buildings, Sphinx cards, grain, and stones at the end of each round. However, at the end of the game, additional points are scored for structures and any remaining resources. Remember that in case of a tie, the player with the most remaining resources wins.

6. End Game Rule:

Finally, it’s important to note that the game ends immediately if a player cannot feed all of their workers. That player is eliminated, and the remaining players tally their scores to determine the winner.

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

Advanced Strategies:

Plan Your Round: Always plan your round ahead. It’s not enough to just grab the best card or best building, you should also have a strategy that takes into account the Nile’s flow and the specific order of action spaces.
Focus On End-Game Scoring: The game’s end game scoring can be quite significant. Pay attention to the end game scoring cards and try to align your strategy with those objectives.
Maintain A Balanced Approach: While it’s essential to focus on a specific strategy, remember to keep a balanced approach. A balanced workforce, a good number of stones and a constant food supply can make you more flexible and prepared for various situations.

Beginner Tips:

Start with Basic Understanding: Before starting, make sure you understand the game’s basic principles, like the order of play, how to get resources, and how to build structures. This will allow you to make better strategic decisions.
Focus on Food Production: Food is essential in Egizia. Make sure you have enough food to feed your workers each round. This can be achieved by focusing on food production early in the game.
Use Your Workers Wisely: Your workers are your most valuable resource. Always use them wisely and plan ahead where to place them on the Nile.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

Ignoring the Nile’s Flow: One common mistake is ignoring the Nile’s flow. Remember, once you place a ship downstream, you cannot place another one upstream. Plan your moves carefully.
Not Planning for the Famine: Not having enough food to feed your workers during the famine can be disastrous. Always keep track of your food production and consumption.
Ignoring End-Game Scoring: The end game scoring can significantly impact the final outcome of the game. Ignoring it can cost you the game.

Ways to Optimize Gameplay:

Efficient Resource Management: Efficiently managing your resources is key to winning. Make sure you have a good balance between workers, food, and stones.
Strategic Building: Building strategically can give you a lot of points. Plan your building strategy according to the available building cards and your resources.
Utilizing Action Spaces: Make the most of the action spaces on the Nile. Choose the most beneficial ones for your strategy and try to block spaces that might benefit your opponents.