Inis

2016

Inis is a captivating strategy game where players delve into Celtic lore, vying for power through leadership, land, and religion. Master the art of drafting, bluffing and timing in this epic quest for kingship!

90
minutes

2 - 4
player(s)

14+

Medium

About the game

Inis is a deeply engaging board game that transports players to the heart of Celtic history and mythology. Set amidst the mystical islands of Ireland, you are immersed within an intense power struggle for the title of High King. With its unique blend of strategy, negotiation, and card drafting, Inis offers a fresh perspective on the area control genre of game mechanics.

At its core, Inis is a game of territorial supremacy. You lead a tribe of Celts, expanding your influence over new territories, constructing citadels, sanctuaries, exploring vast landscapes, and even clashing with rival clans when necessary. However, the path to victory isn’t solely about conquest. Players can also win by demonstrating their leadership in festivals or by reaching spiritual ascendancy.

Game components Unboxing the fun!

Inis is a highly strategic board game that is centered around Celtic history and lore. It is full of epic battles, territorial control, and clan chieftainships. The game contains several components, each with its own unique function and importance to the gameplay.

1. Game Board: The game board in Inis is modular, composed of different landscape tiles. Each tile represents a unique territory. Players can move their clans to different territories and attempt to claim them.

2. Clan Figures: Each player has a set of clan figures. These figures represent the player’s clan members, which can be moved across different territories on the game board. The clan figures are used to establish control over territories and to engage in clashes with other players.

3. Action Cards: Each player has a set of action cards. These cards are used to determine a player’s actions during their turn, such as moving clans, adding new clans, initiating a clash, etc. The action cards add an element of strategy as players must decide the best time to use each card.

4. Advantage Cards: These cards provide players with unique abilities or advantages when played. Advantage cards are generally acquired by being the chieftain of a territory.

5. Epic Tale Cards: These cards are inspired by Celtic lore and myths. When played, Epic Tale Cards can provide powerful and often game-changing effects. They add an element of unpredictability and excitement to the game.

6. Sanctuary and Citadel Tokens: Sanctuary tokens can be placed in a territory to create a sanctuary, which can protect clans from attacks. Citadel tokens, on the other hand, can provide additional protection to a clan and make a territory harder to conquer.

7. Deed Tokens: Deed tokens represent ancient relics or monuments. Players can collect these tokens to help them achieve one of the victory conditions.

8. Pretender Tokens: A player can declare themselves as a pretender to the crown when they meet one of the victory conditions. They then receive a pretender token. If they still meet the victory condition at the beginning of their next turn, they become the king and win the game.

9. Season Cards: Season cards dictate the flow of the game. They indicate when certain actions can be taken and when a round ends.

In conclusion, each component in Inis plays a crucial role in the game’s progression. Understanding how to use these components effectively is key to becoming the King of Inis.

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

Inis is a strategy board game that involves card drafting and area control. The game is set in the Irish mythological era, where each player assumes the role of a tribe leader seeking to become the king of the island. Setting up Inis involves several steps.

Step 1: Prepare the Game Components

Start by preparing the game components. This includes the territory tiles, clan figures, action cards, advantage cards, epic tale cards, deeds tokens, and other game pieces.

Shuffle the territory tiles and draw as many tiles as there are players plus one. Arrange these tiles in the center of the table to form the initial game board. The rest of the territory tiles can be set aside; they will not be used in this game.
Place the Sanctuary and the Capital in two different territories.
Shuffle the action cards and deal four cards to each player.
Place the advantage cards face up next to the game board. Each advantage card corresponds to a specific territory tile.
Shuffle the epic tale cards and place them in a face-down pile next to the game board.
Place the deeds tokens in a pile next to the game board.

Step 2: Assign Player Roles

Each player chooses a color and takes all the clan figures of that color. They also take a set of corresponding colored tokens, which they will use to track their progress on the scoring track.

Step 3: Determine the First Player

Determine the first player randomly. The first player takes the Brenn figure (the king’s token) and becomes the Brenn for the first round of the game.

Step 4: Place Initial Clans

Starting with the Brenn and proceeding clockwise, each player places one of their clan figures in a territory of their choice. This continues until each player has placed a total of six clans on the board.

Step 5: Start the Game

Once all the clans are placed, the game can begin. The Brenn starts the first round by playing an action card from their hand. Play continues clockwise around the table.

Remember, the goal of Inis is to become the king by satisfying one of the three victory conditions: having your clans present in six different territories, having your clans in territories that collectively contain at least six sanctuaries, or being the chieftain over at least six enemy clans.

Game flow Round and round we go

Inis is a strategic board game that takes players into Ireland’s Celtic history and mythology. It is a game of area control, bluffing, and careful maneuvering. In this game, players are competing to become the King of the Island (Inis).

The game of Inis is structured into a series of rounds, and each round is divided into four phases: the Assembly Phase, the Season Phase, the Deeds Phase, and the Fest Phase.

The Assembly Phase:

The first player (Brenn) is selected. Brenn is the player who holds the Brenn figure from the previous round, or the player who won the previous game in a new session.
Players draw Advantage Cards. Each player will draw as many cards as territory cards they have in their possession, plus one more. They then keep a number of these cards equal to the number of territory cards they hold.
Card drafting: Beginning with Brenn, each player chooses one card from their hand and then passes the remaining cards to the player on their left. This continues until all cards have been drafted.

The Season Phase:

Players take turns to perform one action at a time. They can either play a Season Card, use a Territory Card’s ability, or pass. Players can also perform Epic Tale actions if they have an Epic Tale card.
Players can pass but still return to the game if their turn comes around again and they wish to play a card. The phase ends when all players pass consecutively.

The Deeds Phase:

Players check the victory conditions. A player can win the game if they are the chieftain of territories that collectively have at least six opponents’ clans, and/or if they are present in territories that collectively contain at least six sanctuaries, and/or if they are the chieftain of at least six territories.
If no player has won the game, the Deeds Phase ends and the game proceeds to the Fest Phase.

The Fest Phase:

Players check the victory conditions again. This time, the player who meets the victory condition and also has the most ‘Fest’ tokens wins the game.
If there is no winner, the Fest Phase ends, and a new round begins with the Assembly Phase.

In summary, the game of Inis is a fascinating blend of strategy, tactics, and negotiation. With careful planning, clever card play, and a little bit of luck, you might just be able to claim the crown and become the King of the Island.

Players'turn One turn to rule them all

Inis is a highly strategic game where players take on the role of Celtic chieftains, aiming to become the king of the island. The game is divided into rounds, and each round consists of several phases. One of the most important parts of the game is a player’s turn during the ‘Seasons’ phase.

During your turn, you may choose to play a ‘Season’ card from your hand. These cards allow you to perform various actions such as moving your clans, adding new clans, changing clan control in territories, and more. There are specific rules and strategic choices to consider when deciding which card to play and how to use its action.

Playing a Season card

When you decide to play a Season card, you put it face up on the table and perform the action described on the card. This action can have a number of effects on the game:

Movement: Some cards allow you to move your clans from one territory to another. This can be used to escape a threatening situation, to position your clans for future actions, or to contest control of a territory.
Adding Clans: Other cards give you the ability to add new clans to the game. This increases your presence on the island and can help you achieve victory conditions.
Changing Control: There are also cards that allow you to change which player controls a territory. This can be a powerful action, allowing you to take over a key territory and deprive your opponent of a victory condition.

Passing

If you choose not to play a card or cannot play a card, you may pass. However, passing does not mean you are out for the rest of the round. If the turn comes back to you and you have a playable card, you may play it. Only when all players pass consecutively does the ‘Seasons’ phase end.

Strategic Choices

Choosing which card to play and how to use its action requires strategic thinking. Consider the current state of the board, your opponents’ potential actions, and your own long-term plans. Here are some factors to consider:

Board Position: Look at your current position on the board. Are your clans safe? Are they in a position to control more territories or meet other victory conditions? If not, consider using movement or adding clans.
Opponents’ Actions: Try to anticipate what actions your opponents might take. If you think an opponent might try to take control of a territory, consider playing a card that allows you to move your clans or change control.
Victory Conditions: Always keep the victory conditions in mind. If playing a certain card can help you meet one of these conditions, it might be a good move.

Inis offers a deep and strategic gameplay with a variety of choices each turn. Understanding the impact of each action and making smart decisions is the key to victory.

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

Inis is a strategy board game that ends when a player fulfills one of the three victory conditions at the end of a round. These conditions are:

Breach: A player is present in at least 6 territories.
Leadership: A player is the chieftain over at least 6 opposing clans.
Land: A player is present in territories that collectively contain at least 6 sanctuary buildings.

However, if multiple players meet any of these conditions at the end of the same round, a tie-breaker mechanism is employed. The player who fulfills the most victory conditions is declared the winner.

Before the final scoring, players must complete the following actions:

Check if they have met any of the victory conditions at the end of the round.
If a player has met a victory condition, they must declare it by placing a pretender token on the corresponding victory condition track. If multiple players declare victory, they must each place their pretender token on the track.
Proceed to the next Assembly phase. If no player has met a victory condition, or if there is a tie, the game continues to the next round.
If a player has declared victory and no other player has met the same condition, that player wins the game. If multiple players have declared the same victory condition, the game continues until only one player meets the declared victory condition at the end of a round.

If no player has met a victory condition after the final round, the game ends in a draw.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

The game of ‘Inis’ is a strategy board game where the objective is not to accumulate points, but to achieve one or more of the victory conditions. These victory conditions are:

Leadership: Be the chieftain of territories that collectively have at least six opponent clans.
Land: Be present (with at least one clan) in six different territories.
Religion: Be present in territories with a total of six sanctuaries.

At the end of a round, if a player meets any of these victory conditions, they are declared the winner. However, if multiple players meet one or more of these conditions at the same time, then the game proceeds to tie-breaking rules.

The tie-breaking rules for ‘Inis’ are as follows:

If multiple players meet the same victory condition, the player with the most pieces in the corresponding territories wins. For example, if two players both meet the Leadership victory condition, the player with the most clans in the territories they rule wins.
If there is still a tie, the player who is the Brenn (holder of the capital) wins the game.
If the Brenn is not one of the players tied, the player with the Deed tokens wins the game.
If there is still a tie, the player with the most Advantage cards wins.
If there is still a tie, the player closest to the Brenn in turn order wins.

It’s important to remember that in ‘Inis’, timing is everything and achieving a victory condition first does not necessarily guarantee a win.

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

Inis is a complex, strategy-driven board game that revolves around Celtic history and myths. Though the game has numerous rules, there are a few that are particularly unique, rare, or require additional clarification:

1. Deeds Tokens Exception:

In most games, victory points or similar tokens can be earned and lost freely throughout gameplay. However, in Inis, once a player earns a Deeds token, it cannot be lost. This is an exception to the standard rules of many board games.

2. Triskel Cards:

Triskel cards are a unique feature of Inis. They are played in response to another player’s action, not during the player’s own turn. This is a special rule that is not common in many other games.

3. Epic Tale Cards:

These cards represent the intervention of gods or the unfolding of epic events. However, not all of them are beneficial. Some Epic Tale cards can be detrimental to the player who draws them. This can be a confusing rule for new players, as the assumption is that drawing a card would provide a benefit.

4. Clarification on the Brenn:

The Brenn, or chieftain, is a key figure in Inis. They have the power to break ties in any situation, but they can also be displaced from their position if a player manages to control more territories than the current Brenn. This is a rule that often requires clarification as it is not immediately apparent.

5. The Sanctuary Rule:

In Inis, a player can choose to build a sanctuary instead of conducting a clash. This is a special rule that allows for more peaceful strategies. However, it’s important to note that a sanctuary can only be built in a territory where there are no opponents present.

6. Clash Cancellation:

A clash (battle) can be cancelled if both involved players mutually agree. It’s a rare rule that provides an additional layer of strategy and negotiation to the game.

7. Special Win Conditions:

Inis has three different victory conditions, and a player only needs to meet one of them to win the game. This is unusual as most games have a single, definitive win condition. Moreover, players must declare their intention to win at the beginning of their turn, which adds another layer of strategy to the game.

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

In the board game Inis, players vie for control of Celtic Ireland through war, diplomacy, and the clever use of unique cards. Here are some advanced strategies, beginner tips, common mistakes to avoid, and ways to optimize gameplay:

Advanced Strategies:

Hold onto your Deed Tokens until you can use them to secure a victory. Deed Tokens give you a presence in territories where you have none, and can surprise your opponents.
Use the Geis card to deny your opponents the use of a powerful Season card. Remember that you can use it even if you are not the target of the card.
Try to take control of territories with multiple buildings. This allows you to draw more cards and gives you more options in the Assembly Phase.

Beginner Tips:

It’s important to spread your clans across the board. This not only helps you to meet the ‘territory control’ victory condition, but also makes it harder for your opponents to target you.
Don’t forget to use your Epic Tale cards. These cards can provide powerful and unexpected advantages.
Try to keep a balance between expansion and combat. Too much of either can leave you vulnerable.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

Don’t focus solely on one victory condition. It’s important to keep an eye on all three conditions and adapt your strategy as the game progresses.
Avoid getting into too many conflicts. Battles in Inis can be costly and might weaken your position on the board.
Don’t underestimate the power of the Assembly Phase. The ability to change the order of play and the Brenn can drastically shift the balance of power.

Ways to Optimize Gameplay:

Use your cards wisely. Try to get the most out of each card by considering all its potential uses before playing it.
Paying attention to your opponents’ strategies can give you an idea of which victory condition they are aiming for.
Try to control territories with Sanctuaries. This not only gives you an advantage in the Assembly Phase, but also brings you closer to the ‘religious domination’ victory condition.